Chapter 5

Isabel’s weekend began with a lot of noise at home. Her mother was searching for an old cast-iron pot that she had brought from Brazil, a gift from Isabel’s grandmother. There was shouting, and from her room, Isabel could hear her mother cursing in Portuguese.

After waking up, she checked her phone—no messages from Martina yet. As you might imagine, Martina liked to sleep in. Martina Rossi was Isabel’s best friend. They had met in high school and had been close ever since. They even planned to share an apartment someday. Martina studied at the same university but in a different field. Martina was in veterinary medicine. After Isabel’s mother finally found the pot, silence reigned—at least for a while, since it was an Italian household.

Soon, her father and brother arrived, talking and gesturing animatedly. Martina sent a message only after noon, probably when she woke up.

📱 "Good morning! Are we going to the club tonight?"

📱 "Good morning 🌸 Yes, let’s go!"

📱 "Isy, Francesco wants to go too... what should I say?!"

Martina always called Isabel "Isy." Francesco was a mutual friend of theirs. They had met early in university. Francesco de Luca was his name. He was a very handsome guy, studying the same course as Isabel: History. Francesco had a platonic crush on Isabel since they first met, but he never had the courage to try for more than friendship, afraid of ruining their relationship and losing her as a friend.

Isabel replied to Martina:

📱 "If he wants to go, no problem. Let’s have fun."

When the night arrived, the plan was that Martina would pick Isabel up in an Uber. Both of them were looking fabulous, truly Italian and impeccably dressed.

"Which club are we going to?" Isabel asked.

"A very famous one, they say even international singers and actors go there."

"Wow, Martina, you’re really stepping it up!"

"We have to try, right?" They both laughed.

Francesco was already at the entrance when they arrived. He was looking handsome as well. The three friends stood in line to get in, and it seemed like a very popular club. Once they were inside, they headed to the dance floor, where the music was amazing—hits from the '80s and '90s. Martina told Isabel she was going to grab a drink. Isabel and Francesco stayed on the dance floor dancing. Isabel noticed Martina was taking longer than expected—several songs had passed, and she still hadn’t returned.

So, Isabel decided to go to the bar to check if everything was okay.

"Francesco, I’m going to look for Martina..."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No need! I’ll just head to the bar."

After telling her friend, Isabel made her way through the crowded dance floor in search of Martina. When she spotted a shiny dress, she knew she had found her friend. Martina was standing by the bar, talking to a very handsome guy with a black mohawk and a stylish vibe. Isabel discreetly walked up to the bar and decided to order a drink since she was already there.

When she ordered a Bloody Mary from the bartender, she looked sideways and saw someone familiar... Mr. Lorenzo Franco. She turned her gaze back to the drink, and when she looked again, he was gone.

💭 "But I haven’t even had a drink yet…" she thought. She must have imagined it. She kept sipping her drink, glancing occasionally at Martina to make sure everything was fine with her best friend. When she sat down on the bar stool beside Martina, none other than Lorenzo appeared.

"Are you enjoying my club?" he asked.

"Yes, it’s really good… the music is excellent!" The man looked at her with an intensity that made her legs go weak.

"Interesting..." he said, taking a sip of a drink as blue as his eyes. Isabel still couldn’t figure out Lorenzo. He was a very seductive man but had never made a move on her. He remained a mystery.

Isabel had been working at the Franco mansion for a month, and she had never heard anything about any women he might be involved with.

💭 "Could he be gay?" Isabel thought about it for a moment...

"By the way... I’m not gay!" he suddenly said. How could he know her thoughts?

"I didn’t say anything." Isabel responded.

Lorenzo laughed and finished his drink.

"Would you like to dance?"

 "Yes, I’d love to."

Lorenzo took Isabel’s hand and led her to the dance floor.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***