Lussuria (New Version) (36 page)

Anna takes us to Tasa, a three floor, trendy bar at the opposite side of the bridge over the Arno. I’m completely overwhelmed by the opulence, smooth atmosphere and sleek designer modern interiors—its classy and impressive; an upmarket lavish hotspot. It boasts chandeliers, grand smoky glass tables, booths and an impressive cocktail bar.

We take a seat at a large, smoky glass top table with crystals scattered on the base, accompanied with huge black velvet bucket chairs studded with gold upholstered buttons. An attractive man comes over and asks for our order in Italian, then in English, and we all opt for cocktails.

“The cocktails are amazing here. You’ll love them. They are lethal.” Anna smiles and watches the bartender make them up on top of the bar. He returns with a cosmopolitan for Anna, French martini for Hazel and a peach mojito for me.

“Compliments from the gentleman at the bar.”

We turn and look at a handsome, roguish looking man sitting at the far side of the bar. He is dressed in a dark designer suit, and his crisp, white tailored shirt is open at the neck. He holds a drink up, then smiles and bows his head towards us.

Oh my God.

“Cheers, girls!” We clink glasses and sip our drinks. “Anna, you’re right, this is strong.” I’m doomed.

We chat over the noise of the music, and the bartender returns to take our empty glasses and give us more cocktails. We look over at the bar, but the man has disappeared. As we’re sipping our third drink of the night, Anna jumps up screaming, then wraps her arms around a girl.

Oh, dear Lord.

It’s Adorna from the Uffizi gallery.

Great. Just blooming great.

“Adorna, lovely to see you again,” I say, hoping she doesn’t even hear me over the music.

“And you, Lexi. You look well,” she says through gritted teeth. Anna invites her to sit with us.

Fanbloodytastic!

Hazel goes to the restroom while Anna and Adorna catch up on gossip, mainly in Italian, so I have no clue what they are saying. I feel someone sit down next to me, and turning around, discover the mystery man from the bar is sitting in her seat.

“Ladies, how are you this evening?” he asks. He has an American accent, Texan perhaps.

Anna laps the attention up. “Very well. Even better for meeting you.”

Oh dear Lord.

They exchange pleasantries, then he turns to me. “I’m David. Can I get you another drink?”

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

“Scottish. Such beauty and such a beautiful accent. I had imagined you being Spanish.”

He can take his imagination elsewhere. I’m not comfortable with this, nor am I interested. Ground open and swallow me pronto!

“So, are you here on vacation?” he asks.

“Yes.” One word. That’s all he’s getting. Where the hell is Hazel?

“Can I say you look absolutely stunning. Every man in this room is mesmerized by your beauty. You truly are breathtaking.”

“Thank you. I don’t mean to be rude, but my friend is due back in a moment.” I point down to Hazel’s glass, insinuating he’s to move off her chair and as far away from me as possible.

I catch a glimpse of his grey stormy eyes which look like they are undressing me. “I will leave you girls to it. Maybe later you would all like to join us in the club upstairs?” He stands up.

“Leaving so soon?” Anna quizzes him.

“I won’t be far away. You ladies enjoy your evening.” He trails his finger off my shoulder as he stands, making me shiver. I’m relieved when Hazel comes back to the table. Mystery Man David picks my hand off the table and kisses it. “It’s been a pleasure. Maybe later we can have a proper discussion uninterrupted.” I drop my hand and look at Hazel for help.

“She’s taken I’m afraid,” Hazel blurts.

He grins and raises his eyebrows. “The beautiful ones always are. He’s a lucky man. Ladies, maybe later.” He walks off to meet a group of business men sitting in a booth across from our table. He pats one of them on the shoulder, then looks back over to me, searching my face, my actions.

I so want out of this ridiculous dress.

“So, Lexi, where is Lucca tonight?” Adorna shouts over the loud music.

“He’s visiting an old friend,” I answer.

“It wouldn’t be Francesca by any chance?”

Fucker! She’s getting ignored for that comment. I take a sip of my drink and smile, avoiding her question.

Mystery Man David has more drinks sent over. We look at him and he nods with a seductive, devilish smile. I down my drink back in rage. Rage with Lucca, rage with this David, rage with Cameron’s infidelity, and rage with Adorna. I stand to go to the restroom, a little unbalanced on my feet. Hazel giggles.

“Am I going to have to fast cab you home?”

“No, I’m fine.” I walk in the straightest line I can, the music getting louder as I walk underneath huge speakers. I feel a million eyes on me as I walk, following my every move. It’s unnerving. I touch up my makeup and walk back to the table which is now crowded. I sit my clutch down and take another drink.

“Hazel can you get me some water?” I ask, feeling a rush of alcohol to my head. She returns with a jug and some glasses. I throw back glass after glass of water as the room spins and my head thumps.

Oh God.

I’m going to be sick. I rush to the restrooms and just make it there before I empty the contents from my stomach. Once I sort myself out, I reapply my makeup, feeling a little better. I notice baskets with toiletries sitting on the fancy vanity, so I pick out a minty finger toothbrush and deodorant, then leave some small change in the bowl.

Exiting the restroom, I find Mystery Man David leaning against the wall outside the restroom. “Hey, you okay? You rushed off pretty quickly. Is there anything you need?” he asks.

“No, I’m fine, thanks. I was in hospital a few days ago, and have just overdone it tonight, but I’ll be grand.”

“Well, you look like a million dollars. No one will know your feeling under the weather. If there’s anything you need…”

I smile and walk to my table. I sense his eyes burning into my backside as I walk off. When I return to the table, there are men everywhere. It’s the same company that were sitting in the booth across from us earlier, and they’ve moved over in my absence.

Hazel and Anna are lapping up the attention. Anna has her arm draped over one man’s shoulder; she got over Cameron quickly. I sit down as all the men slowly drop their eye gaze in my direction. I switch my phone on—eight missed calls from Lucca. Crap! I try calling him back, but his phone is off again. My head is pounding, so I have another glass of water, slowly drinking it.

David hands me a business card, I stare at it feeling nervous as this is very intrusive. Why would I want one of his cards? It’s not like I would ever be back here. I sit it down and perish the thought.

David uses the opportunity to introduce me to Giovanni Costanzo. He is older and distinguished, with long grey hair that falls below his ears, and dressed in a fine knit, black, polo neck top, rolled up at the sleeves, and black trousers. He looks extremely wealthy. I stand, and he kisses me on both cheeks. “Pleasure to meet you,” I say.

His eyes are wide, he is taking every inch of me in. “And your name?” he asks in perfect English, accentuated with a strong Italian accent. I hesitate as I don’t offer this information to strangers, but the alcohol has given me some confidence.

“Lexi Robertson,” I whisper quietly.

Mr. Costanzo holds my hands and I wince slightly as he grasps onto my recovering wrist. “Such beauty. Where have you been hiding, little angel? I would love to work with you.”

“Excuse me? What type of work? What do you mean?”

He looks oddly at me as if evaluating if I’m being serious. His flabbergasted look of alarm confirms to me that I’m supposed to know who this man is. “To photograph you, of course. I have visions already, a new creation of perfection, and you are in it. Yes, yes indeed.” He’s enthusiastic about this imaginary photograph.

“I’m sorry, but I think you may have mistaken me for someone else. I’m not a model, and I’ve never been photographed before, nor do I ever intend to be.” My stomach catapults. I’ve been photographed, and I will never be behind a lens again. My whole life I’ve tried to forget, and the though alone perishes me with a cold, sharp shiver.

Giovanni lets go of my hands and hugs me with regret. He’s wearing musky cologne, and the pungent scent even lingers in my hair after he has opened the space between us.

“You are keeping that beauty locked away from the public eye and that’s a pity. I could create a masterpiece, a wonderful vision of delight, a gift to the world. With my images, I could make you a huge success indeed, introducing you as the next up and coming. Please consider it.”

My head is rushing, my knees are trembling, and my fingers are tightening. This is unimaginable.

“Oh my holy God!” Anna screeches, “I bloody well knew it! Wait until I tell Lucca he’s dating the next top model.”

I let go of Giovanni. “Thank you, Giovanni, but I’m not the girl you’re looking for. I have to decline your offer, but thank you for the kind compliments.”

He looks shocked.

“Lexi, what the hell are you doing? Don’t be stupid! Do you not even know who this is?” Anna yells.

Hazel eyes are as wide as a deer caught in headlights, Star struck…

“You are not only beautiful, but you have a beautiful soul as well. That’s a quality I haven’t had the pleasure of working with in a long time. Here is my card. I don’t give this out liberally, so treasure it. Please reconsider and call my office. I look forward to photographing you.” He hands me the card, kisses me on both cheeks, then shakes hands with David before walking off.

“Oh my God. Wait until the girls hear about this! Samantha will die,” Hazel blurts out.

“Calm down. There’s no hope in hell I’m doing it.”

“You are very different from most girls, Lexi. You’re very intriguing,” David says.

My heart nearly vaults out of my skin. This is what Lucca said when he first met me. I feel guilty, like I’m betraying him.

“Lexi, that is Italy’s most famous photographer. He has worked with all the major celebrities and stars. His work is amazing,” Anna tells me, but I don’t care. I certainly won’t be considering photos anytime soon.

David and the other gentlemen show us upstairs to the private room. It has lush sofas, stools and a full glass wall which looks over the dance floor in the club. A bartender brings over bottles of Cristal champagne from the private bar in the corner.

“Cheers to a wonderful holiday and to Lexi’s speedy recovery and new modeling contract,” Hazel slurs. I scowl and shake my head. “Who would have thought? Remember me when you’re famous,” she adds. We all giggle, then enjoy glass after glass of champagne.

I take my shoes off and the thick, soft carpet feels heavenly under my throbbing sores. I’ve lost all inhibitions as round two of my alcohol binge consumes my rationalism. I hate to lose control, but I’m definitely losing some tonight.

“So, have you considered Giovanni’s offer?” David asks me.

“It’s still a no. Why are you stalking me?” I slur.

He laughs. “I’m not stalking you. Well, maybe I am a little. I’m fixated with you, and every man in here wishes they were this close to you right now, so I suppose I’m also looking out for you.” “At least you’re honest, but I have a boyfriend, so don’t get any ideas,” I blurt and then stumble slightly. I hold his arm to get my balance, my breasts brushing against him. He groans, and then puts his arm around my waist to steady me, holding the bottom of my ass with his hand.

“Where is he now? Because if you were mine, I would-”

Afterlife

“Take your fucking hands off her, David, or I’m going to rip your fucking heart out.”

Lucca is standing behind him, his eyes blazing fire.

“Lucca, calm down mate. This is not what you think.”

“Lexi, what the fuck are you wearing?” he says, blazing his fire at me. David lets me go and I fall straight to the floor, losing the support. “Lexi, fuck!” he yells with absolute rage, then swings in and punches David powerfully across the jaw, sending him flying. Before I can comprehend what is happening, David’s team is standing behind Lucca, holding his shoulders and pulling him back.

David wipes blood from his nose and lip, staggering as he stands up. “Lucca, I didn’t know she was your girl, but I’ve done you a favor. I kept a close eye on her and kept all the other men from eating her fucking alive.” I gasp and put my hand over my mouth, still slouched on my backside.

“I’m gonna fucking kill you!” Lucca forcefully pulls out of the grip from the other men, sending one of them backwards, then pushes David’s chest, smashing him into a bar stool.

“Lucca, stop it! Stop it!” I yell. Hazel helps me up, and I lean on her for support.

“You don’t want to do this in my club, Lucca,” David chokes out as Lucca holds his arm under his chin and across his throat, nearly strangling him.

“I don’t give a flying fuck if it’s your club. She is mine, and I won’t have you touch her or talk about her like that. Stay away from her. Consider this your warning.” Lucca’s voice is deep and coarse, full of rage as he pins David down.

“Lucca, please. Stop,” I whimper.

“Okay, fucking let go of me or I’ll have you so fucked up before you leave this place, you’ll regret stepping foot in here. And so will your hot piece of ass.”

Lucca thumps him, pounding into him with full force again and again ruthlessly. I can’t stop screaming, tears streaming down my face as I watch this debauchery. The suited men pull Lucca off David, dragging him back. One of them knees him in his lower back at the same time as another elbows his face, knocking him down. They kick and hook him again and again, pounding into him.

I try to break free from Hazel to help Lucca, but she pulls me back. “Stop it! Stop, let him go!” I yell as does Anna who is jumping about frantically next to me screeching and crying hysterically.

Lucca is on the floor, protecting his face with his arms while the other men kick his gut. I’m petrified, but I need to help him, so using all my strength, I break free from Hazel. “David, please! Please, tell them to stop, I’m begging you. It’s hurting me, please!” My chest is tightening as I watch Lucca helpless on the ground and I can’t control my sobbing.