Overture: Chapter 4

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.