Renzo (The Ciprianos of Kellington)

by Bergman, Jamallah

  “Wait, I’ll help you with that.” He got up to help her from her seat. She thought it was so sweet of him to be so courteous.

  “I do want to show you this one piece that even though I haven’t been able to sell it, it’s by far my favorite.” They both walked toward a door, which led down to the basement. This was where Jaslyn had a guy come in to fix up some of the items that needed restoration before going on the sales floor. “Well, here it is.” She pointed to the huge wall unit that covered the entire wall.

  “Wow,” Renzo said looking over what was before him.

  “I know right? Isn’t it gorgeous? I had another antique friend of mine from Nantucket about eight months ago go under. He told me I had first pick before the rest of his inventory went to auction. He had a lot of really huge pieces of furniture for mansions. Most of what he had I honestly couldn’t take, but there were some smaller pieces I was able to get…some desks, lamps, and a couple of tables. Then I came across this magnificent beauty here…” She ran her fingers along one of the cabinet doors that had carvings of flowers. “I fell in love with it immediately.”

  “It is a beautiful piece, but it’s so big. How were you able to get it down here?”

  “Well, it comes in eight pieces. I had four men help out, plus we have a huge garage door.” She pointed to the garage door that was closed off and locked.

  “And you’ve been trying to sell it for how long?”

  “Well, I’m not going to sell it now. I tried selling it, but no one seems to want it. So I said one of these days whenever I get myself a big enough home, I’ll bring it to my home and have it in that one room I said I would put Great Aunt Annie’s collection in. Honestly this thing will hold all of her things and then some.” Jaslyn said, still running her fingers along the edge.

  “You’ll get it one day. Is this mahogany?”

  “Yes, it is. Why don’t we head on back upstairs now?” They made their way toward the steps that would lead them back up to the shop.

  “If you didn’t go into antiquing, what do you think you would be doing?”

  Locking the door behind her, they walked single-file to get through the small aisle of tables and chairs. “I’d probably be a classic pianist.”

  “Really, you’re that good, huh?” Renzo replied.

  “Well, I’m not Beethoven or Mozart, but I am pretty good on the piano.”

  “Do you have a piano here? I would love to hear you play.”

  “Actually, no, we haven’t had a piano here for a while.”

  “Wait a minute. I know where there is one, come with me.” Grabbing her by the hand, they both walked past the front counter where Delia was at the register. “We will be right back, Delia,” Renzo said as he opened the door.

  * * * *

  He had to admit he wanted to get her out of the shop even though they were supposed to stay inside. Renzo decided to take her over to the Yancey’s Music Shop, which was about five blocks down. He glanced over at her bewildered look only to smile as they stopped in front of Yancey’s. “Oh no, Renzo we can’t,” They walked inside and heard Yancey say, “Why hello, Mr. Cipriano, how may I help you today?”

  “Hello, Yancey, this is Ms. Whitman and she would like to look at your pianos.”

  “Ahh, you’re the young lady who sells antiques. Please come with me, I have a showroom over here for you with something you might like.” They walked over to an open area where he had a grand showroom of pianos of different types. From a baby grand to a ballroom grand, even some studio and professional upright pianos.

  “You have an amazing array here, Mr. Yancey, I don’t know which one to look at first,” Jaslyn said.

  “I brought her here, Yancey, because she says she can play and since she doesn’t have one in her shop, I came here so she could play for me.”

  “Well, choose whatever one you’d like to play, my dear, I’ll be up front.” He walked away leaving the two of them alone again.

  “You had to bring me here, didn’t you? It’s like me being in a candy store and I don’t know which one I want. I always pass by this music shop, but I hadn’t ever come in, because if I did I’d want to buy a piano.”

  “Why not get yourself an electronic keyboard instead?”

  “Oh no, it’s nothing compared to putting your feet on the pedals and feeling it go right through your body. You can’t get that from an electronic keyboard.” They walked over toward the baby grand. She carefully ran her fingers along the brand new white and black keys. “A Steinway Model S, what a beaut.” She sat down in front of it looking back him to ask, “What would you like for me to play?”

  “I just want to hear you play something so whatever you want to play is fine with me.” He smiled as he watched her flex her fingers a bit and nod. That is when she started to play Beethoven’s Für Elise. Immediately, Renzo was taken aback by how beautifully she played. He stood there watching her, how focused she looked while her fingers gracefully touched along the keys. All he could do was listen and watch her even though she never did look up at him. When she finally did stop, he started in with the applause. “Encore, meravigliosa. You were right about being so good.”

  She giggled a bit and he swore he saw her blush, which he thought made her even cuter. “Why thanks, I told you I was good. Do you play?”

  “No…well that’s not all true. I do know one song.” He admitted with a smirk. He watched her scoot over, patting the spot on the bench next to her. Sitting down he told her, “Don’t laugh when I play.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Well because of the song I’m going to play. It’s more like something a kid would learn the first time they play.”

  “You didn’t laugh at me when I played, so I don’t plan on laughing at you. Go on and play. I want to hear.” He laid his fingers along the keys, trying to remember the right ones. Then he began to play the only song he knew to play on the piano…Chopsticks. It had been years since he played and it showed when he hit the wrong key and had to restart playing. From the corner of his eye he saw how fidgety she had become. Her hand rubbing the back of her neck, a smirk curled her lip. He knew she was about to laugh and he wanted to hear her laugh, even if it was at his inexperienced hands. Soon her hands quickly covered his, with a bit of laughter in her voice she said, “All right, stop now.”

  It seemed like she had to catch her breath after she spoke. She seemed almost about to blow up from holding it all in. “Listen, that was good, but we can make it better. Put your fingers on these keys here and I want you to take your time and do it slow.” She gently placed her warm hands on top of his as she guided them onto the right keys. He looked at her for a moment while continuing to concentrate on what she was saying. But it’s kind of hard when you have someone as beautiful as Jaslyn sitting next to you. “Now let’s start off slow shall we.” She moved his fingers as they played the familiar melody and after two more tries with her assistance, she slowly took her hands off his. Now he was playing the melody on his own. “You’re doing great, keep it up. I’m going to accompany you now.” Renzo listened to her play a melody that complimented his song perfectly. It was like they were meant to be together even though they were just playing a song.

  They continued playing the song though to the very end in which they could hear Yancey clapping behind them. “That was amazing! I swear you two would make a great team.”

  Looking over at Jaslyn, Renzo saw her blush slightly at Yancey’s statement while she looked down at her fumbling fingers. “You know he’s right.” When she looked at him with those dazzling eyes of her, Renzo literally felt like he melted right there. He wanted to kiss her there in front of Yancey, but he had to be a gentleman with her. “I think we better head back to have dessert. The guys should already have it waiting for us.” They both got up thanking Yancey, then made their way back to the shop. “Why didn’t you keep up with your piano? You could have been a great concert pianist.”

  “Well, I could have been, but honest
ly that wasn’t the life for me. Having to practice over and over again, going to different towns, cities, and countries. I would have probably burned out from being exhausted. Besides, antiquing is something that is perfect for me. I’m my own boss and I call the shots.” He soon felt her arm hoop around his, which was a welcoming surprise to him. She is starting to feel comfortable with me. He smiled even more, for it made him feel good. When they did make it to the shop, he graciously opened the door for her as she walked in.

  “Where have you guys been?” Delia asked.

  “We went to Yancey’s. Renzo wanted to hear me play.”

  “Doesn’t she play lovely, Ren.”

  “Indeed she does, she even taught me a bit. Mom has a piano, maybe one day you can play for her.”

  “Oh that would be nice, I’d like that,” Jaslyn told him.

  “They brought your dessert and it’s over on the table.”

  Both of them walked toward the back where they had eaten before, but Renzo realized that instead of the large table where they had eaten lunch, it was a smaller table, something a bit more intimate for the couple. “Shall we sit?” He motioned her toward the table, he pulled out her chair and she sat down. He sat down next to her. In front of them was a smaller dome in the middle of the table. “Are you ready?”

  She nodded with a smile as he took off the dome to reveal a small plate of Tiramisu. “I’ve been waiting for this Tiramisu all day” He took both spoons, handing her one as he let her take the first spoonful. When he took his spoonful he waited for her to eat hers as she opened her mouth to eat. Immediately, he heard a low moan hum from her lips. The sound vibrated off the spoon, which she slowly removed from her mouth, leaving a beautiful smile. “I swear I could eat this forever, if I didn’t think it would put more poundage on my hips and thighs.”

  Renzo could only imagine how her hips and thighs looked underneath her clothes. But he had to steady himself, Lord knows he didn’t want to go overboard and make a fool of himself. Plus everything was going fine between them now, why screw things up? “I’ll make sure to let Mom know that you enjoy her recipe.” He began to eat some of the dessert. “I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me sometime. Maybe we can go out of town to some place different.”

  She stopped eating, looking over at him with the spoon still in her mouth. He could see her gulping hard before she spoke. “You mean as in a date?”

  “Yeah, I mean a date. I want to take you out on an actual date, dinner, dancing, and some more talking as well.” He wished she would say yes.

  “I don’t know, I mean I’d love to but—”

  “I don’t want to rush you, plus I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me. I’ve waited for someone like you to come into my life for a long time, Jaslyn, I don’t mind waiting a little while longer for you. You are definitely worth the wait to me,” Renzo told her, taking her hand and squeezing it softly. “If you want to think things over then by all means do so, but know this, I only want you to enjoy the time you decide to spend with me.” He looked into her eyes, so confused yet how beautiful they sparkled when she looked at him. A tendril of hair, which must have been annoying her a bit, as she kept pulling it back behind her ear, had yet again come onto her face. Without hesitation, he reached over to move it back for her, catching her completely off guard. She didn’t move away when he did this, it almost made him feel like she welcomed the gesture. The skin along her cheek when he touched it was soft and warm. He wanted to lean in against her, hold her close to him, and whisper what all he could do for her into her ear, but instead, he stopped himself. “I better be leaving now. I’ve got to get back to the restaurant.”

  He watched her straighten herself in her chair. “But what about the dessert you brought? We haven’t finished our dessert.”

  “I’m pretty full, besides the dessert is for you to enjoy.” They both got up from the table and she walked him toward the front door. “I do want to say something before I leave though.”

  When they got to the door she asked, “What’s that?”

  “Mia cara, Jaslyn, io ti adora per sempre, solo se me lo permetti.”

  She looked confused. He smiled because of course she didn’t know Italian. “It means ‘My dear, Jaslyn, I will adore you forever if only you’ll let me’.” Grabbing her hand, he kissed it softly, waved back at Delia and walked out. Renzo had hoped that his words would let her know that what he said was real.

  * * * *

  Jaslyn didn’t know what to say. Looking at her hand that he had just kissed, she heard Delia say, “Are you all right?”

  Still she didn’t know what to say while walking back toward Delia and the register. “It seems like we had a lovely little lunch today.” Delia looked at her with her hand propped underneath her chin, a smirk curved across her lips.

  “You can get that smirk off your face, you know. It was a nice lunch though. I really enjoyed myself today.”

  “Didn’t I tell you that he was a nice guy?”

  “You know he asked me out for a dinner date?”

  “Did you accept it?”

  “I told him I didn’t know, but he said he didn’t mind waiting.” Then she found herself blushing when she remembered what else he told her. “He even told me that I was worth the wait.”

  Delia started to squeal, pulling on her arm. “He’s in love with you, girl, oh my God, honestly how romantic is it for a man to tell you that you are worth the wait? If he asked you out to dinner, I say go for it.”

  Jaslyn shook her head grinning at her friend’s comment. “Oh, do you want the rest of the Tiramisu? I don’t think I could eat another bite I’m so full.”

  “Thanks.” As her friend went into the back, Jaslyn decided to look over figures when a beautiful looking woman strolled inside. “Welcome to Timeless Treasures, how are you today?”

  The woman didn’t say anything, so Jaslyn let her browse. She grabbed a dust rag from one of the drawers in an armoire nearby. The woman was very pretty. Although the fur jacket was a little over the top since it wasn’t quite yet cold enough for a fur coat. But she seemed comfortable in it as she scanned the items in the store. The woman was a little on the slim side, probably a model or once was one. Her hair was long and golden with thick curls that cascaded down her shoulders. Her eyes were covered with sunglasses and when she walked, her high heels clicked loudly as she strode toward Jaslyn. “Are you the owner?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I am. How may I help you today?”

  While taking off those sunglasses, the woman revealed a pair of dazzling green eyes that scanned Jaslyn’s face with a smirk on red pouty lips. “You have a really nice store here with really nice pieces.”

  “Why thank you. Is there anything I can help you in finding?”

  The woman didn’t say a thing, just looked her up and down while shaking her head the entire time. “Do you need any help out here—” asked Delia, suddenly stopping what she was saying when she saw the woman. “Why hello, Melanie, what brings you here?”

  “Why hello, Delia, I didn’t know you worked here.”

  “Yes, I do. Did you need something?”

  Jaslyn looked at Delia then back at the woman name Melanie. The look in her friend’s eyes was stern and unsettling.

  “I was just coming to look, Delia, and I’ve seen enough,” said Melanie. Her gaze roved up and down Jaslyn one last time before turning away to leave.

  Jaslyn looked puzzled. Delia said, “That was Melanie, Renzo’s ex-wife.”

  “What? Are you serious, that couldn’t have been his ex? My God, she’s gorgeous. Is she a model or something?”

  “She is a model and still a pain in Renzo’s ass. I wonder why she came in here in the first place. No telling with her because she’s always into something when it comes to Ren’s business. I just hope she doesn’t make trouble between you two. I know for a fact not only will he not have it, but neither will any of his brothers or mother. I wouldn’t worry unless she starts asking qu
estions, but I know you can handle yourself.”

  “Oh, you know I can.” Jaslyn smiled as she continued polishing and dusting the furniture.

  Chapter Five

  When Renzo got back to the restaurant, he had a bit of pep in his step. He finally got the chance to be alone with her. Plus he also got to touch her, even if it was just holding hands or when he got the chance to touch her cheek. He could only imagine how her lips would feel when they were kissed. At least he was able to put a smile on her face and that was all that mattered to him. “You have a call on line one, Renzo!” shouted someone from the front.

  “Hello?”

  “So—” said the female voice on the other end. Renzo was puzzled.

  “Who is this?”

  “I saw your new girlfriend.” He realized it was Melanie and his blood began to boil.

  “What girlfriend are you talking about, Mel, because as of now I don’t have one?”

  “Oh, you don’t? So that girl you had lunch with today at her silly little antique shop isn’t your girlfriend.”

  He laughed and had to sit down for a moment to keep from falling on the floor. “It seems that the dye you’ve been using all these years has affected your brain. She isn’t my girlfriend and if she was my girlfriend that would be none of your damn business.”

  It got quiet on her end. Finally, she said, “Whatever.” Then the phone went dead. He laughed. Quickly he dialed up the antique shop hoping she hadn’t been over there to cause trouble.

  “Timeless Treasures, this is Jaslyn.”

  “Hi, Jaslyn, it’s me Renzo. Listen has anybody been over to your shop since you got back?”

  “Actually, your ex came in here just a couple of minutes ago. I didn’t know who she was until Delia told me.”

  Damn. He prayed nothing had happened. “What did she do?”