The Smoking Man (Completed)

Chapter 5 - Night Of The Venetian Masked Ball

The Smoking Man - Chapter 5 - Night Of The Venetian Masked Ball
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After Bettina left my room I felt a little bit confused,angry and bewildered,the news she brought to me had really touched a nerve and now I had to come to terms with this new revelation.

Then I considered suddenly that this lady Bettina could be a secret assignation,might she be involved in poor Mylène's apparent kidnapping?.

In any case I would dismiss these thoughts for now as I had an evening's entertainment to look forward to.

First I would need to see reception about my outfit,they had booked Venice's leading costume designer "Antonia Sautter" in to service the attending guests who were going to the ball.

She had an interesting heritage given the fact that she had a German father and an Italian mother.

Her reputation proceeded her,she's renown for her fastidious approach and attention to detail,not allowing any guess to leave until she's completely satisfied by the final detail.

It was fast approaching 1900 and I had a table booked for dinner,the costume could wait.

I quickly ran towards the lift area and pressed the call button,there seem to be a slight delay but eventually it arrived and was packed with other residents

The hotel had it's own restaurant "Guiseppes", which had been awarded a Michelin five Star rating,on first inspection it looked rather ostentatious and extremely elegant.

At first it seemed rather quiet until a a young lady came rushing towards me before enquiring if I had made a booking in advance,I nodded and was quickly taken to my table which seated 2 people.

All areas of the restaurant were tastefully decorated with beautiful flowers,there were cream coloured draped curtains displayed immediately in front of me.

Behind them I could just make out a narrow view of "The Grand Canal" which was illuminated by the nearby street lamps,this added ambience to the view.

A waiter was speedily making his way to my table with what looked like a wine list and Main menu.

'Good evening sir would like to order something from the wine list",he enquired,'yes I'll have a bottle of "Canaletto Montepulciano D'Abruzzo",I replied.

I could tell he was impressed by my selection as he placed his thumb and finger to his mouth in appreciation.

The wine duly arrived before I noticed an elegant lady had entered the restaurant and she was walking towards my table,surely not I thought.

'Antonia Sautter what an unexpected pleasure,don't say I'll have the honour and pleasure of dining with one of the most prestigious designers in Venice?',I exclaimed with great excitement.

'No sir I don't have time for dining but I noticed your table number,you're Signor Lenoge right?',she enquired.

At first I was slightly confused before responding,'oh I see I'm guessing that you want the measurements for my costume right?',

'Yes sir could you please just come with me if you can spare the time,it will only take five minutes and I've selected several materials for you to choose,if you're lucky it will be ready by the time you have finished your meal',she replied.

I quickly made my way towards reception to a room immediately behind it and there beavering away were an army of dress designers.

At first I dismissed the idea of my outfit being created in such a short space of time but after I watched the busy team at work I started to appreciate their level of professionalism and expertise.