Dirty Secrets

On this lively evening, the streets of Milan were very much alive. The rhythm of footsteps fill the air, and it seems almost everyone is vibing to the city's energy. Every corner I can see holds a different fun adventure, with energetic street performers on one side and a small audience cheering. I was out looking for fun tonight, even though I don’t have many friends. Most people my age tend to avoid me because I’m shy and lack the confidence they seem to have. I wish I could be more outgoing, but I often worry too much about what others think of me. I try to remind myself that I’m enough, even if I struggle to believe it sometimes. I was raised by my grandma Nonna. My mom is a single parent who is so engrossed in her career, and growing up, I felt deprived of love, attention, and motherly care, though Nonna gave me her best before she passed on. I was only ten when I moved in with mother. I miss my dad. All I remember of him is what Nonna said to me. He always sang lovely lullabies to me to make me stop crying and go to sleep. Sometimes, I think that if he was still alive, he would have probably given me all the attention I needed, and I would have grown to become a confident young lady. I’m a young lady, but I often struggle to see myself as beautiful. I have very attractive curves and long blonde hair, and people tell me I’m attractive, though I find it hard to believe. My tiny waist and appearance sometimes draw attention, but it’s more intimidating than flattering. The other girls seem to dislike me, and I can’t help but think it’s because I’m quiet and reserved. The youth of Milan have their own assumptions about me—they think I’m a proud and spoiled brat, likely because of my mother’s fame and wealth. But they don’t know the real me, and that makes it even harder to fit in. Tonight, I was determined to have the fun of my life, irrespective of anybody's opinion. As I walked on the street, I noticed a queue of people at a tiny door just off the main street by my left. A huge man, who is obviously a bouncer was letting people in through the tiny door. Colored lights and loud music were streaming out through the door as it opened and closed. I drew closer and joined the queue. I then noticed people were showing their entry tickets. I didn't have a ticket, but I continued on the line anyway. It was my turn. I looked up confidently at the huge guy, one hand on my waist. “Your pass?” He said with a very rough baritone voice. He had a deep cut on his upper arm, and he was wearing an armless black t-shirt that exposed the many tattoos on his both arms. I continued to stare at him, unshaken. “Hey, girl don't stand there staring at me, show me your pass or f**k off. No pass, no entry” he said, pushing me aside. I wouldn't budge, “You don't get to push me aside like that,” I said, raising my voice and creating a scene, “you do not have an idea who I am.” “I don't give a damn about who you are girl, f**k off or you won’t like my next action,” he said, threatening me. I was pissed at his reply. I would have left because I already created a scene, but I continued yelling at him. The loud music coming from inside swallowed up my voice at intervals, as the door opened and closed, letting other people who had their tickets in. Suddenly, a sleek Mercedes pulled up sharply on the street, followed by a Bentley and an Aston Martin. I paused and watched as a very handsome man with chiseled features came out from the Mercedes. He looked like he was in his late forties, his hair is so fine and silk like. He looked very expensive. Some other men followed him. Five more alighted from the Bentley and Aston Martin respectively. Everyone in the queue turned towards these men in awe and admiration as they walked with an air of superiority towards the entrance, their every step deliberate and commanding. The huge guy pushed a lot of people out of the way, creating space for this man and his entourage. I thought the face was familiar. Was I the only one who didn't recognize the man? I remained at the spot where the huge baritone voice guy had pushed me earlier, I put my hand on my waist in a bid to slay these men with my beauty. I’m so sure that my mini leather skirt amplified the curve of my hips. As they approached the entrance, the handsome guy, who seemed to be the boss of these other guys, paused. He lifted the hat he was wearing from his head slowly, staring at me, as one of the men quickly took it from him. I blinked. His stare felt like a sharp arrow probing my mind. I don't want to be moved by his stare, but I can't help myself right now. “What a young Bellissima,” he said in a rich Milanese accent, scanning me carefully from head to toe. I felt like a specimen on a lab dish as his eyes continued to trace my curves like a sculptor's hand on a marble, as he pulled his jacket. Another guy quickly takes it from him. I smile shyly, arrrgghh, this guy is controlling my mind just by his stare and I can’t help it, well, I need him to get me in, so that’s fine, but mehn, he has to stop staring like that. . “You shouldn't be out here in the cold, common chulo,” he said, holding out his arm to me. I didn’t hesitate, I immediately took his hand, pulling out my middle finger to the huge guy, in victory. … As soon as we walked in, the loud music and colorful lights enveloped us. I couldn’t believe such a vibrant scene was hidden behind that small door. I was ready for some fun! I didn’t even notice that I had left the handsome man behind. I started to move my body to the rhythm of the music, feeling a deep sense of relief after the argument I had with my mother earlier today. After dancing for about thirty minutes straight, I needed a break, so I paused and collapsed into a sofa close by to catch some air. I noticed the man and his entourage seemed to command a lot of attention as they walked to the bar from a room they had initially entered when I left them. The entourage immediately took positions, surrounding their boss as he sat and ordered a Vodka. I didn’t care what anyone else was there for; I just needed to have some fun. As I returned to the dance floor, I quickly grabbed a glass of wine from a passing bartender’s tray and gulped it down, letting the warmth of the drink fuel my mood. Consumed by the rhythm of the loud music, I confidently grabbed a shirtless guy and began dancing with him, wiggling my waist to the beat. But as soon as he recognized me as the daughter of Sabrina, the famous model, he quickly slipped out of my grip and found another partner. Unfazed by his rude behavior, I screamed, "I didn’t realize I was so famous!" at the top of my lungs, but the music was too loud—it swallowed my words. I kept dancing, shaking my body vigorously. Anyone watching might have thought I was drunk, but I’ve only had one glass of wine. I was just trying to escape reality and have the best night of my life. Back at the bar, I noticed the boss has had his fifth glass and was about to have his sixth, when a young lady dressed provocatively, leaving little to the imagination, walked towards him with a briefcase. One of his bodyguards stops the lady in her tracks as he quickly walks towards the boss and whispers something into his ear. The boss nods and he lets the lady continue towards the boss. Who could she be? Who exactly are these people? The lady gently cups the boss's face into her hands and plants a kiss on his lips as she runs her fingers between his thighs. He pushes her aside and takes the briefcase from her. He opens and inspects it and motions to her to leave. She then cat-walked out of sight, lost in the crowd of people in the hall. The boss then signaled to the same bodyguard who had whispered to him earlier, to come. He whispered something to him. The guard immediately started towards me. Maybe he had instructed him to look for me. I immediately turned the other way and continued to dance, as though I hadn’t seen him coming. I then felt a tap on my shoulder. “My boss needs you immediately!” He says loudly, even though I could hear him, he was close enough for me to. I followed him, as we walk together towards the bar. I let myself on the stool beside the boss. He smiled, gently standing, took my hand, and led me into another chamber that seemed like the VIP's only. The sound of the music was lower in this room. “Feel comfortable, Bellissima,” he said, pointing to the couch behind me. I wasn’t used to being called Belissima. Well, I couldn’t be more comfortable and relaxed than I already am tonight. I sat and immediately served myself some drink that was on the round table in the middle of the chamber. I was dehydrated and exhausted from dancing; the one glass I had taken earlier wasn’t enough. I looked at my phone. Wow, I had danced for almost an hour. “I'm Damon,” the boss said “Oh, nice to meet you, Damon, my name is Leila,” I said, holding out my hand for a handshake. “Quit being formal, Bellissima, your beauty is so captivating,” he said, turning down my handshake and leaning forward out of the couch he was sitting on. I smile shyly, gulping down my fourth glass of alcohol. “Easy there, Beautiful, you don't want to have a terrible hangover by morning.” He beckons to his bodyguards to leave the chamber. "Now that we're alone, Chula, show me what you're made of," he said, holding out his hand to me. At this point, I could barely feel my feet. The light in the room seemed to grow dimmer—or maybe it was just me. I realized I might be drunk, but I was bubbling with wild excitement, I could feel it welling up in my stomach. I took his hand and settled into his lap, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck for support. Leaning in, I kissed him deeply, then began to rock my waist from side to side, trying to feel him beneath me. We got clumsy, hitting the table and spilling the bottles of alcohol on the floor. The guards outside the chamber could hear the commotion going on inside. The boss's right-hand man, (the guard that whispered to him earlier) opened the door to be sure his boss was not being attacked. He quickly shuts the door in embarrassment as he catches a glance at what is going on. A few moments later, Damon walked out of the chamber, his zipper undone, leaving me alone. I dozed off eventually.