Desserts & Dramas

Chapter 13

 The winery where his father and Angelica lived was two hours away from Azevedo, but only 20 minutes from the nearest town, so they had everything they needed within walking distance and never came to the big city.

Since it was a long trip and he was going to a dinner party where he would not miss trying several wines, he chose to hire a driver. Even though he enjoyed driving on the roads, he would not have to worry about controlling the amount of alcohol ingested and his safety on the way back home. After all, it was still the middle of the week and he had to be back at the office tomorrow. So he left in the middle of the afternoon to get to his father's house early and not come back so late.

Every time the car approached the path lined with leafy old trees that led to the winery headquarters, Gabriel's childhood memories returned. Not the happy ones he spent with his mother, but the confused and painful ones that didn't stop him from letting out a deep sigh.

Perhaps part of him wished that his father had not left him alone so often to deal with the anguish of his youth. Like the time his teacher called Raul at school to talk about Gabriel's low grades after his mother's death and that he would not be able to get into any university if he kept following that path. All Raul did was to give him more space, even more space.

Gabriel didn't want space, he wanted a father as present and devoted as he had once been. The one who taught him to ride horses on the farms, told him so many stories about old times and fought with him when he hit a soccer ball through his neighbor's window. That father left the same day as his mother. And what he was about to meet was a reserved and distant, yet extremely affectionate version with Angelica.

He sighed again, louder, causing the driver to look at him in the rearview mirror. Maybe he just wanted to have what his father had with Angelica, someone to open up and share. Which was impossible for the future that lay ahead of him. So why think about it? In a few hours he would be at home again and would forget all these thoughts the countryside gave him.

The vehicle stopped in the driveway. The house was large and belonged to an old Italian family, but as no son wanted to take over the business, the owner sold everything to his father. And so Raul Lanvini became a winemaker and producer of famous wines that featured in the best restaurants in the country. Of course his father had to study and dedicate a lot of time to understand the business, but with Angelica's help, he soon mastered the grape growing, the types of barrels and storage, and the characteristics and processes that made his wine so unique and desired.

When he got out of the car, his father and Angelica were already waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. With their simple clothes and smiles, they were the picture of a happy country life.

"Welcome, son."

"Thanks, Dad." He gave his father that hug mixed with a pat on the back. He never knew exactly how to greet him.

"Angelica, charming as always." He complimented her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. No matter his age, he always had a way with women.

"Thank you, Gabriel. Let's go inside, dinner is almost ready. And your father wants to introduce you to a new product he's working on."

Raul was always excited when he talked about his products. Even though there was distance between father and son, Gabriel gave his full attention to the business that filled his father's days.

"I am working on a new combination of grapes and have ordered another type of oak barrel that can greatly change the flavor of the composition. I would like you to taste it and give me your detailed opinion of how you feel."

Angelica rolled her eyes and went to the kitchen to check on dinner, while the men headed for the small bar that Raul had set up in a corner of the room. According to him, the purpose was to facilitate the tasting of the wines for his guests, but Angelica knew what his real intentions were.

"Angie, would you like a glass?" Raul shouted as she came through the kitchen door.

"No, thanks, I prefer water today.

"That's fine," Raul replied and turned to Gabriel, "Sometimes she gets headaches, so it's better not to abuse the wine anyway."

Gabriel observed the scene, identifying the affection between the two of them. He had never been close to Angelica, but it was evident that she made his father happy and they cared for each other. If it was true love, he couldn't recognize it.

"Very well, taste carefully." Raul handed the cup to his son.