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 Ͼ
She 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 do not want to insult the most powerful man in Olivewood.Sighing at the inevitable, she steps into Arianna’s and starts her day, pushing Antonio and the Russos out of her mind.
And that’s how she dealt with it until Antonio made another appearance in her life a few weeks later.
Ͼ Ͼ Ͼ
“Ugh, why is it so busy today?” Serena asks, exasperated. The cafe had been incredibly busy over the last two weeks, giving Amy zero chance to think about Antonio, something for which she was grateful. She smiles at Serena’s complaint, “We have to be grateful for the rush, without these people we wouldn’t get paid.” she replies, a flatness to her voice as she delivers her table’s order. She hears Serena mutter, “Yeah, yeah.” and chuckles.
Amy returns to the counter and scans the cafe; she feels a pair of eyes on her and gets a shiver down her spine. Then suddenly her eyes fell on Antonio Russo, watching her from the back booth. He cocks his head towards the seat opposite him, indicating that he wanted her to join him. She looks around the cafe then wipes her sweaty palm on the overall around her waist while walking towards him.
What was he doing here? Two weeks after hearing nothing from him, she had to admit that she felt a bit disappointed given the fact that he had her number.
She stops in front of him and gives him a tight smile; she notices that he looked at her in an odd way. “What did I do wrong now?” She thinks to herself. “Mr. Russo, how can I help you today?” She asked him in her usual cheery voice. He frowns at her greeting, “I thought we were past the formalities, Amy?” He responds and she was taken aback. Were they passed the formalities? She hadn’t heard from him since he asked her to join him for coffee. As far as she was concerned, they were strangers.
He continues on, shaking his head “Anyway, my father sent me. He would like you to play this Saturday at one of his work functions.” he says, straight-faced. He gets up and looks around the cafe, not meeting her eye. “Excuse me? This Saturday?” Amy asks, surprise written all over her face. She was to play this Saturday. Was he insane? He didn’t even ask her if she was available or had anything planned on that day, he TOLD her she would be playing. “Yes, will that be a problem?” He asked, frowning down at her.
Amy feels a sudden burst of anger. “So, I’m just supposed to drop everything and play at your father’s function? I don’t hear a thing from you for two weeks, and now you decide to summon me to play?” she asks him, surprised at her own anger. Antonio stared at her wide-eyed. He was obviously not used to anyone raising their voice at him. The look he gave her sent a shiver down her spine. He takes a cautious step towards her and puts a hand on her shoulder and leans down. “I apologize for not contacting you since we had coffee, Amy. I have been out of town on a family matter. My father sent me here as soon as my plane landed.” he says, his expression turning softer. Amy wasn’t sure what to make of his apology. He didn’t need to explain anything to her, yet here he was.
She smiles at him, “Now I just feel silly. I’m sorry for my outburst, Antonio. Tell your father I’ll be there.” she answers him, not sure why she agreed to this, how did he make her bend to his will so easily?! Antonio returns her smile and sighs. “Thank you, I’ll do so. Be ready by 10 am, I will collect you,” he says and turns to walk out when he suddenly stops and turns around, looking sheepishly at her, giving her his gorgeous crooked smile “That reminds me, can I please have your address?” He asks her, and she laughs. Walking towards him, she takes out her pen and grabs a napkin off the table next to them. She scribbles her address and hands it to him. “There you go. And see you Saturday.” He nods at her and smiles, then he turns around again and starts to walk out.
Amy couldn’t help but smile back. That brief smile he gave sent shivers down her spine. As she walked towards the counter, she noticed everyone was staring at her, or trying not to.
Serena takes her by the arm and drags her to the back room. She looks at Amy like she has lost her mind. “What are you doing, Amy? Why are you getting mixed up with the Russos?” Serena exclaims. She thought Amy knew better than that. Everyone knew the rumours about that family.
Amy shakes her head. “I’m not getting mixed up with anything, 'Rena, you don’t have to worry. His father heard me playing my cello and liked what he heard. He’s asked me to play at one of his functions this Saturday and I said yes.” she responds to Serena, the latter shaking her head. “I hope that’s all, Amy,” Serena replied, worry written all over her face. Amy was like a sister to her, and she would hate for her to get mixed up in the wrong crowd. Amy wraps her in a hug, “Thank you for your concern, 'Rena, but I’m really fine. I am not mixed up with them at all. It’s business only.” Amy advises her and she nods, knowing Amy wouldn’t lie to her. They both head out into the cafe again, wary eyes looking at Amy.
Did her talking to Antonio Russo really look that bad? More importantly, was this only a business deal to the Russos?
She shakes the thoughts from her head and continues to work.
When the cafe closed for the evening and Amy had locked up, she realized that she had nothing nice to wear at all. She knew the impression she needed to make, and Thursday was her day off, so she decided to go shopping then.
Ͼ Ͼ ϾThursday came around, and Amy sat at her breakfast nook, overcome with anxiety.
She couldn’t go through with playing at this function. How could she when her music only brought death? Trying to control the thumping in her chest, she picks up her phone and sends Antonio a message:
I’m so sorry, but I cannot play this Saturday.
She grabs her keys and heads out to Herr Schmidt’s music shop to clear her mind with music. There was no way she would play the cello his father had bought for her, she never felt like it was hers, anyway.
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
AntonioThe traitor was lying beneath his feet when he stepped over him. Antonio wipes his knuckles off a cloth handed to him by Luciano, his brother looking wary of him. “You okay, Tony? You nearly killed the guy with only your fists.” Luciano asked him, knowing better than to question his older brother. Luciano looks down at the crumpled-up excuse of a Made Man and spits. Antonio shoots him a look that made him shut up immediately, all questions were forgotten. “I’m done here, give him concrete shoes,” Antonio says and steps out of the warehouse that served as a torture room.Did he know why he was filled with such pent-up rage? Of course, he did and it had a name.Amy.Why had she pulled away from his touch as if she were ashamed to be seen with him? Did being seen with him in public really have such an adverse effect on her? He would have to get to the bottom of it if he were to stay with her, the
Amy sat down across from Dimitri and could not help but laugh at Dimitri and his jokes. He was such a sweet guy and incredibly funny on top of it. He also didn’t make her feel intimidated or made her question her choices when she was around him. “So, I’ve noticed that you don’t have an Italian accent. What brought you to this sleepy town?” Dimitri asked suddenly, interested in her backstory. Amy stiffens at his question. The last person she told this story to had decided to trample all over her feelings.Sighing, she looks at Dimitri, “It’s a long and incredibly sad story. I’ll tell it to you, but you have to promise me you won’t feel pity for me, okay?” she asks him with an eyebrow raised. He chuckles and puts a hand over his heart and says, “Клянусь всем сердцем.” She looks at him confused to which he responds with, “Cross my heart.” And she nods, laughing. “Okay, so a f