Camellia rode her horse back from gathering olives with the village women, the basket of olives a token of gratitude for her help. As she trotted along, her mind wandered to the tight-knit community she called home. How swiftly news traveled in this small village, like grapevines carrying whispers on the wind. They knew about the wine thieves, of course—they always knew. And the envy towards her grandmother Rosa's legacy lingered like the scent of fermenting grapes.
"It's incredible," Camellia mused aloud to herself, "how everyone here seems to know everything about everyone else. Sometimes I wonder if there's a grapevine network hidden amongst the vines themselves."
She sighed, her thoughts turning to the incessant prying and probing of the villagers, their endless curiosity a double-edged sword. "I cherish this farm with all my heart, but this village..." She shook her head, frustration evident in her voice. "They just can't seem to resist poking their noses into everyone's business. Always asking personal questions, always wanting to know more. And maybe they're right in some ways—we do need help, especially now, with the vineyard struggling
"But why does it always have to about men? Why can't they see the strength and resilience of the women who've tended this land for generations?" Camellia pondered, her gaze lingering on the horizon where she often imagined her father's travels taking him. "As much as I yearn for the excitement of the world beyond this isolated heaven, I can't deny the value of having men here. I miss the camaraderie, the different perspectives they bring. Perhaps it's time to acknowledge that we could use some help, we need musculen energy in this place
And where the hell is my boyfriend?!
She shouted loudly rising her voice which echoes through the grassy road realising that he hasn't shown up since the robbery incident
She tapped gently on her horse head and said: Com on Bianca Lets hurry up heading home and call Luca .
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Once she passed by the gate and her grandfather's shrine
She heard his voice talking to one of the workers
Cami strides into the farmhouse, her eyes blazing with anger. She stops short when she sees LUCA standing there, holding a basket of freshly baked Italian bread.
Cami: (angrily) Luca! Where have you been? You disappear for four days without a word, and then you show up here with bread? Why you don't answer my calls
Luca: (nervously) Cami, I can explain.but first! You know how bad is the signal in my father's bakery,so canyou just not killing me at least before I clear my point ?
Cami interrupts him, her tone
she notices the basket.
Cami: (curiously) Is that... Focaccia?
Luca nods, relieved that she seems interested.
Luca: Yes, it is. I wanted to surprise you.
Cami: (teasingly) Well, I may consider not killing you now while I am eating my bread
Luca : that day ,when you fearlessly followed the robbers and shooted their car perfectly,I felt weak.....weak and useless
Not able to do the great things that my girlfriend do ,so once I got back, I took lessons in shooting and now I can say that I am not completely useless and I can protect you when it needs
Cami stopped chewing her bread ,the anger melt down,and all she thought about is how caring her boyfriend is
Without letting him to explain himself anymore,she hugged him tightly and gave him a passionate kiss
The olive skin under his eyes turned red ,he relocated his glasses as a gesture of abashment,then she whispered gently to his ear : you will always be my useful, strong man.
Grandma ROSA watches the embrace with disapproval, muttering to herself.
Rosa: (grumbling) Always bringing trouble to this house...
Orchidia, overhears and steps forward, defending Luca.
Orchidia: (firmly) Mother, don't be so harsh. Luca is a good, young man.
Grandma Rosa scoffs, leaning on her axe.
Rosa: (sarcastically) A good man? Ha! My daughter and granddaughter have the worst taste in men.
Orchidia ignores her mother's comments and approaches Luca, kissing him on the cheek.
Orchidia: (warmly) Luca, welcome back. Let's make bruschetta with this fresh bread. Your father's baking is the best.
The farm workers watch the scene with jealousy as Orchidia leads Luca away, leaving Grandma Rosa grumbling to herself.
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Dalia's POV :
My heart was filled with doubt as I took step forward the shaded road with the grapes leaves above me ,but I felt like those grapevines whispering to me (swim Dalia swim ! Don't look back!) just like my mother...who encouraged me to continue swimming and not given to the cold water ,that was the last thing my mother told me before she drawn with my father in the deep sea ,and since a year,that was all what I can remember
So ...I have nothing to lose,and I should listen to these grapevines that gide me to walk through the unknown "
As Dalia stepped onto the farm, her eyes were drawn to the simplicity of her surroundings—the weathered barn, the rows of grapevines stretching into the distance, and the imposing marble grave of the farm's patriarch, Matthew. With her modest attire and a quietair of resilience, Dalia stood out amidst the tranquil countryside. Her journey from the tumultuous shores of Syria to the tranquil landscape of Italy had left its mark, a story etched in the lines of her young face.
Approaching Matthew's grave, Dalia felt a pang of empathy for the young man who had left this world too soon. She instinctively reached for the small cross hanging around her neck, offering a silent prayer for his departed soul. Unbeknownst to her, Rosa, the matriarch of the farm, observed this tender moment from a distance, her keen eyes studying the stranger with a mix of curiosity and compassion.
Rosa's presence seemed to emanate a quiet strength, her tall frame and silver hair lending her an aura of authority. As Dalia expressed her desire to meet the renowned lady of the farm, Rosa welcomed her with a warm smile and asked : what are you looking for young lady?
Dalia: (tensionly) I am looking for the lady , people told me that her farm is here !
Rosa put her hands in her trousers pockets and asked: what for ?
Dalia: ( with hesitation) I want to work for her
Rosa didn't immediately replied but said : come ,let me take you to her
With lot of admiration the young Dalia followed her while her eyes wondering around this magical place
She kept staring to the old lady who has a unique aura and she whispered to herself " what a beautiful long , silver hair,I have never met a woman like this befor "
Rosa invitined her to share a glass of wine. It was a simple gesture, yet it spoke volumes of Rosa's hospitality and grace
Meanwhile, Camilla, the fiery granddaughter of Rosa was looking from the kitchen's window with frustration she said: god ! I asked you for men not women ! "
And once one of the workers approached the doorstep she said: lady Rosa ,the The crop is ready to go to the press
The lady nodded kindly and said: thank you Iva ,let the men take them then
Dalia stood up quickly and said spontaneously: you are the lady ?!
The realization hit Dalia like a sudden gust of wind ,they told her the owner is an old lady but not a Beautiful chrismatic one ,she was nothing near to what she imagined, causing her to choke on her wine. In that moment, amidst the vineyards and the fading light of day, Dalia's encounter with Rosa marked the beginning of a new chapter in her journey—one filled with unexpected twists and turns, bound together by the timeless rhythm of life on the farm.
To be continued...
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THE LADY
Adventurean old elegant lady in her 60's known as the "lady " in her area,in the far away countryside of Italy, everybody respect her and fear her , she lives in her grape farm with her beautiful daughter orchidia and her granddaughter Camellia, an unwelcome...
