Heads turned as we stepped into the club. Every light, every pair of eyes somehow found us.
The dress shimmered softly under the lights, hugging my body like it has been poured on me. My skin glowed against the silk, my green eyes catching the lights whenever I looked up.
I wasn't tall, just about five-four, with a pear shaped figure that made the dress curve perfectly at the hips, dipping slightly at the waist. Camila leaned closer as we walked smirking.
"They're staring at you."
I rolled my eyes.
"No, they're staring at you. You're the one who looks like she owns the place."I whispered back
"You look like temptation babes, just take the compliment." She chuckled at my bashfulness.
We finally reached the VIP section, a roped off area with dark velvet seats and bottles lined up in glass tables.
The air smelled like expensive perfume and slow money. Seated by the corner was the man I already knew from Ciara's endless descriptions. "Elijah" He's good looking no doubt, Ciara always dated hot men only. She'll never second glance a mid looking man and I love that about her. Never letting go of her standards just to keep a man.
He stood up when we approached, gaze polite but sharp as it ran over me before he smiled.
"Hello Aria. It's nice to finally meet you." He spoke with a smooth low voice, like it had weight.
"Hello Elijah, it's nice to meet you too." I beamed warmly.
" Did she tell you the good or bad things about me?" I added
" Mostly good but she did warn me you're trouble." He beams back earning a proud smirk from me.
"She's not wrong" we all laughed and he gestured for us to sit. The conversations flow easily after that.
" By the way, one of my friends will be joining us soon. Hope you don't mind" he said casually.
I met his gaze smiling lightly.
"Not at all, the more the merrier."
Camila grinned already signaling the waiter for drinks.
She was right the club screamed luxury, men checking me out. I didn't need Camila to losen me up. I wanted to forget Alessandro even though it's just for the night. So I downed another shot, the burn clearing the thinking in my head and left a hard clean edge.
Camila watched me with the kind of face that wanted to tease and check at the same time. She narrowed her eyes like she was suspicious of the sudden bold me, but when I beamed at her she smiled back. Although the smile was bright but I could see the worry sitting behind it.
"Okay?" She mouthed.
"I'm great! I'm having fun!"
I mouthed back, louder in my face than my voice would.
Then she grabbed my wrist as we moved to the private floor where less people were, swinging our hips to the beat, hairs whipping over our shoulders. Camila pressed onto me grinding the tiniest bit and we both burst into soft laughs.
After a few songs we drifted back to our seats breathless and buzzing then I noticed him.
His back was turned, tall, broad, shirt hugged him in the right way. I stared, not trying to, letting my eyes map him out then he turned.
Familiar hazel eyes met mine and something knocked in my chest.
"Dante…."
We dated a while back and I ended it. He was everything, kind, patient, sweet, good with Lorenzo and yes rich. He tried to love me the right way. I tried to let him in, God I tried but I couldn't bring myself to love him the way he deserved. He is such a good man that I didn't want to be with him cos I felt he would be a great husband and father. I didn't want to be with someone I have no love for just because he had what I desired in a man and not because I want to spend the rest of my life with him. He deserved to meet someone who genuinely loves him not someone who still craved another. I know I sound absurd and most people would take such risk especially with a good man like him but I couldn't. I couldn't be in a room with him without comparing. I knew my relationship with Alessandro wouldn't last long, deep down I always did. We were from two different worlds. He was born in gold, I was born trying to survive. My dad abandoned us and mom spent her whole life doing everything she could just to keep me standing.
We had no money, no family name, no inheritance.... Nothing..... just her..... she gave up everything she every dreamed of so I could have a great chance at life. And then I fell in love with the one person I never should have been near.
Alessandro Marchetti.
I tried pushing him away, I really did. I even thought about quitting school just to escape him but he wouldn't let me go.
The first time I knew of his status and wealth, I wanted nothing to do with him. Although we met earlier when I just enrolled. I was always reading at the library cos that was the only safe space I had to avoid bullies. I noticed him first, mysterious, cold and goodlooking. I knew he was trouble the day I saw him bleeding in a corner behind the library no guards, no friends, alone. I helped cleaned the cut on his arms without asking questions and walked away.
The next day I tried to ask if he was okay but he ignored me completely. From that day we acted like the other didn't exist until I knew who he truly was, further deepening my decision on avoiding him at all cost till it happened.
A rich kid harassed me cos I refused to go out with him. Alessandro came out of no where, cold and angry handling it like it was his personal business and from that day he never left me alone again.
He claimed me as his and I fought so hard to escape being his, but as much as I tried to deny it I believed him. He became my world, my everything. He wouldn't travel without me, wouldn't stay gone for more than an hour without calling to check in. He made sure everyone knew I was his... everyone except his dad and step mom.