Someone was trying to open the door with a key. She took a few steps back and prepared herself. She grabbed a heavy ashtray, just in case. Nothing happened except for the sound of the key rustling around in the keyhole. She couldn’t stand it anymore, she turned the key on her side to open and tell the intruder to get the hell away from her door. But before she could react, the door swung open and hit the wall so hard that one painting fell down with a huge bang. Tumbling in was a man with his hair in a mess, his suit wrinkled and dirty. He had no shoes on and his tie hang loose around his neck.
“Alex!” Vanessa yelled in surprise. “What are you doing?” She now screamed at him as the shock and fear from being awakened turned to anger.
“Hello Baby,” Alex slurred as he tried to focus on standing up. Despite the mess he was in, he looked both sexy and handsome. “I missed you baby, and I knew you would miss me too so here I am, Tadaaa.” He gave a little pirouette but failed to stop and fell right into the bedside table.
My god, Vanessa thought, He’s drunk out of his mind. She helped a protesting Alex into the bed as she closed the door after making sure it was still in one piece after Alex’s attack on it.
She listened halfhearted as Alex rambled about how Mitch made him come along to a beach party after the race and how he had gone crazy. Taking down shot after shot with vodka and danced on the tables surrounded by models. Alex felt obliged to force Mitch into the helicopter to take them back to Cannes but Mitch refused and to get him in the chopper Alex had to bring a bottle of vodka. Alex was quite drunk at the end of the short helicopter ride and gave Mitch some well-meant advices. Nothing Mitch had appreciated and after landing, he and Mitch had gone into a fight about Alex being so boring nowadays. Mitch felt his brother abandoned him and had been rather rude about it.
“What’s wrong with Mitch?” Vanessa asked when she understood what had happened.
“Oh, it’s just the usual stuff, being a Hollywood star isn’t as easy as one might think. Mitch’s going through a rough time, that’s all.”
“Fine, but you shouldn’t sacrifice yourself to save him from his demons Alex,” Vanessa warned him as she helped him get undressed.
“I need to support him, if he doesn’t get help I don’t know what will happen.”
Vanessa understood this and nodded as she crawled into the bed and placed her naked body on top of his. She stroked his forehead and ran her fingers through his hair. Alex who was lying with eyes closed reacted immediately and his hands worked his ways around her body. Vanessa's whole body tingled as he touched her.
Chapter 9
Brunetti sat opposite her at the table in the Grand Hotel’s grandiose restaurant, his untouched breakfast in front of him. He’d been on his phone talking intensively in Italian ever since she sat down. After a while, he hanged up but still ignored her presence. How rude, but Vanessa was too focused on choosing what to have from the enormous breakfast buffet to be too annoyed. Alex had suggested she and Brunetti had breakfast together in a vague try to get them on better terms. He’d given Vanessa a kiss on the cheek, said something in Italian to Brunetti, and hurried away to a meeting regarding tonight's Gala. Vanessa sneaked a glance at Brunetti and noticed he hadn't even touched his champagne. A waiter all dressed in white and gold served them the sparkling beverage after he to Vanessa’s amusement had opened it with impressive preciseness with a sable. What a waste, Vanessa glared at Gian-Carlo as she took a thirsty gulp from her Mimosa champagne and orange juice drink. She made a mind-note to sign her and Kat up on a crash-course on how to sabrage, and to introduce this breakfast habit to her friend. This was what Kat would call a good morning routine. No green healthy smoothies for her, Vanessa thought and smiled thinking of her best friend.
“Excuse me, Mr. Brunetti,” she finally dared to ask Gian-Carlo after they had been sitting for a while now and none of them speaking.
“What kind of dress code will it be at the Gala?”
Gian-Carlo looked perplexed for a second then he acted as if he hadn’t heard her and continued reading his paper. Then he gave her a look that couldn’t be misunderstood, she was as welcome to this trip as a diseased animal.
Now he sat with his head deeply bent over his newspaper refusing to look at her, but Vanessa didn’t give up.
“Regarding tonight, what do I wear to the Gala?
“What do you mean? I’m pretty sure you’re not invited my dear Nurse”
“Oh, Alex didn’t tell you, I’m going as his Guest of Honor, she said with a smug smile.”
She couldn’t help it, this man brought out the worst in her. Right back at ya’, you old bat, she thought angrily.
Brunetti looked as in shock but gathered himself and without answering, he gestured at the waiter.
“Garcon, please give me another paper, this one is old news.”
The waiter looked confused as he took the man's paper with today's date on it, but he said nothing and hurried to fetch another newspaper. After a while, that felt like hours, Gian-Carlo turned to Vanessa.
“What are you doing here? What do you think the prince want with you?”
“Well, I’m his nurse,” Vanessa answered a little taken aback by his unmasked anger towards her.
“Hmmpff,” Gian-Carlo gave a snorting sound. “Really, his Nurse? How much nursing have you done so far?” he added angrily.
Vanessa just looked at him. She didn’t want to answer that. The truth was that she couldn't because she actually realized she had been doing zero nursing so far. But why was it this guy’s problem? He probably wished that he had succeeded in gotten her fired for involving herself with Alex at the hospital. Lucky Alex had interrupted his evil plans she thought, even though she a day ago had been so mad at him for letting her feel as she was being rejected.
Well, thinking about it now she appreciated it big time. Could have been better to let her in on it though but still she appreciated it. She was after all here in beautiful France with Alex so she could forgive him for not being so smooth about it. According to Kat, no men were smooth anyway and she ought to know. They glared at each other, both refusing to look away. After a while, Vanessa gave up and with a small sigh put her new sunglasses on. She refused to let this man destroy her good mood. Just putting her new lovely and expensive sunglasses on made her feel much better at once. She had enjoyed shopping this morning more than she would ever have thought she would. At first, she felt ashamed about how outrageously expensive everything was, she also felt as she did not belong in this glamorous environment with her flowery summer dress and ponytail. Her sensible Reeboks on, she would never dream of having something else then sneakers on during a shopping day. She had looked in amazement as the petite women on the boulevard had strutted around in stiletto heels and long dresses as they were walking a catwalk rather than the sidewalk. Hmm, come to think of it, in Cannes the sidewalk was a sort of catwalk, everyone here seemed to look at each other and judge them by what clothes, bags, shoes and from which car they climbed out. Everything here seemed to be entirely based on appearances. She gave a sigh, beautiful she had to admit, but so shallow, so very shallow.
She had decided to take a walk down the shopping street after she got a message from Alex telling her he would be busy all morning. She was after all in Cannes and Alex had given her a golden credit card and told her to use it as much as she wanted. At first, she felt weird using it and was only to go window-shopping. Somehow she found herself in one of the luxurious boutiques and after had been swooped up by the handsome salesman who had prompted for her to try out at least the latest sunglasses she had felt the card burning in her pocket begging for her to use it.
Out on the boardwalk she walked along the beach towards the Croisette and the Palais. She had done some thorough research about it yesterday when she had been on her expedition to get to know her new environment but it never hurt to get a look at it in daylight. As she stood admiring the building, she heard a voice calling out her name. It was Alex sitting in the dri
ver's seat in a fancy black Ferrari. Her heart leaped and she couldn't help but running towards him. She only had eyes for Alex and didn't notice he had a passenger until she came up close to the car. A much tanned, good-looking man with a friendly smile. Vanessa thought for a second she knew him but realized it must be someone she’d seen from the terrace of the Grand Hotel or in the lobby. Alex reached out with his hand to touch her hair, how sweet, he was already up for public affection. She wanted to show him she was also ready to take the step to make their relationship official and leaned towards him to give him a kiss. Alex looked surprised and instead of answering her kiss on the mouth, he laughed a little nervously and placed a kiss on her cheek. He pulled back his hand and showed her something he had taken from her sunglasses, the price tag. Oh, my god, he never meant to embrace her, just taking off the tag from her glasses. Vanessa felt humiliated. But Alex just laughed and turned to introduce his passenger, but at the same time, the light turned green and he gave her a short wave and drove off. Vanessa stood frozen on the spot watching the car drive away. She shook her head to get rid of the feeling of total humiliation and angrily threw the small price tag she clasped her hand in a nearby bin.
Ok, she thought, perhaps she had gone a little fast here, with the official thing. Alex probably had it all planned out for tonight and not wanting to spoil the news for the paparazzi and the gossip magazines that he was now in a committed relationship. She could see how that could be a huge thing in the media. She didn't have time to linger about, she needed to go back to the hotel and prepare herself for tonight's Gala. And here she was, having breakfast with the grumpiest man alive. She nodded a stiff goodbye to Brunetti, who pretended not to see her and went to find the spa facilities.
When Alex called her, she had got both a mani-pedi and a facial at the hotel spa.
“Are your ready Baby?” he asked her.
“Ready for what?”
“To decide on what dress to wear tonight? Just come on up to you room and you will see for yourself what I’m talking about.”
Vanessa leaped to the elevator and run to her room. What was he up to now? As she entered, Alex sat on her enormous bed with a whole pile of dresses lying next to him.
“I thought you should try these out for me.”
“Oh,” Vanessa still dressed in her spa robe hesitated.
“I, I have no underwear on”. In the sharp daylight, Vanessa suddenly felt nervous even though by now they knew every inch of each other bodies she didn't feel comfortable standing butt naked in front of a fully dressed Alex.
“Don’t you worry about that,” Alex nodded at a large shopping bag with a satin band.
“I hope I got the size right, but I think I have a rather good idea of your size by now, especially after last night,” he added and reached for her.
The robe came off as Alex with a huge smile pulled her down onto the bed alongside him.
Chapter 10
For the millionth time during the short car ride to the Palais des festival, Vanessa touched up on her lipstick. She was nervous, she admitted that, but, fortunately, she looked amazing. She took another appreciating look at herself in her lovely new Crystal Rhinestone Compact Purse Mirror. The eyes that met hers looked as they belonged to someone else, a beautiful model or actress. Vanessa never used much make-up and at first, she hesitated when Alex called in a team of make-up artists and stylists to prep her for the night. But as she saw the result, she couldn't believe how much make-up, hair and clothes could do to change a person's appearance. Normally her confidence was good. She saw herself as pretty and never bothered about her looks. But something had happened to her here at the French Riviera. Everyone was so impeccably styled, perfectly manicured, their skin looked as glowing as they were cut out from a magazine ad. Not to mention their svelte figures with suspiciously large bosoms. Vanessa was quite sure it wasn’t down to just genetic luck. But now she felt beautiful, her hair fell long and flowing over her shoulders in perfect Hollywood waves. Her eyes were masterly made up to bring out her unusual jade - green color and the added volume of lashes made them intense and doll-like. Her porcelain skin that had gone a little red from all the walking in the sun was now tamed and covered in a heavy layer of silky foundation that brought out her own natural glowing complexion. She had chosen a bright red lipstick, as she had felt inspired by old Hollywood glamour during her stay at the Grand. Her nails were perfectly manicured in the same color. Alex had been greeting her at the Grand terrace with an appreciating look on his eyes and had mumbled in her ear that she looked stunning. A stunning fairy-princess, perhaps snow white, she thought with a smile.
Deep in her thoughts she sat taking in the view of the harbor as they passed it in slow pace as Aston Martins, Maserati’s and Lamborghinis were lining the small road leading to the palace. The car suddenly came to a halt. Her door opened before she had the time to gather herself. She straightened her long dress and climbed out of the limousine. With a well-rehearsed move swept her auburn hair back for the Paparazzi, and posed in her elegant, flowing dress. The purple sequin flew around her as she did a small pirouette, exactly as they had taught her earlier at the hotel. Luckily, Alex was there to grab her elbow when her spiked-heel caught in the sidewalk's crack. She gave her well-practiced demure smile while the men in the reception line howled like construction workers.
"The price of fame," she chuckled to Alex, but she loved it all and gave the royal wave in her elbow-long black kid gloves while she sashayed down the red carpet.
Ha, she thought as they entered the beautiful entry of the Palace, Gian-Carlo was so sure I would not fit in this world, well here I am, and I am not going anywhere soon, she thought with a big smile on her face.
As they entered through the velvet curtains hanging from the ceiling straight into a luxurious VIP lounge, a bar, gaming and dance were all encompassed in muted lighting of purples, pinks and creams. Banquette seating in white satin round the walls, dividing the floor space that gave it an intimate and seductive aura that would be hard to resist. Flock paper lined the walls, Wiltons carpeted the floor, Crystal chandeliers hung centrally, and this was opulence in the extreme. If she was honest it was rather vulgar in its decor, but it was meant to seduce the senses, and seduced her they certainly did. She gripped Alex arm more tightly as he seemed to float her across the room between well-dressed and beautiful people, some making way, some nodding in their direction in acknowledgement of Alex status. Small tables of mirror-glass in front of the seating reflected the rotating ceiling and walls spots, adding to the sparkle and luster of diamonds and flashing over haute couture from across the world. Dior competed with Jean Paul Gaultier and vintage Louis Féraud, scents of the traditionally famous and pop world were recognizable in the air, all vying for recognition by their wearers. It was almost too much, Vanessa's senses began to swim before her, the sights, the smell, the sounds of murmuring between couples and the occasional Oui Madame from waiters acknowledging an order. She saw an empty banquette seat and leant in that direction, sinking gratefully into the depths of down filled cushions.
During the dinner, Vanessa hardly saw Alex as they were seated at different tables.
She realized that the other guests around her were seated together with their spouses or companion for the evening, but as she and Alex hardly was an item, not officially, at least, no considerations had been taken to place them at the same table. Unfortunately, she had also been seated at a table where hardly anyone spoke English. She felt a headache coming on due to focusing so hard for so many hours conversing in the little French she remembered from school. It wasn't much so after a few polite sentences her seat neighbors excused themselves and turned around to engage in long discussions in their mother tongue instead. She felt a little annoyed. This was supposed to be the night of her dreams. Everything was set up for it to be. Her dress, her hair, her well-practiced red-carpet entrance but now it all felt wrong. She tried to get in contact with Alex by waving intensely to him from her seat but
although she saw that he was well aware of her gesturing, he chose not to recognize it. Instead, he sat laughing, talking with all the people around his table and now and then some other guests came up to him, and he acknowledged them, as they were long gone relatives.
Finally, the music began and people moved on to the nightclub area in the building.
Alex came up to her and blew a small kiss on her ear, it made her tremble with lust, but just as she was about to suggest they should go back to the hotel they were interrupted. Two extremely tall and skinny girls in mini dresses, holding on to each other as they wiggled up to them.
“Hey, Alex,” both said at the same time, making them sound like Chip & Dale, the cartoon squirrels. They giggled and puffed at each other like schoolgirls wanting to ask a boy to their first dance.
“Mitch says you should join us at his table,” one of them finally said.
“Sure, I come by later,” Alex said politely and gave a wave toward the table to which he was invited.
The two girls looked a little disappointed and wiggled away, but soon they were laughing hard at something again.
My Italian Prince: Clean Romance Page 6