Chapter 3: blue eyes…
1814 Words
ISABELLA'S POV
The lights are blinding are bright, I blink once, twice and sigh in relief once my gaze focus.
Soft fairy like music plays in the back, the twinkling of champagne flutes and airy happy laughter from guests fill the room.
I watch from my seat as servants scurry back and forth with heaping trays of wine glasses and various assortment of pastries and treats.
My stomach grumbles and I frown at the sound.
I'm starving.
"stop frowning bellissimo, Bella people are watching. Stop it this instance." Mother appears out of nowhere like a conjured spirit.
I am somewhat startled. I wonder how she manages to always sneak up on me when I least expect.
I open my mouth to say I need food inside me or I might faint.
Just on cue my stomach grumbles loud and clear.
It is her turn to frown.
"Dios mio, you haven't eaten anything?? Why?" She turns around scanning for a waiter.
Making a hand gesture she waves a young lad over.
"Mama, how would I have eaten? There was no time with the makeup artist and my stylists did not let me rest for one moment." I talk out of the side of my mouth.
Careful not to let my discomfort show on my face, mother is fusing over my clothes and then my hair, smoothening the red silk with her hands.
"Ah yes, but that is your fault baby. You should have woken up earlier if you wanted to eat something. Breakfast was by seven and you were still sleeping." Mother berates me half-heartedly.
I don't have the heart to tell her I was wide awake just lying in bed.
I woke up a year older.
Time is a concept I am familiar with, but for some reason I woke up feeling strange.
Ever had this nagging feeling in your gut that something is going to happen?! That is your life is about to change forever?
Yeah, so that is what waking up as a new twenty-one-year-old young woman in the Costello family feels like.
The servant finally reaches our seat on the podium like stage.
He bows close to mama so he can hear her request.
Her polish voice gives him quick instructions to fetch an antipasto platter. He hurries away to find some.
I sigh.
The tightness of the dress making me fidget trying to find a comfortable pose. Hyper aware of the flashing lights of the camera and the hairy looking gentleman walking around with a huge camera to record every minute of this event.
"Mother, when will this party be over?" I ask her.
"What do you mean??" She turns to look at me. Now, she is the one frowning.
"Do you know how much your father and I spent on this party? We even flew in all your friends from Paris and The States... I thought you would be grateful. Look at all your beautiful gifts." She gestures to the table overflowing with bow wrapped packages.
"You should be happy." She gushes at the large boxes sitting there just begging to be opened.
"Mother...." I start to interrupt her.
"Ssshhh, enough of all that whining." She waves her hand in my face.
The servants come back with a small white and gold plate of juicy fresh tomatoes, cheese, small bits of toasted bread and honey on a cob. It looks delicious and my mouth waters dying for a bite.
"Here you go baby, eat up." She drops the plate beside me, making sure not to mess up my dress.
I grab one small tomato, throwing it into my mouth I sigh as the juices fill my tongue and coat my mouth.
I should have at least had Maria go downstairs to fetch me some food.
"Ahhh that's Loretta Gustavo, and she came with her son. I must go say hi, look over there. I will be back soon baby." She is already walking away before she is even done speaking.
I am content to just eat and watch the party but knowing mama, she will be back to drag me along her meet and greet.
The hall is full of her friends; old and new acquaintances; my friends from school are gathered around a table to my left and my friends from all over the world also seat scattered around, some with their parents.
I spy the red hair of Hallie and the crisp bob of Jean.
As if drawn to my gaze on her, Hallie turns to look at me and we lock eyes.
She smiles and gives a small wave. I shake my head and wave back bashfully.
I would have liked to be seated with my friends but I couldn't even win that.
Mama insisted I have a special seat.
In her own words, 'a princess needs her own throne' hence, the tiara on my head. Red crown with diamond white gemstones to match.
Custom made by mama's favorite Russian jeweler.
But I am not a princess, and they are not my subjects. They are my friends.
One would think now that I am twenty one years old mama will let me make my own decisions.
Wishful thinking on my part, I know.
Throwing small pieces of food in my mouth takes the edge off the hunger. I spot the chocolate fountain and sigh in longing.
The large table in the corner has a wide spread of food and pastries. From roasted beef, fried and grilled chicken, pasta station, cakes, scones, caviar station, seafood stand, sushi bar and salad bar at the far end.
So much food, I am sure most of them will go to waste. Many mile around but for the most part my guests are not taken by the food stations.
Mother is chatting animatedly with her friends.
This is my opportunity to make a run for it, I need some air, desperately.
I turn to look at Hallie. With my eyes I motion for the door by my right.
She gets the signal and taps Jean on her bare arm.
Like sly foxes they both discreetly walk out of the room, I slip through the over the top red and pink flower arrangement past the service door, the same way we came in. It leads down a well lit hallway out the back of the building.
The hit of fresh air as soon as my kitten heels hit the pavement is like a tall glass of cold lemonade on a hot day.
I did not even realize how suffocating the air inside was.
I round the corner and a quick glance around and I find Hallie and Jean at the end of the street. They wave back at me and I start to walk towards them.
Out of nowhere a car speeds so fast I startle in my shoes, my hand presses a surprised shierk back inside my mouth.
Who are these ? What is happening here ?
It has to be a mistake right.
It all happens so fast.
One minute I walking out of the corner going to see my friends for a quick chat, I have been so overwhelmed with all the fussing and priming from mama. I just wanted a breath of fresh air and the next moment I am surrounded by three men dressed in all black suits.
Confused, I turn to see the two men standing behind me flanking both sides. Smart of them because I was about to bolt out of there like my life depends on it.
Whatever psycho s**t is going down here today I do not want to be a part of it.
I glance around looking for a way out but the man standing close to the door clears his throat drawing my attention back to him.
“Miss, … there is no need to panic. If you would give us a minute of your time.” His crisp baritone says cajoling.
I nearly scoff because no way is he using those lines on me. Like, I know father has powerful enemies but asking for a minute of my time ? Why not just walk up to me politely than trying to run me over like some dumb thugs.
“You have got to be kidding me.” I say, I grit my teeth hard to keep myself from saying something unladylike.
“Not at all Miss Isabella. You can call me Veino, shall we? I don’t think you should be standing for long in those shoes.” He grins wolfishly.
I blink hard twice. He looks younger than the two other men behind me, tall and muscular build but with a young face, I can tell from his smiling.
This Veino opens the door and gestures for me to enter.
I hesitate, it would be foolish to willingly walk into a tinted window jeep in the middle of the street. But I know it would be much worse if a stray photographer snaps a picture of me standing outside her. Mama will loose her mind. The tabloids will have a field day with that and she is working overtime to avoid a publicity nightmare.
I need to get off the streets before spot me.
I notice Jean and Hallie looking at my direction in confusion. I start towards them but Veino blocks my path and gestures to the open door.
I’m screwed.
With a long sigh I turn to the door, Veino offers his hand to help me climb the step thing to enter the car and once I’m seated he closes the door behind him.
What the hell is going on here today?
I look out the window and find Veino with his back to me.
If he is the not the one I’m supposed to be talking to then who was it ? My heart catches in my throat.
I keep my breathing calm and repeat mamas mantra of ‘inner peace and tranquility’ one of her therapy trips mumble jumble.
It works because I seat back and turn to the only other person in the cold confines of the car.
I start from his shoes, Italian leather shoes like the ones Father wears, his gold watch shines in the dark and his black tailored suit is ironed to perfection. I’m trying to get a read of him.
He is relaxed just sitting there, my instinct tells me he has been there for a while, watching me first.
Finally, I reach sharp straight jawline, why is he frowning? Someone is in a bad mood…
I snicker in my mind.
I reach his lips and my mind falters. These thugs are some of the most gorgeous men I have seen.
He looks like he could be a model.
I reach his eyes and everything stops, my hand turns to a fist and I swallow a gasp.
Blue eyes ….
- Writer
