Dead Flower

Chapter 17

The fact that their mother wanted to sit down and have a one on one talk with me, chilled me to the core because I had no clue what turn the meeting could possibly take. This afternoon had gone from fun and exciting with all the new clothes around me to being freaky and uncomfortable because I didn’t know what answer to give Giustina. I didn’t want to meet their mother but I knew that it wasn’t up for discussion and I would be forced to meet her whether I wanted to or not, “uh,” I began with an unsure tone as I looked at her, “I guess tomorrow night for dinner…” I answered in an unsure and nervous tone. 

Giustina smiled at me, “don’t worry about my mother too much, she won’t be too hard on you, I reckon,” Giustina cared to enlighten me as she accepted a glass of champagne from one of her servants. I decided to leave the room and go back into the dressing room and change into something else. I wanted to get out of here but I knew that I would only leave if Giustina wanted me to and I also didn’t want to be rude after all of the effort she went through to organise this little shopping experience for me, so I opted to distract myself with the clothes around me.

I changed into a gorgeous champagne, one shoulder A line dress with ruching and front slit on the left leg. The dress had dramatic tulle and hand made flowers placed all over the dress to give it colour. I couldn’t wait to see what I looked like, so I stepped out of the dressing room and back onto the runway to look at myself. The dress seemed to capture Giustina and Matteo from the moment I stepped within eye view and Giustina’s lips spread into a wide smile while Matteo had a pleased look on his face as he rushed towards me to show me how I could wear my hair. 

He took my hair and gathered it at the bottom in a loose ponytail that allowed everyone to see my collarbone and further exposed me so that I wasn’t hiding behind my hair. “You look marvellous,” he praised and I smiled in appreciation. 

“That dress is perfect,” Giustina spoke, “it’s especially perfect for tonight.”

“Tonight? What’s happening tonight?” I asked. 

“Only your date with Gregorio, of course,” she replied like it was so obvious, “he’s probably on his way to the restaurant as we speak. Time has really flown and we should get you ready.”

“What? Date?” she didn’t care to answer me, she just spoke over me. 

“Matteo, give her some shoes and put on a little bit of highlight and lip gloss. She doesn’t need make up, she’s a natural. I’ll call Gregorio and let him know you’re on your way, Marigold and I’ll also get my driver to wait for you in the driveway. Which car would you like to be escorted in?”

“I don’t…I don’t understand.”

“Which car would you like to be taken to your date with? Rolls-Royce? Bentley? Mercedes? Ferrari? Bugatti? Helicopter? Limousine? Name it and it will be waiting for you.”

“Oh, it doesn’t really matter…anything is fine with me.”

“I’ll take it you want the Rolls-Royce Phantom,” she said as she turned and walked out of the room, leaving me to be plucked, pricked and made to look perfect for my date tonight that I only found out about minutes ago. By the time Matteo had worked his magic on me, I looked phenomenal. My hair was held in the same low ponytail, I had only a pair of diamond stud earrings that I was sure were real and very expensive and I wore a pair of gold ankle strap thin heels. 

Giustina didn’t waste any time once I was ready, she led me to her front door and left me to walk into the Phantom luxury vehicle. I sat comfortably in the back of the car, noticing that I was surrounded by Escalades from all angles to ensure my safety or to make sure I don’t escape again. My heart was pounding nervously because I didn’t know what to expect from this abrupt date with Gregorio.