the king

~

Maya obviously wasn’t aware of how long Romeo had already been at the Gala, but she was almost sure it wasn’t too long. If it had been a while, she was positive he wouldn’t have been standing here alone. No doubt there would’ve been others flanking him, or admirers trying to get his attention. She’d lucked out at this point in the evening and given how the night had gone before this moment—perhaps she was due for some good things to take place. She was pleased with the way he took a moment to admire her outfit, not missing the smile on his handsome face as she resisted the urge to do a twirl, wanting to show it off even more.

“Hmm, I’ll take whatever you’re having,” she waited as he poured the wine out for her and took the glass, holding it delicately as he came towards her. It was enough to make her slightly cautious of those around them but not so much that she took a step back.

His compliment was not at all unpleasant and Maya found herself giving him that very dimpled smile she reserved for those she genuinely admired before shrugging, “honestly I could the same about you Romeo, you look especially dashing in this white blazer,” her hand gently adjusting the collar before resting against it. “This is definitely a big perk tonight, getting to see you all dressed up.” It went without saying that being in his presence could sometimes unnerve her. After all, he was the head of the D’Amiano family, but given the times they’d been behind closed doors—away from the labels that society placed upon them—he’d been different and almost familiar in a way that made her forget who they were in a public place like this.

─

Happy to be of service, Romeo reached for the bottle and twisted it around so that she could see what it was ─ Antinori’s Chianti Classico. It was a favorite of his and so was stocked in every establishment owned by D’Amiano. A delicious red. All that kept it from being perfect in his mind was the fact that it was made in Tuscany instead of Lombardy. Naturally, Romeo was biased when it came to his home region, but it was all in jest. Once he poured Maya a glass as heavy as his, he handed it over. Finally getting a chance to take a sip from his own glass, he let the red liquid linger in his mouth, enjoying the notes and flavors before swallowing it down with a small but satisfied smile. Refreshing, he thought.

“Glad you like it,” he said, nodding his thanks. Romeo wasn’t above being silly, so the thought of doing a comical twirl for her was fleeting, but there. “But I feel like I’m tempting fate,” he added, gesturing with his free hand to the other that held his glass of very red wine. “I’ll have to be cautious all night,” he laughed.

Out of the corner of his eye he caught one of the servers approaching fast, a horrified look on her face. Romeo turned to face her and gently waved her off with a smile, not wanting her to think she’d get in trouble for making the owner of all people pour his own drink, and a guest’s. While he liked things a certain way, especially at his own restaurant, where he was most often, he wasn’t a dictator. Turning back to look at Maya, he smiled and gestured towards the railing ahead that allowed them to look over onto the main floor of the nightclub turned event venue. It was a sight to see with its decorations and soft lighting. Quite the contrast compared to the usually bright and garish nightclub lights.

~

Walking back from the auction room Maya found herself near the bar, her drink near empty as she took a final sip. Before she could get to a bartender however, a waiter came by to take away her empty glass and she smiled in thanks to him before turning towards the bar counter she’d initially gotten her drink from. As she’d turned, she spotted a rather familiar face but it couldn’t be. Could it? But she’d specifically heard his own sister mention that he was travelling.Yet as she stood and observed from a distance—she knew it definitely was who she’d suspected. Romeo D’Amiano had managed to grace the gala after all. This night was shaping up to be a rather strange one indeed. 

With a smile on her face, she took her time and approached the bar counter he was at and spoke, “and here I thought you were out of the country? But I suppose now that you’re here, you could make me a drink too?” Maya was familiar with the D’Amiano siblings, enough that she didn’t feel strange making this request to the man behind the counter. She stayed silent for a few moments before speaking up again, “Giada will be happy to see you. She’s been mingling on your behalf and between you and me, I don’t think she’s a fan of it.”

─

Romeo couldn’t have asked for a better person to approach him so early. He was in the midst of pouring himself a glass of wine when Maya came close, so heard the voice before taking in the face. But what a face it was, he knew, finally looking up to acknowledge her with his signature sideways smile. He tried to take her in respectfully, but did let his observant gaze wander a bit as he noted every detail and curve, especially while she was in a glittering dress like that. He’d seen her in more, and in nothing at all, but she was a sight for sore eyes no matter what.

❝ What’s your poison? ❞ he asked without missing a beat. Eventually, he set the wine bottle down and pivoted towards her, making it obvious that he was ready and eager to serve her.

At Maya’s mention of his sister, he smiled ruefully then shrugged his broad shoulders in a much more honest response. He didn’t find glad-handing as unenjoyable as she did, being in the hospitality business and all, but it came with the territory, especially when she was partly sent to the event in his stead. Now that he was there he wondered if she’d happily make her exit as soon as she saw him, happily leaving him to the wolves. Romeo would put the odds of that happening at about fifty-fifty. He knew he’d find out sooner rather than later.

❝ You look resplendent, ❞ he complimented, his smile soft now and undeniably honest. Although what they had was strictly casual, he had considered inviting her on his little trip.

Being fashionably late to anything was never Romeo D’Amiano’s style. In fact, he was annoyingly punctual more often than not, sometimes far too early than necessary in matters of business and pleasure. But business, especially. On the other hand, his father had always made sure to be a little late; a power move in his case. To either intimidate or throw off those that were waiting. Romeo couldn’t stand being late and so avoided it at all costs. In tonight’s case, his arrival was more special, surprise appearance than anything. His long, private flight back to New York from Milan had been a tiring experience and he was looking forward to skipping the event altogether, but even with the handful of stops it took to get back, his plane set down in Manhattan earlier than expected.

That, and his guilty conscience for making his sister survive the night on her own prompted a call to his tailor halfway into his flight to get a suit ready for him just in case. The old man was a wizard.

As one could imagine, despite not being on the final guest list, there were certain perks to being part owner of the venue. Besides, no one was going to stop him when he entered through the private entrance on the side of the building, worked his way through the busy, chaotic kitchen, and slipped upstairs and onto the second floor as if he’d been there the entire time. His tailor had come onto the plane with his readied suit and accessories as soon as it landed and by the time he was driven off the tarmac by his chauffer he was refreshed and styled with not a single hair out of place. Of course, he wasn’t in love with the white tuxedo jacket and the potential mess it would be in by the end of the night, but it was a good look nonetheless.

Looking at his Rolex, he noted that it was only about an hour past the start time. Not terrible, he thought. While glancing around the gussied up nightclub noting all the familiar faces, he searched for the nearest bar counter and decided to pour his own drink. Another one of the perks of partly owning the place. He also wondered who to approach first, or who might approach him.

── There’s a new day dawning in the perilous streets of New York City. Here you’ll find ROMEO D’AMIANO who is said to resemble Milo Ventimiglia, but is a 45 year old Crime Boss and Owner of Il Piacere swearing undying fealty to the D’AMIANO FAMILY. Upon meeting them, they are charming and hospitable. Do not be deceived, they are also secretive and calculating. After all, you cannot spell family without lies.