Dangerous Elegance

Life was far from what Chiara envisioned. Waiting tables and tending bars at her father’s restaurant hadn’t exactly been in Chiara’s plans. Her mother’s piano became the only thing that made her job bearable, its beauty still radiating despite the restaurant’s dull lighting. Her fingers yearned to touch it, but first, she had to get rid of the man who had been looking at the menu for half an hour.

“Are you going to order?!” She drew in a sharp breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “Or… are you satisfied just staring at the menu?” She couldn’t help but add. Why wouldn’t he just order already?

His eyes flickered to Chiara, gaze softening as he allowed his eyes to roam Chiara’s body in her uniform. “How old are you, baby girl?”

She shivered, hand tugging the hem of her skirt. “Not as old as you.” She said as calmly as she could, glancing at the notepad in her hand. Of course, the only thing on his mind was getting with her. Besides her father and Matteo, all men fit one label: pervert.

“Care to join me? I’ll make it worth your time.”

She flinched and took a deep breath. “What do you want to order, sir?”

His smile faded. He pulled out a hundred dollar bill and slid it towards Chiara in the most ridiculous attempt at a seductive manner she had ever seen. “Caesar salad. Keep the change.”

She forced a smile. “Of course.” She took the money and walked briskly to the kitchen. She opened the door, retching when the smell of grease hit her. “Table five ordered a Caesar salad.”

She closed the door when she was sure that someone had heard her. She looked around for a small moment, before walking towards the cashier’s post where Matteo was sitting. She pulled the money from her pocket and handed it to him.

He raised a brow at her as he put the money in the cash register. “Another admirer?” He asked with a knowing smile.

She rolled her eyes and leaned on his desk. Her gaze flickered to her piano and she closed her eyes.

“Wouldn’t it be better if you kept the tips?”

She opened her eyes and turned to Matteo, a scowl etched on her face. “I’m not going to keep their money. My small pay is already enough.” She replied dryly.

Just then, she felt someone’s arm wrap around her neck. She tensed and pushed the culprit away as she turned to them with a scowl. The culprit turned out to be none other than her twin sister, Aria. “Aria, I told you never to do that again.”

Aria rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue in a playful manner. “You know you love it when I shower you with sisterly affection. Now, where’s the money you were talking about?”

“Somewhere that’s safe from you. I’m not letting you take the money those old perverts give to me.”

Aria scoffed. “So cocky, you’re not the only one who gets their attention you know? I’m just as pretty, maybe even more since I bleached my hair.” She flipped her hair as if to illustrate her point.

Chiara opened her mouth to say something, but stopped when she noticed what Aria was wearing. It was a black dress that stopped mid-thigh, definitely not the uniform she was supposed to be wearing.

“Is the bar having some kind of party?”

“I’m going on a date,” She looked between Chiara and Matteo, her gaze lingering on Matteo. “I think he might be the one.”

Matteo tensed, his eyes downcast. “You’ve said that about like… ten guys already.”

“But this one is different!” She pouted.

Chiara rolled her eyes. “So I’m guessing dad knows and arranged your replacement because there is no way I’m filling in for you.”

Aria’s face fell as she took in Chiara’s words. She quickly took Chiara’s arm and put on her best pleading face. “C’mon Chiara, I’ll give you twenty percent of my week’s pay.”

“You could use that money for your new laptop.” Matteo said, looking over Chiara’s shoulder.

Chiara rolled her eyes, but nodded slowly. “Whatever. Just do what you want. I don’t care at this point.”

A wide smile spread across Aria’s face and she pulled Chiara into a tight embrace as she squealed. “Thank you so much, you’re the best big sister ever.” She quickly straightened up, like nothing had happened, and bolted out of the restaurant before Chiara could change her mind.

She turned back to look at Matteo, but his gaze was fixed on Aria’s fading silhouette, a strange look on his face – longing, maybe.

“Well,” She mumbled, breaking him out of his reverie. “I’m going to play the piano while I still have the time to.”

She walked away from him and towards the piano. The closer she was to it, the more it seemed to pull her towards it. When she sat on the stool in front of the piano, she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, and her shoulders relaxed.

She drew in a sharp breath, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. Her fingers trembled as she ran them over the keys. She pressed a key and felt her anxiety leave her. She sighed and started playing a familiar song, letting her fingers dance to the tune she was humming.

As she played, memories of her mother hit her at once. She missed her, more than she cared to admit. She shouldn’t have missed her. Her mother lied to her – said she was going to be with her forever and left her. That was why her piano was her best friend, her piano would never leave her.

She ended the song, wiping her tears streaked face with her sleeves. “It’s been so long since you left, momma. Everyone’s happy now… so why do I still cry every day because I’m thinking of you?”

She suddenly tensed, her eyes darting around the places her gaze could reach. Someone was staring at her – watching her – and his gaze felt dangerous, like she would be in danger for even standing up.

Her watch beeped and her gaze shifted to the small screen on her wrist, a solemn look on her face. She yawned and rubbed her eyes tiredly. When she couldn’t feel the stranger’s gaze, she stood up and went to the bartender’s post. She hated tending bars, it was more of Aria’s forte, not hers.

A few people left the restaurant, detecting a shift in the atmosphere and Chiara watched quietly, waiting for her first customer.

Someone’s cologne filled her senses, and she subconsciously took a deep breath and bit her bottom lip. Must have been a customer, she thought, scolding herself for her weird actions.

She turned to the person and felt her cheeks warm. Chiara wasn’t the kind of girl who could be affected by a man’s looks, but this was different somehow. Dark brown hair, hazel green eyes that seemed to see deep into her soul, defined facial features and light olive skin she wanted to touch, she couldn’t help but stare.

She sighed and forced a smile. “What can I get you -?”

“Tequila shot, do you even know what that is?”

Chiara froze, her eyebrows furrowed. She didn’t respond, instead, turning to find him his chosen drink. She had dealt with rude customers before and he was no exception, even though he was ruder than most.

“You know what else is rude?! Having to call the bartender ten fucking times before she hears you.”

She flinched. Had she said he was rude out loud?

She decided to ignore his comment and filled a small cup with tequila, sliding it towards him with practiced precision.

“I may have not heard you the first times you called, but I’m still human and trying to work. If you have issues with the way I work, there are nicer ways to address that, which doesn’t involve treating me as less of a human.” She drew in a sharp breath to calm herself down. She promised herself that she wasn’t going to snap at him. “I’m sorry –“

“If you have issues with your job, I think I know others that will be… suitable for you.”

His eyes roamed her body and she cringed. Of course that was what he meant.

“I’m not interested in any job offers you have for me.” She said curtly. “Just finish your drink and mind your business.”

“I’m Dante –“

“I don’t care. Stop bothering me.”

He smirked and picked up the small cup. He quickly downed the drink and Chiara couldn’t help staring at him. When he finished, he slammed the cup on the counter and stood up.

“I’ve tasted better, and the service sucks.” He walked into her father’s office.

Chiara glared at the door. In the spur of the moment, she forgot to make him pay for the drink. After a moment of deep thinking, she entered her father’s office. If only the situation was as simple as she thought.