Intertwined

Chapter Eight

Voilette

The Range Rover comes to a smooth stop in front of the Hotel Principe di Savoia.

The driver's voice comes over the intercom, "We've arrived at your destination, ladies."

The driver steps out and opens the door for us, greeting us with a nod.

Aria and Alessia stretch, still looking a bit sleepy, while I slide out of the vehicle, taking in the hotel's grandeur.

A concierge steps forward, dressed in a crisp uniform, "Welcome to the Hotel Principe di Savoia," he says before taking our luggages from the driver and loading them in the luggage cart.

“I'll take care of your bags.”he says with a smile.

We make our way to the entrance, the revolving doors spinning smoothly as we step into the warm glow of the lobby. The hotel's opulent decor is on full display, with marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and plush furnishings.

On the flight Alessia mentioned we will be staying at hotel, the wedding is taking place.

As we enter the lobby, Aria and Alessia lag behind, still looking a bit dazed from sleep.

I nudge them gently, and we make our way towards the reception area.

Alessia approaches the desk, her confidence and poise evident as she speaks to the receptionist

“Welcome to Hotel principe di Savoia.”The receptionist greets with a wide polite smile.

“We have a reservation for two suites under the Moretti name." Alessia says

The receptionist's eyes widen as she checks the reservation system. When she looks up, I see a mix of awe and fear in her eyes. "Welcome”she says

“I'll show you to your suites immediately."

As I watch the exchange, I'm struck by the power and influence that Aria's family name carries. I've seen it before, of course, but it's still surreal to witness firsthand. I think to myself, "How can one family wield so much power and control? It's both fascinating and terrifying."

We follow the receptionist to the elevators, and as the doors slide open on our floor, she's greeted by the luxurious decor of the hallway. "Your suites are right this way," she says, leading us to our accommodations.

Aria and I share a suite, while Alessia takes one next door. As the clerk opens the door to our suite, I'm struck by the opulence that surrounds us. The spacious living area, the lavish furnishings, and the stunning view of the city all blend together to create a truly regal atmosphere.

"Wow," I breathe, dropping onto the plush couch. "This is incredible."

Aria smiles, kicking off her shoes and padding over to the window. "I'm glad you like it, Violette," she says, gazing out at the city below.

The receptionist hands us our key cards and discreetly withdraws, leaving us to our privacy.

Aria turns to me, her eyes questioning. "Want to go first and freshen up?" she asks, nodding towards the en-suite bathroom.

But as I look at her, I notice the exhaustion etched on her face. "No, Aria, you go first," I say, smiling softly. "You look like you could use a break."

Aria's face lights up with a grateful smile, and she nods, disappearing into the en-suite bathroom. The sound of running water and the soft hum of the bathroom's ventilation system fill the air as she begins to freshen up.

Just as Aria enters the bathroom, there's a knock at the door. I make my way to the entrance, expecting it to be room service or perhaps a hotel staff member with some information. I open the door to find the concierge standing in the hallway, a luggage cart beside him.

"Good evening, your luggage has arrived," he says, his voice professional and courteous.

I glance at the luggage cart, where I see my suitcase and Aria's designer luggage.

"Great, thank you," I say, about to let him bring the luggage in.

But then I remember that Alessia's luggage is still to be delivered. "Actually, could you take the last piece of luggage to the next door?”I ask, smiling politely.

The concierge nods, efficiently moving Alessia's luggage to the side. "Of course, I'll take care of it right away," he says before heading off to deliver the last piece of luggage.

As the door closes behind him, I turn back to the suite, feeling a sense of relief that everything is settling in.

Aria emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a plush white robe.

I smiled, feeling a pang of exhaustion still lingering in my body.

“Your turn," she said, smiling softly, before padding over to the bed.

I nodded, making my way to the bathroom.

The warm shower was a haven, washing away the stresses of the day. After what felt like an eternity, I reluctantly turned off the water and wrapped myself in a towel. I pulled on a robe from the rack, feeling the softness envelop me.

When I exited the bathroom, Aria was already in bed, still wearing her robe. I turned off the lights before slipping into bed beside her.

We lay in silence for a moment, the only sound the gentle hum of the air conditioning.

Aria rolled over to face me, her eyes sparkling in the dim light. "How many loves do you think we'll have in a lifetime?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I hesitated, unsure how to answer.

What exactly is love?

I hadn't exactly felt that way towards anyone, nor had it been reciprocated towards me.

I didn't feel my mother's love, and definitely not my father's either.

My past relationships had been superficial, with people drawn to my looks rather than genuinely caring for me.

“I don't even know what love is," I admitted, my voice soft.

Aria was silent for a moment, and I turned to see that she had already fallen asleep, her gentle breathing a soothing sound in the darkness.

I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her. Despite the uncertainty of love, I knew I had found something special in Aria – a deep and abiding friendship that transcended words.

*******************************

As we walked into Acanto Restaurant, the warm atmosphere and elegant decor enveloped us. We were shown to our table by the window.

I sat down with Aria besides me, and Alessia and her best friend Mia across us,I was happy to see Mia join us for breakfast. She had been in Milan for a few days already, making sure the wedding preparations were going according to plan.

As the bride's best friend, Mia had taken on a lot of responsibility in ensuring everything was perfect for the big day. Now, she could take a break and enjoy some breakfast with us.

I looked over the menu while Aria caught the waiter's attention.

"Good morning, we'd like to order breakfast, please," Aria said.

The waiter smiled and pulled out his notepad. "Of course, ladies. What can I get for you?"

Aria spoke up, "I'll have the cappuccino and cornetto, please."

Next, Alessia ordered, "I'll have the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and whole-grain toast, please."

Mia followed, "I'll have the fruit salad with Greek yogurt and granola, please."

Before I could order, Aria chimed in, "And Vi will have the avocado toast with poached eggs, please."

I playfully rolled my eyes, smiling at Aria. "Thanks for knowing me so well," I said, appreciating her thoughtfulness.

Aria grinned, "Anytime, Vi. I know you're an avocado toast fanatic."

The waiter nodded, repeating the orders to ensure accuracy. "Excellent choices, ladies. I'll have everything brought out to you shortly."

As we waited for our food to arrive, Alessia and Mia couldn't resist taking photos of themselves and the restaurant's elegant decor. Once our breakfast was served, they snapped pictures of their dishes, making sure to capture the perfect shot.

"Enough.” Aria chimed in, playfully rolling her eyes.

Alessia and Mia exchanged a glance, rolled their eyes good-naturedly, and reluctantly put their phones down.

“What? The window side offers exceptional lighting” Alessia shrugs.

"Sorry, guys, we just want to capture the moment," Mia said with a grin.

With our attention finally on the food, we all dug in, savoring the delicious flavors and textures of our breakfast dishes. The room was filled with the sounds of happy chatter and clinking utensils.

I took a bite of my avocado toast, watching Alexis chatting with Mia across from me and Aria.

Mia's bright smile and infectious laughter drew to us.

She was a stunning blonde with long, sun-kissed hair that cascaded down her back like a golden waterfall. Her piercing blue eyes sparkled with warmth and friendliness as she engaged in conversation with Alexis.

Mia's features were delicate yet striking, with high cheekbones and a petite nose. She had a radiant glow about her, exuding confidence and poise. Her American accent was evident in her speech, and I could tell she was someone who was comfortable in her own skin.

As Alessia had told me before, she and Mia had met in fashion school, bonding over their shared passion for design and style.

Mia's bubbly personality and quick wit had drawn Alessia to her, and they had quickly become inseparable friends.

As I gazed out the window of Acanto Restaurant, I took in the sights of Milan at day time. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the city. The streets were bustling with people, some rushing to grab lunch or run errands, while others strolled leisurely, taking in the sights and sounds of the vibrant city.

The historic buildings and elegant architecture of Milan's city center were on full display, with intricate stone facades and ornate details adorning the rooftops. The sounds of car horns, chatter, and construction filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere that was quintessentially Milanese.

As I looked out at the city, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and energy. Milan was always a city that pulsed with life, and today was no exception. The fashionable boutiques and cafes that lined the streets seemed to be filled with stylish locals and tourists alike, all enjoying the beautiful day.

Despite the hustle and bustle, the city seemed to be moving at a relaxed pace, with people savoring the moment and enjoying the sunshine.

I turned to Mia, who was sipping her coffee as she asked me, "So, Violette, how's work been? Still saving lives in the ICU?"

I smiled wryly, "It's been keeping me on my toes, as usual. Long hours, but rewarding in its own way."

Mia nodded thoughtfully, "I can imagine. You know, I used to want to be a doctor when I was a kid. I thought it would be the most fulfilling career."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued, "Oh? What made you change your mind?"

Mia leaned in, a hint of nostalgia in her voice, "I discovered fashion, and it just clicked. I'm so glad I made the switch, or I wouldn't have met my bestie here," she said, gesturing to Alessia.

Aria rolled her eyes good-naturedly at Mia's sentimental moment, and Alessia chimed in, "Alright, let's not get too caught up in nostalgia. We should hurry up with breakfast so we don't miss our appointment with the designer."

Mia nodded in agreement, "Yeah, we don't want to be late. I know how particular designers can be about punctuality."

As we concluded our delightful breakfast, the matter of settling the bill arose. Alessia insisted on paying, while Mia offered to cover the cost as well. A friendly dispute ensued, with neither party willing to concede. Aria intervened, rolling her eyes good-naturedly, and suggested that Alessia put the bill on their stepbrother's tab, as he was actually covering the expenses for the suite.

However, after some good-natured persuasion, my friends finally relented, and I was graciously allowed to settle the bill. With the matter resolved, we head outside to the waiting car.