章 17: The Santoro’s invite
Maria's POV
"You should wear the mauve suit and dress it up with some Tiffany diamonds," Ursula said. I was preparing for dinner with the Santoro's, and everything was coming out nicely.
"Maybe," I replied. I secretly thanked Lord Ursula was always present to pick my outfits. When she insisted I got a walk-in closet, I looked at her like she had gone mad.
Simply because I didn't expect I'll be required to wear lots of outfits. Alas! She was right. It did come in handy.
"However, I would have loved to go for black. And listen before you crucify me. I think it goes well with the theme of the night."
"And what would this theme be?"
"Maria C. Delvey or Caruso if you please, in her very essence," I replied, trying to pull off Ursula's dramatic effect. I composed myself when I saw how ridiculous I looked.
"Fine. But you're wearing the pink shoes," she said, handing them over to me.
"Absolutely," I replied.
"So, what are your plans for the night," she asked while fixing my hair.
"I want to play it smart," I replied.
"Well, since it's already obvious they know you're Maria Caruso, do you think they'll try anything harmful in that place? I looked up the restaurant, and it's pretty secluded."
"That's why I won't be going without my bodyguards. Also, why Roy Hudson will be my plus one tonight."
"Why do you think Roy is so easy to use? I mean, I know he hates the Santoro's, but what if he has plans of his own?" She suddenly asked out of nowhere.
I hadn't thought of Roy being capable of having any rational thoughts of his own. I looked at his track record, and it was nothing that screamed smart enough to pull up specific schemes on his own.
If he were going to double-cross me, it would have to be for some damn good reason. I didn't think there was any reason presently. First of all, his company and one of mine have enjoyed a good working relationship.
Secondly, he had money so that no one could blackmail him with that. Lastly, I was probably a complete woman he had ever had the honor of meeting. There was no way on Earth he would throw all that away.
"I don't care if he has plans of his own. I am always going to be one step ahead. The only thing I'm banking on is our shared hatred for the Santoro's," I replied.
"Hmmm. What about Vincenzo?"
"Ursula, what about Vincenzo now?" I asked, tired of her constantly nitpicking my plans. I mean, I am glad she was there for me, but it was getting exhausting keeping up with all her questions.
"Do you think there's any possibility of him being a distraction?" She asked, levelheaded.
"Why would Vincenzo be a distraction?" I asked, hoping she wasn't going down the lane my guts were telling me she would.
"He had a crush on you a long time ago. He was your twin brother's best friend. He never had any issue with you save for that one altercation with both of your parents. He is also total eye candy, judging by what the women and even men of Milan have to say. Are you saying all these factors aren't enough to deter you from your plans?"
"Look, princess, they're a billion gorgeous men on earth. Why should one of them stop me from carrying out my plan?" I questioned, still confused.
"Aha," she clapped her hands. Waving her fingers in my face, she said. "so you agree he is hot?"
"Of course he is. I mean, you just said it yourself. Anyone with eyes can see it" I stuttered a bit.
"Marie, what happened when you saw grown-up Vincenzo for the first time? Did you feel nothing?" She asked, more like interrogated. Seriously, I felt like I was in a room with the CIA or something.
"I felt nothing, okay? It was just like seeing any other guy" I lied through my teeth. I didn't want Ursula to think that whatever temporary admiration I felt on seeing Vincenzo was even remotely capable of influencing my decisions.
"You're not being sincere, but I'll let it slide for now," she said, clasping the diamond necklace on my neck.
"All done, look," she said, dragging me to the mirror: black suit, pink stilettos, diamond pieces of jewelry, and slight soft glam.
Yeah, I felt all set and ready to go. Zia walked into the room holding a cup of her calming tea she insisted I take before leaving.
"Here, Mio amore. Drink this" she offered the cup to me. I collected it, thanked her, and drank it all in one gulp.
"See, it's not that bad," she said, satisfied.
"No, it's disgusting," Ursula and I said in unison.
"Promise me you're going to be okay, Maria?" Zia asked in tears.
"Oh, Zia, is there any time I haven't been? Have you forgotten your Bambina is a strong girl?"
"Si, si. But I would have preferred Ursula accompanying you instead of that Roy boy," she said.
"I don't want Ursula getting mixed up in this mess. The more they know about me, the more ammunition they have to hurt me," I replied, hoping to ease her worries.
Zia Benedetta was just too much of a sweet soul. I hate to see her worry about me. "Then you have my blessings," she said, getting up to leave but paused midway.
"Before I forget, the young man who is supposed to be your date awaits you downstairs."
"Oh, Roy is here already?" She nodded. I looked around to see if anything was missing, but it all seemed fine.
"Tell him I'll be down in a minute."
"Did you arrange the car for my bodyguards?" I asked Ursula after Zia left.
"Yeah, I did. Enough for some to stay out scouting the area for any possible danger while others go in with you."
"Good job. Wish me luck then," I said, and she hugged me.
"Good luck Marie. Now let me take you downstairs. I need to see Mr. Roy with my own eyes," she said.
She took my hands, and we walked out of my room together. We got to the stairs that led to the living room and saw Roy engaged in a conversation with Zia.
The poor woman looked like she'll instead be anywhere than with him. Roy seemed to have that effect on everyone. He was a super good-looking guy, but his ability to ramble on and on non-stop gave everyone the ick. At least Ursula makes it look so much fun.
"I give him a seven," Ursula whispered to me as we walked down the stairs.
"Some would say he is a ten at least look wise," I replied.
"Call me biased, but tens are reserved for my Italian hunks," she purred, and I shook my head.
"You're down horrendous."
"You're the one to talk to. When was the last time you laid?" She whispered, and I almost choked on my spit.
"Ursula! Where is thy class?" I asked in the closest impression of our history lecturer I could muster.
"At the core of my being, which throbs for some action," she replied, and we both burst into a feat of laughter. This got Roy's attention as he turned around just as we got down the stairs.
"Ladies," he said with a slight bow. "You look ravishing as always, Marie," he said, his eyes resting on my suit jacket, slightly parted in the middle showing a little bit of breast.
"You're something," Ursula replied, clearly unamused with his wandering eyes.
"You seem rather underdressed for the occasion. Here I was thinking I would be having my first topple for this rather interesting dinner," he said, his eyes roaming around Ursula's body.
"I'll have you know I'm a German princess. Do you want to know what we do to creeps? We cut their eyes and feed them to the dogs," she replied, and the smile on Roy's face quickly vanished.
"Now apologize to the lady for your tasteless joke if you're going to be going anywhere with me," I said.
"I'm sorry I stepped out of line," he apologized sincerely.
"Good. Now make sure you take care of my friend. If anything happens to her, same rules apply," Ursula warned, and I smiled.
"I promise I will," Roy said. I waved them goodbye and walked out of the house with Roy.
"What's with the bodyguards all around?" He asked after we were comfortably in his car.
"For a little razzle-dazzle I guess."
"What do you mean by that?" He asked very cluelessly.
"I'm going to have dinner with the Santoro's. Wouldn't you agree that having bodyguards around isn't insane, considering their notoriety for craftiness? I'm just protecting myself against any possible harm," I replied, bored.
"Wow, Maria. I've never met a woman like you before. I'm honored you chose me to be your date for this dinner."
"Good. Hopefully, you won't make me regret it," I said and ordered his driver to put on some music. I was honestly tired of hearing Roy Hudson's voice.
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