Arianna looks up from her laptop and smiles warmly at Amy. “Sit down, doll.” She says and gestures for her to sit. “What would you like to chat about, Ariann?” She asks, just wanting to get straight to the point.
She couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. Arianna nods at her and replies, “Yesterday you proved to me you have this diner’s best interests at heart. That you care about your patrons. So, I would like to offer you a promotion. How does general manager of Arianna’s sound, Ames?”
Amy’s jaw hits her chest at lightning speed. A promotion? “Arianna, are you sure about this?” She asks, not believing what she heard. “Of course, dear. You are the only viable choice and the only one I trust to keep my business afloat. Please say yes?” Arianna begs her.
Tears well up in her eyes and she nods, “Yes! I would love the position! Thank you so much!” She jumps up and runs to Arianna’s side, giving her a warm hug. “You deserve this, Amy. You’ve earned it. Now go on home and have the day off. Tomorrow you start fresh.” Arianna says, and Amy cries again. She nods, hugs her again, and walks out of the office.
Arianna had just made her General Manager. She still couldn’t believe it.
She heads to the server lockers to grab her bag and Serena stops her. “Ames, you okay?” She asks, concern etched on her face. Amy looks at her and smiles. “Arianna just promoted me to Manager!” She responds and Serena’s eyes widen. “Oh my gosh, Ames! That’s amazing!” She says and hugs her friend. Serena knew Amy was a hard worker and deserved this far more than anyone else. “Thanks, 'Rena. She’s given me the day off, so I’ll see you tomorrow again, okay?” Serena nods and smiles at her again. They say their goodbyes and Amy walks out to her car.
A day off. She wasn’t sure when last she had one. She starts her car and heads home to change, wondering what she would do to pass the time.
She opted for the music shop around the corner from her work. She had sold her cello a long time ago, but she still pops in there to play a bit.
The bell dings as she enters, and the shop owner beams when he sees her. A short man with wire-rimmed glasses and a German accent, he had always loved Amy’s playing and was heartbroken when she decided not to pursue her musical genius.
“Ah! Amy what a pleasant surprise!” He goes to greet her. She smiles at his warm greeting and goes to hug him. “Herr Schmidt, it’s so good to see you. I had an off day and decided to come to visit you and your instruments. I hope you don’t mind me popping past the cellos for a few minutes?” She asks politely, and he smiles at her, excitement etched on his face. “PshPsh why do you ask?! The cellos are yours! Go play your beautiful music. I have been dying to hear you play.” Herr Schmidt answers her, practically bouncing off the walls. She laughs at his excitement and says, “Thank you!” And leaves him to go to the cello section.Music has always been Amy’s first love. The moment she first heard Bach’s Six Cello Suites; she was hooked. Her parents cherished her gift, as it seems like she was a prodigy in the making. Music schools all over the country were vying for her to join them. In the end, she went to Sicily’s most well-known music school. Italians loved their classical music, so she chose well.
Her fingers graze an ebony D’Luca, and she decides this would be her partner for the afternoon. She seats herself and makes sure it’s tuned in properly. Then she closes her eyes and starts playing.
An hour later, she opens her eyes to 3 people staring at her, tears glistening in the eyes of the older gent in the middle. She gets a fright and stands up, nearly dropping the cello. One man reaches out to grab it just in time and she finds staring into the olive-green eyes of Antonio Russo.
“Pardon us, Bella. We were just passing by the shop and heard the most hauntingly beautiful music being played. It tugged furiously at my heartstrings. Bravo!” The eldest man says and wipes his tears while giving her applause. She blushes while taking the cello from Antonio, and thanks him for his kind words. “No need to thank me! You were born with the gift of music. Bellissima, you need to play more!” He says with excitement playing on his face, and she smiles, “What would you like to hear me play, sir?” She asks, and his eyes widen in surprise as if he didn’t expect her question.
“Fauré’s Élégie,” Antonio responds, and the older gent looks at him. “Yes, an excellent choice, Tony.” Then he nods and motions for her to play. Amy looked at Antonio with newfound respect. Anyone who knows their classical music had a good page in her book.
She smiles at him and nods, sits down on the cello stool. Again, she closes her eyes and loses herself in the music.
By the end of her piece, she had tears in her eyes as well. This was one of her favourite pieces to play. So hauntingly beautiful. She opens her eyes again and receives applause from the older gentleman again.
“Bellissima!” He says, holding back his tears. She smiled and wiped her own tears away. “Antonio, get her number. She needs to play at the next family function.” He says curtly and walks toward Amy. He takes her hand and kisses it, but not before turning to Antonio and whispering something in his ear. Then he walked out.
Amy frowns and stands up to put the cello back where she found it. Antonio takes it from her and says, “My father has bought this for you. The way you played it moved his heart, and he decided it needed to be yours.” Antonio says and finds the cello’s case. He puts it back, and all Amy could do was stand there, not comprehending what he just said.
She finally snaps out of her reverie. “Excuse me, what?!” She exclaims running after him, not believing what he had just said. “My father bought- “
“I heard you!” She exclaims and Antonio looks at her, an amused expression on his face. “Tell your father I cannot accept his gift.” She finally says, arms crossed in defense. Antonio shakes his head. “My father is old school Sicilian. Returning his gift would be an insult. Besides, he wants me to get your number as he would love to have you over to play at our family functions.” Antonio finishes.
Amy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. What was happening? First her promotion, now this...
She looks at Antonio, not knowing what to say. He looks at her, questions clear on his face. “Amy, would you like to join me for a cup of coffee?” He finally asks. And this is where she was adamant that she was dreaming. She pinches herself softly and finds herself still standing there, with Antonio waiting for an answer.
He cocks his head to the side and his slicked-back hair comes loose, falling in his face. Her heart tightens and she realizes how exquisitely handsome Antonio Russo is.
“Amy...?” He asks impatiently. She snaps back and realizes that he was waiting for an answer. She bites her bottom lip and eventually says, “I would love to.”
He smiles, and she feels the static shock again, giving her a shiver.
Promotion, a new cello, and a coffee date with Antonio Russo.
What a day so far and it wasn’t even noon.
Antonio led her out of the music shop after she said yes to having coffee with him. Her eyes were downcast when she heard him say her name.“Amy?”Her head snaps up with the sound of his voice, and she looks towards him. Her heart was sitting in her throat when she answered, “Yes?”He smiles at her again and repeats his question, “Where is your car parked?” And looks at the only two cars parked in front of the music store. Hers was the only one sticking out like a sore thumb, an old Audi model next to Antonio’s obviously flashy Emperor. She looks at him with sarcasm written all over her face and he smirks, shaking his head. “I had to ask,” he said with a laugh and they walk towards her Audi. She unlocks her car and Antonio gently eases her newly bought cello in. After she locks it again, she stands sheepishly, and looks at him, annoyed at the blush creeping up into her cheeks.He really was
Amy stares down at the expensive cello that was bought for her, feeling undeserving. She didn’t ask for this, didn’t ask for Antonio’s attention, much less his father’s. And for some reason, she knew that having caught the attention of the Russos would never be a good idea.Sighing, she hangs the cello from the old cello crook on the wall and leaves her room. She didn’t want to think about the future or what it held now that she had Antonio’s attention, so she plopped down on the couch and decided to numb her brain with TV.Ͼ Ͼ ϾShe returns to work the following day with worry settling in her heart. The cello hanging in her room was a constant reminder that she was tied to a family she wanted nothing to do with. She knew she should return the instrument, but Antonio had said that his father would see it as a major insult if she had to return the gift. You
AntonioAntonio walks out of the coffee shop and tries to stifle a smile. How had this girl grown on him in such a short space of time? The only woman to ever stand up to his brother Luciano, known in their circles as Luciano "Death Wish" Russo. No one would even dare to talk back to him, yet this little five-foot tall, petite girl stood up to him because he offended her patrons.He smiles and shakes his head as he gets into his Emperor, trying to put Amy out of his mind so he could focus on the task at hand. His half-sister, Emily was getting engaged this Saturday to some billionaire in the States. His father, Giovanni, had decided to marry her off as he didn’t see her suited to marry Italian blood. He left Antonio in charge of everything but made it clear that he wished to have the female cellist there. As he drives to his next stop, he could not help but feel excited at the prospect of listening to Emily play her cello
Antonio watched her cry in the passenger seat next to him. He knew she would react this way, but if she didn't face her trauma now, she would never be able to move on with her life. Her life would be paused on the night her parents died.She looked over at him with hurt clear in her eyes, which left him with a pang of guilt in his chest. "Why did you bring me here, Antonio?" She breathes out, tears streaming down her face. Antonio cocks his head to the side and takes her face in his hand. "Your life was put on hold on the night your parents passed away, Amy. If you do not face your demons now, you will be dragged down by them." He answers her and proceeds to get out of the car.He walks over to her side and opens the door, but she was staring straight ahead with no intention of getting out. Antonio sighs and gets down on his haunches, "Amy..." he trails off and she turns her head to look at him, trying to hide her anger after wiping her tears away. "Why do you care
Amy was watching Serena with a lump in her throat. She needed to tell her friend what had happened, but she was not sure where to start. Antonio had kissed her yesterday and she wasn’t sure what to make of it, or what exactly she was feeling for him. He was nice to her, for no apparent reason. And he valued her music. Everyone had always tip toed around her when it came to her parents' death, but Antonio was blunt about things. Although it was frustrating at times, it was what she needed to hear. Everything he said made sense after she mulled it over in her head.Amy was daydreaming so much, that she didn't even see Serena was storming over to her. She stood in front of Amy, hands on her hips and with a pout playing on her lips. "Okay that's enough, spit it out," she said to Amy, which earned her a frown from the latter."What do you-""You either want to ask or tell me something, I can tell from the way you've been not so subtly staring at me. Now com
Serena takes Amy’s hand in her own and tried to comfort her. The scene outside Bailey’s window had sent her off the edge. Someone had been watching her sister, and quite possibly for a while now. “We need to contact the police when we get back, Amy. This could end really bad.” Serena tells her and she nods. Amy had already called Julie with the news and advised her not to go home today, who knows when the culprit will strike.Amy looks ahead and notices Antonio watching her in the rear-view mirror with the same concerned expression he had when they were alone in the opera house. She nods at Serena, “I know. I should have listened to Bailey in the beginning, Serena. She would never make up a lie like someone standing at the window.” Amy responds and as usual, blames herself for what had happened. Serena shakes her head, “There’s no way you could have known that the monster at her window was an actual person, Amy. And from w
Amy returns to the courtyard with Antonio’s arm around her waist, hair dishevelled and Antonio grinning like the cat who got the cream. Serena sees this and her eyes widen. Didn’t Amy tell her there was nothing going on between them? She had a lot of explaining to do! As soon as they reach Serena, Antonio plants a kiss on her cheek and whispered something in her ear which made her blush. For some reason this made Serena angry, this girl did not know what she was getting herself into being involved with this family. As soon as Antonio was out of earshot, Serena crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. Amy blushes and says, “He said I’m his.” Which causes Serena’s eyes to widen even more. “That sounds awfully possessive, Amy.” She says, worried for her friend.“I know, but I can’t help it, 'Rena. He does things to me and makes me feel light and happy. I can’t help feeling the way I do about him.” Amy a
Amy enters the diner with a smile plastered on her face, she had woken up without a trace of a hangover and felt oddly refreshed. She was opening the diner today while Arianna had her day off, not that she minded at all. Arianna deserved the day off; her arthritis was getting worse by the day. She was busying herself with her morning set up when she heard a familiar groan behind her and stifled a laugh. Serena had arrived and was nursing a wicked hangover by the sounds of things. She walked over to where the coffee was brewing and poured herself and Serena a cup.Walking over to her friend, she pops the cup down quietly next to where Serena was sitting. “Good morning, lovely,” Amy crooned, and Serena looked up, staring daggers at her. “This is all your fault,” she cried, and Amy laughs aloud. “Excuse me? You couldn’t keep your hands off that expensive bubbly, Ms. Manzini. This is not on me.” Amy responds, hand over her mouth as she ch