The Devil Lives In New York

Chapter 7: "The Losers Cook"

I was so focused on my work that I didn't even realize it was already lunchtime until Bradley reminded me that I would join them for lunch. I even took a little longer, just to give Leonardo one last chance to say something if he didn't want me to come with them, but he didn't say anything, so I assumed he didn't mind me accompanying them.

I grabbed my bag and the iPad and walked alongside them towards the elevator. Leonardo stopped and looked at me with a half smile.

"Miss Baldinelli, I don't think it will be necessary for you to bring that," Leonardo said, looking at the iPad that I had with me on my arm.

"Oh, you're right," I told myself. I turned around and left the iPad on the desk.

"Miss Smith, take some time and leave early today," Leonardo said as he passed by her desk. She looked at him surprised.

"Thank you," Carolina said, visibly excited.

The three of us entered the elevator. I stood at the back as usual and this time Leonardo leaned against the side wall of the elevator, facing me, just like Bradley.

We spent a few seconds of awkward silence. I was starting to realize that it had been a terrible idea to accompany them, and when I thought maybe I should go back to my desk, Leonardo started talking to break the awkward silence.

"I can't believe you managed to graduate early, you damn dwarf," Leonardo said, using informal language, making me widen my eyes in surprise to hear him speak so informally for the first time.

"You know I always stood out in my grades, so I was able to take summer courses to finish college earlier," Bradley said.

Suddenly, hearing them talk about their great achievements in college made me feel so small in comparison to them. I would have gone to college if it hadn't been for my stupid older brother who ran away with all of our dad's money. Many of our problems would have been solved if we still had that money. I wouldn't have had to compromise and never had to come to New York.

"Olivia?" Leonardo asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yes?" I replied, snapping out of my thoughts.

Wait... did he just call me by my name instead of Miss Baldinelli?

"We were wondering what you would like to eat?" Bradley asked.

I smiled, looking at both of them. "Oh, don't worry about me, anything will be fine for me," I said.

"Miss, I don't know why my brother is so bitter and angry with you, but I can assure you that I am not like him. I would be delighted if you chose the food," Bradley said, looking at me with a hint of tenderness that melted my heart for a few seconds.

"I would love to eat seafood" I admitted, making Bradley smile at me.

"I know the perfect place to fulfill your wishes, Miss," he winked at me. For the first time, I didn't mind him winking and I just smiled and shook my head.

When we stepped out of the elevator, everyone was surprised to see Bradley. Some coworkers whispered things about how attractive he was, and upon closer inspection, he was indeed attractive. He had dimples on his cheeks that made him very attractive when he smiled, not to mention his blue eyes just like his brother's.

It wasn't until a few days ago that I noticed a distinct characteristic in Leonardo's eyes - he has heterochromia. One of his blue eyes has a slight hazel tone. I don't know if it was just my imagination, but it somehow made him look attractive.

Leonardo's driver took us to the restaurant Bradley had chosen. When we arrived, just as I expected, it was a luxury restaurant. All the money in my wallet would not be able to pay for a dish at this restaurant, but luckily Leonardo had said that he would cover everything. It was then I realized that all those reservations for two were not actually for his girlfriend but for him and his brother.

"Where are you from, Miss Baldinelli?" Bradley asked as we dined.

"How do you know I'm not from here?" I asked.

"Well, because of your accent..." he paused. "I hope you don't misunderstand me, you have a very nice accent," Bradley quickly added.

"I'm from Nashville," I replied, smiling at him.

"I've never been to Nashville, is it nice?" he asked.

"Yes," I smiled, "It's a small town and doesn't have as many buildings as here, but in a way, its atmosphere makes it feel welcoming."

"It's like the home of country music, right?" he asked.

"Yes, there are many famous singers who have come out of Nashville."

"I once visited Nashville for business and had the opportunity to listen to live country music. I really liked it," Leonardo said.

"I guess you went to the Grand Ole Opry House, it's one of the most popular places in Nashville," I said, and he shook his head.

"I went to a lesser-known place," he took a sip of his drink.

"How long ago was that?" I asked curiously.

I couldn't help but remember my experience a year ago. I was looking for work and the only thing I had managed to find was to play and sing in a kind of café and bar. I remember I was paid very little, but at least I was able to buy my mom's medication.

"I don't remember very well," he said as he continued eating, "But I do remember hearing a singer. She sang very beautifully," he looked directly into my eyes.

"Maybe she was a professional singer," I said thoughtfully.

From the places Leonardo usually visits, I don't think he would have gone to such a simple place or the place where I used to sing.

"Maybe," he said, furrowing his brow slightly.

"Do you like to go bowling, Miss Baldinelli?" Bradley asked, changing the subject.

"Yes," I admitted.

"Leonardo and I have always been very competitive, and even though I always beat him, he never admits that I'm better," he whispered in the last part.

"Oh please," Leonardo laughed, "I'm the one who always beats you."

"Are you challenging me?" Bradley said, raising an eyebrow.

"Take it as you wish."

"Miss Baldinelli, would you like to join us to go bowling?" Bradley asked, smiling at me.

"Of course."

Our lunch continued normally. Bradley and Leonardo were gentlemen. Whenever they spoke, they made sure to include me in their conversations, so I didn't feel excluded.

Leonardo looked so calm and confident when he was with his brother that sometimes it seemed incredible to me that he was the same intimidating and serious man I work with.

In all the time we've been here, he hasn't stopped smiling and joking. Thinking about it, I believe that all that serious and intimidating attitude was probably to impose respect. It can't be an easy task to maintain a successful company, especially when you're in New York and there is great competition.

After lunch, we returned to the car and arrived at the bowling alley after an hour of traffic. To my surprise, they hadn't chosen a luxurious place. It was just a normal place with normal people like me.

We changed out of our shoes. They had taken their competition so seriously that they even took off their jackets and ties. I laughed occasionally watching them because they looked like two little kids fighting to get first place.

"5 pins!" exclaimed Bradley excitedly.

"Beginner" Leonardo said as he took a ball ready to throw it. He threw it and knocked down 5 pins as well. Bradley started teasing him.

"Your turn, Miss Baldinelli,” Bradley said, handing me a pink ball.

"Don't feel pressured by our winning streak, take it easy" Leonardo said as he smiled sideways.

"Actually, if you want, you can join our bet," Bradley mentioned.

"What's the bet?" I asked, interested as I played with the ball in my hands.

"The losers will have to prepare dinner at the winner's house. Do you want to join the bet?" Bradley asked.

"I think it's a good bet, I accept" I replied confidently, excited to join in the fun.

"Perfect, welcome to the bet" he smiled.

Leonardo and Bradley took a few steps back to give me space to take my shot. I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart. It was not easy going bowling with your boss.

I grabbed the ball tightly and approached the lane. I began to calculate the angle at which I would throw the ball, and when I was sure I released the ball, the ball rolled down the lane until it reached the pins. All the pins fell in one strike.

"Strike!" I exclaimed excitedly, applauding myself.

I turned around to look at them very excited, and both of them looked at me very surprised.

"I think it was beginner's luck," Bradley said, chuckling.

They took their shots again but didn't even manage to knock down 7 pins. I took another ball, calculated the angle and threw the ball.

"Strike!" I exclaimed again, excited.

"What?" Bradley said, unable to believe it.

"It can't be," Leonardo said, putting his hands on his mouth in surprise.

"Have you played before?" Bradley asked.

"Yes, I've played a couple of times" I replied.

"A couple of times? It's like you're a professional player," Leonardo laughed teasingly. "Do you really not come to play every weekend?" he asked.

I laughed and shook my head negatively. "It's been a long time since I went bowling."

"Define ‘a long time’" Bradley said, squinting his eyes.

I thought for a few seconds, trying to remember when was the last time I went bowling.

"I think it was when I was 12 years old," I said, and both of them looked very surprised but did not say anything.

We continued with our game; Leonardo made a shot and missed only one pin to knock them all down.

"Darn it," he said, running his hand through his hair in frustration.

The game was heating up, and I was having the time of my life.

Bradley made his shot and this time only managed to knock down one pin.

"Damn it," he said, equally frustrated.

"At this rate, I think I'll have to choose my dinner first," I teased them.

I made my shot and this time I only managed to knock down 9 pins.

Now it seemed that the competition was no longer between them, and now it was against me, they were so focused on the game that they didn't even talk to each other, and the maximum number of pins they managed to knock down was 8.

"Strike!" I said, finishing the game. With that last shot, I proclaimed myself the winner.

"We have never been defeated by someone else, let alone by a woman," Bradley said with a disappointed face.

I laughed at their disappointed faces. "There's always a first time for everything, gentlemen," I winked at them.

"I think Leonardo already knows the address of my house. If you gentlemen find it appropriate, I would like to receive my dinner this weekend," I said, smiling victoriously.

They nodded to acknowledge their defeat with their faces full of surprise.

"We'll make sure to bring our best game to the kitchen," Bradley said with an amusing smile on his face.