Chapter 27
Daniella
The ball is heldat Fabrique, a large venue in Milan where concerts are held. Antonio steps out of the hotel limo first and then, like a gentleman, helps me out. The flash of cameras snapping photos startles me, but Antonio shields my face as he whisks me past photographers and through the grandentrance.
“Thank you for that. I don’t think I will ever get used to being photographed so many times. How do you stand it?” I ask, as Antonio leads me through a sea of beautifully decoratedtables.
“I don’t stand it, actually. I’d give anything if they’d just leave mebe.”
We make it to a cloth-covered oval table that faces the stage and the dance floor. It is tastefully decorated with a feathered gold-and-white centerpiece surrounded by votivecandles.
He pulls out a chair. “Here you go, lovely lady. Have a seat,please.”
The entire venue décor gives off an enchantment vibe with golden lights streamed overhead and golden star-shaped confetti dusted on the tables and thefloor.
Antonio takes his seat next to mine, and two other designers join us. “Hello, Sir Antonio. Your designs get better and better each year,” one says while the other onenods.
Antonio smiles, leans into me, and whispers, “You looknervous.”
“I’m not,” Ifib.
Truth is, I am nervous. I have never been to a ball before. Or maybe I am just nervous being Antonio’s date. It’s a lot to take in,actually.
As the night moves along, we are served an exquisite meal ofRisotto alla Milanesebefore I am introduced to top designers. Photographers have taken at least twenty-seven photos of me while Antonio walks around, mingling with attendees as we are served bottomless glasses of champagne. I am in awe by some of the designs showcased tonight. This is certainly an event I won’t soonforget.
The venue lights dim and Antonio leads me back to our table. “Concert time,” hesays.
And before I know it, music blares…a beat I am all too familiarwith.
BrunoMars.
Lights illuminate the stage as Bruno sings his latest song. I shimmy my shoulders to the beat, and I notice the ball attendees rise from their seats and make their way to the dancefloor.
Antonio removes his tuxedo jacket and bow tie and places them both on the table. “Hey, you wanna dance?” He takes my hand and leads me to the dancefloor.
“Um, I guess I don’t really have a choice?” Ichuckle.
Antonio’s presence is entrancing, and I can feel his intoxicating gaze upon me, even though I refuse to look at him because his shirt is partially unbuttoned, tactfully teasing his muscularbuild.
I feel giddy and tipsy, especially since I have had at least four glasses of champagne. Two is usually mylimit.
We continue to get our boogie on and I discover Antonio is quite a gifteddancer.
Bruno begins to sing one of his slow songs and Antonio pulls me closer, causing my entire body toshiver.
Please, get a hold of yourself,woman.
With my head now pressed lightly against his chest, I can’t even concentrate on the song in the background. The sound of his heartbeat drowns out all other relative noise, creating its very own tune that the two of us erotically swayto.
Boom. Boom-boom. Boom. Boom-boom.
Is he as nervous as I am being this close to each other? If so, he sure conceals it just as well as a crooked politician conceals his deepest and darkestsecrets.
If we could remain like this forever, I wouldn’t protest. But only under these precise terms and conditions, without any words between us. No words whatsoever. Just silence. And our own private thoughts left unrevealed to no one but our very own inner consciences. Words lead to discoveries. And right now, I want what I am starting to feel inside for him and what I highly suspect he may be feeling for me leftundiscovered.
What am I so afraidof?
“Hey, you.” Antonio’s hum breaks up the battle between my head and my heart. He lifts one hand from around my waist and grabs a gentle hold of my chin, raising it off his chest. “You’re super quiet tonight. Everything okay?” He kisses my forehead andsmiles.
