Gabriele’s POV
“Basilio, make a reservation for me tonight,” I said as I made my way to my bedroom.
Basilio, who had been trailing me, was surprised that I knew he was there.
Fool!
I heard his deep breathing long before he began trailing me like a cursed shadow.
He had been like this ever since Arianna and I came back from the masked party. I couldn’t blame him.
I felt renewed and refreshed. Life was surprisingly more colorful and beautiful.
Each day, I wanted to wake up so I would be able to look into Arianna’s beautiful eyes. Her beautiful smile became my daily dose of peace.
Her body… Fuck.
Just thinking about it was making my cock throb with need.
“You want a reservation? With who?” He asked as he regained his composure and resumed trailing me.
I stopped walking to glare at him. I had never taken any of the other women out before. If I requested this, I expected him to be wise enough to guess right.
“Ooh! Arianna?” He asked, wiggling his brows and I rolled my eyes at him.
He was so slow in thinking sometimes, I wondered how we became friends each and every time.
“I want it to be special. Make sure to pay off everyone so it’s just us around,” I said as I resumed my walk.
I wanted today to be a special one for Arianna, so I made sure I didn’t see her all day.
After our sex last night, I wanted to do something for her. Something that would make her understand how much I cared for her.
“Consider it done! Niko and Mike have already signed up to be your special bodyguards for the day!” Basilio announced and I raised my brows in surprise.
“You are the first person I am telling this to. How come they already signed up?” I asked turning to him.
He smiled and moved further away from me. “The thing is we all saw it coming…”
“Just get it sorted!” I said waving him away.
“Yes, I will get Olga to prepare a dress for her!” He announced before jogging down the steps.
I got to the room and went straight to the bathroom. I took a quick shower and stepped out to rest on my bed.
Arianna went to her room to pick up some things and I was certain Olga will be with her in no time.
I let time pass as I closed my eyes. By the time a knock came on my door, I knew it was Basilio.
“Who sleeps and forgets their date?” Basilio bellowed.
I rolled my eyes at him and went on to freshen up quickly.
“Has the reservation being done?” I asked as I walked out.
“Yes, in one of the finest restaurants in town. Only you and a few elite members will be allowed into the building. Our goys are around the perimeter,” He explained.
“And Arianna?” I asked.
“Olga is preparing her. She will meet you by the car,” He replied.
I nodded and went on to the car. The driver pulled the door opened for me and I stepped in.
A few minutes later, the light in my heart flashed on as Arianna’s soft laughter resonated in the evening air as she walked towards the car in the company of Mike.
“Thank you, Mike,” She said as she stepped in.
My heart flipped and my throat ran dry as my eyes locked with hers.
Her beautiful black dress was simple, yet the elegance was beyond what I had imagined.
“Hello, handsome,” She said with a smile.
I took her hands and I mirrored her actions. “Hello beautiful,” I whispered.
I brought her hands to my lips and gave each a peck.
“So this is why you refused to see me all day…” She trailed.
“I wanted to save all the heat for later,” I replied. “Now quit staring at me with those eyes before I get tempted to take you right now,” I said with a smirk.
She threw her head back and let out a small laughter than had me swimming in contentment. I didn’t want to admit it but Arianna had found herself a place in my heart and slowly she was taken over the whole place.
The driver started the car and with her hand still in mine, she turned to stare out the window.
She was fascinated by the night light and smiled each time we passed a beautiful building with bubbling light.
I promised myself to take her to the world’s most beautiful city, Paris. But I would tell her this after dinner. I couldn’t wait to see the smile on her face afterward.
The driver parked in front of the Purple Place restaurant and Arianna was blushing with excitement.
“I have heard so much about this place! I was told if you don’t make a reservation at least in a month, you won’t get a place and the food is fucking expensive!” She whispered as I held her hand and we walked in.
I could only smile. I was more than happy that Basilio had picked out one of the restaurants she thought quite highly of.
“How did you get this done?” She asked when we sat down. “Don’t tell me you killed someone?” She asked dropping her voice.
It was now my turn to laugh. Her way of thinking was not only humorous, but it was also interesting.
“That question should be directed at Basilio,” I said to her.
She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth for a second and she was about to say something when the waiter came and she paused.
“Good evening Mr. Gabriele, ma’am,” he said bowing consecutively at us. He then placed two menus on the table, one for me and the other for Arianna.
“Please take your time to go through our menu, in the main time, what can I get you, wine, juice, or mineral water?” He asked.
“I’ll have a bottle of red wine,” I said.
Arianna nodded as her eyes stayed focused on the menu.
“I’ll have whatever he’ll have,” She said with the menu on her face.
The waiter bowed and turned away.
Our wine arrived and we made our order. As customary it didn’t take more than ten minutes for the food to be ready.
We ate quietly making small talk about the restaurant and Arianna noticed how it was a bit too scanty for a restaurant that only worked with reservations.
“You think they are having a bad business day?” She asked as she ate her food.
“I think the problem you are seeing isn’t actually a problem…” I told her.
Her beautiful face morphed into a frown as she looked at me.
“What do you mean? How can you not see this as a problem? If I were the manager, I will open up the doors and let anyone with the money come in and eat tonight,” She declared.
“I think Basilio paid them enough to let us have a relatively private night,” I said.
She paused and time seemed to pause as well. The features on her face moved in slow motion as she went from excitement to shock and then even more shock.
“What must have cost so much money!” She whispered looking around the table.
“Good evening,” A very familiar voice interrupted us and I felt my blood begin to boil.
“Oh, my God! Brett!” Arianna exclaimed before my eyes could reach him.
She got up and gave him a hug, which he was more than happy to return. The action only aggravated my anger.
“You seem to follow us everywhere now, don’t you?” I gritted out glaring at him.
Arianna sensed the anger in my voice and she pulled away from him and returned to her seat.
“I can assure you it’s not what you think. I happened to be here for a business discussion and I saw you two over here,” he said.
It was a good thing we had already finished our food or it was going to be a waste.
I got up and adjusted my suit. Brett had ruined my dinner.
“I have been meaning to talk to you about business anyway, I think it’s a great chance,” he said as he saw me move to Arianna –who stared on in confusion.
“Any business you have, bring it to my assistant. Demyan has his contact!” I growled.
I grabbed Arianna’s hands and aimed for the exit.
I was boiling inside and refused to latch out. If I stayed there one more minute with the guy, it would have become a terrible brawl.
What was his problem?
“Gabriele,” Arianna called softly as we got to the car. “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have hugged him,” She said and my heart melted.
Her voice was so gentle every stain of anger I had vanished.
“I don’t want you talking to him. I don’t trust him,” I said.
She leaned into me and placed a peck on my cheek, melting my heart further.
“If that will keep you smiling, I will do just that,” She said before crashing her lips into mine.