Page 15 of La Dolce Vita

"Absolutely not!" Catalina shot to her feet. "Have you lost your fucking mind? Tell me this is a joke? A bad one."

"Excuse me?" Mirabella replied.

"Why on earth would you invite that little viperputtanaback here?Perché?"

"Vito is sick with cancer. You know this. Zia has had to travel to Sicilia twice this month. Your aunts have been overwhelmed with his care. And Rosetta from what I hear is working the hardest to take care of him. Zia tells me--"

"So what!Che palle!That's her father. It's her responsibility!"

"Yes. I know this, Catalina. But her mother and your aunts are concerned. It's been two years since we've seen her. Zia came to me and asked that I give her another chance."

"Well tell her no." Catalina crossed her arms in defiance.

"I will not." Mirabella said. "And to be honest you need the help."

"No I don't!" Catalina shouted.

"I'm not asking here, I'm telling you. This is going to happen. I've decided," Mirabella said.

"Bullshit!" Catalina marched back and forth like some amped up solider. Sicilians were expressive. Catalina's drama would put any of them to shame. She clenched her fist and swung at the air as if hitting someone while she cursed and ranted so fast in her native language Mirabella could barely translate. Mirabella had to swallow her smile over the tantrum.

"You need the help, honey. We both know I'm not getting better in time to go to Paris with you. And even if I were, Giovanni has ruled on the decision and his word is law," she said without concealing her regret. "Marietta is pregnant and the doctor has warned us all about her blood pressure. How much help has she been for you lately?"

"I have an entire team in Paris. I have people here in Milan and Sorrento. Help? How the hell could Rosetta be of any help to me?"

"She is family! This is a family business. There are times when family matters are discussed and you will need someone at your side to discuss them with," Mirabella said. "Paris Fashion Week is just around the corner. I don't want you over there alone. She can be your assistant. Use her how you need to. Teach her our business."

"Family?Basta!I have sixteen cousins. Am I to teach all of them the family business? Not one of them are worthy."

"No. What you are to do is respect your Donna, and honor my wishes. Fix the relationship so we can heal." Mirabella stood but suffered a bout of dizziness. She stilled herself. Quick to hide her discomfort, she smiled and made her back straight. "We have all been through so much since my kidnapping. Breaks my heart. And now Vito is sick. Rocco is banished again to the vineyard and it makes Zia cry at night. Lorenzo and Giovanni are different now. Cold to each other. The only lesson I've learned over these past few months is how precious and short our life and happiness truly is.La famigliais our strength, but the love of this family is our weakness if we let others divide us."

"But?"

"Hush now and listen. We are the women of this family. We have to find a way to keep these men from destroying themselves. Because we are stronger. Right?"

Catalina rolled her eyes.

"Rosetta is your blood. I want you two to find a way to work things out."

"What about Cecilia? Huh? Isn't she family? Rosetta tried to kill her, or have you forgotten!" Catalina seethed.

"You aren't listening--"

"You can't forgive her, Mirabella. I won't allow it!"

"You won't allow it?" Mirabella whirled on her and dropped her hands to her hips. "Who the hell are you to question me? Allow it! The only reason you are even in this business is because of what I allow! Do you understand me?" she asked.

Catalina's face pinched with angry defiance.

"Answer me! Say the words!" Mirabella said.

"Si, si, of course I understand," Catalina said.

"I told you, no, I gave you an order. I'm your Donna. Either you do as I say, or you can stay home and I'll send her with someone else to Paris in your place!" Mirabella advanced on her. "It's my company. I can tear it down if I want to. Don't push me, Catalina."

Catalina's bottom lip quivered. Her eyes brimmed with tears. Mirabella had never raised her voice in anger to her sister-in-law. She'd never threatened her. She wasn't sure where the outburst came from, but she meant every word.

"Mi dispiace,"Catalina said through her tears. "I'm so sorry."

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