House on the island of Sicily. The villa looks impressive in size, with a swimming pool in the courtyard, fenced from the outside by a high fence, with massive metal gates that hide the life of the inhabitants of the house from prying eyes. When someone found himself outside the gate, a magnificent view of a well-groomed and fragrant garden of unusually beautiful climbing and bush roses, magnolias and neatly trimmed bushes opened up to his gaze. Evergreen cypress trees were planted along the fence along the perimeter of the entire site, the tops of which reached towards the sky. Immersed in the orange orchards and olive groves of Palermo, it was Louis’s choice when he decided to move from France to Sicily. Chronic bronchitis, which tormented the owner of the villa especially severely in winter in France, forced him to change his place of residence. Strangers were rarely in the house; they mostly invited people to visit and receive people whom one or another resident of the house knew well. The villa was home to Louis de Grasse, his wife Vanessa and two grandchildren, Melisande and Pierre-Martin, whom they took in when they were small. A tragedy that changed the lives of all family members forever. They lost their father as children, and Olivia’s father decided to take them to Sicily. Throughout their childhood and youth, the grandchildren lived with their grandparents, and as adults they moved to Milan and Rome. They flew to Palermo for holidays and celebrations to celebrate the birthdays of their beloved relatives.

One of Louis’ favorite holidays was Christmas; all his family and friends gathered for this holiday. He truly loved this time, the time of magic and fairy tales. Glowing garlands on orange trees and palm trees, which grow in abundance in Sicily, created a festive atmosphere. The streets were decorated with street lamps, the city looked very elegant during the holidays. The house was decorated with garlands, the fireplace was decorated with spruce branches with toys, gingerbread cookies, balls and fruits. Louis loved to stage a nativity scene on the theme of the birth of Christ. These toy scenes, which necessarily included figures of the infant Christ, the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, were decorated with various fruits, including tangerines, an indispensable attribute of Christmas and the New Year. The festive table setting was incredibly beautiful and sophisticated, because Melisande studied to be a designer, and the girl had excellent taste. The house was filled with light, and it seemed that it was breathing at such moments when the whole family and friends gathered to prepare a festive dinner, which was prepared for several days in an atmosphere of incredible cordiality and laughter. Everyone liked this time, because they felt family unity, warmth and cohesion, despite strained relationships the rest of the time. At the Christmas celebration, in addition to the grandchildren Pierre-Martin and Melisande, Louis and Vanessa, there were also both of Louis’ daughters, Olivia, the eldest, the mother of the grandchildren and Inessa, who lived in London, Edward, Melisande and Pierre’s cousin on the father’s side, his mother and several friends. It was an incredibly happy time for everyone. When everyone finally gathered at the table, casual conversations were held, laughter was heard, and the topics of conversation were very different. Everyone was elegantly dressed: Louis put on his favorite suit from Dior, Vanessa put on an incredibly beautiful dress, which, despite her age, showed a good figure, a diamond necklace with a large pink pear-shaped diamond enveloped her neck, and her ears were no less beautiful earrings, her own She wore her long blond hair in a low bun. Melisande and Pierre-Martin also looked beautiful, she received luxurious raven-colored hair as a gift from her grandmother, and she, just like her grandmother, collected it in a low bun. Pierre-Martin looked very respectable, his wrist was decorated with a collectible Rolex watch, a gift from his grandfather for last Christmas. Olivia and Inessa dressed in similar ruby-colored dresses, swan necks were decorated with necklaces with diamonds given by their mother, they did not like to wear their hair in hairstyles, and therefore decorated their heads with tiaras studded with tiny precious stones. Edward and his mother were also dressed very smartly for the occasion.

After the holidays, the house was empty again, and only Louis, Vanessa and the grandchildren remained in it, who wanted to spend more time with them. One day, after all the other people had left the villa, Louis called Melisande and Pierre-Martin to drink wine and talk. When the grandchildren came in, Melisande hugged her grandfather with great warmth, and Pierre-Martin patted Louis on the shoulder and said:

– Well, how’s the holiday?

Louis smiled at this and said:

– I liked everything. It’s good that everyone arrived, our communication was as cordial as before. And you are my good fellows for being able to please your old man.

Melisande responded to this with the words:

– Grandfather, how can you say such a thing? You know that I always leave this time for you and grandma, because I know how valuable it is for you.

The grandfather took his granddaughter’s hand in his and replied:

– Thank you, dear, of course, I know that. Vanessa looked incredibly beautiful this Christmas.

– Yes, she looks incredibly beautiful and, as always, is dressed tastefully, and there are simply no words for the necklace. Is this your gift? – Pierre asked his grandfather.

“No,” Louis answered with some tension in his voice, “she apparently bought it in Dubai, and yes, it’s great.”

“Yes, grandma is our great traveler, she’s been everywhere, you’re probably tired grandpa, let me walk you to your room,” the granddaughter suggested.

“Oh, come on, I can still run myself,” he answered, smiling.

– Well, okay, I’ll go pack my suitcase, and Pierre wouldn’t hurt you, otherwise you like to run around at the last moment and pack everything, we’re flying out tomorrow.

“I’ll collect it, I’ll collect it,” Pierre answered his sister, laughing.

With this, they went up to their room and began to pack their suitcases, and Louis remained sitting near the fireplace.

Their mother, Olivia, saw them only on holidays, but they called each other often. For her, the children were a living reproach that she was an unhappy person and therefore the relationship between them was not very warm. After the death of their father, the relationship worsened, the mother pulled away from raising the children and increasingly retreated into herself. Therefore, it was obvious that children would be better off in Sicily. Even during the celebration of this or that holiday, they communicated little. This did not surprise anyone, although Louis tried to somehow facilitate their warmer communication. But this took time, a lot of time.

Life for Louis and Vanessa has been slow since they moved here. They began to walk more often, they even had favorite places. The city, a major seaport in which they lived, was on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. In Palermo, there was a mixture of 4 cultures: European, Byzantine, Arab and Sicilian, an indescribable atmosphere of an ancient city, in which the intersection of eras and times concealed pieces of antiquity, Arab rule or the Middle Ages.

Louis’s favorite place for walks with his wife was the Garibaldi Garden in the center of Piazza Marina, in the historical district of Palermo, Calsa, which occupied almost 21 hectares of land and was planted with fragrant magnolias and tropical plants. The garden was literally surrounded by greenery, trees and various shrubs; here you could hide in the shade from the rays of the scorching sun. In this garden there was one extraordinary tree, a mighty old ficus, whose roots and branches had witnessed many events. During the Inquisition, heretics were burned in the square, criminals were executed, and Over the years, the monarchs of Sicily played weddings in this square.

During one such leisurely walk, Vanessa uttered a rather strange, as it seemed to Louis, phrase:

“And one day they will burn me at the stake of my vanity,” she said in a gloomy tone.

Louis took his wife by the hand and answered:

– Don’t say that Vanessa, there’s no reason to burn you. Let’s go and sit in the gazebo under our favorite tree, then drink coffee in our place and go to the museum.

“Let’s go,” Vanessa seemed to have forgotten what mood she was in a couple of minutes ago. Her mood changed more often than the weather in their city, but Louis was already used to it. The weather, in contrast to her mood, was wonderful, the sun was shining brightly and her husband grabbed her a straw hat with wide brims and a ribbon so that the wind would not blow the headdress away. After sitting on a bench in silence and silence for half an hour, they got up and walked towards the Gadini restaurant to drink coffee. They quickly finished their meal at the restaurant and returned to the square to take the car to the museum.

The museum that Louis suggested going to was the Capuchin Museum, Vanessa had heard something about it, but she was not able to visit it, and she was glad that her husband would give her a tour there. The museum was called the Catacombs of the Capuchins and consisted of long galleries, the only inhabitants of which were the dead. This burial dates back to the founding of the order and at first only monks were buried there, but then, with the permission of the archbishop, they began to bury benefactors, aristocrats, representatives of noble families, famous and honorable people, citizens of Palermo.

“It’s amazing that you remember my desire to visit this museum,” Vanessa said to her husband while they were driving.

Louis smiled and replied:

– Of course, I remember, especially that you were interested in the story of the little girl who was buried there, and I myself became interested.

They finally arrived, parked the car in the parking lot and bought tickets.

When they entered, a terrifying sight met their eyes, on the one hand, but on the other, it was so touching, because their relatives came here to these people and could visit and talk with them, showing deep affection for family traditions. The crypts had a special microclimate due to the fact that Sicily was of volcanic origin. And that is why dead people did not decompose. However, the sight was not for the faint of heart: empty eye sockets, withered bones with hair on their heads were dressed in clothes, some in elegant suits and dresses, others in simple clothes. Some people were changed by relatives several times a year.

Vanessa took Louis by the hand so that the picture he saw would not be so creepy, but anxiety reigned inside. She especially wanted to look at the tiny girl, whose story shook her to the core.

Among all these people, and there were about 8,000 of them, lay a girl who died at the age of 2 from pneumonia and the girl’s father, heartbroken, found a doctor, whom he persuaded to embalm the child in such a way that the charming features would not decompose over time.. When they approached the child, they saw a girl with hair and eyelashes, intact soft tissues and did not look at all like a dead girl, rather like a sleeping beauty. Vanessa began to have thoughts, and she decided to share them with her husband.

“Louis,” she turned to him.

He looked at her, squeezed her hand tighter and asked:

– Everything is fine?

– Yes, everything is fine, but I had thoughts while we were walking among these people.

– What thoughts?

“When the hour strikes for me to meet the creator in heaven,” she began.

– Vanessa! – Louis’s tone made it clear that he did not like the topic that his wife had raised, she looked at him and said:

– Please listen to the end without interrupting me. It is very important. When I give my soul, I don’t know to God or the Devil, I want to look like this girl, even after many years I want to maintain my beauty, you can arrange it, I know.

Louis looked at her and regretted that he decided to bring her here, now it became clear to him why she had wanted to visit this museum for so long, to see what this girl looked like, and, apparently, to make him promise to fulfill her last wish.

– Are you serious, Vanessa?

– Yes, seriously, and also…

– What else?

– I want our graves to be nearby and in this cemetery, you will tell our girls about this, won’t you?

– Are you going to die? – he asked sharply.

– No, it’s just a wish.

“Your wishes are nice, I promise to think about it, let’s go to the car.”

Louis pulled his hand and walked towards the exit. Vanessa remained standing next to the girl in upset feelings. Five minutes passed, and Louis returned for her.

“Vanessa, let’s go,” he called.

“I’m coming,” she cast a farewell glance at the child in the coffin and followed him out.

Then he did not attach due importance to this conversation, although he thought about it for some time.

Louis was a man of broad views on life and human possibilities. Therefore, when two grandchildren began to live in their villa, he observed them, what they liked, and asked questions. This is how time passed with the family. Louis carefully observed the children and their passions. He himself was a wine collector and spent a lot of time with winemakers. Sometimes I took my grandson to such meetings. He did not insist that the boy’s professional activity be somehow connected with wine, because he believed that everyone could choose their own occupation. Once after such a meeting they had an interesting dialogue.

– How do you like the wine? Have you revealed its taste, what bouquet?

– I think that this wine was aged in oak barrels and that’s why it has such a tart taste and grandma wouldn’t like it.

Louis hugged his grandson and ruffled his hair.

– You’re right Pierre, it’s not so elegant that grandma will like it. But you’re great, your passion for wine is bearing fruit. Would you like to create something like this?

Pierre winced and said:

– I believe that it is better to sell wine than to produce it, especially since our mother is engaged in this. And I want to help her with this.

– Yes, you’re right, my little friend, and how do you see it?

– I want to be like you!

– Like me? – Louis laughed, – well, it’s necessary! I never thought that someone would want to be like me.

– You are strong, smart, I want to be like that too!

– You will have to study a lot for this, are you ready for this? – Grandfather asked, squatting down.

“Ready,” the grandson said confidently.

With that, they got into the car and drove home.

Melisande and Pierre-Martin were very different people, despite their close relationship. Everyone chose an activity based on their desires, especially since their grandparents always supported them. Melisande was fond of drawing since childhood, and her favorite pastime was to lie in front of the fireplace on the carpet and draw, dangling her legs in the air. Louis did not approve of this, and therefore she only did this when she was with Vanessa. The interior of the house was in the classicism style of Louis the Sixteenth, after whom the owner of the villa was named. When Vanessa saw her granddaughter’s drawings, she suggested that Louis send the girl to an art school so that she could develop her talent. This conversation took place over one of the dinners. That evening they celebrated the successful completion of a transaction, many dishes were prepared, and the grandfather allowed his grandson to choose the wine.

– Well, Pierre, let’s check what you’ve learned so far? Go to the cellar and bring the wine that you think will best complement our dinner.

Pierre left and Vanessa said:

– You know, I think that we need to send our granddaughter to an art school.

– Why do you think so? – Louis looked questioningly at his wife.

“Look,” she said, handing her husband Melisande’s drawings.

– We need to know what drawings and how they were done. Was she drawing while I was away?

– Yes, while you were away.

– Again on the floor in front of the fireplace, I guess? – Louis asked his wife, laughing.

– How did you guess? – Vanessa was surprised.

– I know this is her favorite place in the house. I saw it once, but didn’t scold it.

At that moment, Melisande entered the dining room.

– What are you watching?

“Your drawings,” answered the grandmother.

“But I don’t show them to anyone,” the granddaughter answered displeasedly.

– We were wondering, and Louise took them in your room, will you forgive us? – Louis felt a certain pang of conscience that they had invaded her personal space.

– I forgive you, but why did you watch them?

– We want to ask you.

By this time Pierre had already returned, and they were all sitting at the table.

– What to ask? – She asked while helping herself to a salad.

– How do you feel about studying at an art school?

Pierre joined the conversation:

“I think you should accept this offer, little sister.”

– Okay, I’ll study there. But keep in mind that if I don’t like it, I won’t stay there.

and their daughter Olivia made decisions so quickly. And Melisande reminded Louis of herself very much.

– Are you sure? – Vanessa decided to clarify, – let’s go to the galleries, you’ll look at the paintings..

– Yes, grandma, it’s a good idea, but I’ve already made my decision.

– Anyway, one of these days we will go to the galleries.

– Fine.

At this point they continued dinner and their conversations turned to art, Pierre talked about his successes at the Lyceum. From the outside they looked like an ideal family, but that was only the first impression.

Artists see the world differently, Louis was convinced that Melisande perceived everything differently, not like other people. She asked permission to remodel her room when she was a 15-year-old teenager, and her grandfather gave permission to see what would come of it. Having received money for materials, she did not let anyone into the room until the end of the renovation; only the workers who made the room saw her, but they were silent. When the renovation was finally completed, all family members saw the interior of the room and were very surprised. The room, its walls and furniture were strikingly different from the rest of the house. Melisande allocated herself a working area, which she separated with a screen, the color of the walls was deep blue, not all of them, but only where she planned to do creative work, the other three walls were white, and instead of the paintings that hung before, she decorated the wall with African masks, which Vanessa brought it a long time ago. When Vanessa saw them on the wall, she was overcome with horror, and she apologized to everyone and left the room.

Pierre and Louis said in one voice:

– Lord, how did you come up with the idea to decorate the walls with these masks?

And Louis added:

– Where did you even find them?

– So what do you think? Like? – Melisande asked her grandfather and brother, smiling; she learned about them from Louise, she got them for me from the outbuilding.

– This is very unusual, and definitely not my style, but since you like it, why not.

“Congratulations, little sister, on your new room,” Pierre hugged his sister.

Finally Vanessa returned to them and said :

– You have good taste, honey.

The granddaughter approached her and, taking her hand, asked:

– Granny, are you really not angry that Louise showed them to me and I hung them up?

“No, but it’s such a color, you probably need to study, boys, let’s go,” she took Louis and Pierre by the hands, and they left Melisande alone.

The life of Olivia’s children away from home was so interesting and eventful. They grew up, each with their own life, in different cities in Italy. By that time, Melisande had already trained as a designer and lived in Milan. She made a friend, with whom she drank coffee, discussed projects, went to exhibitions, and sometimes went out of town for picnics.

The life of the young designer took place in the center of Milan, her apartment was located on Dante Street, not far from the Sforzesco Castle. There was a luxurious park where it was nice to spend time in and grab a coffee to go. Her studio was also not far from home. As a rule, her day began at five in the morning or a little later, after waking up, washing her face and throwing a silk robe over her elegant shirt, she went down to the first floor. She loved the divine aroma of coffee that enveloped the entire kitchen when she brewed it in a Turk from Istanbul. While the coffee was brewing, she looked through her email on her laptop; there were various offers of cooperation, but they did not attract her. She wanted to do something worthwhile and was waiting for a client who had unusual taste and could trust her in interior design. Very soon she was supposed to have the official opening of the studio and her family and friends were supposed to fly in; preparation for this event took up almost all of her time. She preferred to dine in the city at the fish restaurant La Risacca, there was a sophisticated and informal atmosphere that allowed her to work and dine in peace. After lunch, she always called her grandfather to find out how things were going with them, but today she still had to call her brother in Paris, where he had flown to settle his business and decide whether or not to buy a chateau in Bordeaux. After lunch, she decided to take a walk and at the same time call her grandfather and brother. Having dialed her grandfather’s number on the phone, she waited; Ludovic did not pick up the phone for a long time and finally answered:

– Hello granddaughter! – his voice was joyful, which lifted Melisande’s mood.

– How are you doing, grandpa? Anything new? Like a grandma?

– Things are good, I recently spoke with your mother, she said hello to you. Grandma is fine, let’s go for a walk with her, what’s new with you?

– I’m getting ready for the opening, will you come?

– Exactly, your discovery, I forgot, forgive me. Yes, of course we’ll fly, do you need to call your mom about wine at the event or will Pierre take care of this issue?

– Pierre has a lot to do now, he’s rushing around with his discoveries, and besides, he wants to buy a chateau in Bordeaux, so I’ll call my mother.

– Okay, but I think he can get to the opening.

– I’ll call him today, let’s discuss this point.

– You are business people with me, so run, granddaughter.

“Yes, business,” she answered with a smile, “we’ll call you this week.”

– Yes, we’ll call you, bye!

After talking with her grandfather, she smiled, she really liked the fact that he was in a great mood and promised to be at the opening. Walking into a nearby coffee shop, she grabbed a large caramel latte and headed to the park. Sitting down on the bench, she took out her phone and dialed her brother. Pierre-Martin immediately picked up the phone:

– Pierre, hello!

– Hello, little sister, how are you doing? Are you getting ready to open?

– Yes, I’m getting ready, I’m doing well, I talked to my grandfather.

– Yes, and how are they doing?

– They are great, just imagine, he forgot about my discovery, but I reminded him, and he said that they would arrive.

– And will there be a grandmother?

– As I understand, yes, how is your deal? What did you decide with the chateau in Bordeaux?

– I haven’t decided anything yet, I need to fly and look…

– You’ll fly after my opening.

– Yes, most likely, a detailed analysis of both the soil and the vineyard is needed.

– Yes, this is a serious matter, it takes time. Well, okay, we’ll call again.

– Yes, in touch, have a nice day!

– Bye to you too!

After talking to everyone and finding out that everyone was doing well, she decided it was time to go back to the studio and do her own thing. In the evening there was a call from my mother.

Having reached her studio, the first thing she did was ask her assistant if anyone had called her:

– Beatrice!

– Yes?

– Did they call me?

– There was a call from Dijon, Madame Saint-Etienne de Grasse called.

– Mom called, I’ll call you back from the office, thank you!

The mother’s unexpected call aroused interest, and she decided to call back immediately. The beeps were ringing, but my mother did not answer the phone. A minute later they answered on the phone:

– Yes, I’m listening.

– Hello Mom, you called me at the studio while I was at lunch, did something happen?

– No, I wanted to know how the preparations are going for your opening of the studio, and to clarify whether you need help with the wine?

– Yes, with wine, I just wanted to ask for help.

– Okay, the wine will be delivered two days earlier.

– Great, how are you doing mom?

– I’m doing as well as possible.

– I’m glad that everything is fine with you, we’ll call you then during the week.

– Yes, we’ll call you, all the best, bye.

– Bye!

Melisande dropped the call, and she felt a little sad that conversations with her mother were limited to business only, and there was no hint of the warmth that was there before.

Many years later, when Pierre was already living in Rome, he recalled his conversation with his grandfather, and his heart was filled with warmth. After graduating from the lyceum and university, he started working in one of his grandfather’s companies, and after working there for 5 years, he decided that it was time to open his own chain of wine stores. Wine became his passion, he could talk about it for hours, taste it, and of course, following the example of his grandfather, he began to collect his own collection. In Rome, Pierre had two apartments, one was next to the Castel Sant’Angelo, the other was on Corso. He lived in the second apartment because his favorite gym was located next to it, which he went to three times a week to keep himself in good physical shape. He had a chain of wine boutiques and indoor casinos in several cities, including Rome, Milan, Paris and Marseille. The wine shops were supplied from the vineyards of his mother, Olivia Saint-Etienne de Grasse. The wines presented in his stores were only of two grand classes cru (highest) and premier cru (first), it promised a special pleasure for the people who idolized this drink. Red Burgundy wine made from Pinot Noir with the sweet taste of raspberries, cherries and strawberries delighted the tastes of the most demanding people, and white wine Chablis was created from Chardonnay grapes. These are the kind of wines that Melisande should have had at the opening. The Côte d’Or region was considered the heart of Burgundy, and translated from French meant “Gold Coast”.

12 3 Kolejny

Fragile Paradise

Chapter 1 Mysterious house

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