It Started that Night

Part 6

As the cab pulled up Ricco held the big glass doors open for Millie.

"Thanks, babe," she smiled at him as she hurried past him, squeezing through the door with her bag on her shoulder and an armful of files and folders.

As usual she was running late. She struggled to navigate the steps in four-inch heels and a short dress with her arms full, concentrating so hard not to fall down. She didn't want her big day to start by falling down the steps in front of the cab driver and the general public! Chilled-out Ricco followed some way behind her.

She made it to the cab still in one piece, which was a triumph in itself for the clumsiest girl on the planet! Opening the door she threw all of her bags and files onto the back seat and turned to speak to Ricco but he was miles behind her.

"COME ON, RI!" she shouted. "You're going to make us late!" she added, getting more and more frustrated that he wasn't rushing. He laughed. He'd been awake all night and had been up ready for hours waiting for her. He casually strolled towards the cab sipping his coffee, his neatly pressed suit jacket draped over his other arm. His dark, tanned skin was glowing against his crisp white shirt which was only buttoned half way up revealing a tantalising bit of toned, tanned chest. He was such a show off!

Millie watched as he turned the heads of nearly every passing woman. He was every bit the Italian stallion.

"Take your fucking sunglasses off, can you see the sun? You look like a dick!" she teased, flashing him a cheeky smile. He laughed.

"Nice to see you're on form this early," he joked. Millie rolled her eyes as she climbed into the cab. Secretly she was pleased that the morning had been a big rush, it left no time for Ricco to bring up anything from the events of last night. Which after a heavy night of drinks she could barely remember!

Mr Salvatore emerged from the hotel with his PA and made his way down the steps to join them in the cab. He was immersed in telephone conversation as always, and the cab driver opened the door for him. He took the phone away from his ear, covering the mouthpiece with his hand.

"What do you call this? I expected a limousine!" he barked.

"Sorry, sir, this is what was booked," replied the cab driver. Mr Salvatore grumbled as he fell into the seat. Just what Millie wanted to deal with this morning, a grumpy Italian!

Mr Salvatore groaned as he struggled to turn around in the front seat to speak to Millie.

"Are you ready?" he asked her, straining his neck to see her.

"Yes, I think so," she replied nervously.

"Did you get a good night's sleep?" he asked.

"Err....yes," Millie replied sheepishly. Apart from drinking excessively, crying my eyes out and trying to bed your son! she thought to herself.

She had made herself feel really uncomfortable next to Ricco as she started to recall last night. As the cab pulled away she tried to take her mind off it by flicking through her portfolio. Ricco put his hand on hers to stop her turning the pages. With his other hand he shut the cover. She looked up at him.

"Relax. You're ready," he smiled.

She smiled back at him and put her files down on the seat beside her. She took a deep breath and tried to be calm. She was so nervous; her stomach was tangled in knots. Today was the biggest day of her career so far, this had to go well.

She looked out of the window, taking in the sights of the city as they made their way to the venue of Milan Fashion Week. Don't let them ruin today, she said to herself as thoughts of Dex and Lucie filled her head. They were living their glamorous life and today she was living hers, today was real life. Dex was a fantasy.