Overture: Chapter 6

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. 

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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.

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“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. 

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Thursday 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.