The Lady in RED
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The intervention of Maria continued as she was submerged in a tub filled with scented Water. Ursula whispered into her ears, telling her to relax as she was properly taken care of. After the bath, she was massaged with perfumed oil and skin moisturizer.
Then they began her makeup. God himself carved maria's face. Thus, there wasn't much need for heavy makeup. So they went the nude makeover route.
"She's so gorgeous," a member of the glam team said, and everyone nodded in agreement. Finally, her makeup was done, and her hair was tied into a ponytail.
"Belle," Zia Benedetta whispered as she fought the tears in her eyes. Seeing Maria all glammed up reminded her of her mother.
She knew in her heart that Gisella would be so proud if she should see her daughter right now. Maria smiled as she felt Zia Benedetta's hands on her. She was sure they were both thinkings of the same person.
"It's time for the gown!" Ursula exclaimed happily. The gown was brought and carefully placed over Maria's head.
"God, you're beautiful," Ursula said, proud of what they could accomplish on such short notice. The doorbell rang, and one of the maids came in.
"Signora, your bodyguards, have arrived," she said. Maria nodded and turned to stare at her reflection. While everyone was in awe of how she looked, her mind danced at the endless possibilities the night would bring.
She was so confident she would be seeing Vincenzo tonight, and she had everything planned out to perfection.
"Good job, everyone, and thanks for your contribution. Please move into the dining room where you'll be treated to the most sumptuous dinner experience you've ever had," Ursula said, dismissing everyone until it was just herself, Zia Benedetta, and Maria left.
"It's the time, right?" Maria asked.
"Ja," Ursula replied.
"Good"
"Maria?" Zia Benedetta began. "There is every possibility at least one of the Santoro's will be available tonight."
Maria nodded, and she continued. "I want you to put those demons in their place. It is what your father, Nicolo Caruso, would have done," Zia said, shocking Maria.
She wasn't expecting Zia to have such strong opinions. However, she was grateful. "Of course, Zia, I am my father's daughter," she said haughtily.
"Good. Now go" Zia Benedetta said. Maria walked out side by side with the people she adored the most. A host of her servants lined up outside as the gorgeous woman came out.
For some, it was the first time they'll be seeing her. For others, they could only remember the girl she was. They all bowed and waved as she approached her diamond-coated limousine. Her driver opened the door for her, and she stepped in.
Turning back to catch a glimpse of Zia and Ursula again, she waved back at them, and the trip began.
Vincenzo and Matteo stood side by side at the party, their profile screaming boredom. The event was exactly how they had imagined.
—
The room was beautifully designed with diamonds and crystals, but the stench of pretense could not be covered.
They all played a game of smile when your eyes landed on that of your neighbors when in truth, their minds thought of ways to destroy that person. All the men dressed in the latest tuxedos while the ladies wowed in their gowns. It still wasn't enough to capture the heart of Vincenzo.
He had attended this kind of event all his life, and now he preferred sending in his donations, which he planned to do before he heard about Roy's arrival.
Speaking of Roy, he stood a stone throw away from them, conversing with the daughter of the late Madame Marcela, Morena. Ah, beautiful Morena.
Vincenzo's eyes followed his friends and saw it rest on Morena, never leaving her. "What is going through the mind of this fool now?" He whispered under his breath.
"What was that?" Matteo asked.
"Nothing," Vincenzo replied, gulping down his drink. He raised his hands, signaling the waiter to bring in a refill.
"You shouldn't drink too much," Matteo said, concerned.
"If I had the opportunity, I'd gulp the whole bottle," Matteo laughed.
"Well, at least Roy has been on his best behavior so far," Vincenzo said, hoping to lift his boredom by riling up Matteo.
"Yeah, right. His eyes haven't left Morena's breasts all evening," he replied, smoldering.
"And where exactly have yours been?" Vincenzo retorted, amused by the whole thing.
"You're not funny, bro," he replied on edge.
"Wait, don't tell me you have a thing for her" Matteo looked at his friend, wondering why he was suddenly interested in such conversations.
It was so unlike him. Maybe he was genuinely bored. "That is none of your business Amico" he replied as the waiter arrived.
"Man, can we get a whole bottle?" Vincenzo leaned and whispered to the waiter.
"What the fuck are you doing, man?" Matteo asked, confused.
"Mind your damned business," he replied.
"Sure thing, signor," the waiter replied, handing him a bottle.
"You're a good, good man," Vincenzo said, patting him.
"For someone who doesn't want to be seen in the crowd, you're sure doing everything to invite a headline," Matteo said after the waiter left.
"Are you kidding? My name alone is a headline," Vincenzo bragged, and Matteo rolled his eyes, praying the day ended already.
Just then, Roy's eyes landed on the dynamic duo, and with a sly smile on his boyishly charming face, he excused himself from the presence of the lady Morena.
"Boys!" He called out on his way to them.
"Oh, here we go," Matteo muttered under his breath.
"Boys," he repeated, standing toe to toe with them.
"Roy," they both chorused. Vincenzo held on tightly to his glass. He squeezed it tighter, imagining it was Roy's neck instead. It was no secret that the cunny man irritated him beyond words.
Coupled with the sly smile that seemed to be a permanent feature in his face, Roy was a total douche. Matteo, on the other hand, drank in silence.
He usually was the one that cut the tension in such situations, but the two men had both pissed him off. Vincenzo for dragging him into this den of boredom and Roy for messing with the girl he planned on making his woman for tonight. So he sipped his drink and minded his business.
"I saw you both looking miserably out of point and thought to come help. Thoughtful of me, right?" He smiled sheepishly.
"And they say chivalry is dead," Vincenzo replied dryly.
"Don't mock me, man. I was just trying to help," Roy said, laughing maniacally.
"Oh God, I'm not drunk enough for this," Matteo said, gulping his drink. He opened the bottle, poured himself another unhealthy amount, and swallowed that one too.
He couldn't stand one more moment of bickering sober. He knew Vincenzo annoyed him, but at the moment, he chose to take his friend's side. Roy was just that annoying.
"I agree with your expressions, and I expected better," Roy said, leaning into them like they were making some secret pact.
"What expression, man? It's a fundraiser on behalf of a dead woman. What exactly did you expect? A circus with your fellow clowns?" Vincenzo replied, oddly composed when all he wanted to do was wipe the table with Roy's tears.
"Of course, I wasn't expecting much, but you're the king faking uninterest. I didn't quite expect you to show up. Then again, with your company sinking faster than a sinking ship; no pun intended, I'm sure you need the donation money more than those poor orphans," Vincenzo watched the sycophant who couldn't be more parallel to his father.
If they weren't in such a crowded place, he would have beaten the man to a pulp for the snide remarks.
"dovresti prenderlo a pugni," Matteo said, urging his friend to react.
"I really should," Vincenzo replied, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.
What are you both talking about?"
"Oh, he just said it wouldn't be a bad idea throwing a punch on your scum face, and I agreed,"
Vincenzo shrugged like he just said the most normal thing. Roy trembled in fear until he realized they were in a crowd. Surely they weren't going to try anything.
"You just wait until your company is finished. Only then will you realize that in this league of elites, you are both-" at that moment, the atmosphere changed, and every conversation in the hall ceased.
A figure approached, and besides her were two menacing-looking bodyguards. Everyone's head turned as they gawked and awed at the woman in the red dress.
Vincenzo, wondering what caused the distraction, stretched his neck and saw the figure approach the middle of the room and stop. Her guards stood by her side as she scanned the room, taking note of the guests. Vincenzo froze as she turned, and her eyes landed on his.
"Maria," he called, but his voice came out a breathless whisper drowned by the resumption of votes in the room.
They all talked about one person and one person alone. Maria C. Delvey.