#1 Finally
Thalea
Vacationing in Italy has been my priority since I could remember, but I found myself visiting France first, per my best friends request. I mean don't get me wrong, France is beautiful, but Paris is so cliché. She refused to visit the countryside, saying that Paris has more magic, so I was stuck in a crowded city following her around like a lost puppy. She spoke fluent French, and has met twenty people during our stay there, so I felt a bit left out.
But today, we arrived in Italy. Rome is of course the first city we're staying in, like typical tourists. Our place is near the city center, a beautiful five star hotel called "Cardo."
“Help me out woman, don't just stand there gawking!”
Ira, my best friend, is a model looking, tall, long legged blonde, with Swedish roots. The two of us are a match made in hell. We bicker all the time, but it's obvious that we love each other.
I, being the sporty one, always have to carry her five suitcases that she desperately needs, and that's exactly what she's ushering me to do now.
“You know, you're perfectly capable of doing it yourself Ira,” I challenge her. She always has an excuse: her wrist hurts, she hit her elbow on the door, her nail broke..
“Are you for real right now Thalea? I got my manicure done like two days ago, in PARIS, and YOU want ME to ruin it?, ” Ira said, exaggerating.
I ignored her.
It's not like I actually expected her to carry them, the hotel porter is already taking my luggage out of the taxi.
With Ira dramatically telling me about how tired she is from all the traveling, I decide to have a shower and then walk around a bit.
The Swedish princess won't be joining me, rather staying in and drinking wine.
Rome is as beautiful in person as it is online. These people know how to dress themselves, always looking fancy.
I didn't mind going around the city by myself. Ira doesn't really like walking that much, she's more of a wine and dine girl.
After touring the town, I google the closest gym to our hotel. Working out is something I do wherever I go. It's a huge stress reliever.
The closest one is in a passage near our hotel. The hotel has a gym too, but I preferred going to local gyms. Supporting small businesses is a big thing for me, considering I own a small lingerie fashion line.
“Honey and glass lingerie,” is my pride and joy. I started it when I was seventeen and two years later, it's more successful than ever. My focus was on body positivity, so the whole line is done custom and by hand.
The first thing I notice is how empty it is. There's only two people in it, one being the receptionist who doesn't even notice when I enter.
“Um, hi there, is there any way for me to sign up for two weeks?” I said, finally catching her attention.
“Oh my God, I'm sorry, I didn't even notice you there, we don't get a lot of visitors. Of course you can, that would be 25e, ” she responded with a slight accent. She was really surprised that I was in here. I kind of felt sorry for her, I knew how hard it was when your business is not doing well.
Handing her the money, I got my temporary membership card. I leave the gym and return to the hotel.
Ira is sitting on the bed, drinking wine and watching a new Turkish drama we both are hooked to.
“I found a club we should go out to, it's really popular. I desperately need to get drunk and fuck someone.”
When Ira says someone, she means anyone that's hot. She swings both ways, which even resulted in us almost hooking up one time. We stopped though, cause we were both laughing too much from how drunk we were.
“Sure, I just need you to charge your phone, so I don't have to worry about where you are in a foreign country!”
Ira has a tendency to vanish. When we were in Paris, she went home with a guy, and stayed there for two days. I was scared shit less. She showed up with hickeys cowering half of her body, and swollen lips. Go figure.
“You're such a mom sometimes. Chill the fuck out, nothing is going to happen to me. You need some sex in your life girl, you're too moody. Anyways, I got us a booth tonight, go get ready.”
And that's exactly what I did. Putting on undies from my latest collection, that are light blue, and a satin dress in the same color. My light brown hair was wavy, and my makeup was nude.
Putting on my heels, I waited for Ira to make her grand entrance.
“I'm ready! Wait!,” Ira yelled from the bathroom. She was as perfect as usual with her blonde hair straightened to perfection, wearing a red dress the same color as her lipstick.
We hail a taxi, and arrive to the club in a short while.
The club is jam packed, filled with alcholol and smoke. Everyone is wearing designer, so I guess this is a high end place. How did this girl even get us in here?
“Stop thinking about it Thalea, I know a guy, ” of course she does. She probably had a fling with him, and he's returing the favor. That girl is a sex goddess.
We push through the crowd to our booth, that's already occupied with three people. One is a girl, and the other two are men. They seem to be in their early twenties. They are all probably models, judging by their good looks. No wonder Ira knows them.
They introduce themselves, and I learn their names are Arlo, Senne and the girl is Eva.
We small talk, introducing ourselves before they are off to dance. I stay in my seat, not really up to having sweaty people grinding on me.
My vermouth is enough company.
Before I could even finish my glass, Ira is on the dance floor making out with Eva, while the boys have disappeared.
Deciding I've had enough of sitting around, I leave.
My hotel room seems to be much more comfortable, as I strip down to my underwear and jump in the queen sized bed.
Turning on some music, I lay in bed, reading a book that I've recently started.
Not even twenty minutes later, I drift off, dreaming of the characters.
Welcome! My first book on this app is here. It gets much exciting later on, while we meet our beautiful characters.
I hope you stick by me on this journey. Please correct me on mistakes you see, this is the unedited first draft. ❤️
*yes, this chapter is short, they get much longer as you read on.
