After the suit fitting, Vanessa and I returned to the mansion. The day had already been filled with more luxury and excess than I was used to, and I still wasn't sure how I fit into all of this. I had been Vanessa's boyfriend, her project, and now... I was supposed to be her private secretary? I wasn't even sure what that really meant.
As we walked into one of the lounges, a room filled with deep velvet couches and grand windows overlooking the gardens, I couldn't hold back the questions any longer.
"Vanessa," I said, sitting down on one of the couches and rubbing my temples, "I've been thinking... what exactly is this job? What do you expect me to do as your private secretary?"
She smiled, sitting beside me with her usual grace. Even in the casual setting of her home, she was always poised, always in control. She reached for the wine glass she'd been sipping from earlier and took a slow drink before answering.
"Darling," she said, her voice warm and smooth, "your job is very simple. You just need to follow me around."
I blinked, not sure if I had heard her correctly. "Follow you around? That's it?"
She nodded, setting the glass down on the table. "Yes. I have a lot of meetings, social events, and... business dealings. Your role will be to accompany me to these events, help me with small tasks, keep track of appointments, and... well, be my companion. It's not as complicated as you might think."
I frowned, leaning back on the couch. "But what about actual... business stuff? Like reports or emails or something? I thought private secretaries handled all that."
Vanessa chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You won't need to worry about those things. I have other people who handle that. Your job is more... personal. You're here to make my life easier. That's all."
I stared at her, trying to wrap my head around the idea. I wasn't sure if it was an insult or a relief. "So... I'm basically just your assistant?"
She smiled, her hand brushing lightly over my knee. "Assistant. Companion. It's all the same, isn't it? You'll do whatever I need you to do, and in return, you'll gain experience, exposure, and a lifestyle most people can only dream of."
I hesitated, still feeling like I was missing something. "And how long is this supposed to last? You said it's temporary, but how long are we talking?"
Vanessa shrugged lightly. "As long as you want. If you decide after a month that it's not for you, you can leave. No hard feelings. But if you enjoy it... who knows?"
I sighed, nodding slowly. It wasn't the kind of job I had imagined for myself, but then again, nothing about my life had gone according to plan recently. Maybe this was exactly what I needed—a break from the pressure, a chance to reset.
"Alright," I said, finally giving in. "I'll give it a shot."
She smiled, leaning in to kiss me softly on the cheek. "Good. I think you'll enjoy it more than you realize."
Just as I was beginning to feel like maybe I could handle this strange new role, Vanessa stood up, glancing at her watch.
"We'll start tonight," she said, turning toward the doorway. "There's a party we need to attend."
I raised an eyebrow, my stomach flipping with nerves. "A party? What kind of party?"
She smiled that knowing smile again, the one that told me I had no idea what I was in for. "A socialite party. You'll get to see how the upper crust of Milan lives. Don't worry—just follow my lead."
***
The evening came quickly, and before I knew it, I was standing in the mansion's grand entryway, dressed in my freshly tailored suit. It fit like a glove, the fabric smooth and luxurious, the kind of suit that made you feel powerful just by putting it on. But as much as the suit helped, I still felt like a fish out of water.
Vanessa, on the other hand, was in her element. She appeared at the top of the staircase, looking like something out of a movie. Her dress was a deep, shimmering emerald green that hugged her body in all the right places. The long slit up one side showed off her legs, and the diamonds around her neck sparkled under the soft light. She was breathtaking, and I couldn't help but stare.
She walked down the stairs, her heels clicking softly on the marble, and gave me an appraising look. "You look handsome, darling."
I chuckled, feeling the tension in my chest ease a little. "Thanks. You look... incredible."
She smiled, her eyes gleaming. "Good. Now, remember, tonight you're my private secretary. Stay close to me, don't speak unless I ask you to, and if anyone asks... you're here on business."
I nodded, feeling a bit like a kid being prepped for his first day at school. "Got it."
We stepped outside, where her driver was waiting with the car. The night air was cool and crisp, and as I climbed into the backseat with Vanessa, I could feel the weight of the evening pressing down on me. This was a world I didn't belong to—a world of wealth, power, and people who played by different rules. I just hoped I wouldn't make a fool of myself.
***
The party was held at a massive villa just outside the city. As we pulled up, I could see rows of luxury cars parked out front, and the soft glow of lights spilling out from the windows. Music played faintly in the background, and the sound of laughter and conversation drifted through the air. It was the kind of party you saw in magazines—exclusive, elegant, and filled with people who had more money than I could ever imagine.
Vanessa took my arm as we walked up the steps to the entrance, her confidence radiating off her in waves. I tried to match her energy, but inside, I felt like I was walking into a lion's den.
The moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by a sea of well-dressed people—men in tailored suits, women in designer gowns, all sipping champagne and speaking in rapid Italian. The room was grand, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and marble statues lining the walls. It was opulence on a level I'd never experienced before.
Vanessa leaned in close to me, her lips brushing against my ear. "Remember, darling, just follow my lead."
I nodded, feeling my heart race as we moved through the crowd. Vanessa greeted people left and right, slipping into conversation with ease. She spoke Italian fluently, her words flowing smoothly as she engaged with the people around us. I, on the other hand, didn't understand a single word.
I stood by her side, trying my best to look interested and professional, but every time someone spoke to me in Italian, all I could do was smile and nod like an idiot.
"È un piacere conoscerti," one of the men said, shaking my hand with a firm grip.
I had no idea what he'd just said, but I nodded politely. "Uh... sì."
Vanessa smirked slightly, clearly amused by my awkwardness, but she didn't let on. She smoothly transitioned back into the conversation, leaving me to stand there like a decorative piece.
As the night went on, I realized just how out of place I was. The conversations were fast-paced, filled with references to people, places, and events I had never heard of. Everyone seemed to know each other, slipping in and out of Italian, French, and sometimes English. I was completely lost.
Vanessa, on the other hand, was thriving. She moved through the crowd like a queen, commanding attention and respect wherever she went. I watched her from the sidelines, admiring the way she handled herself with such confidence and ease. She was completely in control of the room, and it was clear that everyone there respected her. I wondered if I'd ever have that kind of presence.
At one point, a woman in a stunning black gown came up to Vanessa, speaking quickly in Italian, her voice full of excitement. I couldn't understand a word of it, but from the way Vanessa was nodding and smiling, I could tell it was something important.
I tried to keep up, but eventually, I gave up. I was just the private secretary, after all. No one expected me to know what was going on.
The night dragged on, with Vanessa pulling me into conversations when necessary, but for the most part, I just followed her around, smiling and nodding, doing my best not to look completely clueless. It was exhausting, trying to fit into a world that was so foreign to me.
By the time we finally left the party, I was drained. As we sat in the back of the car, heading back to the mansion, Vanessa turned to me, a small smile on her lips.
"You did well tonight, darling," she said, her voice soft and soothing. "It's not easy being thrown into this world, but you handled it like a pro."
I chuckled tiredly, rubbing the back of my neck. "I didn't understand a single word they were saying."
She laughed softly, leaning her head against my shoulder. "You didn't need to. Just being by my side was enough."
I sighed, leaning back against the seat, feeling the tension in my body slowly melt away. "I don't know how you do it, Vanessa. You make it look so easy."
She smiled, closing her eyes as the car hummed along the road. "It's all about confidence, darling. You'll get the hang of it."
I wasn't so sure, but for now, I was just glad the night was over.
Q: How would you react if you were in Tristan's shoes?