They could already hear the italian sensation playing a good distance away from the magnificent villa Fernando D’osellioti owned. Fernando was the handsome, rich senior that hosted the best parties. His parties were popular and a rave. He threw it three times a year, spring, summer and winter. He had everything right, the large house, the unlimited alcohol, the music and what not but funnily enough, Fernando never attended his own parties or any other party; he had girls flocking around him but there had never been any news of him being promiscuous, rumors had sprang up but they were quickly debunked. Fernando was always with his friends or at some school gathering or meeting or any other clean social gathering but he always scored the highest at the end of each semester. Fernando was mysterious.
That was the story his ears were filled with by Marino as they drove to the party venue. The wide double doors to the villa were wide open and one could see the inside from the outside clearly. There was already a crowd, its buzzing could be heard even from outside. He made sure to pass the entrance with his 2010 Ferrari 458 italia, his pride, knowing it would gain him the attention he sought and then he circled around and drove past again until he found a good parking spot.
“Man, you’re good!” Marino hailed when he switched off the engine. He smirked. This was his first show, he had to play it well.
“You ready?” Marino asked, a mischievous smile on his face, “I get to be the friend of the guy who owns a Ferrari, we have to step in together.”
He chuckled, straightening his suit jacket. The code of dressing for Fernando’s parties were always the same, suits for men and dresses for the women. He ran his thumb over his collar, gazing at himself in the rear view mirror. He loved his look and the women loved it. Wavy dark brown almost black hair that fell a little carelessly over his forehead; piercing blue, almond shaped eyes that ladies had testified entranced them; he could only see those details in the mirror but he knew the rest. Long pointed nose, narrow face with small chin that amplified his eyes, full heart shaped lips that the ladies loved… He had the looks. He looked away from the mirror and inspected his long slender fingers, three stoned rings on each hand.
"If you’re done ogling yourself, can we go out now?” Marino eyed him, “You don’t even look half as good as I am.”
He shot him a glare before opening his car door and stepping out, Marino following shortly after.
“Hmmmmn.” Marino chuckled, looking around.
He shut his door and they both walked to the entrance of the villa. They already had the attention of the few ladies, even men that were outside. He chuckled to himself.
They stepped into the villa.
He felt the pause of the crowd, he felt the awe and admiration, he felt the confusion and surprise.
Domenico Pietro de Cerintti was back.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Rosetta Verona Catherine D’armani sat cross-legged on the velvet cushion at a deeper part of the living room.
Her friend, Milena, was sitted beside her, the cushion only fit for two. Aryanna, the third, was somewhere probably hounding the male folk.
“Grazie.” She smiled sweetly at the charming waiter who offered her a glass of champagne from his tray.
She held the wine glass lightly in her slender petite fingers, taking a sip then licking her lips. She had a few guys eyeing her, a few had come up to her boldly and she had turned them all down except for two who had mesmerized her. One dance with each and two rejected proposals, she returned back to her seat.
She had made her fame already. Rosetta D’armani, the hard to get.
She knew what would come next, a long list of men vying for her attention and seeking to win her over and be the first to get her in bed. She was ready for the challenge. After all, what was life without the thrill?
“You’re not going in?” Milena questioned, gesturing to the crowd milling about.
“No, you go. My tonight is just to watch.” She replied after taking another sip.
“Luigi is misbehaving, I need to go get him.” Milena informed her with her usual pretty smile. She looked to the direction Milena had indicated, Luigi was sure there. He had a few women clinging to him and he seemed to be handling them real well. She looked back to Milena who was already on her feet and strutting confidently to him.
She shook her head. Unrequited love. Milena was a strong one, not many women would be able to not break down after having their heart broken repeatedly by the same man. Milena stayed strong, she was determined to make Luigi fall for her.
She hoped Milena got her wish. She deserved it.
She was bored, she realized with a sigh, gulping down the contents of her glass.
She noticed people glancing at the entrance. Since she was sitting and the cushion was a little hidden, she couldn't see what was making the entrance so alluring.
She decided to wait, she would definitely get front row seat. She nodded her head to the loud music pumping out of the speakers. Fernando was good.
She could recognize a good number of faces in the crowd, people from her highschool and neighbouring highschools. A good number of them had picked Colland, it was close to their hometown and it was a less expensive town to live in.
She could see Leonardo. He saw her too and sent her a wink. Almost a year since high school and he was still pinning over her.
She felt the crowd go still and she grew curious. She also noticed the surprised looks on quite a few people’s faces, mostly those from her highschool and all eyes were directed towards the entrance.
She stood up, unable to contain her curiosity and she moved forward, her gown sweeping behind her until she got to a good vantage point where she had an almost good view of the entrance.
There were two men, freshmen she decided, handsomely dressed.
She knew the one on the right, Bernard Marino… She couldn’t remember his surname, he had tried to work his charms on her in the past. The second… She watched him as he walked further into the living room. She didn’t know him but he felt familiar.
He had her attention alright. She could already feel the familiar excitement building in her stomach, the excitement of the thrill.
He captivated her, everything about him captivated her and she came to one conclusion… She wanted him… at all cost.
She watched him pick a glass from a waiter’s tray, the action alone was alluring. Also the casual sweep of his hand through his hair, the quick glance at his wristwatch, the slight upturn of his lips, the quick closing and opening of his eyes as he swallowed down white wine, his confident strides… Oh, she had to get him.
“Domenico.”
She heard someone gasp and she snapped out of her lustful gaze. She didn’t recognize the lady beside her who was staring open mouthed at him but she could recognize the burning feeling of jealousy in her chest. She wanted to rip the lady’s eyes off.
“Domenico de Cerintti.”
The name slipped out of the lady’s mouth in an awed gasp. She froze… Domenico?
She looked back to him, he was sharing a laugh with Marino. She watched him carefully and in a second she felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach.
It really was him.
Domenico…
Domenico de Cerintti.
She stood there, her mouth slightly open, her lashes fluttering. It really was him. He looked much different from the Domenico she remembered, the Domenico she attended highschool with. That Domenico did not catch her fancy, that Domenico definitely did not look half this alluring, that Domenico definitely wasn’t this confident or dominant. That Domenico had been anything short of badass. Calm Domenico, always smiling and swallowing down the harsh bullying from Leonardo and his crew with his head held high until… “You might end up breaking that glass if you keep holding it that way.” “Leonardo.” She sighed, relaxing her hold on her glass. “Domenico, huh?” She glanced at him to see him looking in the same direction. “He’s different.” She stated, bringing her glass to her lips then dropping it with a scowl when she discovered it was empty. “He sure is.” Leonardo drawled, a mocking look on his face, “disappears for what? 7 months? Comes back a whole new man. What’s he up to?” “I
He wasn't smug or triumphant or pleased. He wasn't angry or mad or furious. He was hurt. After his dance with Rosetta, he had endured another thirty minutes of nonsense conversations with prowling women and pride filled disdainful comments from jealous high school mates. After the thirty minutes, he had gotten fed up and he sent a quick text to Marino with the new phone he acquired earlier that day, 'I'm heading home. Find another ride or die trying." And he left for his car. He was still sitted in his car, gripping the steering wheel tightly with white knuckles. He was hurt. All his swagger and act and pride didn't chase away the vulnerable boy in him seeking acceptance. He was accepted alright but for all the wrong reasons. The women were only after him for looks and for money and the men either didn't even spare him a second look or spat pride all over him What was he expecting anyway? Warm hugs and friendly kisses? Friendly conversations and people actually concerned about his
Domenico ran a hand through his hair. First day of college or rather his first day of college after 6 months away from school. He wouldn't deny he was a bit nervous but at the same time, there was the thrill of excitement of the unknown. He stepped into the first lecture of the day. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Hey, Fratello!" He turned back to see who the owner of the unfamiliar voice was. He just took the last stairs off the civil engineering department building. He was hungry, he wanted to visit the bar Marino had told him about that was somewhere in the school. He had checked it on the map and it was a trekkable distance. He adjusted his bag over his shoulders, tapping his sneaker clad foot on the ground impatiently. "Scusa." The boy, his agemate but with softer features that made him look younger, panted out when he reached him after practically flying down the stairs. They shook hands. "I'm Clemente." The grey eyed boy with hair that fell all over his face offered. "Do.... "Domenico de
"Hurry, Aryanna, we need to get to the mall as soon as possible." Rosetta ordered finishing her bottle of moretti. She caught the fleeting look of protest in Aryanna's face before it dissappeared. She was being overbearing, she knew but she was too far gone to care about anyone's feelings at the moment. What she wanted, she must get. Milena looked between the both of them. "Why do you need to go to a mall when you..." Milena paused staring at something behind her in surprise, "Is that Domen?" Her head whipped back since she was backing the entrance to the bar. Domen? Domenico? "Who?" She asked, her eyes still prowling around. "Domenico de Cerintti, he's heading for the terrazzo." Milena informed just as her eyes zoomed in on his broad back. "Domenico." His back view was exquisite. He exuded power and coolness at the same time. Why was he so cool? So her type of man? Where was he all these years? She had spent the last fourty eight hours wondering about him. If she had suspecte
Domenico glanced at the clock on his desk, it was past 2am and then noticed his phone screen had lit up. He cracked his knuckles and picked up the phone. Five hours of reading. He was getting better. Andrea was calling. He sighed, he didn't feel like talking to her and he also hated being disturbed when studying. He had put the phone on silent for a reason. The call ended and he was about to put down the phone when his eyes caught the call notification. 20 missed calls, all from his sister. He called her back in a flash, she picked up immediately. "Sister, are you okay? Is everything alright?" He asked hurriedly, his forehead creased in worry. Her sobs was what he heard. "Sorella? What happened?" "Talk to me, Andrea!" He raised his voice when she still didn't say anything. "Marco." She cried in-between choked sobs. "What happened to Marco? Talk to me." Her cries increased. He swallowed down his impatience, running his hand through his hair. Something was obviously very wrong.
Rosetta tapped her car keys against her palm, tapping her foot impatiently. She wanted to get home and rid herself of the suffocating clothes she had on and have a good long bath. However did Aryanna survive? “Finally.” She sighed when she sighted Marino walking towards her. “You do know I’m a busy woman, right? I don’t like being kept waiting.” She said when he was stood in front of her. He eyed her down and she eyed him feeling invaded. “Eyes up here, Mr.” she snapped her fingers in his face. He chuckled, finally looking her in the eye. “Domenico is one lucky man.” He said amusedly. She glared at him, why were the men she related with animals? Domenico would never ogle her so boldly. “Result?” she demanded. “A big no.” he told her, coming to lean against her car. Her heart dropped. “I thought you said he needed a cook? Why…” “Isn’t it obvious?” Marino cut in mischievously, “Because it’s you.”
He laughed loudly, in spite of himself, ushering her into his house, thankful that he had cleaned it already early that morning. “Wow” she breathed out, looking around his home, “splendido. I love that rug.” “Everybody loves it.” He said confidently, his smirk still on, his hands in his pants pocket. She shot him a glare. “Really Domenico, your look scared me. I would never have rambled so much if I wasn’t in doubt of myself and I am almost never in doubt of myself. I hate you.” He chuckled, “it seems like that phrase is being used a lot these days.” “What? I hate you?” she asked distractedly, walking around the small sitting room. “Yeah.” He answered, watching her. “No surprise, you're so annoying. I hate you.” She said with a little more venom than expected. “My pleasure, il mio amore.” He spoke. She wagged a finger, her back still turned to him. “No way, Domenico. I have a boy friend. That ton
He stood, paralyzed to his spot. His heartbeat pounded wildly in his chest as the cold chill of terror washed over him and all he could hear was the frenzied beating of his heart. He saw her lips move but didn’t hear what she spoke out until she opened her mouth wide and a sharp piercing scream shattered his immobilization. He was on his knees in an instant, his eyes frantically searching her body, his hands unable to even touch her. “Come on, help me up!” she shouted, looking at him with wide eyes. He hastily placed his hands under her legs and at her back and then carried her to the living room, setting her comfortably on one of the sofas. “Are you hurt?” he asked worriedly while she looked at him with… was it amusement? “Ugggggh, I hate you” she grimaced, “My butt hurts.” She had landed on her buttocks. “I'm sorry, I’m really sorry.” He apologized profusely, running a hand through his hair as he peered down at her, his body hunched