Chapter 7 : You Look Beautiful
Chapter 7: You Look Beautiful
Sophie.
“Mr. Rizzo.” He handed me my bag which wasn't even that heavy.
“I have to pay you back.” I tried to take money out of my bag.
“Don't worry about it, and call me Adriano.” He said, smiling softly.
“I..” his phone rang, cutting me off. He took it out of his pocket and attended to the call.
“What?” He snarled.
“Right now?” He looked at me.
“Okay, I will be there in a few minutes.” He said and ended the call.
“I have to go,” he looked down at me before pocketing his phone.
“We will meet soon, sunshine.” He walked to a car parked at the parking lot and threw the grocery bag in the back seats before sliding into the car. He drove off effortlessly and I watched in shock.
The rain was falling heavily, students were exiting the building with their jackets over their heads. I shook my head at them, they were just idiots. I unfold my transparent umbrella, I always check the weather forecast before starting my day. I stepped into the rain with my vintage mailbag bouncing on my lip. I let the umbrella’s shaft rest on my shoulder as I dug into the pants pocket to grab my phone. Today has been exhausting. Professor Alinco with another professor had picked a few sophomores to display their art in the upcoming exhibit happening in the University of fine art and I wasn't picked. I didn't let it get to my heart even though I had worked hard for it. In my bag was my canvas, it was small but I had spent hours on it. I guess it was too basic, they needed new ideas. I sighed, you win some, you lose some. I texted my best friend, Sarah.
‘Are you free?’
‘Nope,’ she replied and I frowned.
‘Okay,’
It has been so long since she was free, Sarah works a lot and I knew it. At some shady bar, where she could work because she was twenty-three and at some diner which was bad too. I wonder why she didn't ask Susan for the job, it was a nice job but I doubt she would hire her. She didn't like Sarah that much but in her defense, she didn't like anyone much.
Deciding to go to the library, I quickly walked to the building as the rain got worse. I ran inside, thankfully, I had packed the canvas in a plastic bag before putting it in the mailbag. I wiped some of the water off my shoulders, avoiding the eyes of the librarian who glared at me. It was raining, if she didn't want people to enter like this, she could close the place. I walked around with my bag on my shoulder, leaving the umbrella in the holder outside. When I reached the astronomy part of the large library, my eyes fell on him. He was sitting at a table, his eyes on his book, his glasses on his nose and his body covered in a t-shirt which the sleeve rolled up to his elbow, revealing his large tattoo arms. His legs covered with blue trousers and hair a mess. I met his brother at the store yesterday and told he was here. I tried to slip away undetected.
“Little bunny.” Damnit, he noticed me. I turned around, my hair flipping over my shoulder and I met his gaze. He leaned back in his chair, a dazzling smile on his face.
“Come here.” He commanded. Rizzo’s seem to be used to people doing what they wanted to. So anyone would be an idiot to defy them.
I walked towards him, he nodded towards the chair beside him and I sat down, nervousness fluttered in my stomach. Luciano’s eyes scanned my body.
“We match,” he muttered.
Oh, yeah, we did, blue pants and white shirts. He looked at his book.
“Do you like astronomy?” He asked and I bit my lip.
He opened the first page of the book, and I could faintly hear the rain outside. It felt calm and deadly at the same time, sitting here with him. Luciano Rizzo felt like a sea bed, a deep dangerous place filled with mysteries. Adriano felt like the violent waves of the sea, the waves which turned the largest ships over. Angelo felt like the shore, the flutter of wonder and nervousness you feel when you stand there, looking at the sea which stretched for miles and miles. They were so different, yet they made me feel the same.
“Get any book you want to read.” He said, a smile coming on his lips as he glanced at me.
“We can read together, if you are okay with it.” He raised an eyebrow.
I should have said no, I knew they were bad news. Still I found myself picking a random book out from the large shelf of the library and began reading it, sitting beside one of the most dangerous men I had ever met.
After a few hours of reading together, I walked out of the library with him by my side. It was still raining heavily, so I grabbed my umbrella and opened it above my head. Luciano looked at me just as a limousine stopped in front of us.
“Let's drop you home.” He offered and I bit my lip.
“I can get a taxi.” He looked around.
“There are not many taxies here, Sophie. Just come with us.
I looked around too, the road was almost empty with some cars passing by. The library was in a quiet place and I didn't want to risk walking so I nodded. He smiled and took my umbrella, closing it and folding it, making it a small rectangle. He opened the door of the car, I slid inside and that was when I registered the two other men inside. Both Adriano and Angelo look at me.
“Hello, Kitten.” Adriano muttered.
“Hi,” I whispered, looking at him and then at his brother who had a glass in his hand filled with brown drink. He smiled at me, taking a sip of his drink.
“You look beautiful, princess.”
I ignored the flutter in my stomach and smiled, thanking him. Ashton slid into the seat beside me and closed the door. The car drove off and I looked out the window, clutching my vintage mailbag to my chest as I watched the building pass by, I could feel their eyes on me.
“What was in the bag?” Angelo broke the silence.
“A painting.” I answered, proud that I didn't stutter this time.
“Can we see?” Adriano asked, eyes falling on my bag.
“It is not good.” I said because my professor has rejected it.
“Just show us.” Angelo said, in his hand was a drink now. They had not offered me one, I could use one.
Letting out a small sigh, I opened my bag and took the canvas which was in a plastic bag out. I took it out of my plastic bag and turned it around so that they could see what I had made.