HESPERUS

Villa Pavlon, a Renaissance style villa isolated in the center of a large park not far from the city, chestnut woods surround it, almost hiding it from the view of those traveling along the provincial road onto which the large wrought iron gate opens, from this a long stone slab avenue, flanked by box hedges, leads to a large square in front of the villa with a circular pool in the center in which various species of fish swim, and in the center of the pool a fountain with jets forming large arches. Several cars are parked in the square, the villa is all lit up, Ludovico Pavlon, the founder of the import and export company of the same name, of which he holds 50% of the shares, has organized a party with the company's major shareholders and some friends; the banquet has just ended and the guests have moved to the living room adjacent to the dining room and are talking to each other; Ludovico's ex-wife separated for about a year, Marie Malgam, is talking to the accountant Sergio Liconti, partner and director, with 15% of the shares, Ludovico's two children, Cristina and Giorgio, sitting on two chairs in a corner are listening music on their cell phones and every now and then they peek towards the sofa on which Luisa Grani Torma is sitting, Ludovico's childhood friend, widow of the pilot of Ludovico's personal plane, Luigi Torma, who crashed with the plane while accompanying his boss to a conference, the entrepreneur was miraculously saved but there was nothing that could be done for the pilot, for this reason Ludovico wanted to register 5% of the company's shares in his widow's name, even if she didn't want to, she is accompanied by her children Daniele and Rosa who they pretend to read a magazine but look over it at Cristina and Giorgio; the lawyer Giulio Garbugli, friend of Ludovico and lawyer of the company with 30% of the shares, is talking animatedly with the notary Enrico Nota and with Ludovico's childhood friend Silvano Volpe, retired police commissioner. Ludovico addresses the guests:

«I know you are wondering the reason for this party and why the notary is present, have a little more patience, I will retreat to my study for a few moments to complete some documents and await the arrival of another guest» then turning to the old man butler Baptiste Leroi «Baptiste bring me my usual digestive and let me know when that gentleman I told you about just now arrives».

«Of course, Sir, I'll take care of it immediately» replies the butler and leaves the room with the master.

Everyone looks at each other in amazement wondering what Ludovico meant; Cristina, Ludovico's eldest daughter, heads out onto the patio where she is joined by Daniele, Luisa's son:

«Cristina, my love, you talked to your parents about us, you know that I love you and I would like to be able to fulfill our dream».

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The complete story on the book DREAMS OF SUMMER NIGHTS