Epilogue – 1
Niccolo Point of View
“Mr. Russo, I got the result from Mr. Robinson’s executive.” My secretary walked inside my office holding the contract papers with Mr. Robinson’s chocolate factory from North America. “They agreed to sell us on our terms.” She exclaimed with a victorious smile.
I smiled back at her and shook her hands for working hard alongside with me. Although I got interested in Chocolate production due to Bella’s love for them, I soon realized that they make good profits and great business if made right choices.
“Fabulous. Get the new contract ready and ask Mr. Brown to set the terms accordingly. Once he is done, get the completed contract to me for a revision so we can go further.” I instructed her, giving her the necessary documents in a USB. She nodded and scurried out of my office in an urgency to complete the task.
I picked up my mobile with a smile when it pinged with latest news from the news app. Clicking on it, I found my smile widen when the headlines blinked in bold letters.
Pulling out my other phone, I dialed the number of the person who gives me the sparks of immense joy at every moment of my life.
“And here I thought our story was dramatic and full of tears to even get people invested in it.” I mocked playfully once the line connected. I received a graceful laugh as a response to which my smile widened even more.
“Well, seems like I have good literature skills then.” My beautiful Bella responded lightly. I raised an eyebrow and realized she couldn’t see me from her phone.
“Keep telling yourself that and one day you might convince me. But seriously, how come your book was selected by one of the best directors to make it into a film?” I asked her faking curiosity.
The day we decided to give each other a break to settle things between us, Bella as promised continued to work in Nonna’s mansion with her usual job while I returned to the city to continue my work.
Bella did apply for the University I suggested after four months but unexpectedly, she opted for Literature and Cultural studies. I knew she loved communications and gadgets a lot and it was her long tern dream to have a degree in it but when Nonna asked her about her unexpected decision, she said she is far away from the goal she used to have fourteen years ago and also she wanted to do something which reflects her life.
I still didn’t understand her reason for choosing literature but it was only after three months from then that a book titled ‘An Italian’s Escort Lover’ has gone haywire with popularity. Though it was written using some other names, it was still our story.
The first thing she did after the decision to give each other sometime was to write her life story and publish it. She had started writing it immediately under the pen name ‘Bella’ and later with the help of few literature classes; she improvised it and published it with the help of Serene.
It was her first book and it was also first books to publish by Serene’s publishing house as well. The book has received the love and fame very soon and it almost got popular overnight.
She received much fame and popularity for the story and the emotions she has depicted in the book but unknown to the people, it was our own emotions. Right now, a director asked for the rights to make the book into a movie seeing how popular the book got over a small span of time.
Truly said that a free bird can adventure beyond skies. These days our relation with each other changed too. I didn’t know before that my Bella can be playful and a prankster and I can be very mindless around her. Before, I used to consider her feelings before speaking anything so as to not hurt her but these days, I mock her, taunt her and flirt with her mindlessly without much care and she takes everything in a playful manner.
There is this spark and cheerful vibe around her these days which I very rarely used to see in the past. The sides we have hidden deep down are slowly surfacing with the changes that are taking place.
“I received a call from Serene a few days ago telling me that this producer is interested in my book. After meeting up and going through the process, I agreed to give them right to make a film. I wanted to ask you or Nonna for an advice but then, I want to make my own decision this time and experience the outcome even if it leads to something bad.” I grinned at her words and almost patted myself for being there for my Bella.
She did the right thing. You need to experience success and failure by yourself to learn and I’m so proud of her.
“You did right. Oh, yes I totally forgot. I cleared your bank loan with money you transferred.” I said remembering several trips to bank my secretary has made.
“Thank God. Please bring your secretary to the opening tomorrow, Nicco; or please give her the phone I will invite her myself.” She said loudly with many background noises from her side. She must be busy rushing to complete the work.
“I still don’t understand why you are so keen on opening a pet café when you can start a solid business with the money you earned from the book.” I rubbed my stubbles, leaning back to my desk.
I heard rustling from the other side and later she sighed loudly once the noise seized. “I don’t want to become a businesswoman, Nicco. I like animals and they deserve a place to be pampered so I’m opening the pet house not for business but for self satisfaction.” She answered seriously.
“Sometimes, I find myself reflecting in them when I remember the past and the conditions I lived in. I just want to have place for the pet owners and pets to meet and where people can take in those innocent creatures.” She continued.
I think that is what makes you her different from others. She didn’t aim for money or profits but she aimed to do something very small by taking care of animals but can make something big for the nature.NôvelDrama.Org content.
She truly has a heart of Gold.
“Alright. Did you decide what you want to do with the remaining money you got from the escort house?” I asked her remembering her saying that she doesn’t want to use that money for a new start. So the Pet house is established from the money that she earned from her book.
“Not really. I want to use it for a good cause. I’m yet to find it.” She replied back.
“Alright, Nicco. I need to go now. I have been climbing all the five floors of the pet café from morning and there is still so much of work to do. I will call you once I am done with the decoration. Nonna should be coming anytime soon with lunch for me.” She said hurriedly while instructing the men about the decoration.
“Bye Nicco. I love you.” She said and I smiled at her confession in urgency.
Well, I can’t leave you when you are so tensed, now can I?
“Are you sure?” I asked biting back my smile.
“Huh?” I heard her.
Why am I hiding my smile when she cannot see it. Niccolo! You have been turning into a crazy man day by day.
“It’s been ten days we saw each other and never had you told me that you missed me.” I complained. It was silent for a while and then I heard her laugh loudly almost choking herself.
Heavens. How even her laugh can create electric feeling in my heart?
No wonder we are burning in love for each other.
We did not have any physical relation yet but after staying away from each other for awhile and after she has published her book, we both met again for the first time after a long while. We thought it would be awkward between us but since the foundation of our relationship is friendship it was quite easy for us to reconcile again.
From then on we started meeting each other frequently and have been going on dates on Nonna’s advice. We talk a lot on dates. It was so good to just hold each other’s hands and talk about the day.
“I’m sorry Nicco baby but I was busy loving myself. Better luck next time. Let’s see if I can spare some time thinking about you.” She said in a teasing tone.
No doubt she has been treating herself nicely. She is thinking about herself first and has been expressing her views easily. I even saw her admiring herself in front of a mirror sometimes.
Heck, she started becoming cocky too which is actually adorable.
“Wow, and here I thought only I am not missing you much.” I teased her back. I was waiting for a mocking reply but found her cutting the call immediately making me chuckle at her childish act.
My Bella has changed so much and I love the new version even more. Now she is not afraid to talk for herself and doesn’t care about strangers judgments. With time, she has started gaining confidence and has was proud of herself for braving a storm of life and yet surviving.
But the mistake she made was making me the hero in her book. I am nowhere a hero. She was a hero in the book and she deserves every happiness that world has.
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