Dinnerat the Rossi house was the opposite of the stiff business-like environment at Aura Cosmetics. Upbeat ethnic music played in the background and gifts from Alex’s trip were strewn all over the living room floor. Alex and Sofia sat on the floor with their backs against the wide leather sofa, laughing and swapping stories.
“I can’t believe you ate scorpions,” Sofia said with a shudder.
“Eh, tastes like chicken,” Alex said, making her spit out her wine with a guffaw.
“That wasn’t the weirdest thing I tried. Durian, oh man, that stuff was disgusting. Smelled like rotting onions and sulfur.”
Grimacing, she asked, “Why would anyone even eat that?”
“The locals said it was healthy, but I had to hold my nose to get it down. I don’t care what they say. That won’t happen again.”
Seeing that her glass was almost empty, Sofia pushed herself off the floor.
“Be right back.”
While she went to get more wine, Alex gazed up at their family photos that were hung around the room, some of which he had taken.
They had lost his precious mother, Maria, while Alex was at university, and he thought he'd never recover. Knowing he had made the decision to pursue photography and not the family business weighed heavily on him afterward. He regretted not going through with his former plans, if only to stay with his sister and father.
Maria Rossi was the heart of their family, and it was only the knowledge that she would have wanted him to pursue what he was born to do that kept him on course. Those were some of her last words to him.
His parents had modeled true, sacrificial love, the kind that trusted freely and gave selflessly. Their example was one of the reasons Alex hadn't married yet.
He thought he might have found that with his Bella, but he had been very mistaken. Her betrayal was swift and complete, and he feared he may never be able to trust anyone again. Not when his heart had been broken so badly.
Alex was pulled out of his musings when Sofia sat back down next to him, her legs crossed at the ankle.
“Do you wear this on your head? I can’t see anything,” she said as she flipped the gift Alex brought for their dad onto her head.
“Yes. Here, let me help you,” he chuckled as he put the woven conical sun hat on properly.
He tried to stay focused, but his mind drifted as they spoke about the business.
“Alex. Alex. Are you listening to me?”
Sofia waved her hands in front of his face. She arched her eyebrows and said, “What are you smiling about like that? You look ridiculous.”
He cleared his throat and quickly wiped his expression, trying to avoid the inquisition that would surelyfollow.
“Nothing, nothing. Sorry, what were you saying?”
“Ah, forget about work. Let’s talk about something more important. Did you meet anyone interesting in Asia?”
“Huh? What do you mean? I met tons of people.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. Someone special, maybe?” she prodded.
“I spoke with you almost every week while I was gone. How could I have met someone special that you wouldn’t already know about?” he answered, wrapping the colorful handmade shawl he had bought for her around her shoulders.
“Just asking,” she said in a sing-song way, her curiosity obviously not abated.
Alex shook his head at his sweet but crazy sister.
“Hey, I am so glad you’re home. This was a hard one. I had just gotten used to you being here with us when you had to leave.”
“Listen, I know this was a long one, and it was hard for me too, my sorella preferita.”
Sofia tried to lighten the somber mood. “I’m your only sister. And yes, it would be great if your next trip was a short one.”
