POSSESSION [Book 1 - DeLorenzo Desire]

VII | The Club

GRACE

So this was how the super rich shopped for their clothes. We had seen a mini catwalk show featuring their pieces and I was now being fitted into the chosen dress.

I stood there still as a lifeless mannequin although there was really no need for my worry. The fitter was very gentle and careful with where she was placing the pins and sewing the seams. I felt like Marilyn Monroe being sewn into one of her dresses.

I should say the second fitter as Giovanni had the first sent away in a fury. He was half-shouting something angrily in Italian and the poor man was whisked away before I'd even managed to say hello.

I liked this lady a lot though. I didn't need to speak Italian to understand her exclaiming "Bella!" each time I turned as directed. She had such a warm smile that I thought she seemed a little out of place in a stuffy boutique like this.

She was frittering away in Italian as she worked. I had no idea what she was saying but Giovanni occasionally translated. She would say something and look at me expectantly. I would stare at her until I realised she was waiting for a response.

I'd mumble an apology and look to Giovanni. His eyes would be boring into me as usual with a slight smirk on his face. Then he would translate what she had asked and translate my answer back. She had even given me a pet name in that short time.

"How old are you, piccolina?"

"Where are your family from, piccolina?"

"You're such a beauty, piccolina. Tell me, do you have any sisters or brothers?"

The last question wasn't translated though. 'Mio figlio si è appena laureato! Sei sposata, piccolina?" Giovanni had snapped an answer at her straight away. "Si! È la mia fidanzata!"

I had no idea what was being said but it seemed about ten degrees colder on Giovanni's side of the room. The nice older lady was a bit quieter after that and I shot him a scowl.

"What did you say to her?"

Silence.

"Giovanni?"

"I didn't say anything to her, Grace."

I turned again as she directed and stuck my nose in the air away from him. She finished up and turned me towards a mirror. I looked...I didn't really have the words to describe just how good I looked. I looked like money, honey!

Giovanni's hulking figure appeared in the side of the mirror. I watched his eyes rove over my body appreciatively and, for once, I didn't cringe away. I looked good. I looked really good. He'd have to be blind not to see that and it filled me with a rare confidence.

I tore my eyes away from him and back to the dress. My fingers slid down the silk with a mind of their own as the realisation hit me. This thing must cost a bomb and I couldn't let Giovanni spend that kind of money on me. Lord only knows what he thought he'd be entitled to in return... I jumped as hands landed firmly on my waist.

"You look incredible. The dress looks good too." He smirked at me with a dark glint in his eye. I don't remember him coming closer but he was right behind me. I could feel his body heat radiating into my bare back. My hands fell.

"Giovanni, I don't think...I can't acce--"

"Come, let's go. We have another stop to make." He wore an expression that stilled any further argument from me.

**********

The club looked busy. Too busy.

Looking at the other patrons waiting to get in, I didn't feel quite so overdressed. I didn't fancy standing a long while in these heels waiting to get inside though. Just as I was considering how bad it would look to take them off, we came to a stop.