Lombardi and Giuliani Family
Jessica turned towards the door, watching Francesco enter, with the same look he had when they were in the meeting with Elias.
"Ciao, Federico!" he said as he headed to the bar.
"Ciao, Francesco," Jessica said as he approached.
Francesco's eyes widened seeing Jessica. He looked quickly at Federico who was shrugging and then back to the Lombardi girl. "Hey!”
"You didn't expect to see me again."
"I didn't."
"Well, Surprise!"
"What are you doing here?"
“Having a drink.”
"Quite a few, I must say," Federico interrupted as he served Francesco.
Jessica winked acting as if Federico was lying. Francesco grinned, grabbed his glass and raised it towards Jessica. She raised an empty one.
Federico came quickly to fill hers and then returned to cleaning off the bar's counter.
Francesco and Jessica toasted and took sips simultaneously.
"You look great, Ms. Lombardi.“
"You're lying."
“I am?”
"Federico said I look a mess."
"You’re radiating, Signorina." Federico interrupted again passing by.
Jessica hid her face blushing.
"Federico said I look bad."
"You don't to me."
"Then maybe it's the alcohol.”
"Were you bad?"
"Umm, of course not."
"That's a lie."
"Why do you say that?"
"If Federico says you were bad, I believe him."
"I might have had a stormy day. We all do. Don’t we?”
“Yes, we do. Want to share what happened?"
Jessica took her time before answering, taking a long sip while staring at Federico. Then, she let her hair loose. Slowly, she turned and looked at the Giuliani bad boy. His athletic body was facing hers; arms resting on his legs as he rubbed his hands trying to dry his sweaty palms. He fixed his suit and took another long sip. The two youngsters were thinking the same thing. Their families are the city’s deadliest rivals and the smallest information could be used against one another. Yet, both had other things in mind.
Jessica cleared her throat and started first. “My business meeting went wrong today." Her eyes were glued to the floor.
"Just like the one with Elias?” Francesco said.
Jessica lifted her head flabbergasted at his cockiness.
"You know what? This isn't a good idea."
"What?"
"Me coming here."
"Come on, I was kidding."
"No, you weren't."
"I don’t mean any harm."
"You did.”
"You acting as if I did."
"Stop trying me, Francesco."
The pub became silent as tension grew. Only the towel scrubbing against the counter echoed. Federico lifted his eyes, watching Jessica and Francesco having their first fight. "Umm, I should probably check the inventory. Torn tra un secondo." Federico said heading to the wine cellar in the back.
"Is he always like that?" Jessica said.
"Like what?"
"So pleasant."
“Yes."
"How does he manage to be that way?”
“Federico made peace with what life throws at him."
"Wish I could do the same."
"I understand."
"No, you don't."
"Why do you say that?"
"What in your perfect world can possibly be so bad?"
"Our family matters are testing my patience more by the day."
"You may understand me after all."
"I told you I did. Now what frustrates you, my dear?"
"I'll tell you if you just don't bring any more Elias jokes. Don’t test me. I'll stab you between the eyes."
"No Elias jokes, I promise."
"My brother, Giovanni used me as a decoy to get a job done today; a job that I was supposed to do alone."
“How come?”
"It was our father's idea. Neither of them believe in me."
"You were a little out of your woods when we first met," Francesco said, rubbing his neck. Jessica gave him a menacing
stare but it turned into sadness quickly.
"You're right. You, my brother, our fathers; all make it seem so easy."
"Well, it isn't."
"How do you cope with all this?”
"Sometimes, I don't but I keep going forward. My family needs me."
Jessica finished her drink in one gulp and wiped off the rest from her lips.
"Mine doesn't."
"That's crazy.”
"They don't believe in me, Francesco."
"I'm sure you're an excellent family lawyer.”
"I don't want to be just a lawyer. I want to get involved.”
"This business is not for everyone."
"I'm sure it's something you can master."
"It's something you’re born into. Something that transforms you in order to fit in."
"Can you teach me?" Jessica said. The words that came out of her mouth she realized how crazy they were. She grabbed her forehead and Francesco chuckled, however, Jessica was serious. Francesco cleared his throat and sighed.
"What do you mean, teach you?"
"Pretend I never said that. It's a dumb idea."
"I could, but that would hurt me and my family in the long run."
"Oh, every is just about business?"
"No."
"Then what is it?"
"You shouldn't get involved in this life.”
"Why not?"
"It changes you in ways you couldn’t imagine."
"Did it change you?"
"I have it under control but it affects everyone around me."
"If you have it under control, I will, too."
"Stay away from this stuff, Jessica."
"Why?"
"You started a good life on the outside; don't ruin yourself.”
"Why do you care so much, Francesco?” Jessica stared into his eyes which betrayed her lack of anger. There was something else inside those optics and Francesco knew what it was. Jessica didn't want to argue knowing he was absolutely right.
A minute passed by in silence, but felt like hours. The same emotion overtook them when they were laughing with Federico a few days back.
Jessica's cheeks were turning red from the gin and heat of the moment. Francesco was blinking uncontrollably; his breath grew heavier. Jessica leaned in closer, tilting her head and wrapping her arms, around Francesco. Her heartbeat was racing. Her lips ended up on Francesco's, resulting in a long kiss and ending with Jessica biting Francesco's bottom lip softly. His hands passed through her hair, ending up on her waist, pulling her in closely. Jessica lifted her left leg, coming even closer with their bodies now pressed against each other. Her breath was getting heavier, as she felt Francesco's heart beating. He held her tighter by the waist as if he didn't want to let go. They didn't want this moment to end. Jessica’s smooth lips on his and soft hands around his neck made him feel honored.
Jessica stepped back and cleared her throat. She was embarrassed. "I should get going." Jessica lifted her handbag and hastened to the front door. She peeked over her shoulder, watching Francesco staring appearing to be dazed. The sound of the door closing was the only thing that brought him back to
his senses. Francesco emptied his glass, staring at the door.
"You can come out now." Francesco said leaning over the bar to grab the half-empty bottle of wine.
"So…"
"Federico, please."
"You see, Consigli?”
"I didn't."
"I saw something else.”
"She’s the one who kissed me."
"You didn't stop her."
“Did you have anything better to do?"
"The pub has no customers yet."
"So, you don't."
"Was it good?"
"Sta'zitto Federico."
"Don't tell me to shut up, Francesco."
"Why were you peeking in on us?”
"I wasn't."
"It doesn't seem that way."
"I was coming back when I saw the look on your eyes."
"What look?"
"Dai Federico. Don't hide from zio."
"You're no zio, Federico."
"I'll soon be."
"Jessica's right. Why are you always like that?"
"Jessica's right, huh? What did she say?”
“You’re so happy."
"I'm happy for my amico."
"There's nothing to be happy about. We're living in New York."
"There are plenty of reasons."
"She's a Lombardi."
"A Lombardi that kissed you, Francesco! Svegliati! The don’s girl likes you."
"She does, doesn’t she??
"And you like her."
Federico was right.
Francesco did indeed like the Lombardi girl and dreamt about that kiss, much more than he wanted to admit. He finished his drink pouring himself another.
"It's a little too early to get drunk."
"Something keeps bugging me."
"It's called amore."
"What should I do?"
"Seguine il tuo cuore.“
"Don't tell me that follow your heart
crap, Federico."
Federico shrugged as he tidied up the glasses on the shelves behind him. Francesco drank as the first raindrops outside echoed inside like pebbles hitting the glass. Francesco kept thinking about that kiss; the long smooth Lombardi kiss. He had lovers but this was a new feeling; a feeling he will always remember. It only made him want more.
Francesco spent the rest of his morning sitting there, as a few customers came in from the rain. Federico and Francesco kept chatting throughout, as many hurried and drank, hoping for the rain to stop.
Meanwhile, Jessica walked home, more confused and lost than when she first arrived. The raindrops sprinkled down her face but she didn't feel them. The honks of cars and people yelling in the streets had muffled, blending in with the sound of the rain. Jessica rambled like a person who had been drinking all night, taking caution before each footstep. She crossed a few streets without noticing the cars coming.
What came over Jessica Lombardi? Why did she do such a forbidden thing?
The worst part of it was she enjoyed it and
craved for more. She bit her lips thinking about that very moment, replaying it over and over.
She wanted to see Francesco again hoping he didn't get the impression she was an easy girl. That’s what she kept telling herself over and over. One mistake by both and Francesco knew the repercussions as well as Jessica.
Jessica only wanted to believe it was a wonderful accident.
