The Pilot

Chapter Twenty Six

T/W - violence!

DELUCA, YOU PIECE OF SHIT! GET YOUR SORRY LITTLE ASS OUT HERE RIGHT NOW!

No one said anything... they all just stood there although Danielle could see Stefania tense. "Who is that?" Giovanna asked with a slight hint of fear in her voice. Andrew took a breath to answer but Stefania spoke first. "It's Cooper" she said. "I got this" said Andrew walking through into the bar, "you guys stay here". "DELUCA, THERE YOU ARE! WHAT THE FUCK MAN! I THOUGHT WE HAD A DEAL?!" Cooper was still yelling. "Cooper. What are you doing here? We did have a deal... on paper. But nothing was signed and the deal wasn't due to close for another week yet. Someone made me a better offer and I'm sure as a business man, you can appreciate me doing what makes sense for me?" Andrew said calmly. "I DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE IS PAYING MORE THAN I OFFERED! I WAS WILLING TO PAY WAY OVER THE ODDS!" "Cooper, dude, calm down and stop screaming at me!" "I'LL DO MORE THAN SCREAM AT YOU IN A MINUTE, YOU LITTLE PRICK" Cooper launched himself at Andrew, grabbing him by the front of his shirt and slamming him into the bar, sending a couple of glasses smashing to the floor. "What the fuck, man. Get off of me!" Andrew now yelled pushing Cooper backwards. "NO, YOU LITTLE PUNK, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS!" Once again, he lunged at Andrew and grabbed him. This time throwing him into a table and sending it crashing to the floor. "GET UP!!" Andrew got back to his feet and before he got a chance to react, Cooper swung his fist connecting with Andrew's face sending him sailing through the air and landing in a heap on the floor.

The other's could only listen in horror until they heard Andrew get flung across the floor. Finally Kevin snapped. "Fuck, this. I've waited years to beat his ass to a pulp. Today's the day it finally happens!" Danielle grabbed his arm as he stepped forward though. "No, let me go. I don't want him to know that Stefania and the rest of you guys are here." She stepped into the bar "Cooper! What the fuck are you doing?! Get out!" She screamed walking up to Cooper and pushing him by the chest. "Sweetheart, I suggest you go back there where you came from. This doesn't need to concern a pretty girl like you. Andrew here was just about to tell me why he felt the need to double cross me and who could be better to do business with than me!" He said, stroking her arm which made her whole body heave with repulsion. "Ah well, you see Cooper. That's where you're wrong. This is very much my concern as I'm the one who is now the proud owner of this fine establishment." She smiled grabbing him by the wrist. "And now if you wouldn't mind getting the hell off my property!" She pushed him towards the door." He was quick to turn though, suddenly grabbing her by the throat and pinning her to the wall. "Now now baby, don't be like that. Play your cards right and we could own this place together." He said leaning his full weight against her. "Get off me!" She yelled and tried to wriggle free from his grip but he pinned her down again.

"Get your hands off of her right now Cooper!" Stefania yelled now stepping into the room. "Stefania! What are you doing here?" He asked, clearly shocked, letting go of Danielle at the same time. "That is none of your business Cooper. Now why don't you just do the decent thing for once in your life and leave!" Stefania answered. "But... baby... I was buying this place for you. Life was good with us to begin with. I've not been happy since you left me. This was the place where I lost my heart in one single glance. You were the most beautiful girl in the room. You're the most beautiful girl in any room you walk in to, even now." "What do you mean, you were buying it for me?" Stefania said, remaining emotionless. "Well, you're the one that came up with the name BarBella and I thought if I bought the bar where we fell in love, it would be a good starting point." "Cooper what are you talking about? A starting point for what?" She asked, not understanding where he was going with this. "Um... I thought, it would be a good step in trying to win you back. Letting you walk away was the biggest mistake of my life." He said, stepping forward and taking hold of Stefania's hand. "I have regretted my actions every single day. Please baby, come back to me." He leaned in connecting their lips. Danielle stood frozen to the spot watching the scene unfold before her. The moment his lips touched Stefania's she thought she would be sick.