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“I don’t know. He is quite sweet really. I know he likes to act the brute, but he buys me flowers, takes me to dinner, tells me I am beautiful. I’ve never really had that from a man before,” she shrugged her shoulders and I smiled at her leaning against the glass cabinet full of sparkling jewellery.
“Well, you should expect that from a man! Nothing less. You’ve been selling yourself short for too long, Giulia. You deserve to be treated nicely,” I argued.
“I think I am only entertaining it because he has a fucking huge cock,” she said frankly and my eyes widened as the sophisticated shop worker glared at us disapprovingly. There she is. My horny flatmate. “Oh my! This one was made for your figure, Liv! Try it on.”
She pulled a dark emerald, satin floor-length dress from the rack and held it against her body. It was gorgeous but I didn’t need anything so glamorous.
“I don’t think I will need that where I am going,” I joked and she tilted her head at me.
“For tonight, silly! When you come to the gala with me and Joel.”
I turned my back to her. “Gigi!”
“Olivia! It is your last night in this city and you need to go out with a bang! I am going to be coordinating the event with my boss so I need someone to keep an eye on Joel!”
“Oh, please sign me up,” I replied with sarcasm. “Babysitting your boyfriend does not sound like fun to me.”
“There will be a live band, free booze and food, auctions, a casino and, best of all, lots of incredibly good-looking people to ogle! There is always drama at these events! Oh, and did I mention it is for charity? Think of all the poor endangered wildlife that you will be letting down if you don’t go!”
I sighed as I stared into her begging eyes. I took the dress from her and marched into the changing room to try it on. I would let the dress decide. If it fits me perfectly and I love it, I will go. If not, Netflix and chill…
Pulling the smooth material over my hips and putting my arms through the thick shoulder straps, I reached around and did up the buttons at the back that stopped halfway up my spine. The style had two side parts cut out, revealing my sun-kissed torso and a triangle neckline which flattered my breasts beautifully.
Shit. It was incredible. Looks like I am going to the ball.
∞∞∞
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, and I almost didn’t recognise myself. Gigi had one of her friends come over and do both our make-up. The girl was talented because you could no longer see those huge dark circles under my eyes from the lack of sleep I'd had this week. I styled my hair in large waves that fell down my bare back that was on show in this emerald dress. I felt expensive. I felt like it was prom night or something. I allowed myself a small smile before grabbing my clutch bag and heels to put on in the living room. I had been trying to think of a way to get to the airport without Giovanni's men following me and this was the perfect excuse. I would go to the ball dressed like this, but when I leave, I will be in trackies, a sweater and a baseball cap. They will not recognize me at all.
As I sauntered down the hallway, the Viking whistled, and I gave him a playful twirl as Gigi beamed at me.
“You look hot as hell girl!”
“So do you!” I held out my hands to her dress as she spun around on the spot. She was wearing a beautiful midnight blue floor-length dress with a sweetheart neckline.
“What about me? Share the love!” Joel faked his hurt at being left out of our compliments.
“You look rather dashing too.”
“He scrubs up well for a beach bum surfer I guess,” Gigi teased, and he grabbed her, pulling her into his chest and squeezing her ass. I looked away as that stabbing pain in my heart returned because it made me think of Giovanni. Gigi noticed and pulled away from him, giving him a knowing look as she nodded her head towards me.
“Guys. It’s fine. Don’t stop your PDA on my account.”
“PDA?” Gigi asked.
“Public display of affection,” Joel chimed in, giving me a wink. I have to admit, he did look good. Much more refined than he normally does, with his long sandy coloured hair pulled back into a bun and his beard trimmed to a point. He was wearing a black tux as well, which helped. Every man looks good in a tux.
“Are we ready to go?” I asked as I sat down to put on my black strappy heels. This whole outfit cost more than I cared to admit but I had been paid extremely well by the Buccinis and hadn’t splashed out once, so I didn’t feel too guilty.
“Si! Let’s go party!” Gigi squealed as she pulled Joel out of the door by his suit jacket.
I grabbed my wheeled suitcase and took one last look around the small but beautiful flat I had called home for nearly two months. I swallowed my emotions and ignored the voice in my head telling me not to leave as I closed the door behind me.
∞∞∞
Cecilia
I was squirting my perfume on when Elle waltzed into the room in her black, flowy ball gown and sighed heavily before dropping onto the bed.
