The rain had passed by morning, leaving the vineyard bathed in the clean, sharp scent of wet earth. Dew clung to the leaves, sparkling like tiny jewels as the first rays of sunlight stretched over the horizon. Bianca stood on the balcony, sipping her coffee as she took in the sight. For the first time in days, the storm within her seemed to settle, even if just for a moment.

She turned her thoughts to Matteo. His words from the previous day echoed in her mind, mingling with the unspoken promise in his eyes. There was something different about him now, something she couldn’t ignore. Still, she wasn’t ready to let her guard down completely. Trust, she knew, was not given; it was earned.

A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Antonio stepped inside, his expression a mix of curiosity and caution.

“Matteo is already out in the fields,” he said, crossing his arms. “He’s been talking with the workers all morning. Looks like he’s trying to make himself useful.”

Bianca raised an eyebrow. “Useful? Or persuasive?”

Antonio shrugged. “Maybe both. Either way, it’s not like him to get his hands dirty.”

She smiled faintly at the image of Matteo navigating the muddy fields in his polished shoes. It was a small gesture, but it hinted at a willingness to adapt, to prove himself. “I’ll talk to him,” she said, setting down her cup. “Thank you, Antonio.”

---

Bianca found Matteo near the farthest row of vines, crouched beside one of the workers as they examined the soil. His sleeves were rolled up, and his hands were streaked with dirt. She watched him for a moment, her skepticism giving way to a begrudging admiration. He looked completely at ease, as though he belonged there.

“You’re full of surprises,” she called out.

Matteo glanced up, a grin spreading across his face. “Good morning to you too, Bianca.”

She approached, her arms crossed. “I didn’t expect to find you out here. What happened to letting the experts handle things?”

“Sometimes, the best way to understand something is to get your hands dirty,” he said, standing and wiping his hands on a cloth. “Besides, I’ve been away from the land for too long. It feels good to reconnect.”

Bianca studied him, searching for any trace of insincerity. But his expression was open, his eyes earnest. “And what have you learned so far?”

“That your team is exceptional,” he said, his tone genuine. “The vineyard is in good hands. But I’ve also learned that there’s always room for improvement.”

“Is that so?” she asked, her lips curving into a faint smile.

“It is,” Matteo replied. “For example, I noticed some of the vines are struggling with drainage issues. We could look into better irrigation systems.”

Bianca raised an eyebrow, surprised by his observation. “You’ve been paying attention.”

“Of course,” he said, his smile softening. “This vineyard means a lot to you, Bianca. That makes it important to me too.”

Her chest tightened at his words, but she pushed the feeling aside. “If you’re serious about helping, then there’s plenty of work to be done. But don’t expect any special treatment.”

Matteo chuckled. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

---

The day unfolded in a blur of activity. Matteo worked alongside the staff, listening to their concerns and offering solutions where he could. Bianca watched from a distance, her initial wariness giving way to a cautious optimism. He was trying, and for the first time, she wondered if he might truly be committed to more than just his own ambitions.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Bianca found Matteo sitting beneath the pergola. A bottle of wine and two glasses sat on the table before him.

“Long day?” she asked, taking the seat across from him.

“Productive day,” he corrected, pouring a glass for her. “I think your team is starting to warm up to me.”

“They’re not the only ones,” she admitted, lifting her glass.

Matteo’s smile was slow and genuine. “That means more to me than you know.”

They sipped their wine in companionable silence, the tension between them replaced by something softer, something unspoken. For the first time, Bianca allowed herself to imagine a future where Matteo’s presence wasn’t a disruption, but a partnership.

“You said something yesterday,” she began, setting her glass down. “About storms clearing the air.”

Matteo nodded, his gaze steady. “I meant it. Sometimes, you have to weather the storm to see the sky more clearly.”

Bianca studied him, her walls beginning to crumble. “Maybe you’re right,” she said softly. “But then again I tend to like storms.”

His laugh was warm, his eyes bright with determination. “That does sound like you."