Chapter Text
In the beginning, the farm had been quiet.
Everyday he would wake up early in the morning, as the sun was just about to rise, chasing away the darkness of the night with her golden glow.
He would open his window, letting in the fresh breeze of the young day, taking in the smell of the morning dew on the freshly mowed grass, the wood of his windowsill or the trees, but most importantly the blooming sunflowers right outside his window.
He loved the sunflowers, they were his favorite ever since he was little and so his grandmother had planted them as close to his room as possible, for him to enjoy them first thing in the morning.
He couldn't help the satisfied smile creeping up on his cheeks, neither keep it from growing wider at the thought of who was to thank for this found happiness.
His grandmother was his everything. She was the only family he had left, but she had always been around to take care of him even before that. When still alive, his parents had been busy people so he had spent most of his time with her already.
His grandfather had died at a fairly young age so he never got to meet him, however she had often told him stories about him and he enjoyed hearing them the most. She always seemed to glow when she spoke of him and it filled him with joy to see her so excited.
Despite having lost her husband early in life she had never gotten around to marry again. As she told him herself: „There was just no one who could ever compare to the man that had stolen my heart from the minute I saw him."
He had wondered a lot how it would feel to be so in love with a person, to have such a special connection, that you could never let yourself forget about them.
„Don't worry, cucciolo. Give it time and you will find your cuore eventually." His grandmother would always assure him. Although he couldn't help but wonder on and on about it. Would he even want to find a person like that? Wouldn't it be painful? What if she rejected him or something else would happen that could tear them apart? He wouldn't be able to move on, to find someone new to spend his life with. What if he could never become truly happy again? The thought of it became more scary than romantic to him the longer he kept it on his mind.
In the end he would decide that worrying about it was useless, so he'd stop and instead preoccupy his mind with something else.
He would leave his room to get ready and only come back to get dressed before his new day on the farm would begin.
People would often mention how his life seemed exhausting because of his early and work intensive schedule.
He heard them, listening to them telling him how easy and calm their lives were but he didn't really care or mind.
His own life was just as calm and easy to him as theirs were.
He loved looking after the animals, giving them food and water, brushing them and making sure they received the love they deserved. He cared for the cows, the pigs, the chickens and horses just as much as other people care for their house pets. That of course didn't mean they did not have any of those. They had a few rabbits and a dog, who was always just as eager to start the day as his owner was.
„Jojo!" he would call each morning after refilling the Border Collie's food bowl. He would watch the dog eagerly guzzle down his food and water, all the while preparing his morning latte.
The quiet buzzing of the coffee machine filling the morning silence, he would then take the cup and settle down at the kitchen counter. Sipping slowly he finished his coffee before putting the cup in the sink and heading out into the hallway.
His rubber boots sat near the front, along with a light jacket hanging on the coat hanger. He grabbed both to put on while trying not to lose his balance at Jojo's desperate attempts to get his attention.
Once situated, the young man kneeled down to give the dog what he so excitedly had been waited for, ruffling the fur around his neck and allowing him to lick over his cheek once.
Letting Jojo run outside first, he carefully closed the door behind him.
He would tend to the animals first, letting them out of their stables and making sure they had everything they needed. Afterwards he turned his attention to watering the plants.
He left the sunflowers for last, as he enjoyed watering them the most and could well enough spend his whole day looking at them. Their yellow petals, spread out like warm rays of sun and the dark brown core always gave him a feeling of warmth and a rush of happiness washing over his body and soul.
After fulfilling all his morning duties he would return back to the house and prepare a breakfast before waking up his grandmother.
When he was younger it used to be him being woken up by a gentle hand the smell of breakfast lingering throughout the house, but since he'd grown older, his grandmother grew weaker so he had taken over most of the tasks.
She still wanted to help him and kept telling him that she could at least water the plants but he declined each time, not wanting her to take on any physical work. She was an old, fragile and tiny woman and he couldn't even imagine letting her carry the heavy watering can anywhere by herself.
They would enjoy their breakfast in peace and quiet, only listening to the ticking of the kitchen clock and occasionally his voice when he read from the newspaper.
His grandmother loved reading, but her vision had gone bad over the years so a mundane task as such would take her a long time and a lot of concentration.
While her grandson worked on their farm, she sat in her rocking chair under the shade of a big apple tree, either simply enjoying the scenery and proudly watching her lovely grandson work so vigorously, or knitting him lovely scarfs and sweaters for the winter.
He appreciated everything she made for him and it was her greatest joy to see his genuine excitement.
He wouldn't even dream of giving her any other reaction. His family has always been the most important instance in his life. Everything he felt for them was love, pride and thankfulness.
He felt blessed with the life given to him, despite having lost his parents. It was in the past and his parents were a memory that he held dearly im his heart but he wouldn't let his loss bring him down. He didn't want to drown himself in pity and instead use his time and energy to make his own, and his grandmother's life worthwhile.
Working hard had never bothered him. In fact, it fulfilled him and kept him in shape throughout the years.
Plus, their little farm shop on the side of the road made his work pay off double.
He never failed to sell their customers high quality products. His looks and natural charm worked in his favor, attracting more and more regular customers just to earn one of his smiles in return.
Certainly, his sweet words helped immensely wrapping the pretty signorine around his finger and there was no point denying he had closed up the street shop early to help some of them carry home their bags.
However he never stayed the night, knowing he couldn't bear neglect his duties on the farm even for one day.
That's how everything had been, so far at least.
But all of it changed, one faithful day when an odd man showed up at their doorstep.
He wasn't a neighbor, nor was he a known customer. He was short, maybe about 5 feet tall but just as wide. His black hair was slicked to one side with enough gel to make it appear wet almost. His nose was as stubby as him, making his resemblance to a pig abundantly clear.
„A very good day signore, please excuse my so sudden disturbance on a beautiful day such as this, I hope I have not interrupted something important?" He was speaking in an overly friendly manner, earning him nothing but a slow shake of the head in response. „Oh Grazie Dio! What a relief! Now may I assume I'm having the pleasure of meeting Signore Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli?" he asked, his squeaky voice dripping with the fraudulent conviction of a salesman.
„Giusto, that would be me." Caesar replied, arms crossed in front of his chest. He eyed the man warily, raising an eyebrow. The man became noticeably nervous under Caesar's judging glare and the lack of hospitality the tall young man was showing him.
„Cucciolo what is all this ruckus about?" His grandmother called, slowly emerging from the living room.
Caesar immediately turned to her voice, telling her to go back and assuring he would return in just a second. „This is nothing to concern yourself with Nonnina, I will handle it." He said and put a hand on his chest.
But this was exactly what the strange man had hoped for.
„Oh actually Signora Zeppeli, I was looking for you! I come with a convenient proposition. Would you mind lending me just un pochino of your time?" The man quickly asked, knowing he couldn't let his chance pass by.
The young man had already seen through him, that much was certain, but that didn't mean it was over just yet.
What he wanted was not in the boy's possession to begin with, therefore he had no power over it. All he needed to do was convince the old sick woman and his goal would be as good as reached.
„Bene, let's hear you out young man. Come inside and sit down please."
Caesar looked at his grandmother in shock. How could she invite such a sketchy man into their home? It was as clear as day he had motives that would benefit him and him only.
Clenching his teeth he closed the door and followed the man who presented him a victorious, crooked grin.
The man sat down on the big brown leather couch in the middle of the living room, opposite from Signora Zeppeli's matching leather armchair.
Caesar never let him out of his sight for even a second, he knew the man meant trouble and he was not willing to let this intruder do anything he wouldn't tolerate.
Eyes fixated on the unwelcome visitor he situated himself on the armrest of his grandmother's settle.
„Well now Signora, I must say you have quite the lovely home-" The man started but was harshly cut off by Caesar. „Get to the point sciocco, stop wasting our time." He hissed. „Caesar, please behave yourself!" His grandmother scolded before returning her attention back to their visitor. „Please do continue Signore."
The man smiled mischievously. „Don't worry Signora, I suppose I will adhere to your grandson's request.
I'm Stefano Ravellino and I work as a land developer. The neighborhood you see developing in this region is our latest project. Its main target are young families, to offer them a safe and healthy environment for their children.
Simply put, Signora, I'm asking you to sell us your land."
Caesar jumped up immediately, hands clenched into fists. „Idiota! That is absolutely out of question! Not in a million years would I ever let one square meter of this farm fall into your filthy hands!"
„My my ragazzo, you didn't even listen to my offer. We are offering you a great sum of money in exch-" „We don't need your money stupido. This farm is not for sale, basta!"
Signora Zeppeli stayed quiet for a long time.
She knew her grandson cherished their farm but she also knew that it was limiting all of his potential. She knew he was meant to be greater than this farm. He could go into the city and become a powerful man, she just knew he could.
„Please just think about it for now! I will visit you again in a week's time. Thank you for your hospitality Signora." She heard the man say as he was practically kicked out of the house by Caesar.
Stefano Ravellino had surely kept his promise.
A week after his first visit, Caesar was greeted by his slicked hair once again.
But kicking him out over and over didn't seem to help.
He kept visiting the farm week after week, occasionally raising the price in his offer but staying as persistent as a child asking for a present.
Over these weeks Caesar only grew more frustrated.
He changed his strategy to not opening the door anymore, instead turning up the volume of the TV or radio so that his grandmother wouldn't notice the knocking either.
He had no idea there was no chance of escaping the land developers grasp.