That week flew by astonishingly fast for Angelina and not once did she converse with Bernardo about Giovanna. She had already resolved to ignore that subject and confess her feelings to him at Don Vito's party.
Due to her sister's nagging, who would be attending with her future husband, Pietro Gotti, she had to forego wearing an eye-catching outfit as she desired, but she would still be breathtaking and beautiful for Bernardo. Even in simple attire, Angelina drew attention with her elegance and style.
"Mom, when I bought my dress, I also made it a point to get one for Angelina to wear tonight," Stella said with a tone of insincere kindness, and Angelina narrowed her gaze in her direction.
Her sister had never before purchased anything for her, not even a single memory on their birthdays. Why now, when Angelina wanted to look more stunning than ever, was Stella coming with this novelty?
"How thoughtful of you, Stella, but I already have a dress for tonight," Angelina replied, not wanting to be rude as she knew it upset Olivia to see the poor relationship between her daughters.
"But don't you even want to see the dress I bought for you?" Stella feigned disappointment, appearing saddened by her sister's reaction.
"Angelina, please," Olivia interjected. "It's a gift from Stella. Surely she wouldn't buy anything ugly for you."
"Alright, Mom," Angelina sighed, rolling her eyes. She knew Stella was up to some prank, as the older sister never tolerated her being more attractive. "Where's the dress, Stella? Anyway, I can't promise I'll wear it tonight…"
"I'll go get it now. You'll like it. It matches your skin tone perfectly," Stella retorted with a smirk, which Angelina instantly recognized.
The dress wasn't unattractive because Olivia would immediately know if Stella had mocked her sister, and Angelina herself wouldn't wear it, but it was exceedingly bland and ordinary. A long pink silk kimono with lengthy sleeves that tied at the front with a sash.
ANGELINA CASTELLANO
"I like it, Angel," Olivia smiled, relieved, because she too had been unexpectedly apprehensive about Stella's surprise. "You'll look like a fairy in it."
"Mom, it's not a costume party," Angelina protested, looking at the dress with dissatisfaction. "I don't want to look like a fairy…"
"Aren't you going to thank your sister for the dress, Angelina?" Mary inquired, also present in Stella's closet at that moment.
Both young women were getting ready there since Stella's closet was larger than Angelina's and featured an extensive makeup table where the makeup artist was already set up to prepare the sisters.
"Thank you, Stella," Angelina managed to say, casting a side-eye towards Mary. Surely, that woman had been part of this prank to make Angelina wear the dull dress.
"Try it on, Angelina," her mother insisted. "Anything you wear looks sophisticated and stunning."
No matter how beautiful Angelina was, the dress was truly plain. She wanted to wear something sophisticated and stunning. Unfortunately, the dress Stella gave her was neither. Looking at herself in the mirror, dressed in the bland attire, Angelina conceived a plan to provoke her sister.
"I don't want to insult Stella, Mom. I will, indeed, wear this dress tonight," Angelina assured with a smile. "I'll do my makeup here with John and then head to my room to get dressed."
"I'm so pleased about that, sister," Stella appeared content, believing her dress outshone Angelina's.
"Let me know when Pietro arrives, so I can descend with you, or we can meet on the ground floor," Angelina plotted to delay facing her sister as long as possible, ready for the occasion. Stella would regret her actions.
"Okay."
As Angelina's dress was a long silk kimono, depending on how she arranged the front sash, a slit would expose her beautifully long legs whenever she walked. That night, she also decided to go braless, something Angelina despised since she found it completely inelegant and vulgar. However, with such a dull dress, she desired to look more sensual. A bra had never been truly necessary for her, as she had well-shaped, modest-sized breasts.
In the end, the plan backfired. The kimono ended up accentuating Angelina's elegant figure and natural beauty. Her hair, naturally dried and loose with minimal jewelry, complemented her striking looks.
"Angelina," Stella called out, waiting for her in the social hall. "Come quickly, Pietro is downstairs waiting, along with Mary and Olivia ready to see you prepared."
Angelina slowly descended from the first-floor suites of the penthouse so Stella could thoroughly see her complete look. As she walked, the kimono revealed a side slit, showcasing her sensually long legs. Another detail that caught Stella's eye, making her furious, was the delicate fabric of the dress, hugging her figure and showcasing Angelina's breasts. While not transparent, it outlined her breasts' contour under the dress. Even wearing that plain piece, she appeared sexy.
"Angelina!" Stella exclaimed, vexed. "I think you forgot to wear a bra. Any sudden movement and the dress might open, exposing your breasts for all to see."
"I forgot nothing, Stella. I'm going this way. I liked the effect, and with my breast type, I really don't need a bra," Angelina smirked, turning the tables on Stella.
"Mom, I don't think Dad would let Angelina leave the house like this," Stella resorted to appealing to their mother.
"Darling, Angelina is honoring you by wearing the dress you gave. Why find fault?" Olivia reproved Stella. "They're waiting downstairs. It's very impolite to make him wait."
Without another word, a miffed Stella turned and entered the elevator without waiting for Angelina, who followed shortly after. Alone with her sister, Stella attempted to unsettle Angelina.
"What a pity Dad traveled this weekend and isn't here to see this. You look like a whore, just like your mother," Stella taunted, as the elevator descended.
"What did you just say?" Angelina responded, shocked at her sister's hostility.
"Whore, prostitute, harlot... that's what your real mother was, you bastard," Stella seethed with uncontrollable fury that further inflamed Angelina.
"Stop it, Stella! You've gone mad! You can't speak to me like that, fabricating these lies," Angelina was deeply hurt, the mystery of her parents was a sensitive issue for her.
"They're not lies. Your eagerness to display your body only proves you truly take after your real mother," Stella remarked, her tone calming as the elevator neared the lobby, not wanting Pietro to see her agitated.
"Are you not satisfied with the result of your joke? The dress you gave me is so plain I had to do something," Angelina retorted.
"To hell with it!" Stella burst, exiting the elevator and flashing the brightest smile in the world.
Pietro, standing outside his car with his driver, awaited the sisters. He couldn't remove his gaze from Angelina trailing behind Stella but tried to conceal it as Stella approached him to exchange pleasantries.
"Hello, Pietro. Sorry for the delay," Stella's voice softened, conflicting with her usual demeanor.
"Good evening, Pietro," Angelina greeted her future brother-in-law without a smile, still deeply troubled and pensive about Stella's words in the elevator.
On the way to the party, Angelina decided that she would focus her energy on talking to Bernardo and then talk to Stella about the absurd things she said in the elevator.
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