New cover for the next few chapters.
ARTEMIS'S POV.
One month later.
Today is the day of the ALHF Function. The dress I selected for Vicky was already delivered to her last night. I find myself laughing remembering our conversation last night.
——
"Oh my God! Iana! I love this dress so much! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She screamed into my ears through the phone.
"I'm glad you loved it Vicky. The stylists will be there at 4 sharp and the limo will arrive at 6 and you will arrive at the event by 6:30." I tell her the schedule.
"Iana! You know she drives me crazy when she wears that colour. She looks so fuckable and then there is that dress. I'm going to have a boner the whole event!" I hear Ian whine in the background.
"Keep it in your pants, Wilson. Remember you represent Stone Unlimited there." I say sternly yet a glint of playfulness in my voice.
"Yeah! Yeah!" I hear him. I can feel him roll his eyes.
"Good night! I love you both!" I say and cut the call.
——
I hear a knock on my door, which brings me out of my thoughts. Demitri walks in after a 'come in'.
"Hey!" I say with the smile and walk away from the window.
He comes in with a black cover in a hanger and a Louis Vuitton shopping bag. He hangs it inside the closet and then signals me to come in.
"I got a dress for you. It's in my favourite colour and I hope you like it." He said a signaled me to open it. I opened it and it was G O R G E O U S.
It was in this light shade of green, like pastel green and had floral embroidery around the shoulder and the hem of the sleeves. It had netted sleeves -which meant I had a lot of make up to do on my hands- and a satin string tied in a bow around the waist.
"I love it Demi. Thank you!" I say and signal him to lower himself so I could kiss him. He then handed over the Louis Vuitton shopping bag. It had green pumps with glass detailing at the heels.
"Get ready. We leave at 5. Also, you don't need any makeup. You look beautiful just the way you are Fiore." he said with a smile and walked outside, closing the door behind him.
***
I finally get ready and look in the mirror for a final check. Thankfully, the back was covered so I didn't have to go through covering my back. My hair is in a low back bun and a few hair strands falling on the side of my face.
THIRD PERSON'S POV.
The Russo men stood at the landing of the stairs as The Russo Lady stepped down the stairs, the hem of her gown flowing in the steps acting like a trail. She held up the front part of her gown elegantly as she stepped down.
Nickolai held out his hand for his daughter as she stepped on the second last step. She took it gladly and walked down.
"Sorella... You look..." Ace started.
"Gorgeous"
"Breathtaking"
"Stunning"
"Beautiful"
"Out of this world"
"Go change"
Everyone snapped thier heads at Demitri.
"What? She is looks so pretty, everyone's going to look at her. I don't want those man whores eye fucking my princess." He explained.
"What are you there for then, brother? You'll take care of them, won't you?" Artemis spoke for the first time after she walked down the stairs.
"Oh sure we will" all of them said together.
Nickolai and Demitri were also dressed in green. Demitri wearing a 3 piece suit while Nickolai wore a green velvet tuxedo.
"We always choose to wear a similar colour for such events." Demitri spoke as Artemis looked at him and her father.
"Now, out you all go before you are late!" Ace shouted and literally pushed the three out of the mansion.
The three of them sat in a limo and rode towards the event.
"It's going to be alright. Hold your head high and everything will be alright." Nickolai comforted his daughter. She smiled at him in return.
"Is there going to be any press or photos?" Artemis asked stupidly. 'obviously there will be press dumbass' is what she thought in her head.
"Yes there will be, but we'll take you from the other entrance where people who don't want to be photographed walk through." Demitri explained.
***
Nickolai was the first one to get out of the car followed by his eldest son. They both stood out and looked around. They had brought a little more men than usual because they couldn't risk the Italian Princess. Nickolai extended his hand in front of the open door for his daughter.
Artemis took his hand and stepped out of the car. She flatten the invisible creases of her dress and then looped each of her arm with her father's and brother's.
They walk to the entrance and just before the press they take a left. Artemis was able to catch a glimpse of her best friends who looked so in love.
Ian had his arms wrapped around Vicky's Stomach from the side while the press clicked their pictures. He compliment her dress with a sparkling dark red blazer and bow tie. Victoria was glowing.
They took the left and walked a little before entering the main hall.
"Welcome Russo Family, I'm Daniel, I'll show you to your seats." He welcomed them and lead them to their reserved seats. "This is Katie, and she will be assisting you three for tonight. Have a pleasant evening." Daniel excused himself and left to attend to the others.
ARTEMIS'S POV.
It's about 20 minutes since we arrived here. Katie is walking around and tending to our needs. I notice Ian and Vicky sitting a few tables away from us.
The tapping on the mic caught everyone's attention and the whole place when silent.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the Annual Awards Function of American Luxury Hotels Forum. This is Clad Andrewson and I'll be your host tonight." The MC announced. "Without any further ado, we'll start with the award ceremony." The MC spoke again.
"Look, the Thompson's are here" Demitri spoke to dad pointing at them with his chin.
Thompson's were always on no.1 before I came into business. Since then, they have been trying to put my company down.
"The first category is best Family hotel. And the nominees are,
The Tulip by Choice Hotels.
Bay Lounge by Graham Hotels.
Knights Inn by Knights Continental." the MC announced and waited before continuing. "I'd like to call upon the MD of ALHF to present this award"
A man in his 50's walked to the middle of the stage and stood in front of the mic "And the award goes to Bay Lounge. Congratulations to Graham Hotels." He announced.
I'd rather give it to Tulip. They have way better facilities for babies. But they are the ones who take the decision. I internally shrug at this thought.
Some more categories are being announced and hotels being awarded, until one of the categories catch my attention.
"Now the category is the Best Luxury Hotel. And the nominees are
1. The Bridge by Red Rocks Hotels
2. J Marriott by Jones Country Hotels And last but not the least,
3.Stone Tranquil by Stone Group of Hotels.
I
'd like to call upon the President of ALHF, Mr. Smith to present this award.
This thing couldn't get any worse.
Red Rocks Hotels is of the Thompson's. I see Victoria and Adrian look at each other and the Thompson's eyes them.
The clearing of the throat in the mic caught my attention. I see Rylan Smith stand in front of everyone.
"This couldn't get any worse-er!" Exclaimed Demitri like he read my mind. Dad nodded in agreement.
"The competition for this title is a neck to neck between the best Hotels known to America. Without testing all of your's patience anymore, I'll announce the winner. And the best Luxury Hotel in the country goes too...." He paused before looking into the paper and then at the audience.
------------------------------------------
Hey there!
I know this chapter was kind of boring.
But, hold your calm, because the book is only starting to get interesting now!
Untill then,
-Sarah-