Garden of Roses ✔️

Chapter 5

Zara

  "Jesus, Bianca, what did you do? Spill the whole bottle of perfume on yourself?" Luca exaggerates as he opens the car window to get some fresh air inside the small space.

"That's exactly what she did," I confirm as I lean forward slightly to breathe some of that fresh air coming from Luca's window.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic. It's not that bad. It will evaporate as soon as we get out of the car anyway," Bianca retorts while throwing her hair back and crossing her arms over her chest. Alex murmurs a quiet highly doubt it under his breath, thinking Bianca can't hear him. She pokes his ribs, making Alex jump and swerve.

"Are you crazy? Don't do that while I'm driving."

"Then don't mock me while you're driving."

"Okay, that's enough you two. If you're going to act like this, just don't talk to each other tonight, alright?"

"That won't be necessary. We can behave, right Bianca?"

"Right," she agrees reluctantly and leans back into her seat.

"Guys, we're getting close," Gabi exclaims, looking through the window and pointing her finger at the bridge connecting Venice with the mainland.

After leaving our car in a massive parking garage, we jump into a previously arranger riva limousine that waits for us on the coast and start our short ride through the lagoon to the city center.

As we get closer, a tall, richly decorated building comes into view. It's glowing due to several reflectors dancing in front of it and painting the building in a different color every few seconds.

The limousine stops right in front of the building. We put our masks on and exit the boat carefully, struggling to keep balance on the rocking surface while wearing high heels. I feel kind of strange being in public without my veil, but I guess the mask has the same effect.

Alex instructs the boat pilot to stay close and be at our disposal whenever we're ready to go back, and Gabi prepares our forged invitations.

We don't encounter any troubles at the entrance and in a matter of seconds, we're inside.

The ballroom is surely the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Not that I've seen much aside from the bunker.

The room is enormous. The party is just starting so there aren't many people inside yet. It allows me to scan the room for potential lurking spots, hiding spots, emergency exits, and so on. Also, to admire the historic architecture and magnificent art that is displayed all over the place.

The ceiling is exceedingly high and richly decorated. It's painted whole with medieval motives. There are four little angel sculptures on each of the corners of the ceiling. A massive crystal chandelier hangs from the center of the room and twinkles with soft lights. But that isn't the only light source. Dozens of additional little lamps are attached to all four edges of the ceiling. They change color slowly and with a smooth transition. There are also a few more crystal chandeliers, smaller than the main one, hanging from the bottom of the balconies that were attached on each side of the room, two floors up.

The floor looks like a marble chessboard, polished enough so that you can see your reflection in it. The middle of the room is cleared for dancing, while about a hundred tables are placed on the sides of the enormous room, surrounding the dancing area.

On the opposite side of the entrance stands a massive staircase that divides in the middle. The staircase itself is royally luxurious. The railing is golden and now decorated with fresh flowers that are tied spirally all around it.