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“It’s awful romantic of you to do something so huge just to talk to your girlfriend, Mister. Not many men would do something like that.” She made her way back to the kitchen, though Paolo wondered how she got there without falling or tripping as she kept looking over her shoulder at him, winking and blowing little kisses from her fingertips.
He was in no mood to play; even with a pretty waitress like her. Sofia had taken root in his mind and blotted out everything else.
He stood and went to the kitchen, pushing the swinging door hard enough to bang against the back wall. “Mr. Rossi! Give my food order to whichever patrons and employees you choose. Here’s the money and if I owe more, though I don’t see how I could possibly owe more than that, she knows where to find me.” He pointed to Sofia as he tossed a stack of bills onto the prep table in front of Mr. Rossi.
Mr. Rossi’s eyes grew large as he saw that there was more money there than his entire menu would come near to costing. “Yes, sir. Thanks for your business.”
Paolo shot Sofia a heated look and then left.
Chapter 7
Dinner with Paolo
Sofia didn’t forget Paolo’s visit to her workplace. She would never forget it. If Gianni didn’t leave her alone about it, she would end up having to find another job. Not a day passed that Mr. Rossi didn’t mention it, either. Sofia was sick of hearing about Paolo and his stack of money.
They didn’t know who he was. Not yet anyway. Surely they would see something on the news about him and recognize him; then the ribbing would go on endlessly and get worse.
The first week after Paolo’s visit, Sofia kept it from her mother, not wanting to upset her. But by the middle of the second week, one of her mother’s friends had already heard about the incident and told Maria all about it. Sofia could’ve wrung her neck for spilling it that way and without talking to her first about it. But, done was done.
“Sofia, all I’m saying is that no matter how he seemed at his house or at the diner that was a very sweet gesture. He just wants to talk; get to know you. Where’s the harm in it, Sofia? It’s so sweet that it breaks my heart. Invite him over for dinner. I’ll go stay with a friend for the night. Please.”
“Mother, you aren’t seeing the whole picture. He’s an ass! I don’t want him over for anything.” Sofia flopped onto the sofa and pulled a pillow over her face.
“Do you enjoy making your mother sad?” Maria sat on the edge of the little coffee table near Sofia.
Shaking her head, she lowered the pillow. “Mama, he’s handsome but he’s…oh, I don’t know; I just don’t fit into his world. I’m not a rich woman. I don’t want to always be standing out as the poor little girl who found a rich knight in shining armour who felt sorry for her and made her somebody. I’m not going to be noticed in this world just because I’m on the arm of a rich, spoiled brat.”
“You could teach that brat something about how the other half lives maybe. Do him some good to be with you, I’d say. Maybe deep down he knows it, too and that is why he is so persistent. Did you ever think of that? We’re all put here for a reason…maybe teaching Paolo is yours.”
Groaning, Sofia put the pillow back over her face again.
She hated it when her mother was right.
It had crossed her mind that if Paolo was so persistent, then, it could be because he was a good person deep inside and no one had ever shown him how to be good instead of petty and spoiled.
After agreeing with her mother to invite him to dinner, Sofia refused to call him or to write to him to do so.
“No, Mother. Only if he pursues me again. If he’s gone, then good riddance and I don’t have to stress about him. If he’s not gone, then I’ll ask him over. If for no other reason than to prove to you that he’s beyond my help.”
“Fine, dear. Thank you!” Maria kissed Sofia’s cheek as she passed the sofa.
The next day, Paolo called Sofia’s cell phone.
“Sofia, I don’t know what to say other than I want to see you. Just you. I want to have dinner with you alone somewhere. Here preferably.”
“Well, so much for niceties, huh? Okay, Paolo. I’ll have dinner with you, but it will be at my apartment, my home on Saturday evening at, let’s say, six. Be on time and dress casually.” She hit the button to disconnect the call, smiling and biting her bottom lip.
As the day wore on, she had difficulty containing her excitement. She told her mother about the dinner date. Maria was thrilled and kissed her daughter’s cheeks and forehead.
“I’m so proud of you. Now, I’ll go to Francine’s for the night on Saturday and you cook him a proper, Sofia-good meal. That boy eats your cooking once and he’ll never leave you alone!”
Saturday came and at fifteen minutes until six, Sofia was cleaning up the kitchen. There was no way she could get it all finished before six, so she decided to serve dinner on the balcony. She was only on the third floor and there were two balconies above hers, but it would have to do.
Paolo arrived at six and Sofia greeted him. Her excitement had built all day until she was actually happy that he had shown up. Her smile was genuine even when Paolo looked around the apartment with a bewildered expression.
Tucking a stray curl behind her ear, she said, “I know; it’s small, but it’s mine and I make the payments from working a job which I enjoy.” She showed him to the balcony.
“I understand. My father enjoyed the fruits of his labor very little. The man enjoyed that he was independent and wanted for nothing, but he worked himself into an early grave, too.” Paolo sat while Sofia poured wine.
