Arianna’s POV
“Olga, don’t you think this is too much?” I asked as I gawked at the beautiful dress sprawled on the bed for me.
“Nonsense!” He said, snapping his fingers in the air dramatically. “This dress is exclusively made for beauty queens like you! I want all heads to turn the moment you enter!” He sang.
I laughed at his gestures. He was a wonderful designer and he had never failed this far but for some reason, I didn’t want to be in the spotlight at this event.
First, I didn’t want it to seem like I was teasing Gabriele. The tension between us was already thick enough ever since we had that conversation in the garden.
I didn’t want to push my boundaries too much.
“Olga, I am not very-” he didn’t let me finish as he picked up the dress and slapped it on my chest.
“Go on now, go put it on. We will do makeup later.” He commanded with his hands on his waist.
“Olga, what about makeup?”
“Let me worry about that young woman, go into that bathroom now!” He ordered pushing me forward.
I laughed at his actions but agreed to do as he said eventually.
I stared at the dress in my hand and heaved. I could live with that slit but the breast cup was too low and I feared my breast would fall out or something. This was crazy.
“Arianna, hurry up before I lose my mind!” He called out.
I just had to put it on and show him how it was. Maybe he would come back to his senses and let me wear something else.
It wasn’t even my party, why did I have to dress like I was the celebrant?
I dropped the towel around my waist and placed my legs into the dress. The corset around the waist was difficult for me to do on my own so I called out to him.
“I am right here!” He said, jumping into the bathroom.
“My my this is fabulous! Oh, Olga! You are such a talent!” He exclaimed as he observed me from the window.
I rolled my eyes at his antics. It was so typical of him to do this.
He laced me up and clapped his hand as I stared at myself through the mirror.
I had to give it to him, it was a perfect fit. I didn’t even have to bother about my boobs spilling out at all.
“So, am I good, or am I good?” He called with a smirk.
“Whatever!” I said and let out a laugh.
We both walked out of the bathroom and he helped with my makeup and hair.
According to him, we didn’t have to do much makeup because the dress was already a tough score.
When he was done, he helped me with my sandals and he took my hand to lead me down where Gabriele and Basilio were waiting.
“Good evening gentlemen… Have you seen an angel tonight?” Olga said, kissing his fingers as he presented me to them.
Basilio smiled while Gabriele seemed to have frozen as he watched me come down the stairs with dazed eyes.
“You look very beautiful,” Basilio said as I got down.
“Thank you and next time make sure you bring a girl too. I will be so bored out there,” I said and we both laughed.
“Yes ma’am,” he agreed.
He took my hand and led me to Gabriele who still looked enchanted.
“Hey,” I greeted as Basilio pushed me to him.
He snapped out of his trance and gave me his hand with a smile on his face.
It warmed my heart to see him sport that smile. It wasn’t just a smile, it had pride in it.
I gave him my hand and he placed a kiss on it, sending shivers down my legs. The atmosphere changed immediately as I felt my core begin to contrast.
If he came to me tonight, I wasn’t certain I would be able to turn him down.
“You look breathtaking,” He whispered ever so gently. I wasn’t sure if Basilio heard it even though he was in the same room with us.
“Shall we go?” Basilio said and Gabriele walked me out of the house.
We took the limousine and headed to the venue.
Gabriele didn’t say anything but each time we caught each other stealing glances, the fire in my core only grew stronger.
Avoiding him and pretending the attraction between us wasn’t there was easy when I was in my room and he was somewhere in his study. Or I had to go meet Jane and he went somewhere else.
But sharing the same air, in the same car… It was impossible to tame my hormones.
His fine jawline seemed to call at me to touch them. I tried to think of something else but I only got reminded of the time he had kissed my chest.
I felt goosebumps appear on my chest and a chill passed through me.
“Olga should have given you something more covered to wear,” Gabriele hissed as he came closer and placed his tuxedo around my shoulder.
I swallowed as another wave of desire passed through me the moment his fingers brushed against my shoulder. I refused to stare into his eyes because I was certain he was going to see it.
“Are you okay now?” He asked and I nodded.
If I spoke, I might moan out.
He stayed by my side throughout the ride till we got to the venue. Basilio got out first and held the door for us.
“Are you ready?” Gabriele asked, turning to me.
There were paparazzi outside and they waited for us to step down so they could flood us with pictures.
“If you want I can get Basilio to fetch a mask. It is a masked party, no one would think it’s strange,” He said.
He was so gentle, butterflies spurted in my stomach and I felt my folds get even wetter.
“It’s fine –I am fine,” I rushed out.
He took my hands and placed a kiss on both of them. I pursed my lips to prevent the cry from escaping.
I didn’t know if he was doing it on purpose but he was killing me.
He stepped out of the car and gave me his hand, I took a deep breath and went out after him.
The paparazzi went crazy as we stepped out. But Gabriele held me firmly and we walked on till we got in.
The party was a regular one filled with rich people as usual. I let the music and clatter distract me from the pressure between my legs.
I ignored the stares people were throwing my way and just enjoyed the night by Gabriele’s side.
Not long after we stepped in, Gabriele’s uncle came to where we stood.
“Gabriele! I am glad you made it,” He sang and stretched out his hand to me.
Gabriele shook him instead and he quickly pulled his hand away. I knew Gabriele was already tense from all the attention I was pulling with my dress, Demyan was only stupid to try and touch me.
“The American investors I spoke about are over there, please come,” He said.
“Lead the way,” Gabriele growled and Demyan swallowed.
He started walking and we went behind him.
I let Gabriele lead me by his hand and I didn’t pay attention to the route we were taking.
Suddenly, I walked into a wall of perfume. I raised my head and pulled my hand out of Gabriele’s grip to rub my forehead.
I looked up at the wall and familiar eyes met mine.
“Brett?” I yelled with a toothy smile covering my face.
It was indeed him. Brett Harrison!
“Arianna?” He said and opened his arms for a hug.
“What are you doing here Brett?” I said as I pulled away from the hug. Of all the people I thought I could ever run into in this place, Brett was the last person.
We had met at a business convention I had attended with my Nonna a couple of years back. He was so cute my nonna thought we would make a great couple.
To make her happy, we became very good friends and we even pretended to be dating whenever she was around just to make her smile.
“I should be asking you that question! Look at you!” He exclaimed, twirling me around.
His question reminded me of Gabriele and how I got here in the first place. I couldn’t tell him I got kidnapped, or could I?
Before I could open my mouth to speak, I felt strong hands grip my upper arm pulling me away from Brett.
“Gabriele, what’s wrong with you?” I yelled, pushing him away from me. “I was just greeting him! He is an old friend of mine,” I cried out.
He narrowed his eyes at me and I could see something more than anger swimming in them. The pressure in my core returned and I swallowed hard.
This was the wrong time. I was supposed to be angry at him, not fall for him.
“Brett,” Gabriele said, turning to Brett instead. The air between them seemed heated like they knew one another. “If you may excuse us,” he said and dragged me away before I could ask anything.
I wanted to pull away from him but the ground was getting excited and anything I did would only make the situation worse.
“Bring the car, we are leaving,” He said to the mic attached to his shirt.
I hugged his tux even closer to my chest as I suppressed my anger.
As we stepped out, the limousine was already packed in front of us and I didn’t wait for him to open the door for me. I went on my own and scooted as far away from him as possible.
He got in after me and closed the door so loud, I felt my heart shake.
“What was that about?” He yelled the moment the driver started the car.