Chapter 7

Emiliana

Lucio’s was spilling out with people left, right and centre; you could hear the musical beats from the streets. The queue beside the club was loud and boisterous, everyone dancing to the tunes resonating from the open doors. 

I smiled up at the bouncer, who was holding the entry rope like his life depended on it. Being a Magnone meant that I was privileged enough to avoid queues for popular clubs such as this one and in moments I was stepping through the door. 

Giovanni was following closely behind me, his hand crept up and down my spine, securing its place as we walked. The music continued to blare out loudly around us as we made our way to the VIP area. Bright lights danced around us and reflected patterns across my white dress. I prayed to god that no one spilled anything on me tonight, the decadent drinks served here could only be described as a dry cleaner’s worst nightmare. 

“You know you didn’t have to come inside.” I huffed at him. Giovanni blatantly ignored my protest and traced his hand down my back softly before stopping just above my backside. I shivered with excitement which managed to send tingles to my core.

Giovanni pushed through the crowds of people, his hand still firmly placed in the small of my back. We reached the red curtain and rope that separated the two areas. It was guarded by a large bouncer who nodded at Giovanni and immediately let us through without a word. 

It seemed that everyone was into giving the silent treatment now.

The VIP lounge was a lot quieter than the front. Music still played and lights still sprayed but it had a more chilled out vibe. Oli waved over to me from one of the booths, red plush seats and shiny black tables held my group of friends together. The same theme ran throughout the entire VIP area. Red booths with black tables, Champagne on ice in the centre of them and rowdy groups of rich kids surrounding the alcohol like vultures.

I could still feel Giovanni’s palm resting on me, his fingers twitched through the fabric and sent my body into overdrive. 

“Mi mi!” Oli screamed at me over the music. He skipped over to me, wrapping his arms around me. “He’s here!” He slurred in my ear loudly as he noticed Giovanni’s presence.

“He can hear you!” I giggled at him. “Oli, this is Giovanni.” I introduced the pair officially. It seemed that the earlier event of Oli trying to gauge a reaction from him had surpassed Oli’s simple mind and he all but threw himself at my guard. Giovanni stood motionless, his hand was still plastered to my body.

I could sense how uncomfortable he felt so I tugged Oli’s arm. “Okay, that’s enough.” He released Giovanni from his clutches and picked up two Champagne flutes from the table. 

“Bottoms up!” He yelled, thrusting me and Giovanni a glass each. I took a sip of the bubbly liquid, enjoying the sweet and dry taste. 

I downed the remainder of my drink while Giovanni stood glaring at his hand. I took the glistening liquid that seemed to offend him and his eyes followed me. His green orbs had turned darker as he watched me, I locked my eyes with his as I drank the fluid in one seamless action and placed it back on the table. The girls around the table screamed in delight as I took the second and I was well on my way to feeling the high, courtesy of the bubbles. Giovanni’s green pools never left me as I poured out another glass, he was silently daring me to push his buttons.

His gaze told me to tread lightly but I enjoyed the thrill of being under his focus and the devil on my shoulder was goading me to push further. 

I smirked back at Giovanni, letting my eyes trail over his muscular physique. I bit my lip, admiring the masterpiece before me while taking a more elegant sip of the bubbles. He masked any emotion that he was feeling and crossed his hands in front of his legs, taking a defensive stance next to the table. 

I ignored his cold silent warning and slid across the squeaky red leather of the booth; accompanying my friends and shaking my broody green eyed guard from my mind.

“Mi mi! How was Italy? When did you get back?” Naomi pulled me into a very uncomfortable embrace, so tight I could barely breathe.

“It was great! How was your vacation?” 

“Oh we went down to Florida.” She motioned to the two other girls beside her, Sarah and Mollie. Naomi flicked her black hair over her shoulder and leaned in close. “I see you brought back a European hunk.” She eyed up the figure beside me. 

“No,” I chuckled at her. 

“Is he single?” She retorted, sliding out from the booth and straightening her dress. She was wearing a red glittery number that was almost similar to mine, except mine was slightly more classy. 

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “Why don’t you ask him?” I smirked at Giovanni and tore his intense stare away from me. 

Naomi stumbled towards Giovanni, her long legs wobbled in her bright red heels. Her matching lipstick was slightly smeared and her dark make up was already beginning to run. 

“Hey!” She pointed at Giovanni, “oh. Green eyes! Wow!” She edged herself forward until both of her hands were planted on his stiff frame. “Are you single?” She slurred out at him. 

He lifted her hands away from his body and held her at arms lengths. Naomi’s intoxicated expression turned into a scowl. “Well you’re no fun!” She complained and stormed off to the bathroom. 

Giovanni turned his gaze back to me and I couldn’t help but giggle. Clearly he wasn’t a fan of the close proximity with drunken states.

“Mi mi!” Oli grabbed my hands, “let’s dance.” He pulled me up from the seat and dragged me through the small hoard of people that decorated the lounge area. I was yanked onto the small dance floor where the music was louder and the beats were heavier. My hips instinctively moved with the sounds as the rhythm vibrated through my chest and my arms felt lighter. Oli was twisting and shuffling around the floor, weaving around other dancers letting the tunes take over him with his silly dances.

Oli veered back towards me and clutched my hand, twisting me under his arm. I giggled emphatically as he spun me round. This is what I needed, a break away from the stress of family and dreaded work. A chance to let my hair loose and dance away my cares. Even if I was being followed around by my one and only fan.

My eyes closed as my body created a small breeze around me. When I opened them again, they were locked with those deadly green orbs. He had followed me to the dancefloor and was leaning against a pillar with his arms folded. 

Sarah soon came to join us on the floor, she was timid and sweet but when she had alcohol, she was a different person entirely. She held a small black tray, decorated with glasses of brightly coloured flammable liquid. 

“Shots!” She screamed at me.

Oli and I both took two glasses, we didn’t need to be asked twice.

“Cheers!” We called out in unison and swallowed the contents effortlessly. The bright green liquid burned my throat and sent my stomach into a spin for a brief moment. When I coughed and spluttered, Sarah handed me another. Her blonde hair shone brightly under the strobe lights, her black dress almost made her look invisible amongst the dark room. 

I took the third glass from her, this time it was a clear liquid.

“What is this?” I yelled out over the music. Sarah leaned in to hear me before responding.

“Absinthe.” She giggled cheekily and downed hers momentarily.

I stared at the ominous liquid, my gaze flickered to Giovanni who still had that dangerous look etched across his face.

“Fuck it!” I yelled and downed the glass in one. 

The remainder of the night went by in a blurry haze. We danced until our feet hurt and drank until our livers burst. I only knew I had made it home safe by the familiar scent of designer perfume that wafted through my senses.