Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain (38 page)

“Ah, you’re up. How do you feel?” he asks.

“So far, so good. What you got there?”

He smiles. “Coffee and Italian pastries.”

“Yum!” I sit down on the sofa and dig into a delicious cornetto. “Not as good as Marcello’s, but it will do. Thanks, babe.”

“Certainly. Are you excited for tonight? It’s New Year’s Eve,” he says, kissing my cheek.

“I know. I don’t know how it could be more fun than last night, but I’m up for it. How long have you been up?”

“You’d be impressed. I slept until nine. This unbelievably gorgeous woman wore me out last night,” he says, laughing.

“Lucky girl.” I take a gulp of my coffee. Mmm,
super-hot and super good.

“What are you going to do today?”

“Spa,” I reply, “and nothing else.”

“Good idea. Your friends are joining you?”

“Yes, I bought massages for everyone. That put another dent in my challenge.”

“What amount are you up to now?” he asks, grinning at me.

“I don’t know yet. I need to do an inventory.”

“You have only today and part of tomorrow,” he reminds me.

“I know. I don’t need any more pressure.”

“No pressure. It’s encouragement.”

“What happens if I don’t meet the challenge?” I ask.

“Why consider failure?”

“Good point.”

“What time is your spa appointment?” he asks.

“Two,” I reply, leaning back against the sofa to sip the rest of my coffee.

Enzo walks over and sits down next to me, softly stroking my leg. “So, until then…?”

“Until then I’m doing nothing.”

“Why don’t we go spend some time in the casino?” he suggests.

“I don’t want to bother you again. You go by yourself. I’ll be fine here.”

“You don’t bother me, amore.”

“You know what I mean. Maybe I’ll shop some more.”

“What else will you buy?” he asks, curious.

“I don’t know. Excessive and expensive things I don’t need, but like anyway.”

Enzo grins. “Perfetto.”

“I think I’ll call a couple of the girls to join me.”

“Brava. So, how do you get along with Marisa? You like her?”

“I do,” I say, honestly. “Marisa is a sweet girl with a little New York edge. I think she’s quite into Grayson. She blends well with our quirky group of girls.”

“Good. Grayson is very taken with her. I think he’s very serious and that’s a good thing. I am happy for him.”

“Me, too.”

Enzo cracks open his laptop while I pick up the phone to call Cassie’s room.

“What?” she answers, sounding sleepy and mean.

“Geez, Cass. Shitty much?”

“Ava, I’ve been asleep for about two hours. And I’ll be sleeping until it’s time to go to the spa. So, what do you always say? Ciao.”

Laughing, I answer, “Okay, ciao, Cass.”

I turn to Enzo. “Cassie and Chris stayed out all night.”

He laughs. “I thought we were out late.”

I dial Gabby. “Hey girl, want to go shopping?”

“Sorry, Ava, I’m going to an art museum with Calvin before our spa appointment.”

“No problem. I’ll see you later.”

Wondering what Francesca is doing, I dial her room.

“Ciao Ava. Come stai?”

“I’m good. I was thinking of going shopping. Do you want to come?”

“Oh, I wish, but Eduardo is going to get a tattoo and he wants me to go with him.”

“A tattoo?” I ask, surprised. “What of?”

“We’ll decide when we get there, no?” She laughs.

“I look forward to seeing it tonight.”

“Yes, see you soon – at the spa at two?”

“Right, see you soon.”

All of my girls are busy, so I decide to call Marisa. Otherwise, I’m going alone.

“Hi Grayson, is Marisa with you?”

“She’s taking a shower. Can I help?”

“I was just seeing what her plans are for the day. I want to go shopping.”

“We’re going on a helicopter tour,” he says. “We have to leave soon so that we can get back in time for your spa thing later.”

“Cool. Have fun then. I’ll see you both later.”

“Okay, bye, Ava.”

I hang up and lean back on the couch.

“What’s the matter, amore?” Enzo asks me.

“Nothing. All my girls are busy, so I guess I’ll go out by myself.”

“Come with me to the casino.”

“I don’t mind going out alone,” I say. “I’ll be safe. Besides, I’m staying here in this hotel.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I am. I’ll go get dressed. I’ve got to drop some serious cash today,” I add with a laugh.

“Yes, you do. I expect many bags when you return.”

“You got it. I’d like to exceed your expectations.”

He smiles. “You always do, my love.”

I dress in a pair of black leggings, a grey oversized sweater and my favorite boots. I leave my hair loose and put on some lip gloss.

“See you later. Ciao, amore,” I say to Enzo, kissing his cheek as I head out.

I make my way down fifty floors and head into the main shopping area of the hotel. I’ve already decided that my mom is getting an expensive handbag, my dad is getting a piece of art to add to his collection, and I’m getting anything that tickles my fancy. I’m going to act like the suddenly rich woman that I am.

The first store I walk by is full of jewelry for brides. Inside are various tiaras, hair combs and barrettes, along with necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and anything else a woman would like on her wedding day. I spy a gorgeous diamond barrette that I think will look amazing with my dress tonight.

“Excuse me. I’d like to see the barrette in the window please,” I ask a woman standing behind the counter.

“Certainly,” she replies.

The saleswoman returns quickly with the barrette. Looking at it, I decide that I don’t want to discuss the price. I just want it.

“It’s real diamonds, right?” I ask.

“Yes, of course.”

“Perfect. I’ll take it. Can you wrap it up, please?”

“Right away.”

I hand her my Amex card. I actually like shopping alone as there is no pressure from anyone else. The woman rings it up and then hands me a gold bag containing my purchase, saying, “Your barrette, Mrs. Milano.”

I peek at the receipt: eighty-five hundred dollars. Excellent! Real diamonds for my hair – ridiculous, but awesome.

Heading out, I walk down the aisle and into a handbag store, where I pick out a stunning black leather purse that my mom will love. It has gold buckles on the outside and a leopard print lining. She would never buy herself something like that. I take the bag to the cashier and pay. Fifteen hundred dollars – perfect.

Remembering that I saw an art store somewhere, I wonder the halls until I find it. It actually has a rendition of my dad’s favorite painting, The Last Supper. I don’t know who painted it, but I know my dad will enjoy it. I check the sticker: six thousand dollars. Love it!

The painting is huge and I’m thankful that the store will ship it to my parents’ house. There was a time when I would have thought Leonardo himself must have painted this for it to cost so much. Now I feel pure joy that I can buy my dad something like this.

Spending a fortune is easier than I thought. I hit several more stores, picking out shoes, lingerie, clothes, and anything else that tickles my fancy. I glance at my watch and find it’s twenty to two. Perfect timing.

I drag my purchases up to the hotel room and drop them, before heading back down to the spa for a massage. All of the girls are already waiting.

“Where you been, girl?” Cassie asks.

I grin. “Shopping…”

“More shopping?” she gapes. “What’s up with you?”

“I like shopping.” I shrug and try to act casual. I don’t know how much I spent today, but it was a lot. Enzo will be proud. Proud of me for spending a load of his cash. Go figure.

We check in at the spa and head off to our respective rooms.

“See you in an hour, girly,” Gabby says, winking at me.

My masseuse, Jenessa, leads me to my massage room. Supposedly, the hotel is trying to set the bar in decadence and luxury, and their spa is a reflection of that; dark and sensual. Sexy music plays over the speakers; the likes of Robin Thicke and Sade. The room is incredibly warm and the atmosphere is soothing. I undress and get on the table, pulling the incredibly soft blanket over me.

Jenessa comes back into the room. “Are you all set, Mrs. Milano?” she asks.

“I am.”

The woman is an amazing beauty, but far from the norm. She has a tiny frame with a huge chest, which looks like it came from a highly skilled cosmetic surgeon, and her jet-black hair is clearly dyed. The most interesting feature are her tattoos, which are numerous and colorful. I find myself wanting to ask about the origin of each one.

Her voice softens. “What kind of massage would you like today?”

“Whatever you recommend,” I answer. “We have a big night ahead of us, so I just want to walk out of here relaxed and ready to party.”

“Then I’ll make sure of it. Just close your eyes.”

I do as she says and lose myself in her expert ministrations of my back muscles. Before I know it, she’s gently asking me to flip over. I drift off into a pleasant sleep.

“Okay, Mrs. Milano,” Jenessa says, waking me, “we are all done here. It was a pleasure meeting you today.” I open my eyes to see her smiling over me.

It feels like only five minutes have passed and it’s all over. “Thank you so much. It was wonderful,” I tell her.

“Great. Have a great time tonight and happy New Year.”

“To you, too,” I reply, standing up.

As I put my clothes back on, I enjoy the loose feeling in my muscles. That was by far the most relaxing massage I’ve ever had. Well played, Arabesque.

I walk out into the waiting area where Marisa and Gabby are already waiting.

“Where are Francesca and Cass?” I ask them.

Marisa stands up and smiles. “They went for a few extras, some waxing, I believe,” she explains in her startling, New York accent.

I wince. “Waxing has a nice effect, but, ouch, I can barely stand it.”

She laughs. “I know what you mean.”

“I’ve never tried it,” Gabby says.

“Well, you’re not missing anything. It hurts,” Marisa tells her.

I nod my head. “Sure does. I’d rather take a razor to my girly bits than hot wax any day.”

We’re laughing when the other two girls walk out.

“Yes, are we ready to go?” Francesca asks.

“I am,” I reply. “Tonight is going to a blast, I think.”

Cassie nods. “I’m hoping for epic.”

“Based on the trip so far, I’d say epic is a good goal,” Gabby says.

Yes, epic. That’s exactly what I wish for tonight.

****

Rolling over in bed, I’m surprised to find Enzo lying next to me. “Ciao.”

I smile and stretch. “Ciao.”

“I brought you some coffee. You need to be awake for tonight.”

“Grazie,” I answer.

“How was your nap?” he asks.

“Really good.”

“I see that you lived up to my expectations,” he remarks with a grin. “I could barely navigate around the bags.”

I laugh. “I told you to be careful what you wish for.”

“It delights me.” He looks at his watch. “We should get up and start getting ready. I drew us a bath.”

“Sounds divine…”

I climb out of bed and sip the coffee that is sitting on my nightstand. I feel very excited about tonight and I can’t wait to get into my dress. I know that my husband is going to love it. Heading into the bathroom, I brush my teeth. Enzo is already in the water, waiting for me. I get in and lay between his legs, his arms wrapped around me.

“Did you enjoy your day?” he asks.

“I did. The massage was incredible,” I reply, “but I have something sort of weird to ask you.”

“Weird?”

“I’ve been thinking that I want a salary.”

“A salary?” he asks. “Why? Everything that’s mine is also yours.”

“I know. But, without the challenge, I know I won’t spend like this. I think it would help me to feel more comfortable spending if I actually drew a paycheck,” I explain. “I realize it’s sort of stupid but–”

“It isn’t stupid. If it’s important to you then that is what we’ll do. How much do you want?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I’m Checca’s assistant, so something fitting in that range, I guess.”

“Okay. We’ll find out what the going rate is for an assistant and that is what we’ll pay you,” he says, smiling.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”