Right. Ready to go.
Now to get it to Francesca…hmm, how the hell do I do that? Enrico said he was going into town, let’s just hope that’s true. I drive back to the house and park out on the street, I sit in my car for a moment as I stare through the large metal gates at all the security guards standing around.
This could go bad, real fucking bad.
With a deep steeling breath, I get out of my car and walk up to the gates.
“Hello,” the guard says.
“Hi, I was just here and I left my phone inside the house,” I lie.
The guard looks to his colleague and the second man nods. “Yes. This is Giuliano. Let him in.”
The man opens the gates. “My apologies, Mr. Linden.”
“That’s okay.” How do they all know my name?
Stay calm.
I walk up the long driveway and past at least fifteen men and up to the front door, I knock as my heart hammers in my chest.
The door opens and I come face-to-face with Olivia. “Giuliano.” She smiles in surprise.
“Sorry to bother you.”
“Enrico isn’t here, he’s gone into town.”
“That’s okay, I think I left my phone here.”
“Oh.” She stands back, granting me access. “Come in.” She looks up the stairs. “Francesca,” she calls.
Francesca comes to the top of the stairs and her face falls as she sees me.
I stare up at her in awe, seriously, this girl is ridiculously hot.
“Giuliano left his phone here; did you see it?” Olivia asks.
Francesca’s eyes widen. “Umm.”
“I think I left it on the table upstairs,” I say.
Francesca opens her mouth to say something, but no words come out.
She can’t lie…oh, I like that about her.
“Help him look, will you?” Olivia asks.
“Yes, of course,” Francesca mumbles.
I take the stairs two at a time and Francesca turns and follows me up the hall. “What are you doing?” she whispers.
I dig the phone and charger out of my pocket and hold it out to her.
She stares at it in my hand. “What’s this?”
“It’s a phone.”
Her eyes widen.
“This way I can text you, you just need to charge it up. I’ve got you a new number and there is credit on it, my number is already saved.”
She bites her lip as if not sure what to do and I hold it out to her again. “Do you want to speak to me or not?” I prompt.
Her eyes rise to mine. “Of course, I do.”
“Then take it, don’t show anyone. Keep it hidden.”
She quickly takes it from me, and we hear Olivia coming up the stairs. Francesca stuffs the phone and charger underneath a cushion on the armchair and stands up guiltily.
“Found it,” I call as I walk back toward the stairs just as Olivia reaches the top, I hold my phone up. “Sorry for the inconvenience.”
“No problem.” Olivia smiles. “Glad you found it.”
I walk back down the stairs and to the front door.
“Goodbye, Giuliano,” Olivia says.
“Goodbye.” I glance up to the top of the stairs and lock eyes with Francesca, an unspoken message passes between us and she gives me a soft smile. Feeling proud of myself, I bounce down the front steps.
Nobody gets to tell her who she can and can’t talk to.
Nobody.
*
The party music echoes from inside and I take my phone out of my pocket and check it.
Two a.m., no texts, no missed calls.
Unimpressed, I roll my lips and put it away.
A loud laugh sounds over near the bar and I glance over, beautiful, scantily dressed girls are everywhere, along with every doe-eyed man in town.
But I don’t want to be here.
Not in the least, I would rather be at home talking on the phone to her.
If she would just fucking call me already.
“Mia is looking exceptionally hot today,” Alex whispers.
I glance up and my eyes sweep up and down the girl he talks about. “I guess.”
“There’s no guessing,” Valentino chimes in.
Right on cue, Mia looks up and smiles over at us. As if feeling suddenly brave, she walks toward us.
“Ugh,” I mutter under my breath as I sip my beer.
Val bumps me with his shoulder. “The fuck is wrong with you?”
“Hi, Giuliano,” she breathes.
“Hello.” I force a smile.
“I didn’t see you last weekend, Giuliano. I thought you would have been at Pria’s party for sure.”
“I had something on,” I lie. Well, it’s not technically a lie. I was on a date with another girl.
“What a shame,” she replies. “I only went to that party in hope to see you.”
“Sorry to disappoint.” I smirk. “You’ll have to make it up to me.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” I lift my beer to her in a silent salute.
She bites her bottom lip with a sexy smile. “Do you want to dance?”
I glance inside to the dance floor. “No. Not yet, maybe later. I want to hang with my friends for a while.”
“Oh.” Her eyes flick to my two friends.
I grab her hand and lift it. I kiss her fingertips. “I’ll come and find you later, hey?”
“Um, okay.” She smiles sexily before sauntering off through the crowd.
Alex and Valentino stare after her and I continue to drink my beer. Their attention comes back to me.
“What?”
“How the fuck do you get all the hottest girls?”
I shrug.
“Seriously, I mean. You’re not even nice to them.” Val rolls his eyes.
I shrug again as I pull my phone out and check it again.
Call me, fuck it.
“Did you see her?” Alex sighs. “Fucking hell, that body.” He pretends to wipe his forehead.
I glance around at my surroundings, same people, same girls. Nothing exciting or new. “I’m going to get going.” I announce.
“What?” Val frowns. “It’s only early.”
I shrug. “I’m bored.”
“What about Mia?” Alex gasps.
“Meh.” I shrug. “Zero interest.” I drain my beer. “You should go for it.”
They both stare at me as if I’m stupid and I put my beer bottle onto the counter. “Catch you both later.”
“Are you serious?”
“Completely, bye.” I make my way around the side of the house.
“Giuliano.” I hear a voice from behind me. I turn to see Maria and I inwardly wince. “Hi.”
“Where are you going?”
“To get some more drinks from my car.”
“You didn’t call me.”
“I….” I pause as I try to think of an excuse. “I lost your number, sorry.”
“Oh.” She smiles hopefully. “Well…. Thankfully, I can give it to you again.”
“Thankfully.” I fake a smile and look out onto the street. “I’m just getting some drinks for my friends, back soon.”
“I can’t wait.”
I widen my eyes. “Me too.” I walk toward the street as fast as I can. I hear another girl call my name. “Giuliano.” I roll my eyes in disgust.
Fuck.
I put my phone to my ear and pretend I’m speaking to someone and ignore the voice. I keep walking up the road and into the darkness.
As the music and laughter echoes in the distance from behind, I feel a strange detachment. Everything I should want is at that party, and yet nothing there interests me in the slightest.
I don’t know what I want, but I do know it isn’t here.
I dig out my phone and check it again.
Francesca Ferrara.
Call me, fuck it.
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Francesca