September 20, 2023
Milan Malpensa Airport
"Wake up."
No response.
"Wake up bro!"
Still no response. DJ felt a smack on his forehead as light flooded his view. After what seemed ages, the plane had finally landed on Italian soil.
"What are you doing bruv?" DJ said as he stretched his arms in his mini cabin. "You woke me up from my dream."
"What was it about?" Adam asked.
"...It was like a movie. A bunch of scenes just flashed in my head but...I can't remember fucking anything."
"Well, you are a filmmaker now, I guess." Adam said, glancing at the other passengers. "Let's get out of here. I don't think my stomach was built for all that wine and caviar."
DJ chuckled and scratched the back of his afro.
"Yeah that shit's not for me either. It's good though innit - Getting to experience this type of life."
"Yeah"
Normally when the lads went on holiday they would have to cope with the other passengers but this time there was no hassle: There were no cues for the toilet. There was no getting up to let someone by. And there was no awkward standing whilst trying to get your luggage as people were trying to get off the plane.
This was a truly first class experience - One filled with wine, caviar, and pretty flight attendants that were fun to flirt with (at least in DJ's head).
"I don't know this Frankie Flammia guy..." Adam began. "But if this is how we're flying then, I can't imagine the place we're stayin' at."
"Yeah, we're probably gonna stay at some fancy hotel." DJ replied. "This trip is gonna be so sick!"
They walked off the plane and into the golden rays of Milan. Picking their bags from the conveyor belt, they heaved their luggage across to the main area. Bright lights from shops tried their best to get traveller's attention. Chatter, footsteps and the rolling of suitcases made the airport's theme song. Throughout all the hustle and bustle, DJ managed to hear his phone ding and checked the message (It wasn't from EE):
Franklin Team - We'll be waiting at the P5 car parks outside to escort you to Mr Flammia's mansion. The car that will be escorting you is a black Rolls Royce Cullinan. Licence plate: FF 444BK. (16:02)
DJ showed Adam the text; his jaw dropped to the floor.
"Who are these people, man?"
"Rich people." DJ said.
And I'm gonna be one of them soon.
It took them a while to reach the car park but they got there nonetheless through asking questions. The Cullinan was waiting there for them - Its engine growling. Body shining. Stepping out of the vehicle was a tall, dark-suited man. His face blank, giving no information away. He studied the ID that DJ and Adam presented and when he was satisfied, he opened the back door and ushered them in. For the remainder of the ride the man didn't speak, or even make a grunt, which was fine since his words were not needed. The back seat was like a room in itself: smart TV, snacks, and champagne bottles. DJ couldn't help but take one of the bottles and examine it - Despite him having plenty to drink on the plane.
"What you sayin'?" DJ said to Adam as he held the bottle in the air.
Adam took one of his hands; lowering the bottle down.
"No."
The car was already reversing and making its way out of the airport.
DJ shrugged, ripping open one of the packets of Amaretti and devouring each piece.
It glided through the streets of Milan, blurring past the intricate buildings and lavish greenery. As structures appeared and then vanished, DJ absorbed the architecture fully. He loved how vibrant the city was; how nature was integrated into it. He loved how occasionally you would see a building so beautifully designed that it could be hung in a museum. Most importantly, he loved the sun. It gave everything a joyful feeling - Which felt weird in his mind to say but it was true nonetheless.
"It's mad how this all happened," he said. "All we did was enter a competition, me directing the film, you acting in it. We weren't even sure we were gonna win - I mean we're just two black guys from Peckham...But we won the whole fucking thing."
"Yeah it's mad." Adam said.
"Now we're going to be filming a documentary for Frankie Flammia, one of the most famous fashion designers in the world. Who knows what can happen after that!"
"Well you will be filming the documentary." Adam corrected. "I'm just the actor...Although I wouldn't mind helping with the editing if you wanted. I am getting paid too."
For the trip to Milan, DJ was allowed to employ someone to help him so it was no-brainer that he chose his friend Adam Uthman. Together they would enjoy their first lump sum - £2500. Once the boys had settled in, started producing the documentary, they would receive £3000 per week for working on the project. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Bro I was so unsure that I would win it..." DJ said out of the blue. "It's not like I didn't have any passion for filmmaking and that, but there was something in my mind telling me that this isn't for me. Like a guy like me isn't supposed to be doing shit like this, you know. Now with us winning-"
"You have confidence?" Adam said.
"Exactly, I actually want to be a filmmaker more than anything! As mad as that sounds!"
Adam said nothing and did his own sightseeing. Was he a tad envious? He would be lying if he said he wasn't. Confidence - It was a funny thing. It had been an element he had always tried to channel through his career, but even with his lecturers breathing down his neck and his parents giving him no slack, he still barely mustered anything.
To top it off, DJ seemed to have everything he lacked. His looks: he was much lighter than he was and his features were defined. His confidence: he could be the life of any party and could talk for days. His support: although he only had his mum, she was kind and supportive - Unlike his parents.
"I think we're here bruv." DJ said, making Adam snap out of his thinking.
By the time the car came to a soft halt, the sky had turned a shade of purple as evening was taking its throne. Standing in front of them was the infamous House of Franklin. A structure so out of this world that the only thing the boys could relate it to was a Rubic's cube. It was indeed a cube. A glass cube, with slabs protruding out of it, giving the impression of rotation. Besides the mansion and further into the distance, swirling glass structures were placed strategically. The driver had seen this countless times and opened the door for the boys without a second thought. But DJ and Adam stepped out of the vehicle. Slowly - Both knowing that they had to take their time to absorb the mansion. Every minute detail, every hidden meaning, every new sight. This was an experience that they couldn't rush...But before they knew it, they were already at the door.
"This place is mad..." DJ muttered.
"I know man." Adam replied.
When they entered the welcome area, it was even more beautiful than the outside. Wooden planks laid diagonally on the floor, walls and ceiling. Between the spaces, fresh plants laid. Circular windows, emerald in colour, gave a teaser to what the other rooms had to offer. Yet, the most entrancing of the space was by far the waterfall in the centre. It sputtered silver gems of water, creating noises that were near hypnotism. It almost tied everything together. Almost. But the room wouldn't be complete if one man didn't walk into it. His stature was tall and his frame was lean and muscular. The titles he possessed followed as 'Genius', 'Pioneer' and 'Visionary', but most people knew him by the name of Frankie Flammia.
YOU ARE READING
Fame, Film & Fashion
Mystery / Thriller"He thought that this world was harmless, fanciful, but in reality it was just as sick and twisted as the environment he grew up in. Maybe even worse. At least where he grew up, the bad things didn't try and hide from you. But here, he had realised...
