Now, if only those dresses were meant for me, that would be a totally different story.
Snap yourself out of this mentality, Jenny . I berated myself. Remember, you’re Jennifer’s substitute.
Ah, why must I be her substitute? Where is she anyway? Shouldn’t she try these on herself?
I came out of the changing room, wearing my own clothing again. I was pleased Giovanni didn’t ask me to try on more dresses. Who knew being a lover to the mafia boss was this exhausting? Imagine if I were his lover, I’d be dead on my feet just trying on clothes.
Now, where did that thought come from?
“Pack all the dresses she tried. We’ll take everything. And include some lace undies and see-through bras. Her breasts are quite small, so get the A-cup.”
“What?” I shouted from where I stood, spinning my head so fast in his direction I almost snapped my neck bone in the process. Giovanni was busy instructing the beautiful sales assistant on underwear and bras.
I rushed to his side. “Boss, what was that?” I gasped out.
“What was what?” Giovanni scolded back.
“The dresses. The bras.” I twitched my eyes so he got my meaning.
“What about the bras?”
“You said it’s A-cup. Have you seen her, you know, in her baby suit already?”
“I saw her naked breasts already, if that’s what you mean.” He tossed his credit card to the sales assistant.
I knew this wasn’t the type of conversation to have in front of a sales assistant, or in a shop to be precise, but once the words came tumbling out, there was no way to shut me up.
“You mean you two, you know, kind of did it already?” I asked him for clarification.
“Not yet. I saw her breasts when she bumped into me wearing only a bath towel. But tonight, I’ll get to eat her.”
“Eat her? You mean sleep with her?”
“You are smart, Jay. Yes, I’m going to fuck her. Tonight.”
I gulped, finding his use of terms quite harsh for my ears. Maybe that’s how all mafia men spoke. But the F-word struck me.
He’s going to sleep with Jennifer tonight?
“Oh, so that’s why you wanted to buy her a dress,” I mumbled to myself.
“What’s that, Jay? Speak louder.” He flicked at my forehead. “And what’s that look on your face. Remove it.”
“Oh, no. Nothing, boss.” I schooled my expression.
Okay, I should stop showing my exasperated face now. What right did I have? Giovanni didn’t buy those dresses, not to mention bras and undies, for me. His only purpose was to sleep with her. And again, I was only his substitute model for his Jennifer. So, to voice my opinion was out of the question.
“Nothing, boss. Nothing. I’m sure Jennifer will be pleased with these dresses and womanly accessories you’ve bought for her. Now, this green dress here, I’m sure she’ll love it.”
I caressed the material on the counter and silently said my goodbyes to the dress before the sales assistant put it in the bag.
Giovanni gave some sort of purring sound, like a panther courting its mate. I flipped my gaze up just in time to see a passing glint in his eyes.
I knew I was in deep shit again. He had that same look when he attacked me in the bathroom yesterday.
I quickly made my excuses, sliding my sneaker backward, and made a dash to the vicinity of the changing room, to calm my pounding heart. But I didn’t get very far before Giovanni came charging into the changing room, too, without permission.
“Boss, whoa, what are you doing inside the female changing room? Get out.”
There was an indescribable expression written on his face, which I’d never seen before. He crowded into my space, and not until I was pressed like a sardine against the wall did he speak. “Jay, out of all the dresses, which do you like best?”
Not again.
I slumped my shoulders in defeat. I guessed today, my opinion was very important to Giovanni’s psychological health, because he always asked for them. Then again, I couldn’t figure out why my opinion was so important to him.
“Does my opinion even count?” I asked gloomily, eyes glancing down to look at my three-year-old sneakers.
Poor things. If only I had the money, I would invest in a good pair of shoes and let my poor sneakers rest in peace.
Giovanni plucked my chin and jerked my face up, dissolving the beautiful imaginings of new shoes. “Smile, Jay. You look ugly when you make that face.”
“Can’t help looking ugly. I was born with this face,” I mumbled sourly, yanking my chin out of his grasp.
He grasped my chin and jerked my face to meet him again. “Then change it.”
“Plastic surgery is too expense,” I bluntly replied.
“I’m not talking about plastic surgery, Jay. I’m talking about your expression. Change it. Quick. Smile for me.” He jerked my chin from left to right until I couldn’t help swatting his hand away.
“Enough, boss. You can’t force me to smile. It has to come from the soul.”
Giovanni smiled, baring his pearly white teeth, and I was reminded of how utterly handsome he was. My heart skipped another beat when he voiced, “I’m sure you’ll smile tonight.”
I was puzzled.
“Tonight?” I queried, feeling something queasy inside my stomach. I knew whatever he was about to say, I would not like it.
“Yes, Jay. Tonight, you’re to accompany me to meet Jennifer.”
I knew it. I knew he would invite me to join him tonight.
What was I to him, exactly? First, picking a dress for his lover and now, accompanying him to dinner with his lover in tow? And here I thought I was only his maid. I guessed being a maid fell under all those categories. And that included being his substitute Jennifer until the real one arrived.
“Boss, I don’t think it’s a good idea.” I forced a smile. “I’ll be the third wheel in your relationship. Let’s just leave it for today.”
A small smile played on his lips, until they tilted upward to form a devilish grin. I was already backing myself into a corner. I knew when that grin appeared, I should hide myself.
I wasn’t fast enough. Giovanni caught my wrist and dragged me all the way to another designer store. This time, it was menswear.
“Seriously, boss?” I asked for the hundredth time when he came out of the changing room, parading in front of me like the pink panther. In this case, he was a black lethal panther, out to capture his prey in that sleek suit.
“I’m serious. Now which one do you like?” he asked for my opinion again, holding another dark-blue suit in one hand. “Which one suits me better? The one I’m wearing now or the dark blue?”
I jumped off my seat and strolled toward him. “That one.” I pointed to the black suit he wore. “The black. It suits your hair color and your midnight-sky eyes.”
“Jay?” He suddenly changed tactics, all in the span of three seconds, like a chameleon changing his mood. “What color are my eyes again?”
“I said your midnight-sky eyes.” I blinked rapidly, staring at his captivating face.
“That’s a very good answer, Jay. What a good bunny you are. Then I’ll go for this one.” Arching his face forward so only a breath of air lay between us, he whispered, “I’ll see you tonight, then. Now, be a good bunny and get ready. I’m sending you off to the salon to fix your hair and makeup. Then I’ll meet you in this restaurant.”
Giovanni slipped a card into my hand. I held on to it, knowing immediately it was the address of the restaurant we were to meet his Jennifer tonight.
“Must I go tonight, boss?” I pleaded with him. I knew if I were to see Jennifer I might not recover from my stupid infatuation with him.
“Yes, Jay.” He growled near my ear. “You need to be there to take care of Jennifer. Without you, my evening will not be complete.”
As he walked to try on another outfit, I collapsed on the couch with a big thud. I slumped my face in my palms, crying out a soft moan.
“I am so not ready for tonight.”
Chapter 9
A Date with Dente
I nervously glanced around the empty restaurant. Empty of patrons that was, except for me. I wasn’t sure what to do, afraid I was in the wrong restaurant. But upon the young male waiter politely confirming that I was at the right place, I calmed down and waited for Giovanni at the bar, since he hadn’t shown up yet.
A small part of me was really afraid of being the third wheel on his date, but the larger part was really fascinated and excited about the prospect of dining in this beautiful and luxurious restaurant set in the Grand Duke Hotel.
I stood facing a large floor-to-ceiling mirror, and for the first time, I saw what I looked like after the complete makeover at the salon.
I was fair, with a light dusting of freckles on my nose. My hair was curled in ringlets. My green eyes matched the green dress perfectly, the very green dress that I’d dreamed about since I took it off at the boutique store.
Giovanni was very kind to buy me this dress. Then again, he probably didn’t want to be embarrassed by his maid. But then again, it was weird for him to even bring me along on their date in the first place.
But I should be considerate and thank him when I saw him next, because never in my life had I dreamed of ever wearing such a beautiful dress for his kind of occasion.
Pulling up my long dress, I caught a glimpse of my high heeled. I smiled at my own reflection. At home with Pa and Amelia, my typical outfit would consist of a pair of sneakers, a sweater, and tight jeans. Here I was Cinderella, going to the ball. Except this was an empty ball with just me, Cinderella, and no prince, as Giovanni still hadn’t made his appearance.
Who could blame him? It must be Jennifer he was waiting on. She must be taking her time in getting dressed.
I’d been waiting for a good five minutes when the same male waiter approached me again. “Would you like a drink, miss, while you wait?”
“Oh, it’s okay. I’m fine for now. Thank you.” I shook my head, politely declining the offer.
I wasn’t sure if Giovanni was paying for my meal since it was supposed to be a date between him and Jennifer, so water would be my best bet in case I had to pay for this meal myself.
“You must be the lucky woman tonight,” he chatted away beside me as if we were friends. “We had to close the whole restaurant tonight because Mr. Dente requested to dine alone with his woman.”
So, that’s why the place is empty of patrons. Wait, what? His woman!
“Oh, you’re mistaken. I’m the other woman.” I quickly corrected his mistake.
“The other woman?” He showed me that what the hell is she on about look.
“I’m his maid, or her maid to be exact. No, more like the assistant for his woman.” I laughed, confused at my own explanation. “Sorry, let me start again. I’m Mr. Dente’s maid. He’d asked me to accompany his woman. I’m only here in case they need anything, as a kind of personal assistant, you know. I believe Mr. Dente is coming with his woman, though, so they’ll be here soon.”
“Oh, well. My bad.” He scratched his head and laughed. “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but I really thought you were his woman, since you looked so well-polished and all that.”
“I look well-polished?”
“Beautiful is the word. You look beautiful.”
I smiled, somewhat reminiscing my past. How I wished Giovanni would say I looked beautiful.
“Thank you for saying that.”
“You sound awfully sincere. Has no one ever said you look beautiful before?”
I smiled at him. “I’m used to people calling me plain.”
“Pardon my impertinence, but you’re not plain at all. You’re stunning to say the least. Especially with your fair skin and green eyes. If I didn’t know, I’d say you look like a beautiful Irish woman. Someone who would capture any man’s attention. And now I’m very glad and somewhat relieved that you’re not Mr. Dente’s woman.” He wiped his brow to showcase his relief.
I asked, confused, “Relieved? Why?”
“See, I thought to get your number so we could hang out. You know, get to know one another. Be friends. And then maybe something more.”
“You want to be my friend? And something more?” And now I sounded like a broken record, repeating whatever he said.
“Yeah. Why not? If I could guess, we’re similar in age, right? We should get along well.”
“Well, how old are you? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“No harm at all. I’m twenty. This is my part-time job. I’ve just arrived from England. Oh, I’m Jake by the way. You?”
“Jenny.”
“Jenny and Jake. We sound like a couple already. So, mind if I get your number?”
“I don’t mind being friends, but I already have someone I like,” I confessed truthfully. And I had no idea when my crush with Giovanni would subside.
“Oh, well, that’s too bad. But we could still be friends. That is if you don’t mind.”
I smiled at him, and at that moment, my phone rang. It was an unknown number. “Hello.”
“Don’t go around flirting, Jay. Especially not in front of me.”
“Oh, boss, is that you?” I pressed my ear closer to the phone to hear better. “Where are you? I’ve been waiting for ages.”
“I’m already here.”
“Where, boss?” I swirled my head around looking for him, neglecting Jake, who’d suddenly disappeared altogether.
“Behind you,” said the voice on the phone.
I swirled around fast, only to trip over my ankle like a clumsy idiot. But someone held me fast, embracing my waist, calmly collecting me into his arms.
Warmth and comfort, like drinking coffee on a really cold day. That was the feeling that exuded at that moment. And I didn’t want to let this feeling go. I wanted to burrow deeper into that cavity of warmth, embraced forever by those arms.
“If you go around falling, who’s going to make me my coffee?”
Giovanni.
I melted a bit upon hearing his voice.
“Oh, hello... boss.” That last word popped out of my mouth when my eyes rose to meet his. And the oxygen built up in my lungs, with the pressure rising high, heating even my face, I ended up speaking in incoherent sentences. “You... you’re finally here.”
“Yes, Jay. I’m finally here. As promised.” He still held me tight, arms caging me so I couldn’t move an inch from that confined space.
There near the bar, we were molded together like strands of black licorice, our eyes locked onto one another without breaking contact.
Giovanni looked absolutely amazing in the suit he’d bought, the same one I recommended. His black hair was swept back, so sleek and shiny. It shone under the chandelier lights. He was cleanly shaven, unlike earlier this afternoon with that short stubble highlighting his jaws.
“You’re looking very fine tonight, boss,” I said, eyes still locked onto his, heart thundering in my chest, hoping and praying he wouldn’t hear it from where he stood. “I’m sure Jennifer will find you very appealing.”
“Appealing?” Giovanni laughed, letting me go and running his hand through his hair. “Jay, I think Jennifer will find me totally alluring, don’t you think?”
Just my thoughts, exactly. I found Giovanni totally alluring. To all my senses. Scent, sight, touch, taste, he was everything a woman could want. He smelled of expensive cologne and something delicious, I wanted to lick him dry.
Now, that didn’t paint a pretty image.
“So...” He carried on, leading me by my waist to our seat. “What do you think? Do I look totally alluring to you?”
Did he really need my opinion? Shouldn’t Jennifer’s be the one that mattered? And talking about Jennifer, where was she?
“You took the words out of my mouth, boss. You’re definitely splendid. And totally alluring.”
With my answer, he seemed to cheer up, sliding into the seat opposite me; not fo
rgetting to toss a foul look Jake’s way as he walked by with the menu.
Giovanni quickly glanced at the menu and lifted his gaze to me. “Have you decided what you want to eat?”
Oh, I decided what I want to eat centuries ago. I wanted to dine on all the food in this restaurant. But my urgent need wasn’t the food, but one simple answer.
“Never mind the food, boss. I’ll eat anything in this restaurant, but the most important thing is, where is Jennifer? Did she not come with you?”
“She’s coming later. We’ll eat first.” Giovanni brushed aside the subject and turned back to his menu.
“But that would be considered rude, boss.” I interrupted his concentration. “Shouldn’t we wait for her?”
“I’m hungry, Jay.” He slammed the menu down. “I don’t dilly-dally waiting for a woman. If I’m hungry, I’m eating. So make your order.”
“Oh, okay,” I said, unsure, looking at the menu again. I smiled up at Jake who all this time was still standing beside me, waiting for our order.
I peered at Giovanni over my menu again. Strange, how he could say that of his woman. Maybe Jennifer was just one of his playthings.
Once he’d ordered for the both of us, and Jake disappeared, Giovanni started acting strange again, asking me all sorts of random questions, like how was my studying going, and if he was using me to the bones. I responded normally. All he did was nod with a few oohs and aahs.
Several moments later, the meal arrived. We started digging in.
“It feels quite strange, boss. Just you and me, eating dinner,” I said, in between bites of food.
“There’s nothing strange about dining with you, Jay.” Giovanni replied casually, forking his food into his mouth.
“But I’m your maid.”
“Haven’t the others dined with me before?”
If he said that, he did have a point. At home in Cory Mansion, we all dined together, like a family. But right here, in this beautiful restaurant, with just Giovanni and me, the atmosphere felt kind of romantic, like... a date.
Damn, I couldn’t get that thought out of my head. Except this wasn’t. Because I was the third wheel.
“Like the food, Jay?” he asked me, like I was a small bunny he took interest in, taking me away from my wandering thoughts.
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