The Exiled Jeweler: a contemporary romance novel (The Rosa Legacy Book 2) (2 page)

Taking a sip of chilled water, she tried to calm herself. It was inevitable that she would need to return to California and deal with the media. For some reason, the more she tried to hide, the more interested they became. But in fairness, she had succeeded in getting a few very high profile commissions.

Liv found her and said, “Are you okay?”

“No, not really. My grandfather is in the hospital after arguing with my father and uncle about selling the business. I think we may lose the Ellerby commission. It has to do with the bad press surrounding recent financial disclosures. We could lose other commissions. Berceto is in real trouble.”

The two of them walked back to her office and she closed the door for privacy.

Liv said, “I know the problems must seem insurmountable at the moment but they have been building for a long time. You won’t be able to solve them in a few days.”

She drew strength from her friendship with the older woman. Liv was practical and intelligent. At fifty years old, she was marvelously put together: her short grey hair was worn in a stylish cut, complimented by earrings from the shop and a slim-fitting white sundress. As the de facto mayor in their small beach community, Liv knew all the comings and goings of the residents. Luckily for her, Liv was also fiercely loyal and didn’t give into idle gossip.

Emilia met Liv’s concerned glance. “I need to see my grandfather, but I don’t know if I’m ready to face the craziness of Southern California.”

“Going back and facing a past mistake or embarrassment is never easy.” Liv’s voice was kind and she reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. “But you are stronger than you realize. And your family needs you even if they don’t realize it.”

Emilia perched on her desk. “My grandfather is the creative genius behind Berceto. Now that he is in the hospital, it may be too difficult to stage a comeback.”

Liv met her gaze. “Emilia, you are immensely talented. I know you have inherited his genius with design. You need to recognize that in yourself.”

She shook her head. “My parents and uncle feel that I’m too young to run the business.”

“Your parents adore you but they will have a difficult time for letting go of the reigns.”

Emilia tightened her ponytail. “I know they love me, but for whatever reason I can’t make them happy. They don’t value fame, and speculation in the media is excruciating for them. They value obscurity. Isn’t it strange… to be in the jewelry business and to be completely repulsed by glitter or beauty?” It gave her a sense of peace to finally understand why they behaved as they did. It made it less personal.

Liv tapped a pencil against the desk. “That doesn’t mean you have to shun the spotlight. You are one of the most sought after jewelry makers in this country.”

Looking into Liv’s determined face, Emilia felt strengthened. “It’ll be hard to go back. I thought it would get easier with time, but the longer I’ve stayed away, the more difficult it has become. I should have remained in California and dealt with the speculation. Now the media will dredge the story back up, speculating on my self-imposed exile, and it will be just as painful for my parents.”

Liv dismissed her concerns with a wave of her hand. “There is no point in holding onto regrets. Face the media vultures.”

Emilia looked sharply at her friend. “My parents will want the speculation to stay buried.”

Liv’s voice rose. “Just brazen it out. You are a beautiful girl. Refuse to comment and let people think what they will.”

She thought about returning. She had cultivated an untouchable facade over the last four years. It allowed her to hold everyone at a safe distance.

She turned to Liv, “You don’t know my uncle. He is relentless. He will insist that I’m too young and inexperienced.”

Liv straightened the items on the desk. “You are the talent behind the throne. There is only so far he will be able to push you. And you could always push back.”

“I wouldn’t do that.” Emilia contemplated Liv’s logic. She had become hugely sought after for her designs and had garnered a significant following among the wealthy. Maybe she could use her strength in the business to deter her uncle’s relentless criticism of her faults.

An image of her grandfather lying in a hospital bed formed in her mind. She needed to see him. She missed his sharp insights and boundless love. He was one of the only family members who accepted her mistakes and didn’t discuss them endlessly.

“I get the feeling that my father and uncle have no idea what to do.”

“Why hasn’t your grandfather stepped in? He built the company from nothing.”

Emilia tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “I’m guessing that he hasn’t been feeling well for quite some time. The old timers have told me that he barely goes to the shop anymore. There is a major trade show coming up and I don’t think they are ready for it. I know the person in charge of the show quit a number of weeks ago.”

Liv looked puzzled. “Why haven’t they asked for your help?”

“I don’t think they wanted to acknowledge how bad things were. But now with all of the bad press, they are going to have to face it.”

Liv took a sip of her iced tea. “You have a backlist of requests stretching more than half a year and raising your prices hasn’t deterred anyone. I know that you will be able to help them resurrect the company. With your design ideas and a tighter control on spending, Berceto can make a comeback.”

Looking at Liv, she asked, “Could you make sure that the loose ends get tied up here, then come to California to help me with the launch?”

“Yes, I’m sure my husband can survive without me for a few weeks. Maybe I’ll get him to work on a few home renovations.”

Relief flowed through Emilia. At least she wasn’t going to be completely alone. “To help get Berceto back on track, the launch will be important. Are you sure you can come for several weeks?”

“I’ll talk to my husband, but I’m sure it can be worked out,” Liv said over her shoulder as she went back to work.

Emilia went through a private door and up a flight of stairs to her condo. She needed to book a flight to Los Angeles so she could check on her grandfather and get to the bottom of what was happening in the business. Each time she had questioned her parents on the phone, they had dismissed her concerns. But the balance sheet told another story. The company was hurting for cash, even with the extraordinary commissions she was bringing in over the last year.

After arranging a first class plane ticket for later that day, Emilia dialed her parents’ house and began packing for an extended trip as she waited for someone to answer the phone.

When she heard her mother’s strained voice, she asked, “Ciao, Mama. How is he?”

“The doctors are worried. All this talk about selling the business has him in turmoil. Your father was hoping that if Berceto could just hang on a bit longer that things would get easier.”

Emilia knew her mother hated uncertainty. While she was supportive and loyal, she liked to have things resolved. Her mother was very similar in personality to her two sisters. All of the Rosa women were hardworking and traditional, but it was her mother, Francesca, who disliked change the most. If she was disappointed, she would never admit it. Her father, Peter, was hardworking and intent on keeping the family image pristine.

“It must be very hard for Papa as well.” Emilia took a deep breath and tried not to think of losing her grandfather.

As an afterthought, her mother said, “Your father and uncle are meeting with Alexander Armati today to discuss the offer he presented.”

A blaze of anger so deep passed through her that her limbs began to shake. Alex Armati. The man who had caused her downfall. But her family didn’t know that he was the man that appeared in the nude photographs captured of her at the private gala. His face had been obscured so the press hadn’t been able to identify him. At the time, she’d refused to disclose who it was because she feared her father and uncle would demand he make amends with the family.

Instead she chose to flee and wait it out. But four years later, it was just as complicated. Running away had solved nothing.

But she would not allow Alexander Armati to take the family business from her. It was her legacy, her birthright. He may have tarnished her reputation, but she would not allow herself to be marginalized this time up without a fight.

“Why would they do that? It is too soon to make any decisions.”

“Without your grandfather’s creative leadership, the business is slipping further into decline. And you are not ready to take over. This might be the right time to take on a partner and Alexander Armati would be ideal. He is powerful, has a sharp business mind and is exceedingly wealthy.”

“It is too upsetting to even think about right now. I think we should put off any decisions until after
Nonno
recovers.”

“I know this is hard for you. But your father and uncle will know the right thing to do.”

Emilia had a sinking feeling. She was convinced that they wouldn’t make the right decision. They didn’t possess the passion for designing jewelry. For them, it was just a business. Given the fact that the business was in trouble, they would accept any lifeline offered to them.

“I booked a flight home, Mama.”

She knew her mother missed her but would also be worried about the negative publicity.

“What if by returning home it fuels the curiosity of the media? It will bring more anguish to
Nonno
.”

“Decisions about Berceto need to be made and I can’t be a part of that process unless I’m there.” Emilia added after a brief pause, “I’ll see you this evening.”

After a five-hour flight to Los Angeles, Emilia took a taxi to her parents’ house. Her parents had moved in the last four years, so she had to rely on the driver to get her to the right place. They passed through a security checkpoint where a guard leaned in and asked her name. She answered and the car was waved through.

It made sense to her. Her parents would feel more protected from the outside world with gatekeepers.

After paying the taxi driver, she walked the short distance up to a mansion in muted beige brick. Ringing the doorbell, Emilia forced herself to hold back her emotions and pretend everything would be fine.

She wore jeans and a white button down shirt even though her parents would complain about her casual attire... She knew it was important to them that she looked the part of an educated and privileged business owner. They complained when she had started dying her dark hair an unnatural red and hated the fact that it now reached her mid-back.

Fear crept along her spine as she waited for the door to be opened. Alexander Armati was a frequent guest of her parents and she knew coming to Los Angeles would put her in his direct path. Avoiding him would be impossible. He had been courting Berceto Designs for four years.

She had no desire to see him or get drawn into a discussion about the past. But she knew that their paths would cross at some point. He wanted Berceto. Would he mention that night? Or would he let it go? He had reached out to her many times but she steadily ignored his requests to speak with her.

Emilia tried to dispel thoughts of Alex Armati from her mind and waited for the door to open. Why was returning home so difficult for her? It probably had something to do with her family’s disapproval of who she had become.

Chapter 2

A uniformed maid opened the door and invited her in. Leaving her suitcase in the foyer, she stepped further into the house. Her mother was on the phone in a formal sitting room and motioned her to come in.

“Emilia, I’ve missed you more than you know.” Her mother moved forward and hugged her tightly.

“I’ve missed you, mama.” Her mother was the same. Stylish. Impeccably groomed. Calm.

They hugged for another minute before her mother stepped back and looked at her critically. “I don’t know why you dye your beautiful hair.”

“It’s odd to come home to a different house.” Emilia glanced around the opulent setting and didn’t recognize anything.

“This house is in a gated community so we have complete privacy.”

“The house is beautiful, Mama.” She knew how much her mother craved privacy. A memory surfaced of wanting to go to the beach with her friends and her mother insisting that her photograph could be taken and that one of her parents needed to go along with them. As she looked at the beautiful interior of the house, an old feeling of being trapped flashed through her.

“I’ve had your room freshened up so you can get settled.”

“I can’t stay here.” She met her mother’s gaze and tried to soften her words, “I need to be closer to the ocean and will probably stay with
Nonno
until I find a place.”

“I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t you stay here? This is your home.”

Emilia straightened her spine as she decided how much she should say. “This is your home. I need more freedom. A gated community and a meticulous mansion feelsfeel suffocating to me. I’d rather be out in the world.”

“You need protection. As the heir to the Berceto fortune, there are those who would take advantage of you.”

An image of Alexander Armati flashed in her mind. Had he taken advantage of her? At the time, she willingly sought his attention and fell into his embrace without a thought of the images being captured on film.

She shook her head. “I’ve been on my own for years, mama.”

Her stomach was in knots. She said quietly, “Maybe I should go and see
Nonno
?”

“He was released this afternoon with a heart monitor. Your father just left his house. He has a visiting nurse with him. But I know he was overjoyed to learn that you would be home. Have dinner with your father and I then go over.”

“I hope he makes a quick recovery. All of this turmoil around the business can’t be good for him.”

“I’ll show you the room that I had set up for you in case you want something. We moved everything from the old house and had it placed in a walk in closet for you.”