Johnny's POV
The scent of ground coffee beans and vanilla fills my nose as I sit at my table at Corinthos Coffee. I'm stirring the creamer into my coffee slowly when she walks in and spots me. She's wearing a teal tank top with rosettes lining the neck and has paired it with dark denim capris; contrast to my grey D&G suit.
"Sorry I'm late, dad and his girlfriend wanted to have lunch with me," she says sitting down.
"Why? They saw you with me last night and decided to do an intervention?" I joke.
"They claimed to want to spend time with me," she tells me in a surprised voice.
"You sound a little unsure," I note before taking a sip of my coffee.
"I know deep down my father loves me and I also know it's hurting him to see me with you; but he and Viviana came over made me a simple lunch and barely talked about you. For once it was about me and not just my problems of the moment or him telling me how to live my life," she explains.
"Damn!" I say snapping my fingers. "And I thought I was all the two of you spoke about," he says in a sardonic tone.
"Not all our conversations revolve around you," she replies playfully hitting my arm.
"That's the thing about mobster father's they can be very unpredictable. Mine once bought me a new fine tuned piano," I say.
"I'm not sure about his girlfriend yet. I mean she seems different from the others. I liked Brenda, and Kate, etc until after the divorces they acted as if my brothers and I didn't exist," she tells me. "But Viviana really seemed like she was just trying to really get to know me for who I am beyond my father's daughter. It's like she actually cares. She was trying too hard to relate to me, but it was a nice effort."
I sigh as much as I want her to be happy I can't help but be a little sad. When she's angry at her father she wants to spend more time with me. If they're getting along, that will stop. I can't have her getting along with her father just yet.
"They're just afraid of you hanging around me," I point out. "Sonny likes to be in control of everything and everyone around him."
"I know. They think you're such a bad influence," she says smiling. "I don't think so though."
"Hey, so do you wanna come over tonight?" I ask.
"I don't know," she says with a coy smile.
"It'll be fun. I'll get a bottle of rum, and I'll have my driver take us to that new club over by the docks. A little music and dancing then late night eats at that taco place on 3RD street," I say.
"Rum, no tequila?" she jokes. "Tacos and tequila."
"I don't think you're ready for tequila. I suggest you stick to mixed drinks,"
"I think you should pick me up at my place at 9:30 tonight," she tells me smiling.
"Sounds like a game plan," I tell her.
"So, enough about me, how was your day?" she asks.
"Well, I dreamed about you last night," I recall. "This morning was pretty uneventful. I woke up, ate some toast, went to see about some business, came here got coffee, and then you showed up and my day brightened."
"That's good to hear. I feel like when we talk I talk so much about my family, and my problems that I don't think that you might like to vent a little," she says.
"I don't have a family to vent about anymore. They're all dead," I say looking down into my mug.
"And I know that hurts you and I'm letting you know that you can vent to me about it anytime. Tell me more about your mother," She remarks. "That is um, if you want to, tell me about your mother," she rewords her statement.
"My mother Maria was beautiful. She had dark hair, like a raven, olive skin,
and dark brown eyes that were gentle and glimmered. She loved roses, they were her favorite plant and she had this amazing rose garden back at our old house. It's why my dad became so obsessed with roses and plants after she died," I pause as Kristina puts her hand on top of mine before I continue. "From what I remember she liked to sew and knit and she used to knit blankets and socks for me and my sister. She'd be sitting in her rocking chair knitting and listening to classical music. She had such a cheerful demeanor that when she was gone the house was melancholy."
"She sounds wonderful…." Kristina utters before stopping and she's looking over my shoulders. She lifts her hand off of mine.
"Hey guys, how's it going?" I heard a familiar voice ask behind me.
Without turning around I know it's that douchebag Derrick.
"How cool is it to run into you guys here," Angelique says before she pulls up a chair and sits at our table.
She's a little more dressed down today. Her curly hair is in a ponytail and she's got lighter makeup on. Well except for that lipstick in such a rich pink shade you can spot those lips from a mile away. She's wearing a solid colored grey tee and black shorts.
"My dad owns this place; his name is on the building. But I'm sure you knew that, huh Derrick?" Kristina replies with a fake smile.
"Hey I came because she wanted a frappe and this place was close by. But running into you is never a bad thing," Derrick says pulling up a chair also.
"We were in the middle of a pretty intense conversation," I point out.
"We didn't mean to interrupt," Angelique apologizes. "It's just always good to run into some down to earth people. In our business there are very few."
"Glad you think two of the craziest people in town are down to earth," I say smiling.
"You're way too cute to be crazy," she flirts and I can see jealousy on Kristina's face.
"I think I should get going now," she stands up. "I'll see you tonight Johnny." She leans in and gives me a soft peck on the lips.
"I hope you're not in much of a rush, Johnny," Angelique says putting a hand on my chest. She's giggling like a giddy school girl. "That's nice suit you're wearing. You look like you belong on the cover of GQ,"
"I actually gotta go too," Derrick says standing up. "I'll walk you out," he offers to Kristina.
"That would be nice," she says giving me an exasperated look. "Thanks."