"You can ignore them."

Primo's head jerked sharply towards Amara. He inserted his hands into his pants as they got nearer to where her parents were.

But, it was Zeke's parents that gave Primo a pause.

"Is that so?"

Amara nodded. "I should have never forced you, Primo. It's up to you. Although..."

"What?" he inquired with a small frown.

"I'm gonna have lunch with Isla and Zeke. How about you? Want to have dinner with us later?"

"I'll just... have lunch with you," Primo sighed.

"If you want to." Amara squeezed his hand before she walked up to her parents. They talked for a while before her dad looked at his watch. She knew what that meant.

"Dad, you can go."

Her father smiled and gave her a hug. But his handsome features hardened as he spoke. "Are you and Primo, okay?"

"I think so..."

"There's a 'but' there somewhere," her mother muttered, shooting Amara a pointed look.

"He asked me if we can be together again."

"And what did you say?" her father growled.

"I don't know, Dad. It's... scary."

Her parents shared a knowing glance before her mother gravitated towards her father's heat like it was second nature. They smiled at each other as her father placed an arm around his wife's shoulders.

Amara cleared her throat. "Mom, Dad... you know I'm not part of that secret language, right?"

They chuckled as her dad reached out to ruffle her hair. "Princess, don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."

She crossed her arms. "Is that Babe Ruth?"

"Ama, we've been there," her mother said. "It is scary to move from one point to another. But it's just like any other relationship. Hard work and love and choosing to make it work every day. And the fear of failure, it will always be there."

Amara's heart warmed at her mother's words. She embraced both of them. "Guys, you're the best."

"See you later, princess."

She waved goodbye and turned around to scan for Primo. The crowd was getting thicker as people exited the hall. Then, she found him staring at Zeke as Isla prattled between them.

Amara stomped towards them. She gripped her violin case tight as she sidled up next to Primo. "Hey."

"Amara! Thank god!" Isla hissed.

Her gaze jumped from Primo to Zeke. They weren't doing anything but she knew that her best friend was uncomfortable. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing," Primo mumbled and gestured for the violin case on her hand. "Give me that."

Amara gave him the case as Antonio and his wife came closer. They exchanged a few words with Zeke before a strained silence settled between them.

"Uhm..." Antonio started. "Primo you played beautifully. You too, Miss Luciano."

"Really? Didn't you notice my mistake at the end?" Primo scoffed.

His wife set a hand on his husband's arm. She let out a wide smile that made her face glow. "You two looked together on the stage though. If it was me, I'll give that a point."

Amara chuckled while Primo's lips twitched.

"Indeed," Zeke's father agreed.

Her best friend rolled his eyes as his hand searched for hers. Amara locked their hands together despite the blurred lines in their relationship. At least, Primo wasn't burning with rage at the mention of Antonio's name anymore. It was a great start.

"We should go," she said. Isla readily agreed as Zeke trailed after her to the exit.

They followed and the warm air hit her face. All kind of sounds assaulted their ears before Primo leaned down to whisper in her ear. "At least, she's not blind."

She laughed. "She's honest too."

Primo gripped her wrist, forcing her to face him. A taxi was waiting for them but he only had eyes for her. "Amara... what can I do to change your mind?"

Amara licked her lips. She was ready to try with him but she had learned that giving in to Primo easily wouldn't get her the results she desired.

"I don't know..." She smirked. "Is this how Primo Luchenko would ask a girl out?"

Primo's laughter swirled in the air as he shook his head. His sapphire eyes gleamed with fire. "Fine. Then, I will show you something that you've never seen before."

✘✘

there will be an epilogue next

but I consider this as the end. It actually has a direct connection with Amara's last words in the prologue.

'something that you've never seen before' means going through a journey.

so yeah, it's the end. ;)