A practicing Catholic falls in love with a devout Buddhist. A minor attends a pastry-making course in prison and discovers that love can be found behind bars. Two long-time friends celebrate an unusual Valentine's Day, thinking about the girlfriends who have just left them and a daughter arriving from Africa who one day rings their doorbell.

Parthenope, born in the sea near Naples in 1950, is beautiful, enigmatic, and intelligent. She is shamelessly courted by many. However, beauty comes at a cost.