Chapter 5 #3
“Stop calling you Bellissima?” I nod.
“Why? You are beautiful, are you not?”
“Huh? What kind of a question is that?”
“I see a beautiful woman, so I call her beautiful, and you madam, are incredibly beautiful, and feisty too I must add.” I feel my knees turn to jelly and I think I’m ready for Jesus to just come take me home.
“Look,” He continues. “There’s obviously been a misunderstanding, allow me to explain, if I may?’ He gestures towards the seat next to him and I shake my head no.
“I’d rather not if you don’t mind. I don’t want to sit at the same table with Caveman here.”
“Caveman?” He arches an eyebrow up at me and I just shrug. I still have not looked at said Caveman, so I have no idea what he looks like. If I’m being honest, I’m scared to look. Evie still has her hand on my arm in reassurance but she says nothing.
“Perhaps you’d like to go outside and chat? Or maybe I could get us a booth to speak more privately, in full view of everyone here of course. You’ll be perfectly safe I assure you.”
“The booth will be fine.” He nods and waves a waiter down. After speaking briefly to the waiter, he places his hand on my lower back and guides me to follow the waiter to a booth in the far corner. He motions for me to have a seat first before sitting down himself. A gentleman? Huh.
“First of all, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Antonio.” I smile at him but I don’t offer my name in exchange. He just smiles at me.
“Smart.” He says as he chuckles. This man could very well be a predator and here I am, getting all flustered because he’s so damn gorgeous. But if I’m being honest, why would a man that looks like this, have to threaten women to be with him?
“Bellissima?”
“Huh? I’m sorry I must have…”
“That’s quite alright I do have that effect on women.”
“Cocky much?” I raise a perfectly arched brow at him. Dear Lord the man is devastatingly attractive and he knows it.
“Okay so, my brother and I were supposed to meet a girl here to interview her for a nanny position. She stood us up, probably after speaking to one of the previous candidates sent to us by the agency.”
“I see, and the eighteen-year-old that will have to live with Caveman over there?” I question.
“It’s a live in position. My brother runs his own business and unfortunately works erratic hours as a result.”
“And the girl that left crying?”
“Si, Allison. She did something, however I’m not certain what it was and my brother was pissed.
You see, he likes things done a certain way, his son is his world, he is a creature of habit and comes across as a grouch, you’ve surely noticed that as well after the briefest of interactions.
Life hasn’t been kind to him so he’s angry and withdrawn, but I assure you neither he, nor I would ever cause harm to a woman.
Besides, my mama would whip my ass into next Sunday if I so much as made a girl cry.
My brother has been on the receiving end of her wrath for a while now with this whole nanny situation.
He just wants what’s best for his boy. That’s about all there is to it.
I understand how that whole conversation must have sounded but I promise we are legit and we would never do anything to intentionally hurt anyone.
” He seems genuine and I feel better knowing that there isn’t anything shady going on.
“Here! Take our business card, we own a real estate business and we are from Chicago, feel free to look us up and then you can decide if you still want to call the cops.” He smiles again.
I think I believe him. He seems genuine.
I take the card from him. “Thank you for clearing that up and I’m sorry if I ruined your evening, but I’m sure you see why I had to intervene. ”
“I completely understand Bellissima, I find it rather captivating in fact. You are a force to be reckoned with. May I ask if you are from around here? I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before. I would definitely remember a face like yours.”
“Actually, I’m from Michigan, I’m here for a few days for a book signing event.”
“I see, so you’re a writer then?”
“Yes.” Is all I say. I still haven’t given him my name. Looking around I crane my neck to catch a glimpse of Evie; she’s back at our table watching intently.
“Well, then Antonio, it’s been uh – lovely, I best be on my way now.
” He stands up with me, slipping out of the booth first so he can offer me his hand.
Urgh such a gentleman. I walk ahead of him, making my way to Evie who is now also standing.
We make our way towards the exit, far from where we were seated and I can feel it, that burning gaze.
I stop mid stride and turn to look back towards the table where the men are seated.
Just as I turn towards them, Caveman turns away.
I didn’t get a look at his face but my suspicions are confirmed.
He was staring at me. I could feel it. I look down at the card in my hand Marino Premier Properties.
I slip the card in my purse and walk out the restaurant.