We cross through a grand common area with beautifully designed marble floors.A sweeping staircase calls to us from the left, but we choose the path leading toward three long, narrow marble steps and up to a tiny glass lift.The black metal cage is intricately detailed with rosettes and vines.
Luca calls for the elevator as I shift nervously while we wait.I’m meeting his co-workers for the first time, and I want to make a good impression on the people Luca spends his time with.
He takes my trembling hand in his, calming my racing nerves.
“I think I was less nervous about meeting your family,” I admit.
“Don’t worry; everyone will love you.”
With my free hand, I nervously press down the fabric that’s billowing out from under my jacket.
“You’re fidgeting.”Luca grins, squeezing my hand.
“Oh,” I respond, letting my gaze drop to the stone flooring.
“You look absolutely stunning tonight,” Luca says, drawing my attention back to him.
A rush of warmth floods my cheeks as he leans in, brushing his lips softly against my cheek in a gentle kiss.He pulls back just as the lift arrives.We step inside the metal cage, and the door glides shut.Luca presses a button, and with a playful twist of his body, he reaches for me, pulling me against his chest.He leans in, capturing my lips with a tender kiss that sends me spinning.I could get used to this life.I never want this trip to end.
Inside the lavish apartment, someone greets us at the door and offers to take our coats.Luca helps me out of mine and hands it to a woman who disappears behind a double glass doorway.
Luca takes my hand and leads me into a circular room—the curved part of the building I saw from the street.Massive floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around every wall, offering amazing views of cathedrals and domes in the distance.I search for the Eiffel Tower, but I don’t see it.Such a shame to have everything else in view but that.
In the center of the room, people are chatting in large groups and sipping on sparkling beverages.Luca approaches one of the gatherings and introduces me to a few of his co-workers.They don’t seem interested in me, and I try not to take it personally.Instead, I sink into Luca, letting his arm wrap around me.This is all I need, but Luca catches me off guard, as his eyes nervously dart around the room.
“Will you excuse me for a moment?”he says, kissing the top of my forehead.
I open my mouth to plead for him to stay and not leave me alone with these unfriendly people, but I don’t have a chance.He’s already out of my sight.
I sigh, lingering on the outskirts of the group.
I catch a rail-thin woman with a turned-up nose and a sleek bob eyeing me.Her mouth contorts with disgust as she turns to the gentleman next to her and says very loudly, “Peux-tu croire qu’elle porte cette horrible robe?”
The man snickers as his eyes slowly trail the entire length of my body.
“Pouah,” she puffs.“Je mourrais avant de porter ça!”
The whole group bursts into laughter.
My heart pounds in my chest as my mind races to catch up.
They’re making fun of my dress.
The woman turns to take a drag of the slim cigarette resting between her fingers.
I hope that thing kills you.
Harsh, Jemma.That’s not like you.
Okay, maybe not kill you, but make you sound like a man and give you premature wrinkles.That’s right; take that, karma.Screw these people.
“Je parle français.”I force a cocky smile and push my way through the group, desperate to find Luca.
I dart into the next room, my heart still pounding with adrenaline.I shrink as far back into the corner as I possibly can, hoping to blend in while I wait for Luca to return, but I know that’s impossible.
Glancing down at my dress, I still feel a flicker of love for it, but it quickly fades as I check out the women in the room with their effortlessly chic pantsuits and sophisticated floor-length dresses.My red frilly dress stands out like a sore thumb.When Luca said Christmas party, I assumed reds and greens, but boy was I wrong.Maybe that evil woman did have the right to mock me.I wish Luca had been there to defend my honor.
Where the hell is he?
