ɪɴᴄᴀɴᴛᴏ

3.4

"AFTER EVERYTHING IS over I'll take you to Italy with me. You'll love it. The warmth, the people, the cuisine and meeting my mother." I catches the way he sneaked his mother in. But he had been saying that he wanted me to meet his mother for a while so I'm used to it.

Those were the last thing he said before we went downstairs to accompany Lily. She called her best friend, Zhenya and introduced me to her. Since they had all been close to each other since high school, she wanted to show me off to her. So, they spent the whole hour gushing over me and telling me more about Vincenzo till the man himself became sick of it and ended the call.

Not before Zhenya said she'll send embarrassing pictures over to me.

Now days had gone by and I was finally back at the opera house. I had missed this building and the people in it. It was as busy as ever.

"Miss. Rose, you're back. Come see me in the office." The sharp words from the manager made me flinch. People backstage looked at me, some of them gave me pity smiles and some looked in worry.

We're all just trying to do what we love so there wasn't much drama there but people love to gossip so I would be shocked if they didn't know what had happened. And I certainly know what the manager wants to talk about but did I want to hear it? Of course not.

And Vincenzo will surely find out about it but I didn't want him to intervene, I can hold my own.

"Sit down." Mr. Belfiore instructed. His cheeks were flushed, he was of an average height. He was an older man who's unmarried and looked over Teatro Dei Sogni since Vincenzo is busy with his other business.

He sighs, "Miss. Nellie, you're an excellent performer and whenever you're performing it's always a busy night. And it's good for business. I enjoy your singing and personality." I could see the direction this was heading.

"I know that Mr. Armani is an attractive man but you're working under him. You weren't supposed to be in a relationship with him."

"Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt but no where in the contract was it stated that we couldn't have relationship in the workplace." After Vincenzo told me he wanted to take our relationship further, I signed a contract with the opera house and I made sure I read everything carefully.

"It doesn't matter if it isn't stated in the contract, it something that shouldn't be done." His face hardens as he looks at me, "I wouldn't want to lose a talented performer that's why I'm advising you to take a break. Since this news reflects us." I was expecting to be fired but to take a break? That's worse.

I know that he would have fire me if it wasn't Vincenzo but another performer. Since Vincenzo was above him in power he didn't want to face his wrath. And if I take a break, I'm not fired but I wouldn't be able to perform. I scoff.

While I'll miss this opera house my journey isn't ending here. Especially with someone who doesn't even have the guts to fire me.

"A break isn't needed." I smile at him. "I'm resigning."

• • •

I go to my locker and grab some of the things that belong to me and leave the rest. This day could not get worse, it was funny to see Mr. Belfiore freeze like that. He wasn't expecting me to quit but I know my worth. Any other opera house should be happy to have me if they didn't let the news affect them.

But it felt good to let those words out and dealing with any law obligations would come later.

I hope that I can find a new opera house fast, I have some money saved but I still have some bills to pay and I don't want to burden Zoya when her career is just starting to take off. In a couple of weeks time she will be performing as the opening act for Loraine.

And I know that it's going to open a lot of new opportunities for her.

So I'm hoping that I find a new job by then and we can maybe celebrate.

A car honking brought me back to reality. I looked at the car and saw someone that I wasn't expecting.

"Miss. Rose." He beckons me closer to him. "Would you care to accompany me for a ride." I didn't want to do that but something in me was warning not to refuse for my own safety and Vincenzo's safety.

I nod in response at his request.

I open the door and sit next to him.

"Is there something you need, Mr. Armani?" I look at Vincenzo's father. He looks like an older version of Vincenzo. Only he has more lines on his face. His face is devoid of emotion.

He turned to look at me, a smile was on his face but it only unnerved me. I wanted to leave the vehicle.

"There are a lot of things I need." He says. I stay silent, waiting for him to continue whatever he wants to say.

The silence kept on dragging on, "and what would you need from me?" His smile widens.

"I see why Vincenzo is taking with you." And he'll take your life when he knows that I'm here with you. I shrug in response, I don't know what I could possibly say.

"Has Vincenzo talked about me?"

"No." He always diverts the topic when we start talking about his father, I wonder if—when he'll open up with me. I won't rush him to spill his guts out so I'll wait for him.

"I should have known. He doesn't really talk about me only to a selective few, I would have thought that he'd have told you." His wording doesn't sit right with me.

"When he's ready to tell me, I'll be there for him. If you don't have anything else to say to me, I'd like to leave." I don't want to hear anymore bullshit coming out of his mouth.

"You'd be better off without him. There is something that I need you to pass onto him." I raise a brow.

"Tell him to step down gently or else he won't be the only one attacked." The mediaplay attack of him already hurts us both so I don't think that Vincenzo will be doing anything gently.

"A piece of advice for you sir, I think it would be a lot better to try and salvage the relationship with your children then the petty drama you've started. You're a grown man, act your age."

His face hardens, the smile that he had on his face disappeared. If he thought that I'd sit here and take whatever shit he had to say then had the wrong person.

"I see." Is the only thing he says. I grab my phone close to me incase something happens. He motions to his driver to stop.

"It was a lovely talk, Miss Nellie. But remember I warned you." I didn't bother responding and left the car. My heart was racing, I was nervous. I never wanted to be in a close space with that man ever again.

I glance at the car leaving and let out a breath.

I need to let Vincenzo know.

I need to add a song again I actually miss doing that.