Aldo led Sarah to the room where she would be spending the night. It was spacious and well lit, equipped with a bathroom, dressing room and a balcony; neatly decorated with timeless furniture and a few potted plants.
"I get why you would talk shit about my lodging. That hotel's got nothing on this—" she remarked as she let her eyes enjoy the beauty that surrounded this room. "It is beautiful, thanks for letting me stay."
A smile of satisfaction crossed his lips. A sense of accomplishment that came from knowing that his efforts towards impressing her were paying off in the only way he wanted them to, the way only she could. Her smile, the contentment in her voice, the admiration in her words made his heart do a couple of leaps. Just then two young women walked in and greeted them with a bow.
"I'm glad you like it. They'll help you freshen up just ask them for anything. I'll be at the table in half an hour, take your time." He said. He then gave the two maids a thoughtful glance before stepping out.
Sarah wasn't exactly used to such treatment except, well, at the spa or the regular physio sessions she got when she was an athlete. She smiled somewhat awkwardly at them. Seeing how soft and professional their expressions were she said a polite greeting, to which they replied, much to her surprise, in English.
One of them approached and offered to help her pick evening clothes and a pair of pajamas while the other headed straight for the bathroom to prepare the bath water.
After about 45 minutes Sarah stepped out of the room led by the maids towards the dinning. She felt very refreshed, you could see it on her face. Her already flawless skin glowed beautifully.
The cream colored slip dress that clung loosely to her body failed to hide the beautiful curves that this ebony woman possessed. And even though she was wearing a pair of flat slippers, her long legs were prominently displayed as she walked towards Aldo, who was left almost speechless.
As she slowly approached him with the most beautiful smiled he'd ever seen, he seemed to remember why he'd fallen for this woman. The majesty in every one of her actions was something he absolutely couldn't resist. Would she think he was too intense if he made a move now? How nice it would be if he could just carry her over his shoulder this instant. Out of the dining and into the bedroom. Only God knew all the things he would do to her if he could, and he was glad for that. If she knew, she probably wouldn't want him close right? Better to go slow for now.
'All in due time' he comforted himself. A soft smile caressed his lips, inviting her over.
Sarah took her seat beside him. The food was served. Thai spicy shrimp noodle soup served in the most aesthetically pleasing bowl she'd ever seen. As a side, some pan fried dumplings and spring rolls were served. The aroma made her mouth water. All of a sudden all the hunger she had forgotten about was back and her stomach grumbled. 'God can the ground just open up and swallow me now.' She though as she realized that Aldo would have heard it.
He did. But he didn't pursue it any further. Instead he placed a pair of chopsticks neatly by her plate. A gesture that made her heart flutter, just a little bit. They both started eating.
"This tastes great. Really hits the spot." She remarked
"I'm glad you like it. Try this" he said handing her a spring roll. "Do you like the stuffing?"
"nmmm. Yeah… it's so good. "She moaned. "Oh my god, try it too." She said pushing the spring rolls towards him.
He picked it up and ate one.
"He knocked her up didn't he?"
"Huh? Who?"
"Justino. Julia is pregnant isn't she?"
"Is it obvious?"
"No. but the wedding is rushed. And well Julia who hasn't had a single sip of alcohol. She hasn't come up to me with an entire bottle of whiskey to have a toast. And she loves to party, I don't believe she can't dance better than she has these few days."
"she's trying really hard to hide it for now. Please don't talk to her about it. Besides it's not really a 'knocked up situation'."
"How so?"
"3 weeks after he proposed, she found out she was 3 weeks pregnant. So they decided to marry each other first, then they proceeded to give up all logical reasoning, and that's how I am becoming a god-mother. Yay me!" she said jokingly.
"Right." He chuckled "and how did you become the organizer charade"
"Charade?"
"What do you call a wedding that lasts one week?"
"Fine. But that's not my fault. I was having the time of my live traveling through the Namib, when Julia called and said she wanted me to plan her wedding. I flew here and started going over the plans and the say they want a big wedding and their budget was 20 million. I'm like 20 million, what? And they go 'dollars'. So I'm confused….. Like what's all that money for? Do you want a week-long wedding? And they said 'great, let's do that'. Contrary to popular opinion, I can't say no to Julia, so I sucked up all my doubts and said 'I got friend'. And now I'm stressed and super anxious and I can't wait for this week to be over so I don't have to speak to their racist families ever again." She said in one breathe.
After a thoughtful silence he asked, "you sure you don't want any alcohol?"
"Nope. I'm ranting aren't I? Sorry about that."
"Oh no I don't mind. Tell me about it. I'd love to help, but I can't, I'll just listen. The Canossa's gave you a hard time today?"
"Yea. But it's all good because we got things done. Just that no one was willing to get in order when I asked them to."
"Well if it's any comfort, I'll have you know that you've done a great job so far, this is definitely the wedding of the year." 'Unless I marry you this year'. He didn't say the last part out loud but he couldn't deny having thought about it.
Over the past week as he watched her run around to get things set for each event, it was hard to miss her meticulousness. He had started to imagine what it would be like if she was the one getting married, with him as the groom, of course.
"thanks." She said sweetly. She had not expected him to be so cool about it. Usually people don't like to hear others rant, but here he was, this giant of a man not only let her speak, but even endeavored to commend her.
"I was wondering, and I hope this is not rude to ask, but, isn't it inconvenient, living so far from everything?" she finally asked. The question had lingered on her mind for the longest time, she had to ask him.
"Worried about me love?" he smirked "it's not too inconvenient. It's safe. I do have a place in central Venice where I stay when I need to be at the office consistently. I'll take you to see it some time." He answered as he wiped his lips clean and rose from his seat.
Aldo walked over to Sarah who had just finished eating too and pulled her seat for her. Extending a hand to help her up, he said, "Walk with me, Sarah"
It worked like hypnosis. Never in her almost 3 decades on earth had someone made her name sound so….. Good. She always had a thing for voices, something about the way he said her name made his voice sound so sexy, so fucking delicious. So good, she didn't even try to process and just did as she had been instructed.
The two toured the garden alone late at night and became the object of all gossip. All the helps had witnessed first-hand how differently this young lady was treated and to the old housekeeper, Maria, it was clear what was going on; the master has found his mistress.