THE LADY

chapter two : echos of yesterday

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the vineyard as Grandma Rosa made her daily pilgrimage to the grave of her ex-husband, Matthew. Underneath the sprawling vine leaves, she found solace in the quiet companionship of the man who had once been her everything. With a heavy heart, she settled onto the ground beside his resting place, the familiar ache of loss stirring within her soul.
Morning, Matthew," she whispered, her voice carrying across the stillness of the vineyard. "Another day without you, my love."

As she spoke, memories of their shared past flooded her mind like a rushing river, pulling her back to a time when life was simpler, and love was an unbreakable bond.

Flashback:

POV - Rosa

My childhood was a blur of pain and fear, a never-ending nightmare from which I could not awaken. Every evening, I would huddle in the corner of our meager home, my mother's cries mingling with the harsh slaps of my father's hand against her delicate skin. She shielded me from his rage, her trembling form a barrier between me and the darkness that threatened to consume us both.

One fateful night, the violence escalated beyond anything I had ever known. My father's drunken fury knew no bounds as he unleashed his wrath upon my mother with a savagery that chilled me to the bone. In a desperate bid to escape the storm of his rage, I fled into the night, seeking refuge in the sanctuary of a nearby farm.

It was there that I found salvation in the form of a kind-hearted woman who took me in and taught me the ways of the land. Under her gentle guidance, I learned the art of farming, finding solace in the earth beneath my feet and the promise of a better tomorrow.

At the tender age of eighteen, fate led me to Matthew, a noble young man whose smile ignited a spark of hope within my battered heart. We fell in love amidst the golden hues of the grape season, our laughter mingling with the sweet scent of ripening fruit.

But happiness, it seemed, was not meant to last. Two years into our marriage, tragedy struck with the force of a thunderbolt, shattering our idyllic existence into a million jagged pieces. I found Matthew's lifeless body amidst the tangled vines, the crimson stain of betrayal seared into my soul.

In the depths of my despair, a fire ignited within me—a primal rage born of love and loss. With trembling hands, I grasped the weapon that Matthew had once taught me to wield, my fingers tracing the familiar contours of cold steel. With tears streaming down my cheeks, I vowed to avenge his death, to ensure that his memory would not fade into oblivion.

But it wasn't just vengeance that fueled my resolve. As I gazed upon the innocent face of my two-year-old daughter, a vow formed in the depths of my being—a promise to her, and to myself. I swore that I would never be weak like my mother, that I would never allow my child to suffer at the hands of another.

From that day forth, I became more than a widow—I became a legend, a force to be reckoned with in a world that had underestimated the strength of a woman's resolve. The villagers whispered tales of my courage, their admiration tempered by a reverence born of fear.

But amidst the grief and the weight of her vows, a beacon of light emerged in the form of her beloved daughter, Orchidia. As Orchidia grew older, her presence brought warmth and joy to the vineyard, her laughter echoing through the fields like the melody of a forgotten song. Blessed with both beauty and intellect, Orchidia quickly endeared herself to everyone she encountered, her gentle spirit a balm to her mother's wounded heart.

As Orchidia blossomed into a young woman, her keen mind began to stir with ideas beyond the boundaries of their humble farm. With a persuasive tongue and a vision that surpassed her years, she convinced her mother to expand their operations, transforming the vineyard into a thriving enterprise that stretched far beyond the confines of their small corner of the Italian countryside.

Moved by her daughter's compassion and ingenuity, Rosa embraced Orchidia's suggestions with open arms, her heart swelling with pride at the sight of her daughter's blossoming potential. Together, they planted rows of grapevines above Matthew's final resting place, shielding his grave from the harsh rays of the summer sun.

With each passing season, their vineyard flourished, producing grapes of unparalleled quality and richness. Under Orchidia's careful guidance, they began to craft wines that captured the essence of the land itself, each bottle a testament to their shared determination and resilience.

Word of their success spread like wildfire through the village, and soon, Rosa found herself not only hailed as a former legend but also revered as a formidable businesswoman in her own right. The villagers bestowed upon her a new title, one that echoed with respect and admiration—Rosa, the Lady of the Vineyard.

As for Orchidia, she became a sought-after prize in the eyes of many suitors, their offers of marriage pouring in like the tide against the shore. But Orchidia, with a wisdom far beyond her years, turned them all away, her heart set on a different path. Enamored by the mysteries of the past, she set her sights on a career as an archaeologist, her dreams reaching far beyond the borders of their sleepy village.

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Pov_Rosa :

I loved my smart, beautiful daughter, Orchidia, so much, but I have never understood her taste in men. I wished she would choose someone strong and mighty like her father, but I can't blame her because she never knew him enough. She never held her dad's machine gun; I tried so hard to teach her shooting, but she always failed. She is so beautiful, pure, kind-hearted, but never like me. I can't see her as successor for my legacy, but my granddaughter, Camellia, will hold my legacy. You can see the strength in her eyes; she is going to be the queen of the grapevine after me, and I am so proud of her.

Just as Rosa drifted into her memories, her granddaughter Camellia's voice cut through the haze of the past. "Nonna," she said, gently shaking Rosa's shoulder. "Dinner is ready."

Thank you, mia cara," Rosa said, rising from her spot beside Matthew's grave. "Let's go enjoy a meal fit for royalty."