I turned away, leaving him mid-sentence, the audacity, he always insisted that our relationship was purely physical, nothing more, and now he confronts me with demands for explanations.
I'm the guilty one here; that's the undeniable truth. He was always straightforward with me, and I agreed to his terms. I knew I was mad about him, but somehow, I thought by being with me, things would turn out to be simpler, maybe even manage to make him fall in love. But as a woman, I failed in that regard, I achieved nothing, and now I'm left with the consequences. He's already made his choice by getting engaged to Elle, making it clear where I stand. The sadness of falling in love is mine to bear alone.
I get into the car with Cameron's gaze weighing on me, Kristin tucked in the back seat, and I don't know the driver, though from glimpses, he seems quite handsome, not as much as him, but definitely attractive. Maybe with better lighting, I could appreciate him more.
"Girl, you have no idea how happy I am that you finally agreed to go out with me," she wraps me in an excited hug.
"Who is he?" I ask quietly so the driver won't overhear.
"He's a friend; I'll tell you more later," she replies between snickers.
When we park in front of a club, a place I've never visited but seems lively, we get out, and the driver opens the door for us.
"Thank you," I say as he takes my hand, feeling a flush on my cheeks from his intense gaze.
Kristin turns to us, "Jackeline, this is Mariano Di Vaio, studying his sixth semester in law, his parents own one of the most prestigious law firms in the country. He's Italian, what else?" She taps her chin as if pondering, "Oh yes, and he's totally into you!" This last remark makes the guy blush.
"Hi Mariano, nice to meet you," I extend my hand, and taking a better look at him, he's attractive, a dark, handsome man, tall with deep-set eyes, the polar opposite of Cameron and smelling wonderful.
"The pleasure is all mine," he replies with a kiss on the back of my hand. "Kristin isn't one for lies," he holds my gaze, "I find you to be a very beautiful woman." I can feel my cheeks burning; the nicest things I've ever been told are hollow sentences, nothing more. What am I doing dwelling on this?
"Thank you, I hadn't noticed you before," I say.
"I've seen you many times, but never dared to approach."
"Are you shy?"
"Not really, just unsure how to approach you."
"Less talking, guys, let's go in! The night is young, and there's a line forming," Kristin urges rolling her eyes.
Mariano takes my hand and we enter the club, bypassing the line as the burly doorman greets him warmly and lets us through.
"Wow, you're pretty well-known here," I observe.
"Not really, just because my friend's father owns the place. I do come here, just not that often," he clarifies as if he owes me an explanation.
We settle at the bar; when he orders drinks and passes me one, I'm not much of a drinker, but tonight, I want to let loose.
I down the drink like it's water; it’s sweet, delicious.
"Don't drink like that; you'll get drunk fast from the sugar," he warns.
"Let her be, she’s heartbroken tonight," Kristin says, bobbing to the music.
He looks at me and I'm just smiling; my friend isn't known for subtlety.
"Do you have a boyfriend? I've never seen you with someone," he inquires.
"It's complicated," I don't want to delve into it, certainly not with a man supposedly interested in me.
"Tell me something about you then."
"What do you want to know? Kristin seems to have given you the rundown of my life," he smiles.
"Right, sorry," I apologize.
"No worries. Have another, one of whatever is tasty, slowly," he advises. "Tell me about you."
I sigh. "Well, I'm studying criminal law, my mom and I work for the Dubois family. You'd think mentioning that would deter him, but he looks at me with a gaze I've never seen in anyone else, genuinely excited to hear what I'm saying. "I’ve lived there since I was a child. It's not been easy, believe me. I attended one of the top high schools thanks to Mrs. Hellen, but even that wasn't easy, what with the constant belittling for being the service girl, for my skin color."
"You shouldn't feel bad about your color; you're beautiful, honestly. And anyone who fails to see that is the real fool," he insists, causing another blush.
"Thank you, again. It's been tough, but I know that once I graduate, I’ll leave that house with my mom."
"You'll make a fine lawyer, fair, and with a good heart. Whoever has your affections will be lucky," his brown eyes are intense as he drinks, looking sexy, really sexy. "Let's dance," he suggests, and we join my friend on the dance floor where she's swaying to the music.
I dance, drink, have fun as never before. Mariano is quite the man, thoughtful, romantic, complimentary, a stark contrast to Cameron.
"Time to head home, friend," Kristin says; I was nearly nodding off in the car like any drunk.
"I'm sorry," I reply sheepishly.
"No worries, it happens to the best of us," Mariano says with a kind smile. He's sweet, but he's not him.
I crash at Kristin's apartment, dizzy and tired from all the dancing and jumping.
"So, what did you think of Mariano? Quite the catch, huh?" Kristin asks, licking her lips.
"He's beautiful," I respond, but without much enthusiasm.
"Girl, I'm sorry about your love trouble, he's definitely good-looking, but Mariano is something else, he's magical, and so attentive."
"I know, but I'm not looking to get into anything with anyone right now, I haven't even told Cameron we should end things," I say with a sigh, and the very thought horrifies me.
"Well, do what you want, but if you decide to leave that house, you can always move in with me, keeps me from being so alone."
I hadn't considered that. Surely, after I tell him we can't continue, things will change between us, but I don't think I'll need to leave the house over it.
I drift off, and when I wake up the next day, a terrible headache greets me. Hangovers are the worst, I can't fathom why people enjoy drinking so much.
"Get up, girl, we've been invited to a pool," Kristin bounces in with a cute swimsuit on.
"I need to go home, my mom must be worried," I hesitate.
"I already talked to her. Called early, told her I'd return you later. Now shake a leg, we're off," she chides playfully.
"I don't have a swimsuit, though."
"Don't worry, honey, we've got that covered."
"We've got it covered? Where are we going?”
"Get up, take a shower, he’ll be here soon," she leaves me to follow her instructions, and I reemerge wearing the same clothes from the night before, nothing else to put on.
The doorbell rings and Mariano stands there. It's embarrassing for him to see me like this.
"Did you bring what I asked?" Kristin extends her hand to receive the bag without hesitation, “Let’s go”, and steps inside the room.
"Put this on," she hands me the bag, and inside, I find shorts, a flowing blouse, and a one-piece burgundy swimsuit, gorgeous.
I change into the provided clothes and rejoin them. The moment I step out, Mariano springs up, giving me a head-to-toe look that makes me self-conscious.
"It looks fabulous on you," Kristin cheers.
"Thanks, guys," I show my appreciation, knowing Mariano bought it but that it was Kristin's idea.
"You look beautiful," he compliments as I approach, “The clothes suit you well.”
"Thanks, we head to his place, which is beautiful yet not a mansion like the Dubois's. Simple yet lovely. We spend our time alone by the pool, another splendid day spent swimming, eating, playing ball. It feels good to be here, not at home enduring the fact that the man I love is in his room with his fiancee."
They drive me home late, only because I have to work in the morning; after all, I'm no princess who can afford to lose her job.
My mom's thrilled I enjoyed my day. She knows I'm heartbroken over Cameron, but that will pass with time. It has to.
This is Mariano Di Vaio, 27 years old.
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