“Hey, Papa, how are you?” Alex asked, keeping his voice low and his eyes on the restroom door.
“Son, I’m so sorry I missed the calls. I had one last meeting before heading to the airport. Still planning on coming home next Tuesday? Sofia has been reworking our schedules to spend as much time with you as possible,” Leonardo said quickly, his voice rushed.
“Airport? Where are you going?” Alex asked, his brows pulled tight.
“Nowhere far, but I have to check in with one of our suppliers in Milan. Problem with inventory there. I’ll be back at the end of the week, long before you get here.” Alex could hear papers shuffling and muffled voices near his dad.
He couldn’t believe his luck. There was no way he could wait another week to see his dad after being gone so long. Looking at the restroom door, he sighed as he headed for the cafe door.
“What time do you leave the office?”
“I have another hour or so. Why? Everything okay on your end?”
“All good. Safe travels and I’ll see you soon. Love you,” he answered as they hung up.
Alex reluctantly left the cafe.He couldn’t believe that Aria had waltzed back into his life, into his arms, and he had to walk away.
A thought crossed his mind when he got back to his car and drove toward his father’s office. The woman at the counter called Aria by name. Tracing back through the small interaction, he wondered if he had imagined it. But he was sure it was what made her tilt her head, bringing their lips together for that brief second.
Relief mixed with hope flooded over him as he made the decision to go back the next morning and ask the woman about Aria. He had glanced at the hours listed on their menu and apparently they weren’t open for dinner, so he would have to wait.
Putting aside the thoughts of Aria, he focused on his reunion with his family. Even though his mood improved, he readied himself for the visit to his father’s office. Those visits were always bittersweet. He recalled the decision he made that changed the trajectory of his life.
When he first went to college for business, he intended to take over for his father someday. But he fell in love with photography soon after starting at the university in Athens, realizing he had found his true calling and passion.
As a photographer, he had traveled all over Asia, Europe, some of the Americas, and parts of Africa. His career fed his longing to see the world. In college, he discovered that he had a natural “eye” for capturing a moment in time and his photos of beautiful vistas created opportunities for success.
His recent foray into humanitarian photojournalism gave him the ability to bring focus to people in need. Joining forces with reputable charities around the globe, Alex’s work brought to light the impoverished, which in turn brought about changes that he believed would make a difference. He soon was regarded as one of the best in Italy, even though the accolades always made him uncomfortable.
As much as he loved his career and travels, he loved coming back to Italy, too.
Their family had lived in Rome most of his life and it was at school there that he and Sofia met Aria and Nicholas. He and Nicholas were two grades ahead of Aria and Sofia, but the age difference did nothing to deter his feelings for her.
He wondered if it was possible that Aria lived in Positano now. Wouldn’t that be a crazy coincidence?
His dad moved his company headquarters to Positano a few months before Alex left for the Asia project. Consequently, he and Sofia sold their homes in Rome, prompting Alex to give up his apartment in the ancient city and purchase a house in Positano as well. It wasn’t much of anything when he first bought it, so he stayed with his dad and Sofia while it was being renovated. Sofia kept telling him while he was away that the pictures didn’t do it justice.
Parking his car in the nearby garage and heading to the four-story building that housed Aura, Alex strolled through the first-floor office, drawing strange looks from some of his father's employees.
He nodded to the few he remembered but even some of them apparently didn't recognize him. His hair had grown out almost to his broad shoulders and his beard had gotten thicker. His skin was deeply tanned, its glow evidence of being exposed to the sun for hours and hours every day.
Chuckling, even he had to admit he looked wild, bordering on unkempt, as he walked toward his dad’s office. The villages where he had just spent a year certainly didn’t warrant much grooming. As he looked around at the neat desks and tidy workstations, he took in the proper office attire of dark suits and office-appropriate dresses. His outfit of choice, a t-shirt, faded jeans and scuffed hiking boots, only made Alex stand out more. He didn’t fit in here.
But then again, he never did.
When his dad’s secretary, Liza, went to shout a greeting as he stood in front of her desk, Alex put his finger to his lips, letting her know his intentions. She mouthed, “he’s free”, so Alex knocked before strolling into his dad’s office, shocking him as he took in the sight of his son.
Leonardo jumped out of his chair. “What are you doing here? I can’t believe you made me think you were still out of the country!” Leonardo looked at Alex from head to toe, tears beginning to form as they embraced each other tightly.
“The project ended early, and I couldn’t wait to get home. I know you’re heading out, but I’ll be here when you get back. Just wanted to see you before you left.”
“I hate that I have to leave, but you promise to stay for the two weeks as planned, right?”
“Try and stop me,” Alex said as they hugged again.
Talking for a few more minutes about what he had missed since their last call, Leonardo followed Alex to Sofia’s office, his wink revealing what he had in mind.
Alex walked down the hallway which led to his sister’s office and saw her pouring over some folders at her desk with her assistant standing next to her. He strode in and yelled, “Well, looks like you’re busy. Guess I’ll come back later.”
