Amethyst's Scandal

CHAPTER 5

Amethyst St. Clair's POV

I was almost done dressing when Mrs. Gatti entered my room with wide eyes. "Oh, Signorina. You're going out again today?"

"Yes." I smiled almost sheepishly in her direction, looking at my reflection in the full-length mirror inside my room. I noticed that there was unhidden excitement and nervousness at the same time in my eyes.

"You're so pretty with that dress, Signorina." Mrs. Gatti commented with an appreciative smile on her face. "That reminds me. I need to go to the market to restock our pantry. Do you have any requests for dinner tonight?"

I turned around to face our trusted housekeeper. "I'll do it."

Mrs. Gatti's eyes widened in my direction. Clearly didn't understand I mean. "Pardon, Signorina?"

"Just give me the list of items you need to buy at the market I'll shop for you," I answered with a slight smile. This might be the perfect opportunity so he won't think that I come to our meeting place because I just want to see him again.

"Are you sure?"

There was distrust on the older woman's face but I gave her a reassuring smile. "Of course. I can do it. How hard it could it be?"

Mrs. Gatti looked at me for a moment before giving me a short nod. "Very well. I will just list down the things you should buy at the market."

"Okay."

There was a questioning look in the housekeeper's eyes but she didn't ask anything instead she went out of my room leaving me alone to put some finishing touches to my look for today.

I took a deep breath. I don't know why I am so nervous the whole morning and I keep on thinking if I should come to meet Franco Calvetti again or stand him up. In the end, I decided to meet him. I knew that there was a part of me thinking that I would regret this later. But right now the adventurous part of me wants to take the risk.

A few minutes later, I have Mrs. Gatti's list in my hand. I told her that I might not be back late this afternoon. I started to walk on the pavement of the cobbled streets of Lake Como feeling slightly giddy for some reason. Tucking the grocery list into the pocket of my dress carefully I started to walk towards the place where we should meet.

The local market was near our villa so you can reach it on foot. Quarter an hour later I found him sitting on the bench overlooking the picturesque scenery of the lake spread before him.

"Hey," I said by way of greeting. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

He stared at me boldly running his gaze appreciative on my body from head to toe. "I thought you were not coming, after all."

"I nearly stood you up," I confessed avoiding his unashamed look.

He grinned at me roguishly. "Thank goodness you decided to take pity and me and show up for our coffee date."

"Shall we?" I asked, aware of the way my heart was pounding so loudly in my chest. I feel like I am a teenager on my first date.

He stood from the wooden bench and took my hand in his and led me to the coffee shop just across the street. I raised my eyebrow while staring down at our locked hands while walking towards the café.

He led me inside the shop to order our coffee at the counter. "One espresso." He looked at me expectantly. "How about you?"

"Iced Americano with extra ice two pumps of vanilla two pumps of toffee nut and a dash of cream," I said to the expectant barista on the counter.