After my talk with Mr. Ricci, who later told me to call him Andres, I've been feeling very anxious.
Andres, my boss, told me to go home early so that I can get ready. Before I left, he gave me the address to his house but said that he might send a chauffeur to pick me up either way.
I left and immediately went shopping. I had no good clothes to wear to a dinner with my boss.
After half an hour of looking around, I found a cute knee length red dress with a black belt around the waist.
When I got home, I took a shower and put the dress, black heels, and some pearl earrings. After I tamed my hair, I put my make up on which was light, with nude lipstick and a really creative eyeshadow.
The time read 5:45 pm. I looked out my window to see a black limousine. I guess that's my ride. I took a small clutch that was big enough for my phone to fit and some money.
I took the elevator down and got my nerves in check. It's not like I'll have to talk with him.
Out the door I was and walking towards a very expensive limousine with a chauffeur.
"Thank you," I said to the chauffeur who opened the door for me.
I almost accidentally opened the door for myself, I'm not accustomed to fancy stuff. No one, and I mean no one, ever holds the door for me. Do I know why? Nope.
I got snapped out of my thoughts because of a hand in front of my face waving.
That isn't my hand. I turned to the source of the hand and my heart literally almost jumped out of my chest.
It was Lucas. The male model whom I drooled over.
"You must be Ms. Montas, my dad never gave me your first name," he said. Even his voice was sexy with a hint of an Italian accent.
"It's Imogen," I say.
"Im Lucas Ricci," he says with his hand extended out.
I shake his hand and even his hand is soft like a baby's butt.
After the short talk, I stare out the window, paying attention to the scenery. I like it when the sun goes down and the street lights are on. Then if the car is driving fast then everything passes by in a flash. And that's the thing, you never get to see anything clearly.
I notice that the car has stopped and my door gets opened the next second. It's not the chauffeur who opened it. It was Lucas.
He extends his arm and I take it. I fix my dress and start walking. I feel my nerves rising, my hands feel clammy and I'm probably just freaking out over nothing.
We walk through the doors and this mansion is gorgeous and very aesthetically pleasing. Two stairways at opposite sides. Marble floors, gorgeous pink looking chandelier, and gold railings.
We walk towards the dining room and there is a whole lot of people here. I'm more nervous than before, everyone knows everyone else here. I'm the only one who doesn't. I'm new to this.
Lucas takes me to a seat which surprisingly is right next to his. Now I can't make a fool out of myself. I mentally face palm myself for not doing research on my boss and his family.
Everyone is talking two different languages: Italian and English. I learned a little bit of Italian in college before I dropped out.
"Fancy huh?" I heard someone whisper in my ear. It wasn't Lucas, instead it was another freaking male model. How many male models will I encounter today?
"Yeah, very," I answer.
"I'm Cristiano," he says.
"I'm Imogen."
"Beautiful name for a gorgeous woman," he says. I blush at his compliment and thank him. Im not used to compliments, they sort of make me uncomfortable because I don't know what to say back, plus I rarely get them.
I look around the table once more before Lucas' dad calls out for the food.
The food they bring out could feed two villages. If I do eat everything I could, I probably won't fit in this dress anymore, key word being if.
I finally look down at my plate and the cutlery present. Two forks?!?! I only know one fork.
"The smaller one is for salads and the other is for normal foods," I hear Cristiano whisper in my ear.
"Thank you," I mutter.
The food is passed around and when I pass it to Lucas, I notice how his expression is cold and he isn't talking with anyone.
After a few minutes of me eating, I excuse myself to use the bathroom. Once I made my way out, I noticed that no one told me the directions to find the bathroom.
******
I'm lost. I took some turns here and there and I ended up into a dull-ish bedroom. I walk into the hallway and hear footsteps. Oh no, they'll think I was snooping around. I pretend to look at a picture on a table but it catches my attention. It's another family photo but Cristiano is in it this time.
"Did you get lost?" That voice. The smooth and silky voice.
"Yes, sorry Lucas," I say with my head down. I was embarrassed for being caught lost.
"Here, follow me," he says.
That picture and the picture in the office building are different. Cristiano is in one of them and not the other one. Both pictures seemed recent. I snap out of my thoughts in time for me to not crash into Lucas' back. He stopped and I didn't notice.
"Thank you," I say before entering the bathroom and closing the door.
I didn't even have to use the bathroom in the first place, I just needed to get away.
I turn the sink on and get a towel to dab some water on my face but decide to just take the make up off. I have always hated make up.
Once all the make up is off, I put some lip balm on and leave.
I'm startled to see Lucas outside waiting.
"Sorry, I just didn't want you getting lost on your way back," he said.
I nodded in response and followed him back and not getting lost in my thoughts.
I see that everyone is now in the living room, conversing with each other.
I spot Cristiano in a corner by himself just watching everyone and everything take place. I see a bookshelf close to him so I go towards it. I find the orange covered book, The Handmaid's Tale.
"Lovely book, it's my favorite book," Lucas said shyly. A hint of blush was evident on his cheeks. I smile looking down at the book.
"True, it is a lovely book. It's very truthful in some ways," I say back. I sit down on a chair and skim through the pages.
"Do you mind if I take this home with me? I promise to bring it back," I ask.
"Of course, it is my bookshelf after all. I'll pick it up from you when you finish. Here's my number," he writes his number down on a paper and hands it to me. I put it in my clutch and begin reading some pages.
I see Cristiano from the corner of my eyes making his way towards us.
"Hey," I say first without looking at him.
"Damn it, I was trying to scare you," he says like a child.
I laugh at his childlike attitude. I close the book, remembering what page I was on.
"Do you want to dance?" He asks.
The music was loud enough for some to hear but not too loud to interrupt everyone's conversation.
"I can't dance," I say sheepishly.
"It's okay, just let me do the work," he said with a sly smirk playing on his face.
"I'll probably regret this but okay. Bye Lucas," I say.
We dance and dance for what seems like forever. When we stop dancing I notice the time and say my good-bye's to everyone and call a cab. Around this time of night, not a lot of cars are around.
My cab arrived and I stare out the window at the mansion and trees surrounding it.
"Bye," I whisper one last time.
1400 words. I expected this chapter to be long considering it was the dinner scene. I'll put the picture of her dress and make up here because it wouldn't let me put it up there so
Vote, comment, and share. Until next time, byeeeee.