The Don's Young Love (The Don's of Italy Saga Book 2) Age Gap Romance

Episode 2: Don Azeglio

As the sun sets in Italy, I stand on my balcony overlooking the beautiful Amalfi Coast from my luxurious villa mansion. The sound of the ocean waves and gentle breeze soothes me. It's a bittersweet day - the anniversary of my dear wife Anselma Cinzia's death. She has been gone for seven years now, but her memory still grips my heart with longing.

Every year, I retreat into my office and isolate myself from the world. Nothing can coax me out, not even my favorite glass of Hennessy cognac and the stunning view of the Amalfi Coast right outside my door. Tonight, however, things were different. As I poured myself a glass of Hennessy, a soft knock at my door interrupted my solitude.

"Mi scusi, signore?" a voice called. (English translation: Excuse me, Sir)

It was my loyal butler, James. "Yes, James? What is it?" I sighed, never taking my eyes off the amber liquid swirling in my glass.

"I am ready to retire for the evening, Boss. Do you have any other tasks for me before I go to bed?" James inquires. I glance at the clock and realize it's almost 7 pm; I had forgotten that James goes to sleep early because of his early morning wake-up routine.

With a heavy heart, I reply, "No, James. That'll be all for tonight. Go and get some rest. I'll be fine." James nods and wishes me a good night before leaving the room and closing the door gently behind him.

Left alone again, I stare at the photos of Anselma Cinzia that adorn my office walls. Each image is like a knife through my heart, reminding me of the love we once shared.

I step out onto the balcony once more, relishing the refreshing night air. My entire staff is aware of my dislike for this time of year. As I stood on the balcony, lost in memories and grief, a faint sound of footsteps approached from behind me. Instinctively, I turned around to see Maria, my head chef, standing there with a look of concern on her face.

"Signore, I couldn't help but notice you've been cooped up in here all day," Maria said softly, her voice tinged with compassion. "Is there anything I can do for you? A comforting meal, perhaps?"

I appreciated Maria's thoughtful gesture but shook my head in response. "Thank you, Maria. Your kindness is appreciated, but tonight, I just need some time alone," I replied, my voice heavy with emotion.

Understanding my need for solitude, Maria simply nodded and offered a gentle smile before retreating into the villa. The night air grew cooler as the hours passed, and the moon cast a soft glow over the Amalfi Coast. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice when Luca, my gardener, quietly approached me.

"Boss, I've prepared the garden for tomorrow's event as you requested," Luca informed me, his rugged features softened by the moonlight. "Is there anything else you need before I head home?"

I gazed at Luca gratefully, touched by his dedication despite knowing how difficult this time of year was for me. "Thank you, Luca. You've done a wonderful job, as always. Please go home and rest; I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."

With a nod of understanding, Luca bid me goodnight and disappeared into the darkness of the night, leaving me once again alone with my thoughts and memories. I entered my office and locked the door, craving some alone time for the rest of the night. Tomorrow, there will be a memorial for my wife, as per tradition. After a long day, I finally took off my suit jacket and tossed it onto a nearby chair.

With a sigh, I switched off the lamp and kicked off my shoes. I sat down on the sofa and placed my glass of cognac on the side table before lying down to relax. As I closed my eyes, memories of my beloved Anselma flooded my mind. She was truly the love of my life, and no other woman has come close to replacing her. I even missed the intimacy we shared.