heard a voice so pure, so clear, or so emotional. Is she still singing?”
“She performs on special occasions,” Ana told him, “but mostly she teaches voice lessons.”
After years of singing, she gets a lot of joy out of helping other singers reach their full potential.
Leo, Erik and Julianna sat on stools around the granite-topped island in the middle of the large stylish kitchen while Teresa and Ana put the dishes Teresa had prepared earlier in the center of the island. The smells to Ana were reminiscent of home.
“You come from a family of musicians,” Leo said to Ana. He smiled at his wife. “Being married to an opera expert, I’ve picked up a little knowledge over the years.” He returned his attention to Ana. “If your mother is Natalie Davis-Corelli that means your grandmother was Renata Corelli.”
“Yes,” Ana said, pleased to know he knew of her grandmother who had died several years ago and was still sorely missed.
“I never saw her perform live,” Leo said regrettably. “But I’ve seen her in films. She was amazing.”
Ana couldn’t think of her grandmother without getting a little choked up. She swallowed a lump in her throat, and softly said, “She was happiest when she was performing.”
Leo continued, excitedly. “No wonder your brother is a composer, his mother and his grandmother—two world-renowned singers. It was in his blood. What about you, do you have musical talent?”
Ana laughed shortly. “Not a bit. Musical talent skipped me and my sister, Sophia. Neither of us can carry a tune. Or play an instrument with any proficiency. We went into fashion, like our father. Sophia works with him in his clothing business and I became a model.”
“You sound so modest,” Teresa said, smiling warmly. “You did more than just became a model. You’re very successful at it.”
“I’ve been lucky,” Ana admitted.
“And very hard-working,” Erik put in fondly.
“There’s no substitution for hard work,” Leo said. He gave his daughter a meaningful look. “That’s what I’ve been trying to drive home with our soccer fanatic here. You have to burn the midnight oil to get anywhere.”
“We were state champs this year,” Julianna said a bit defensively.
“Yes, but a girl can’t live by soccer alone,” her father countered. “In order to get into a good college, you’ll need more than just a good athletic record. You’re too single minded. What about academics and other extracurricular activities? You have to be well-rounded.”
“Ana was single-minded in her career,” Julianna pointed out. “If she hadn’t been focused on becoming the best model she could be, she wouldn’t be where she is today.”
“Ana?” Leo said, obviously looking for an ally in this argument. “Tell us, please, is that true?”
“My parents insisted I get a college degree,” Ana told Julianna. “I have a bachelor’s degree in business. And I’ve been taking art classes for years.”
“See?” cried Teresa. “Beauty and brains!”
“That is so cool,” said Julianna. “Don’t take this the wrong way but I always thought of models as self-absorbed airheads.”
“You can find self-absorbed airheads in any career,” Ana said, to which everyone laughed.
They all sat down and soon were enjoying a lunch of Teresa’s native southern Italian cuisine—a seafood soup with fresh tomatoes and savory herbs, hot crusty bread and peach gelato for dessert.
“You’re a great cook,” Ana said to Teresa. “This soup reminds me of my father’s seafood soup.”
“That’s why I married her,” Leo said cheerfully.
Teresa, who was sitting beside her husband, reached over and tousled his too-long dark hair. He was graying at the temples, which gave him a sexy, rugged appearance as far as she was concerned. She adored him and it was reflected in the way her eyes caressed his face. “One of the reasons, anyway,” she said, then winked at him.
“Behave,” their daughter said with a laugh. “We’ve got company.” Then she turned to Erik and said, “Mr. Whitaker, Dad says you want to buy the family business. I searched your company on Google and found out you’ve bought several companies that were having problems.”
“I don’t think this is the time to discuss business,” Leo said abruptly, obviously surprised by his daughter’s comment.
“Dad, isn’t that why you invited Mr. Whitaker and Ana here this weekend?”
“Please, call me Erik,” said Erik with a smile.
“What I wanted to say,” Julianna continued calmly, “is that if Dad is going to sell the family business, I hope it’s to a company like yours. You’re environmentally responsible. You have a good record when it comes to keeping the employees who’re dependent on the companies you acquire to make a living.” She regarded her father. “I know you’re worried about that, Dad. That’s why I decided to do a little research. Not that you haven’t already done that, but I wanted to reassure myself. I know you think I don’t have any interest in the business, but I do. I keep my ears and eyes open.”
Leo looked at her with such pride that, seeing his expression, Teresa got emotional and had to wipe a tear away. “My baby,” she said in a whisper.
“Dad, I’m sorry if it seems I’m being disrespectful, I don’t mean to. But if you remember, I’ve tried to talk to you about the business for weeks now and you always tell me not to worry about it.”
Leo didn’t know what to say. He thought Julianna lived in her own world of soccer, her friends and the internet, in that order. That she had made an effort to find out what sort of company Whitaker Enterprises was made him wonder if perhaps he’d been too quick to call it a day where the company was concerned. Maybe there was a Barone who looked forward to running it one day. If he redoubled his efforts there was a possibility that with an infusion of new ideas, and investors, the Barone Shoe Company, whose slogan had always been Quality Italian Shoes Made in America, could remain in the family.
“I’m listening,” he said to his daughter.
“Before you sell the family business,” Julianna said, “I just want to make sure that’s what you really want to do, or is it because Leo, Jr.’s in heaven and you don’t think a woman could run the company after you retire?” She was all seriousness, her gaze unwavering. “Or maybe there’s something you’re not telling me—like you’re sick and that’s why you’re selling the company and retiring at sixty.”
Leo got up and pulled his daughter into his arms. “No, sweetheart, no to both of your questions,” he said. “I know that if you put your mind to it, you’re capable of anything. I just didn’t know you were interested in working with me. And I’m as healthy as a horse!”
Julianna laughed. “You know I don’t like horses.”
“Okay, I’m as healthy as David Beckham,” said Leo.
“That’s
