Johnny's POV
We're at Possulos sitting down eating dinner. She's smiling brightly as she waves around a mozzarella stick while using her hands to tell me a story. I've never seen her smiling like this; she has such a pretty smile I want to see it on her face always.
"What are you staring at?" she acts bringing me out of my reverie. "Do I have something on my face?"
I shake my head. "No, no. I was just lost in thought is all," I answer.
"What were you thinking about?" she asks curiously.
"My new house," I lie. I am purchasing a new home but I sure wasn't thinking about it.
"You're buying a new home? What's wrong with the penthouse?"She asks.
"I want a lot more land and space. A place that's well guards, has a back yard, and plenty of rooms," I explain.
"But you're a bachelor," she points out. "What do you need lots of space for?"
"I've just always dreamed of owning a big house. I've been looking at some of those old mansions on the outskirts of Port Charles and found the perfect one. No neighbors, lots of land, nice design; you have to come see it," I tell her.
"Is it better than Greystone?" she asks.
I grin. "So much better than Greystone; the grounds are amazing. And I'm gonna fix it up so that the inside looks just as incredible. I want a kitchen with a Mediterranean feel to it. But it has to be a fancy kitchen that a lot of cooking can be done in cuz I want to bring in a full time cook,"
"Sounds like you have big plans for your new place," She says. "Opulence won't make up for it being empty though."
"I'm gonna have a live in cook, housekeeper, and butler," I tell her.
"But they're the hired help. You need people who actually care about you around," she says.
"I don't have that!" I tell her. "Dad killed my mother's family who I loved."
"I'm so sorry, I… I didn't know." She says growing sympathetic.
"Of course you didn't know. It's not your life and I don't mention my mother a lot; brings up too much pain." I admit.
"I didn't mean to bring up old memories," she says. "I was just concerned about you living in such a large place alone." She rests her hand on top of mine and all I can do is smile.
"I'll be fine. I like being alone anyway," I tell her.
"If you say so," she says before taking a big gulp of soda.
I twirl my wine glass around before sipping the last bit. "Waiter I'll have a Bellini!" I say holding my glass up.
"My first time eating at Possulos and I have to admit the food here is actually good," she says eyeing the dessert menu.
"The lemon cream cake is the best." I point out.
"Good cuz I love lemons," she says. "Lemon bars, cakes, lemonade, love it all." She gushed.
The waiter comes back and places my Bellini on the table.
"What about peaches?" I ask dangling the Bellini in front of her.
"I like peaches alright," she smiles as I put the glass to her lips.
"Taste," I breathe out.
She takes a slow sip and I can see her swirling the liquid around her mouth.
"How do you like it?" I ask with a chuckle.
"It's good," She replies.
"Why are you acting like you've never drank alcohol before?" I ask. "You have beer and stuff at your apartment."
"She laughs nervously. "It's weird sitting in my father's place of business having a cocktail knowing he could walk in at any moment and chastise me."
"You're twenty years old, you're an adult," I tell her.
"Yeah but he doesn't treat me like one. To him I'll forever be that little girl with the chubby cheeks who loved going for ice cream with daddy," She tells me.
"Well I hate to break it to him, but you're all grown up now" I say looking her up and down.
"Yeah I realize she's a grown woman. It's why she's attracting garbage like you," I hear from behind me and immediately recognize the voice.
I turn around and sure enough there he is standing um….short.
"Sonny, is that how you speak to paying customers?" I ask .
"It's how I speak to trash who think they can manipulate my little girl," he answers getting worked up as usual.
"I wasn't manipulating anyone. The lady was hungry; I brought her to a nice restaurant for a meal. She seems to be having a good time," I tell him.
"She doesn't know any better. This...This eating with you at my restaurant stuff is just her crying out for my attention. She's really not interested in you beyond the fact that you make me crazy," He replies then laughs. "It's actually kind of funny, you're nothing to her."
His words do sting me a little but I do my best to try and conceal my feels. I glance over at Kristina who looks less than thrilled.
She stands up and shakes her head. "Dad, you have no right trying to speak for me. Johnny and I were enjoying a nice dinner before you came," she says.
"Yeah I see that. He's giving you liquor tryna get you drunk enough to go back to his place," Sonny retorts.
"And If I want to go to Johnny's place that's my choice. I'm not one of your women who you can just boss around. I'm not gonna fall at your feet and do what you say. Johnny is my friend and I'll have dinner with him wherever and whenever I want," she tells him her voice strong.
"Kristina, you don't understand what you're saying," Sonny attempts to reason with her.
"Suddenly I'm not so hungry for dessert," she says grabbing her purse. "Let's go Johnny." She grabs my hand and pulls me along as she starts to walk out.
I look back at Sonny and sneer as we walk out hand in hand.
"Wow, someone's a little spitfire," I comment as we head to the car where my driver is waiting.
"He has no right trying to tell me who I can and can't hang out with. I'm not a little girl anymore and the sooner he realizes that the better," she says.
"I'm looking forward to you being my date for the gala," I tell her.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."