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It was Ettore's birthday, he had gotten a call from Camilla before work asking if he wanted to go to the game store with her after work. He couldn't turn this down, and he didn't want to spend his birthday alone.
He and Camilla were getting closer each day. She started opening up more, but she still had some of that charming shyness stuck with her when she was with him.
It was almost time for them to get off work. They both were helping their last customer look for a book. "I honestly have no idea where it would be..." Ettore looked at the younger male. "I'm sorry, sir."
"Wait, it'd be in Classical!" Camilla blushed and jogged that way, "Just wait here, I'll get it." She called back.
The younger male spoke up, "She's a cute one...Know if she's taken?" He grinned and looked forward, waiting for her to come back.
Ettore looked at him, almost glaring. "Yes." He said, making it sound like she was his girlfriend. He quickly crossed his arms. He didn't really like to lie, but he didn't want this punk going near her.
"Okay then..." He said nervously.
Camilla came back with Dante's Inferno in her hand. "It was there. I hope you have a nice day, okay?" She blushed, out of breath.
"Thanks..." He took the book, unable to look at Ettore and Camilla. He walked away quickly.
Tilting her head to the side, she looked up at Ettore. "Uhm..."
He looked down at her and instantly a smile grew on his face. "I'm ready to go if you are, but...Can we make a stop first?"
She nodded, blushing. "Sure..."
Parking in front of his house, Ettore looked over at Camilla in the passengers seat. "I won't make you wait in here..." He turned off the engine and unbuckled. Opening the door and stepping out, he shut his door and ran to the passenger side and opened the door. He watched as her cheeks seemed to puff out when she sighed and blushed, getting out of the car and putting her purse over her shoulder. He shut the door after her and started making his way to the front door.
"Thank you..." She spoke softly, following behind slow.
He unlocked the door and stepped in. "Well, come on in and have a seat. I need to change my clothes." He unbuttoned the top two buttons on his shirt and went towards his room.
Blushing as she watched him, she stopped in the doorway. She started to play with the bottom of her shirt. She looked down at the floor for a while, her eyes peaking up around the living room. Somehow, it seemed empty. She took two steps inside and came to a stop, too nervous to go any further. She'd wait for him right there.
Ettore came out with a pair of dark jeans and his favorite red button-up shirt that was much more comfortable than his others like that. He rolled up the sleeves to his elbows and noticed Camilla was just standing two feet away from the wide open door. Chuckling, he smiled at her. "So, what did you want to get there?"
Jumping slightly, she gasped. "What?" She looked him up and down, blushing more each second. "I, uh..."
He raised an eyebrow and went towards her. "Just want to look then?" He placed his hand on her shoulder as he walked past her.
Her body shook and she followed him, shutting the door behind her. "Yes..looking..." She froze in place, watching him walk to the car. Biting her bottom lip, she slowly jogged to the car, trying to catch up.
"I can't believe you just went ahead and bought all that." Camilla laughed and sat on Ettores couch, holding her purse close to her stomach. "I mean...now we can play games together and that's really cool..."
"I know, it all cost a lot of money." Ettore placed his hand against the wall, helping himself up. He had just plugged in a new Playstation 3, which he payed for after selling the engagement ring he got Angela a few weeks ago. He also bought another controller, and then a few games. "I had the extra money." He stretched, cracking his back and turned to look at Camilla. "And I really missed playing video games."
She nodded and played with the arm straps on her purse. "I have a...gift for you." She blushed. "Since it's your birthday and all..."
He perked up and raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What is it?" His mind went wild at that moment. He was wishing she'd reply with, "Me." Gulping, his face grew hot and he closed his eyes for a moment.
Opening her purse, she took out a small box. It was wrapped with red and blue wrapping paper. She stood up and put it in Ettore's hands. "I hope you like it..." Her voice got softer as she blushed.
He smiled, giving her a puzzled look. He looked the box over, thinking it must be a book. He tore off the wrapping paper, letting it fall to the floor. He'd usually keep the place clean and not let something drop like that, but he was excited. He took the lid off the little white box and a huge smile appeared on his handsome face. "That is just awesome."
"Oh, good!" Camilla stared at his smile. "You said you liked the .hack games...So maybe you'd like the books!" She got him .hack//AI buster, the first book.
He went to flip through it and something fell out of it. He bent over to pick it up. "What i-"
Camilla beat him to it and handed it to him. It was an envelope. "Don't open it or read it yet." She blushed and sat back on the couch, hiding behind her hair.
He laughed and smiled. "Whatever you say..." He put it back in the book, he'd wait to read it until after she left. It was probably some silly card she was embarrassed about, he thought. He put it down on top of the television for now.
He thought for a moment and his heart started beating faster. He felt he needed to do this. Making his way over to her, he bent over her, pushing some of her hair out of her face and gently kissed her on the cheek. His heart was pounding then. Her skin was so soft and warm. "Thank you, Camilla." He pulled away slowly, giving her a soft smile as he stepped back and turned away.
Her bottom lip quivered and her voice shook as she spoke, "You're welcome..." She pulled her knees up on the couch and held onto them.
"Are you hungry?" Ettore headed towards the kitchen. It was almost dinner time, at least for him it was. "I'm starving..." And he wasn't only hungry, he was starving to kiss her on the lips, not the cheek again. Looking back at her, he stared at her lips, thinking they must be even softer. He felt his breath getting heavier and turned back to the kitchen, which wasn't too far away from the living room.
"Yeah." She got up and went in the kitchen with him.
"What kind of food do you like..?" He opened a cupboard and looked around. He didn't have much, he should have gone to the store the other day.
"Oh, I like pretty much anything... Except some meats." She started looking with him.
Looking at her and he asked, "Really? I love all kinds." He smiled and opened the freezer. There was a frozen pizza crust. He thought about it. "You like pizza, right?"
"Oh, yes, I do! That's my favorite." She went over to the freezer by Ettore. "I like cheese pizza the most, though..." Her eyes went and looked him over.
"Well, let's make a pizza." He took out the crust and smiled, taking it and placing it on the counter. "Could you find the cheese in the fridge?"
"Oh, sure...?" She opened the fridge and found it quick, since there wasn't much else in there. Her phone beeped loudly and she jumped, taking it out. "Mom sent me a text..."
Ettore looked at her. "Oh?"
"I have to go home..." Camilla frowned and shut the fridge. "Can you take me..?"
"How come you have to go..." His voice filled with sadness, he didn't want her to have to go.
She let out a deep sigh. "Since...she doesn't know you, she doesn't trust you..." She shut her mouth and looked down. "Mom is...a bit overprotective, I guess..."
"Alright...I'll take you home." He ran his hands down his face.
Slowly he walked her to the doorstep of her home. He looked down at her and smiled, his eyes looking sad. "I wish you didn't have to go."
Camilla couldn't help but blush. "Did-..." She blushed more, looking up into his sad eyes. She reached out for his hand, taking it gently in hers. His hands were rough, and she squeezed slightly, not letting go.
Ettore's eyes widened a bit when she took his hand. He smiled, his face and heart filling with happiness. His heart pounded and he tried his best not to squeeze her hand back hard. "Were you trying to say something...", he paused to lean down, getting closer to her, lips inches apart. "Camilla?" His heart pounded harder, wanting to kiss her badly.
"I..." The door opened fast, she looked that way. "Hey...mom..." Her face quickly grew crimson.
"And who is this, Camilla?" Camilla's mother said angrily, staring at the two of them with her hands on her hips.
It felt like his heart jumped up into his throat. He straightened up and looked at her. Camilla resembled her in the face, but her mothers cheeks were more plump and her eyes were smaller. Of course she looked much older, and her hair was almost all grey.
"This is the guy from work I told you about..." Camilla whispered loud enough for her mother to hear.
He couldn't help but grin, even in the awkwardness of the moment. She had been talking about him, and that made him even happier.
"Edward? Erik? Whatever his name is..."
"It's Ettore." Camilla said defensively.
He had never heard her speak like that, which was quite a shock to him.
"It's nice to meet you, Ettore. I'm Camilla's mother, Mercy. But just call me Ms. Eden." Her voice sounded upset and not very pleased to meet him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Eden." Ettore flashed a smile, his accent seeming to grow thicker when he spoke.
Mercy was brought back, not expecting him to have an accent. "Come in, please." She stepped aside, away from the doorway. "Camilla, do you mind taking care of the dog?" She looked at her. Her brows lowered and she had that angry do as you're told look on her face.
With a long sigh she nodded slowly. "Okay, I'll feed him outside and everything..." On her way towards the back of the house, she looked back at Ettore and frowned, mouthing the word, "Sorry." She closed a door behind her, out of sight.
Ettore stepped inside. The house was small and seemed cluttered with all the picture frames and shelves on the walls. But it still looked very nice. He could see their living room. It looked the same way, cluttered yet nice. He looked at Mercy and smiled, a little uncomfortable.
"Let's go have a seat." She went towards the living room and sat down on the couch once there. She patted the spot next to her.
He followed and sat down, a little further away so he could turn slightly to look at her.
"How old are you?" She looked to him, trying to figure it out. She crossed her legs, holding her knee with both hands. "You are most definitely not Camilla's age..."
"I turned twenty-five today." Ettore looked her in the eyes. Her eyes were green, unlike Camilla's.
"Mhmm..." Nodding, she sighed. "I haven't heard too much about you, just that you work with my daughter and that you're very nice... She never told me how old you were. Not much about you at all. Fill me in then. Tell me about yourself."
"As you know, I'm twenty-five... I've been working at the bookstore for some time." He took a deep breath, "My parents died when I was very young, so I went from foster home to foster home until I turned eighteen..." He paused and looked at her.
"How'd they die? If you don't mind my asking." Mercy asked, trying to put a nicer tone to her voice.
He frowned and sighed. "I haven't even gotten to tell this to Camilla. They were murdered in front of me. I was only seven years old at the time." His voice grew serious and low.
She seemed to go pale as she kept nodding. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay... those people are going to be locked away for a long time, which makes me feel a bit better..." He cleared his throat. "As you probably noticed, I have an accent. My parents moved from Italy to America when I was very young."
She kept nodding. "I see." She got straight to the point then, "Don't you find it a little unprofessional to be getting close to a co-worker?"
"What do you mean?" He asked. He knew what she meant, but he just wanted her to get to a different point.
"Okay...What are you intentions with my daughter?"
"I won't lie to you. I do feel like there's something between Camilla and I. And I do have strong feelings for her." He spoke truthfully, an almost pride filled voice.
"Are you going to do something about it?"
"Do you mean date her?" He smiled a bit.
"That'd be very unprofessional. Of both of you. You could risk her job."
"Then Ms. Eden, if we did start a relationship, I'd quit." Ettore stared her in the eyes.
"Ettore..." Camilla burst into the room, the happiest look on her face.
She swung around quick to look at Camilla. She gave her a glare. "Don't you think you're a little old for her, Ettore?"
"Not at all." He stood up, standing tall. "Love knows no age."
Camilla's cheeks turned slightly pink as she went to Ettore at a fast pace, throwing her arms around his waist and hugging him tight. Her knees were shaking. She was so happy, but she was also nervous.
He immediately smiled and gently stroked her hair, his other arm wrapping around her.
Mercy stood up. "Well...I've never seen Camilla like this..." She was awestruck. She crossed her arms and smiled, looking at Camilla hugging Ettore. "This is some birthday, huh?" Looking up at Ettore, her head tilted. "I'm still not okay with the age difference..." She said very quietly. "I'm not sure if she's mature enough."
"Mom!" Camilla blushed and whined, carefully letting go of Ettore, but staying very close to him. She looked at her mother.
"You were eavesdropping on our conversation." Ettore laughed, hugging Camilla gently from behind.
"He's right, you were. That's not very adult. Not at all." Mercy waved a finger at her and smiled at the both of them.
"Oh, please..." Huffing, she couldn't hold it in. She laughed. "Okay, you're right. I won't be doing that again. I know what you were doing, mom. You interrogate everyone I know."
"I wouldn't say interrogate! I just want information."
"By interrogation." Camilla got up on her toes, saying it a little loud. She covered her mouth and blushed, laughing.
They all laughed together. Ettore was thinking that maybe things really could work out now. He was hoping they would.
"So, are you two together now?"
Camilla looked up at Ettore and nodded quickly, her eyes screaming, yes.
"Wait." Ettore held a hand up, closing his eyes.
"What..." Camilla frowned, not knowing what he was going to do.
"I want to actually ask you, Camilla..."
Hearing that, Mercy made her way out of the room. "I'll leave you two alone then..." She headed to the kitchen, shutting the kitchen door behind her.
He took Camilla's hands and held them in his. He stared her deeply in the eyes and smiled. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my girlfriend?"
Camilla's blushing cheeks turned an even deeper crimson. "Yes," she said softly, staring back into his eyes.
He ran the back of his hand gently against her cheek, he then bowed his head down, leaning in close. He kept staring her in the eyes.
She blushed even more, running her hands up his chest and placed them on the back of his neck. "Ettore..." She said quietly, trying to keep her eyes on his, but she was getting more and more nervous. She was trembling.
"It's alright, Camilla..." His voice lowered and he wrapped his strong arms around her small body. He had been dying for this moment, even in the short time he knew her, it felt like it took forever. He ran his hands up and down her back and leaned in closer, his breathing getting heavier. He pulled her closer to him as he gently kissed her on the lips. His heart pounding hard in his chest.
Camilla's face grew hot quickly, kissing him back and pulling back slowly. She smiled and looked down, hiding behind her hair shyly. "That was...my first kiss."
"Mh, wow... I didn't expect that." He put his finger under her chin, making her look up at him. He smiled sweetly at her and gave her a quick kiss, feeling like his heart skipped a beat.
She ran her hands down his chest, blushing more and took a seat on the couch.
He plopped right down next to her, putting his arm around her shoulders and pushing her side right up against him. He smiled, staring at the ceiling.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked lowly.
"Tell you what?" He looked at her, leaning forward slightly.
"About your parents...You just told me your family died when you were young..."
"I guess I didn't want to make you too upset." A small frown appeared on his face. "I should start telling you these things now then." He ran his fingers through the back of her hair, smiling.
Camilla's stomach let out a small growl. She blushed and held her stomach.
Chuckling, he messed with her hair a little more. "Why don't you go talk to your mom, see if it's okay if you come back to my place for dinner."
"I'm a grown up, I don't really have to ask..." Her face got red and her bottom lip stuck out ever so slightly.
"The way I see it, as long as you're living here, you follow her rules... You do as she says. You should tell her things. Like where you are, where you're going, what you're up to. Don't make her worry." He kissed her on the forehead.
She blushed and got up. "Okay..." She hurried to the kitchen.
Ettore stood and went over by the front door. He'd wait for Camilla there. He crossed his arms and leaned his back against the door. It felt like he was waiting forever, they must have been having a talk. When she finally came out, Ettore stood straight, getting a little excited. "So?"
"Yes, I can go." She blushed and put her purse over her shoulder. "I grabbed something we can watch while we eat, if that's okay."
"That's fine!" He grinned and watched her walk over to him.
Mercy came out and gave them a small wave. "It was nice to meet you." She looked at Camilla, trying her best to smile. "Have fun... I'm going to bed once you leave. So, goodnight."
"Night mom." Camilla hurried and opened the door, grabbing Ettore by the hand and pulling him along.
"It was nice to meet you, too!" He called back and waved, watching Mercy shut the door behind them.
 Mother Of All Battles · Fri Jan 21, 2011 @ 03:03am · 0 Comments |
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