Chapter 1 : The restaurant next door
Daniella
“Since you know it’s Friday, where is my delivery?” I practically screamed over the phone to my supplier. I have been waiting since 10 a.m. and the liquor truck is nowhere to be found. “You have one hour John, it’s almost 4 p.m.” I cursed under my breath and ended the call.
Some might say I have a temper, others that I’m a bitch. Well, they’re right! I am Daniella Georgakis, half Greek half American and the Mediterranean temperament runs through my veins. I stand at 1.65cm, with jet black wavy hair, reaching my ass, dark green eyes, slim figure but with a fair share of curves. I think I might be considered pretty. Not that I care what others think.
Without a warning my office door opens violently and Joyce Masters, aka Jo, my best friend and co-owner of our bar, 21, barges inside. A bit taller than me, well 2 cm taller, with red hair cut in a long bob, oh I love that haircut on her, and hazel eyes. Both her arms are covered in ink and the sleeveless T- shirts she’s wearing keep them in plain sight. “Ok, where is the fucking truck already?” she shouts with the same anger I did moments ago. Well, no blame in that. Our asshole supplier has done that at least five times these past months. But on a Friday? So close to Christmas? Asshole.
“Called him, screamed at him, thought about threatening him but it’s almost Christmas, I tried to be in good spirits Jo” my laughter probably made her angrier, she said something under her breath and sat on my desk, lighting up a cigarette.
“No smoking inside” I said smiling but she ignored me blowing some of the smoke on my face. I coughed “Oh, you definitely need to get laid” and got a smack right on my arm. “Look who’s talking, miss ‘I don’t need a man, I have a perfectly good and expensive vibrator’. Eww on the man part, but you should follow your own advice” Jo replied and to be fair, she was right. Since my breakup with my cheating asshole ex-boyfriend, Bryan, 6 months ago, I have been using my toy non-stop. Oh well, a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.
Before I could find something clever to say a knock on the door stopped us “Come in”. Alina, one of the waitresses came inside looking frustrated. “Dani have you seen what’s going on outside?” what is she talking about?
“No, but I bet you’ll tell me” I smiled and from the corner on my eye saw how Jo was checking her out. I think someone has a crush.
“The restaurant next door, I think tonight it’s their opening. There’s a ton of people outside, it’s crazy” she replied cheerfully but my mind was elsewhere. Where is my fucking delivery?
About two hours later, our bouncer Manuel called me about the delivery being finally here. I put on my leather jacket and quickly got outside. “Oh fuck, she wasn’t joking” I mumbled, seeing all those people standing on the sidewalk, cameras, reporters and a lot of well-dressed people, waiting for the doors to open. I signed off the papers and Manuel helped me with the cases back inside.
“Finally, some Italian around here’’ he spoke up while putting the empty boxes on the trash cans.
“The restaurant? How do you know it’s Italian?” although half Greek, I could never say no to a good bowl of pasta. Or pizza. Or wine.
“I heard some of the reporters talking. It’s called Di Angelo’s, named after the owner’s grandfather.” he replied and signaled that he was going back outside.
It was around 7 p.m. when we realized what chaos was happening outside. The whole street was blocked either by cars or by the tv station vans and people still waiting in the cold. I stood by the window next to our entrance watching them come and go. Gentlemen with their black suits, all polished and smiling. Ladies with floor length gowns, looking like runway models. In that moment, I realized how different my life is. Here I am in my rock bar, wearing a black fitted pair of jeans, my black Dr. Martins and a Motorhead T-shirt. “But I am happy, who cares about gowns and professional makeup and photographers” I thought and was about to stop stalking, until their front door opened.
The reporters ran to the door, but two security guards forced them to back up. Three men and one woman came outside, all dressed in black. But it was one of them that stood out. Black hair pulled back, tall, at least compared to the rest, with facial hair, wearing a fitted black suit. Before I knew it, I was standing outside, at the end of the queue, drooling over someone I’ve never met.
“Dear friends, family and guests, thank you for coming to the opening of our latest restaurant. Di Angelo’s was a dream came true, a way to celebrate my late grandfather Angelo and our Italian roots.’’ The unknown hottie spoke up, and everyone started clapping and cheering. I stood there, like a complete fool, looking at him. He was indeed really tall, tanned skin and dark brown eyes. “Oh my” I mumbled but suddenly was pushed to the side by a cameraman. “Hey, watch it” I yelled making him stop and turn around.
“Oh, so sorry miss, I didn’t see you” he helped me find my balance again
“Here for the opening?” maybe I could find some info on the handsome stranger next door
“Yes of course. A Vitolo new project is always interesting” he smiled and tried to adjust the camera on his shoulder.
“Vitolo? Is that the owner?” I do not know that name whatsoever
He looked at me funny before replying “Yeah, Roberto Vitolo, the Dragon”
“The who?”
Here we go... The story of Daniella and Roberto or should I say, the Dragon, begins.
Buckle up my loves, you’re in for one hell of a ride!!
As always comments and reviews are more than welcome, they are almost mandatory babes!!
See you soon with the next chapter (weekly updates <3)
