Aria worked along Lottie throughout evening with Suzie doing her homework by one of the tables nearest to the counter.
The cafe was particularly busy with a few more people in suits coming for their caffeine fix than usual. Aria was calculated and organised in getting the orders ready and obce they were under control she came out from behind the counter and passed the girl a milkshake and a slice with of a cake.
"Thank you, Aria!" Suzie exclaimed.
"You need the energy to get that homework finished for tomorrow."
"Can you help me with maths later?" Suzie asked as Aria walked back behind the counter.
"Your mum's good at maths."
"Mum says that you are a maths genius though!"
Aria chuckled with Lottie beside her.
"What a cheeky little… " Lottie huffed at her daughter.
"A maths genius?" Aria turned to Lottie with quizzical look.
"It's true." Lottie shrugged. Her phone started ringing. "It's DA Finance."
"Go get it. I've got it covered." Aria pushed Lottie out of the way and started picking up the pace to keep up with the orders.
Lottie answered the phone outside. It lasted barely a few moments before she returned. Aria paused and looked at her friend. "And?"
"I've got it!" Lottie screamed with excitement. Aria joined her and they both jumped up a few times, so happy about Lottie's success.
"I am so very happy for you." Aria hugged Lottie. "I am so proud of you."
"The only issue is that I'm starting the day after tomorrow." Lottie looked concerned.
"Go call Jess. We've got it. Don't worry."
"Thank you so much." Lottie had her eyes well up. "You saved me and Suzie."
"It's alright. That's what friends are for." Aria was reassuring, briefly looking at Suzie, knowing how much her friend went through and how much she cared for her child. She would do anything to support Charlotte and Jess.
Alessandro was increasingly fidgety in the evening even when he sat opposite his mother for a dinner.
"What's the matter, Figlio?" An elegant women in her early fifties noticed his absent mindedness. She wore a pretty summer dress and simple silver jewellery. And she slowly picked up another mouthful of her salad. She was always so calculated that not many would recognise how well-learnt she was in her disguise.
"Hmmm… nothing." Alessandro turned a glass of wine in his fingers. He didn't have much appetite throughout a day. His mind was playing tricks on him and he struggled to keep his anxiousness at bay. "Mamma, when I was a little boy and you were dating… when did you tell them about me?" He asked directly at last the only woman in his life that could hold an answer.
"Where is that question coming from?" His mother wiped her lips and studied him. There was concern written in her face.
"I'm just curious." Alessandro tried to deflect his mother's question regretting the fact that he bothered asking.
"Figlio. I know when something is on your mind. Speak."
"As I have mentioned, I met someone." Alessandro started unsurely.
"Ah yes, your new girlfriend." His mother smiled softly and nodded. "How is that going?"
"I'm not sure." Alessandro hesitated. "I saw her only twice. I saw her from a distance today, in passing, but as I walked with Josè I didn't approach her. You know how he is." Alessandro rolled his eyes and his mother nodded in agreement. "I saw her with a child."
"Okay?"
"It crossed my mind that the child might be hers…"
"Figlio, just because you saw her looking after a child it doesn't mean that it is hers. Did you ask her?" His mother was a voice of reason he needed in that moment.
"I am not sure how to approach it. Hence I was asking you."
"First of all, if it is her child, would you still want to be with her?"
"I'm thirty not eighteen." Alessandro sneered. "Of course I would. It wouldn't bother me. I just would like to know so that I know what to expect."
"Good, Alesso. Then, let me give you an answer from back in a day." His mother seemed pleased with his response as if he fulfilled her expectation and it was her proof that she raised him right. "It depended. With some men I was upfront. With some it took a few dates. It is hard for a single mum to date and work out when to share something like that. So… As long as you are okay with that possibility, let her tell you. But Figlio, you must know that if she has a child, that child will always come first for her like you did for me. Her attention will be on that child. She will be busy, so busy in fact, that some days she might forget that you even exist. Be very sure that you are okay to be her second priority at all time. And never get between a mother and her child because you will never win."
"It doesn't bother me if I am not her first priority. It doesn't bother me if I am not her top ten priority." Alessandro smiled, suddenly having a reason in his head as to why Aria didn't message him yet.
"You may have to take the initiative more than ever before but also give her space. It's a difficult balancing act."
"I will."
"I'm guessing your feelings about that mysterious girl haven't changed." His mother chuckled. "I knew it was serious when you left your own birthday party for her."
"It was almost the time for everyone to go home anyways." Alessandro shrugged.
"Any more concerns about her? Besides the usual."
"Which are the usual concerns in your mind?" Alessandro asked curiously.
"Is she a gold digger? Is she honest? Is she manipulative? Is she kind?"
"She is certainly kind. I have a very strong impression that she is very honest as she is very direct." Alessandro smiled as he remembered how Aria spoke to him when they first met. "I am growing doubtful of the gold digger part. She didn't hint at wanting anything from me. She gave me coffee and breakfast instead."
"That's very sweet." His mother nodded.
"She has her own small business that is growing. She seemed content with it.But I guess that she still could be manipulative and I am yet to find out."
"Perhaps, Figlio. The time will tell."
"She asked me about my job too."
"Oh." His mum leaned in with intrigue.
"I told her that I am a director of the firm. I am not sure if she connected the dots yet." Alessandro smiled. "Her response was asking if I like doing it and if it was my dream job."
"I would like to meet her as soon as you both feel comfortable." His mother smiled, satisfied with the answer.
"Of course, Mamma."
"What kind of business does she run?"
"A coffee shop. It seems quite popular. I was quite upset that I didn't know of it until recently. I recommended it to a few of my colleagues already."
"That's lovely." His mother paused. "She sounds lovely."
"Thanks, Mamma." Alessandro smiled thinking of Aria. Alessandro continued his meal diverting to another topic of conversation. His mother was the most understanding person he has ever met who has set a high standard for his expectations. It was good to hear her reassuring comments about Aria even if she voiced some of the same concerns that Alessandro had.
After dinner, Alessandro sat in the car, his gaze falling onto an empty travel mug with Giardini Caffè logo on it. He smiled softly deciding to give Aria more time not realising that she had no intent of contacting him ever again.