Page 202 of Valentino

It’s Francesca’s birthday and she has insisted that I come home for her party. I declined at first and said that I had to work but she kept calling to find out when I was available because she’d wait to do it until then.

In the end it was Giuliano who convinced me, he flew me home because she apparently wasn’t having a party without me there.

She’s trying to lure me back to Milan.

Whenever we talk it’s Milan this and Milan that, she not-so-subtly wants me to move home.

Our friendship is finally back on track, although if I’m being honest my guard is still up. As much as I want to forgive and forget, I don’t think that ten-foot crevasse of caution will ever leave me now.

Even after all this time Francesca’s betrayal is still raw, she doesn’t realize how hard it was for me back then.

Some days I was so hurt that it felt like I couldn’t breathe without him…. That if I closed my eyes for too long my heart would stop beating.

I have never felt so alone and a part of that’s because nobody, not even Francesca, knew that Val and I had been secretly sleeping together. Everyone just assumed that I sided with Carlo and that we fell out over it, but a lot more ended for me on the night of the shooting.

I look at the girl in the mirror; she’s wearing a deep burgundy leather dress. Halter neck and mini, with sky-high burgundy stilettos and a burgundy clutch handbag. I’m suntanned and waxed to within an inch of my life.

I had my hair and makeup professionally done, and damn I look good, I know I look good.

But hell, I’m nervous.

I turn and look at my behind, I wonder is this dress too short?

Once upon a time I would never have worn something like this, but now I do.

I work out, I eat healthy and take care of myself.

And the insecure girl who used to live in this town doesn’t exist anymore.

In hindsight, leaving Milan when my heart was broken was the best thing I ever did. I now return as someone who knows exactly what she’s bringing to the table.

A damn good catch that any man would be lucky to have…. And anyone who doesn’t know that can go to fucking hell.

My worth no longer up for negotiation.

“Anna,” my father calls. “Your car is here.”

My car is here.

It’s been a long time since I heard those words. “Coming.” With one last look over myself, I reapply my lipstick, re-fluff my hair and make my way downstairs.

“Goodbye.” I kiss my parents and make my way outside, there’s a blacked-out SUV waiting and a man standing beside it that I haven’t seen before. “Hello.” I smile.

“Hello, Anna.” He nods.” I’m Amid, I’ll be your driver tonight.”

“Hello, Amid.” I smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

His eyes stay up and the not-so-subtle way he’s only looking at my face gives me a secret confidence boost; he doesn’t want to look me up and down…although I can feel the way he wants to.

“Lovely night.” He seems nervous as he opens the car door for me.

“It is.” I slide into the car. “Thank you.”

His eyes drop to my legs as I slide over, and I smirk as he closes the door.

Let’s do this.

Large metal gates block the grand driveway, and the car pulls up at the security checkpoint. “Hello,” Amid says to the two men. “I have Anna Russo.”