Chapter 45: Playing the guitar

"Are you ready yet?" Soraya called out in excitement the moment Santino came out wearing a black shirt and a pair of dark charcoal trousers, she hooked her arm around his. "Let’s go."

Santino looked at their joined hands and then at Soraya, who was practically pulling him along. A faint smile appeared on his face. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had dragged him somewhere without any fear.

By the time they reached the beach, the bonfire was burning brightly. Flames rose into the air, lighting up the faces of the people sitting around it.

Soft music played nearby. Some couples were dancing, while others sat together, chatting and drinking. Most of the people seemed to be in their forties or fifties, with a few older couples among them, laughing and sharing stories around the fire.

Soraya’s eyes lit up at the sight and as they approached, an elderly woman sitting beside a man noticed them. "Oh, look! We have some young guests tonight," she remarked with a welcoming smile.

Soraya returned her smile. "Hello! Is it all right if we join you?" She asked politely.

"Of course, dear. There’s plenty of space. Come and sit with us." The woman moved slightly to make room for them. Soraya settled onto one of the wooden benches, and Santino sat beside her.

"Are you two on your honeymoon?" another woman asked, looking between them with curiosity.

Soraya nearly choked on her saliva. "No, we’re—" She opened her mouth to clarify but Santino cut her off.

"Something like that," Santino interrupted smoothly, as he elegantly pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her, while taking up a sealed water bottle, offered by one of the men.

She turned towards him, her eyes widening. He simply smiled and reached for the cup in her hands. "Be careful, do not worry about me."

The elderly women exchanged amused glances. "Ah, young love!" one of them exclaimed, making the others laugh.

Soraya lowered her head, trying to hide her embarrassment. Meanwhile, Santino looked perfectly pleased with himself.

A little later, someone increased the volume of the music. A cheerful song filled the beach, and a few people immediately got up to dance.

A couple in their early forties stood together, holding each other’s hands as they moved slowly to the rhythm. Another woman encouraged her husband to join her, only to receive a playful complaint about his aching knees.

Soraya watched them with a delighted smile. "They’re so cute!"

Santino glanced at the dancing couples. "They seem to be enjoying themselves."

"Of course, they are. Look at them! They’re dancing without caring about what anyone thinks," she said looking at this with her cheeks pressed in her palms.

"Would you like to dance?" Santino asked, offering his hand.

She immediately looked at him. "With you? You can dance?"

"Unless you have someone else in mind," Santino pronounced as he added. "And of course, I can dance."

Soraya laughed and placed her hand in his. "All right. Let’s see whether the great Santino knows how to dance."

The music was slow enough for them to move comfortably. Santino placed one hand around her waist while holding her other hand as Soraya rested her free hand against his shoulder.

For a while, they simply moved together, surrounded by the warmth of the fire and the sound of music. Soraya occasionally stepped on his shoes, but he didn’t complain. Instead, he held her more securely whenever she lost her balance.

When the song ended, she looked up at him with a satisfied smile. "You... You dance pretty well, but I’m so bad."

Before he could respond, a man sitting near the speakers called out, "Anyone interested in playing something? We have a guitar here!"

Soraya immediately turned towards the sound.

A young resort employee brought out an acoustic guitar and placed it beside the speaker. "Does anyone know how to play?" he asked.

A few people shook their heads, while someone jokingly suggested that the elderly gentleman sitting nearby should try.

Soraya laughed along with them before noticing Santino staring at the guitar. "Do you want to play the guitar?" She narrowed her eyes.

"If my Queen wants then why not," Santino replied with a playful smirk on his face.

Soraya blinked in surprise. "Wait! You know how to play?"

Santino settled onto an empty wooden chair. He said nothing and picked up the guitar, adjusting it against his body. "Would you like to hear?

"Wow, you man!" The man who had asked for anyone to play guitar cheered up as everyone around them started to clap.

Soraya moved closer and sat on the bench directly opposite him. "All right, Mr Santino. Impress me."

He shook his head at her enthusiasm before placing his fingers against the strings as Soraya’s smile slowly faded into surprise.

His fingers moved effortlessly across the strings, producing a soft, beautiful melody. There was something unexpectedly gentle about the way he played. It was difficult to connect the man sitting before her with the ruthless mafia who could kill without thinking twice.

Everyone around them started to enjoy the soothing music as Santino continued playing, occasionally lifting his eyes to look at Soraya.

She couldn’t take her eyes off him. When he began singing softly, her fingers tightened around the edge of the bench.

She had never imagined hearing his voice like this.

It was devoid of any coldness. Just a warmth that seemed to be another side of him which she had never encountered.

Santino wouldn’t tear off his gaze throughout the entire song, making her heart flutter repeatedly.

When the song ended, a round of applause broke out around the bonfire.

Soraya was among the first to clap, joined by the older couples.

"That was beautiful!" she exclaimed, getting up from her seat. "Why didn’t you ever tell me you could play the guitar?"

"Don’t just compliment him like that. Kiss your husband!" A woman in her late forties encouraged her.

And then chants of kissing surrounded them.

Santino couldn’t help but smile as if his biggest wish was about to be fulfilled. But he knew Soraya had the habit of finding a way not to kiss him.

"My wife is a bit shy," Santino said, standing up after he placed the guitar quietly beside him.

"No, I’m not shy," Soraya denied. The next second, she pulled him down by holding his shirt and kissed his cheek, thus leaving him stunned.