Page 36 of Falling for my Family's Rival

“Um, Dad, can I talk to you for a minute?” I ask.

My father looks up at me and grunts. I take that as my sign to come on in and sit down. I clear my throat. “So, I’ve been needing to say this for a while,” I say.

The look of impatience on my father’s face doesn’t make me feel much better, but I push on. “I hope you know how much I appreciate everything I’ve learned at Venetian Dreams, and all the opportunities that you have given me,” I say.

“Luca,” my father says. “I’m a very busy man. Can you get to the point?”

“The point, right,” I say. “The point is…I think it’s time that I leave Venetian Dreams and start on my own path. I’d like to open a Greek restaurant someday.”

My father stares at me for a long moment, his face gradually getting redder and redder. I knew that he would be upset, but this looks like it’s going to be off the charts. “Are you serious right now?” he demands. “After everything that we’ve given you? You say you appreciate all the opportunities we’ve given you here, but in the next breath, you say that you’re going to abandon the family legacy and go on your own way! Do you know how many sacrifices we’ve made for you and your brother over the years?”

“‘Of course, I do,” I say quickly.

“If you know how hard we’ve sacrificed, then you wouldn’t be doing this to me now,” he says. “You’re being ungrateful! What do you know about running a restaurant? I mean, truly? You work your hours and leave! I never actually leave! This place is in my blood! You think that, because you feel passionate about Greek food, that that’s all you need? Passion has very little to do with running a place like this! Especially if you want to do it the right way!”

“I know that,” I say, trying to edge my way back into the conversation, determined to not be discouraged or bulldozed.

“No, you absolutely do not. Running a restaurant is not about passion, but about responsibility. You are shirking your responsibility to this family. Your dream is ultimately your betrayal! That’s simply a fact.”

My father is breathing hard when he ends his rant. I know that he believes everything that he’s saying. The words hurt, I can’t lie, but I also know that he’s just plain wrong. For the first time in maybe my entire life, I know that I have to stand up to my father. There is no way around it.

“I understand where you are coming from,” I say. “But you’re wrong, Dad. I love this family, and I love Venetian Dreams. I meant everything that I said before. I appreciate everything that you and Mom have done for me, sacrificed for me; but this place has always been your dream, not mine. I was born into it.”

My father is watching me carefully, like he thinks I might freak out on him. Calmly, I continue, “I want to explore and celebrate our Greek heritage. Grandma taught me so much, and that’s where my dream comes from. I think that, if anything, my dream lines right up with yours. I won’t be opening a restaurant here in Fox River Falls, so we won’t be in competition. I would never do anything to hurt this place.”

My father takes a deep breath like he’s trying to calm himself down. Then he says, “You have no idea how hard it is to open a restaurant, Luca. You won’t turn a profit for years.”

“Okay, I understand. I’d love to have you to guide me,” I say.

A look of anger flashes across my father’s face. “You could fold after six months,” he says. “The risks often outweigh the benefits. Son, reconsider. If you don’t, I fear that this will be your downfall.”

“I don’t want to fight with you,” I say. “My mind is made up. I love all of you, but it’s time that I do something for myself. I know that you must think I’m being selfish, but you still have Angelo, and I think that he is more dedicated to Venetian Dreams than I ever have been.”

My father goes back to staring at me. I decide to just wait him out. I don’t know if he believes the same things I do, but I know deep down that he appreciates honesty and hard work. I intend to put all the things I’ve learned at Venetian Dreams into my own place.

“You should go now,” my father says quietly, looking away.

I get up to leave, pausing at the doorway, hoping that my father will call me back, or have a change of heart. But he doesn’t. As I walk out of the office, I realize that I don’t know how my relationship with my father will be in the future. And for now, I have to be okay with that.

As I head back to the kitchen, a mix of emotions washes over me. Relief, sadness, but mostly pride. I’m proud of myself for sticking up for what I believe in, sticking up for my dreams… even if I don’t know what the consequences with my father may be.

Twenty-Two

MARISSA

“Ican’t believe today is the day,” I say, sliding my arm through Luca’s.

We step into the cafe that’s next to the courthouse. We’re meeting Chiara and Angelo here, so we can all walk over together. This isn’t exactly how I always pictured the morning of my wedding, but now that it’s here, I find it perfect.

“Me either,” Luca says. “Any second thoughts?”

“None,” I say. “You?”

“Are you kidding? Never,” he says with deep conviction.

I know that we’re in uncharted territory. We are defying both of our families, and soon we’ll be striking out on our own to open a brand new restaurant. I should be terrified, but the only thing I feel is love and excitement.

“In just a little while, everything is going to change,” I say. “We’ll be husband and wife. No one can keep us apart.”

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