Chapter - 1
I was woken from my deep sleep by my phone blowing up. I groaned and stirred on my bed, hoping it would quiet down soon, my eyes closed. But the caller doesn't seem to backed down and only rang me for the second time. With irritation plastered on my face, I grabbed my phone to see that it was Sienna, my best friend, who was adamant on ruining my morning.
I quickly slide the answer button, "What?" I asked curtly.
"Wow, someone's in a bad mood so early in the morning," she teased.
"I wonder why? " I said sarcastically.
"Anyway," she continued, ignoring my remark, "I called to check up on you since I know you'll forget if I don't remind you that we're going shopping for our dinner with the gangs tonight. "
"Can't we just go with the dresses we already have? " I asked exasperatedly. Even though I knew it was futile to make her change her mind in this kind of case. She was passionate about fashion.
"Absolutely not! " she barked and then toned down, " Now be a good girl, have breakfast and start changing. We have a long day ahead! "
I groaned out loud earning a chuckle from her.
"Don't worry girl, I got you. I'll pick you up at 10. Be sure to get ready by then. Gotta go. See ya! "
"Yeah yeah, whatever, " I said and end the call.
I went to the bathroom to take a quick shower and brush my teeth. I went to my closet and choose my outfit for the day.
A simple light brown sunday dress with flower pattern which goes down to my mid thigh, and I choose matching brown sandals to go with it.
My mom was shouting to me to come down for breakfast.
"Coming! " I shouted back.
I look at my reflection in the mirror and apply some lipgloss.
I smirked and nodded in satisfaction. I grabbed my sling bag and went down to the kitchen.
I saw my father and older brother in the dining room, already eating their breakfast in silence while my mother was happily chirping not caring if they were listening or not.
"Morning! " I greeted sullenly and they all greet me back with the same tone except my mother who excitedly pat the seat of the chair next to her to make me sit beside her.
"Okay, what's the wide grin for? " I asked as I help myself to the eggs and bacon.
"Are you going out, Lia ? " she asked back, not answering my question.
"With Sienna, " I answered, "She said it's mandatory to buy a new dress to dine at this ridiculously expensive new restaurant that opened just a month ago. " I said rolling my eyes.
"Well, Sienna knows how to live her teenage days, "
"Mom, I know how to have fun too, in fact I'm always doing it! " I retorted.
"Watching movies and reading books all day is not the kind of fun I'm talking about, Lia. "
I pouted but just kept quiet. I gotta admit, mom is the only one who's active and lively in this house.
The doorbell rang, I got up and dropped a kiss on mom's head, "That'll be Sienna. Gotta go. "
I bid goodbye to my father and brother too, who only nod their head in acknowledgement. I was used to them ignoring me as they were very against the idea of me growing into a normal person. But they won't change my mind, I'll still stay the same.
I looked at my watch and see that it was only 9 a.m.
I smirked to myself knowing Sienna's habit of always arriving one hour early if we're going shopping.
I opened the door to be greeted by her goofy smile, " You ready? "
"Let's go! " I said as we walked towards her car.
"Oh God! I can't contain my excitement! " she chirped as she walk passed me and open the passenger's door for me and said, " My Lady! " smiling slyly.
I just rolled my eyes at her and get in.
We finally picked our dresses and shoes after almost going inside every store in the mall. I was beyong exhausted and all I wanted to do was lay on my bed and retire for the day. Thinking about how we still have to go out for dinner, it made me have a grim expression.
Sienna was chatting away as she drove me home. It was 4 in the evening and still early to prepare for the night so I thought about having a quick nap.
As we reached my home, I got out of the car and get my dress and shoes that I just bought from the backseat.
Sienna peeked out of the window and warned, "Don't you dare think of taking a nap, " narrowing her eyes, "I'll come back at 6 to retouch before going. Make sure to be ready then. "
My eyes widen as I blinked at her, shocked that she knew exactly what I was thinking about, "Fine, I won't! Just go, " I said and smiled, "Thanks again, "
"Anytime, girlfriend! " she said winking at me as she drove towards her home.
I went upstairs and lay on my bed with a long sigh. I was totally drained. I always admired Mom and Sienna's stamina for this kind of thing.
I was slowly closing my eyes, weary from all the walking we did. I slapped my cheeks with my hands to wake me from my drowsy state.
I went to take a cold shower, maybe this will do the trick. And it sure did as the cold water spurted out of the shower head, I shriek and quickly backed off only to hit my back on the soap holder. I groaned in pain.
Great. When did I get so clumsy ?
After I freshened up, I went towards the shopping bag which I threw on the chair earlier.
I took out the dress I bought. It was a one piece dress, navy blue in colour with an off - shoulder neckline and a circle cut for the bottom part. The dress brought out my curves as I have big hips and slim waist. After wearing it, I then put on the heels I bought along with the dress. It was a silver coloured ankle strap heels.
Then as I was applying my makeup, my mom came in and gasped. "You look so pretty, honey. "
"Thanks. I won't be home late. " I said. She came and help me apply my makeup.
Soon Sienna arrived and came to my room. She looked stunning with her red pencil dress and matching red heels.
"Help me fix my hair, " I said and she hastily turn the hair curler on and began making huge curls on my red hair. It took us ten minutes to get ready and after the finishing touch, we were ready to start the night. My mom bid us farewell as we went to Sienna's car. " I'll head straight home after dinner, Mom, " I told her reassuringly.
She only shook her head, " It's your night, sweetheart, please enjoy while you still can. "
I wasn't listening to her anymore as both Sienna and I were already arguing on how it will be a bit awkward if I was there.
"Stop with your petty excuses. They all missed you because you kept ditching us during the finals. I know we shouldn't hang out during exams but c'mon, we were having study group."
"It's not that I don't like hanging out with the other guys, but I don't know...I just felt like I'm always ruining the mood by just quietly sitting there. " It's true though, I call them 'friends' but it's more like I'm hanging out with Sienna and her friends. They're not bad but I can't get comfortable with them. Well, it's no surprise as they are like the popular gang and then there's me, the odd duck. But Sienna is different, if not for her I would lose interest and yield to my father who was and is still persistent on training me to be able to defend myself as a child from a mob family. Though we were only the underlings of some big-shot Italian mobster which I don't care to know about. Of course no one in my school knows this, not even Sienna.
"Enough with that pessimism, " Sienna snapped, "Lets go, we're running late. "
We reached the restaurant, and it does live upto it's reputation. It looks more like a hotel without rooms, of course. Sienna was just as dumbfounded as I was. We were like kids going to an amusement park for the first time.
"We better stop gawking or people will think we're madmen, " Sienna cleared her throat, "Lets head inside, they're waiting. " I nodded.
As we reached our table led by the hostess, everyone else were there holding their drinks. I noticed Marco and Roberto sitting on one side of the table while Angelo and Bella sat across to them. Bella was whispering in a low yet loud voice and giving sideway glances to the table next to them which was a bit impolite if I may say so myself. Sienna sat beside Roberto while I sat across her beside Bella.
"What's wrong ? " Sienna asked giving a quick glance to the group next to us.
" 'What's wrong?' Are you seriously asking me that , " Bella sneered, "Look at them! They're the real thing. You know, those young masters of a rich family I've always dreamed of marrying!" Angelo rolled his eyes.
"Huh? That's stupid, " Sienna exclaimed as we both looked at them again.
Our eyes were both stuck on them. Wow, were they celebrities or what?! They were all wearing expensive looking suits, all five men. They were drinking wine and talking in low voices. My eyes immediately landed on the guy who sat diagonally to me giving me a clear view of his sharp featured face with a firm jaw. His dirty blonde hair slicked back and his piercing hazel eyes on the guy sitting across him. You can tell with just a glance that he was a man of authority but he looked a bit arrogant too which is not a bad thing in his case, sitting elegantly and looking like he was straight out of a magazine. He seemed relax but at the same time...vigilant? It looked as if nothing could shock him and would remain calm even in dire situation. And his body, it was no joke. His suit did not hide his beefy built, showing that he workout regularly. In fact, all the guys at the table look toned. Though I could not clearly see the other two men whose backs were facing us.
The guy sitting beside him looked very friendly, chatting and chuckling every once in a while. The guy on the other edge looked the complete opposite of him, very intimidating with a 'no nonsense' face. I could not see the other two as their backs were facing us. But overall, the blonde guy really attract me, though his eyes were dead with no hint of emotion on that gorgeous face.
Suddenly his eyes shifted to me, now glaring. I quickly averted my eyes to Sienna. My face flushed in shocked and embarrassment, and I could feel his gaze on me for a few more seconds and finally backed to his companions.
I breathed out a sign of relief. God! I felt overly self-conscious of myself to be under his gaze. Who the hell is he?
"You look really pretty tonight, Lia, " Marco said in a charming voice while smiling at me.
"Thanks, you all look really stunning too. " I replied smiling back.
"Ahem! We're also here, Marco, " Bella cleared her throat and a mischievous smile on her face.
"I don't know about you but Sienna fashion is on point too, " he replied with the same teasing tone.
"I look pretty too right, Angelo? " she asked her boyfriend to side with her.
"Very, babe, " he said seductively.
"Ugh! Get a room. " Marco said, digust showed on his voice.
We all laughed and started opening other topics, to which I was just listening to them.
