Chapter 7
Vanessa woke up just as the pilot with a smooth hand put the plane to the ground. She felt stiff and her head was aching. The cause was without a doubt due to her gulping half the bottle of the hilariously expensive champagne just after takeoff.
Someone had put a cashmere blanket over her and had even gone through the trouble of tilting her seat back so she was now in the vertical position. As she fiddled with the handle to get her seat up she looked for Alex but he was nowhere to be seen. After a while, she gave up and took the decision to climb out of her seat instead. Rather ungracefully, she got up and stretched her body as she looked around the plane.
She saw that Mr. Brunetti and the three other men headed to the front of the plane. Where was Alex? All four men ignored her presence as they went by her, giving their smart phones all of their attention.
They were after all on a plane so Alex couldn't be that far away. She went to look for him in the restrooms. The room was not as small and claustrophobic as you would expect. White soft miniature towels folded on a wooden tray. Pink roses in a vase and different scented lotions and soaps from an exclusive selection of Jo Malone’s Flower Collection. Beautiful glass bottles stood in neat rows on a shelf above the sink on the golden mirror-clad wall. In the corner was a small shower and from the ceiling hanged a crystal chandelier, lighting up the room. It was a bathroom that could be featured in an interior magazine. She took a quick glance at herself in the mirror and almost jumped when she saw how tired she looked. Her once glossy and voluminous hair now fell in greasy tassels around her face, which had a pale, ashy tone. The wrinkles on her blouse and skirt made it look as if she worn them for days rather than a few hours. Her whole appearance was dull and tired.
She frantically dug in her small make-up bag she by impulse had brought with her onboard. Thank god for that she thought. Grateful of her quick thinking she took her Yves Saint Laurent Touch Éclait and stroke some of its valuable drops under her eyes in an attempt to cover up the dark circles. It didn't do wonders that the commercial promised her, but Kat swore by it as the best thing to disguise a hangover. Although she wasn’t hang-over, Vanessa had to admit that taking down those large glasses of Cristal champagne in less than a few minutes hadn’t helped her case. She ran her hands through her hair in a vain try to give it some volume, but it fell straight back around her face as if every single hair stray was on a strike. After a few deep breaths, she did her best to ignore the mirrors unforgiving reflection and left the peaceful restroom. She could well have stayed there for a while longer, but she had to find Alex.
The plane seemed empty except the stewardess who was folding cashmere blankets in a neat pile. She looked up at Vanessa and asked with a smile if she needed anything.
“No thanks,” Vanessa answered, “You haven't seen Alex, have you?”
“Alex?” The stewardess smiled at Vanessa as if the two of them were in on a secret no one else knew about. “Mr. Alessandro Di Savoy is in the cockpit,” She said and gestured towards the front of the plane. “Let me escort you to Alex,” she pronounced Alex as if it was somehow hilarious Vanessa had called him that.
She’s in love with him, Vanessa thought, trying to make sense of the stewardess strange behavior. In the cockpit, Alex had taken the Captain's seat. She watched him with a puzzled face.
“Don’t tell me you’re a pilot?”
“I have a certificate, but nowadays I have hardly any time to fly so I try to enjoy the small parts by just taking in the machinery whenever I get the chance.”
Vanessa just stared at him and shook her head.
“Please take a seat Vanessa,” Alex said and pointed at the Co-pilots seat next to his.
“Only if you promise we will stay on the ground, I won’t go flying around with some rusty pilot.”
“I promise."
She noticed how the lightning in the cockpit was dimmed and she saw a tray with two glasses of champagne placed on the small table between the seats.
“Please stay and toast with me,” Alex asked.
“Well, there is not much else I can do, is it. I guess I’m stuck with you during this trip. I don’t even know where we are,” She sounded a little grumpier than she had intended too, but she still felt angry with him and her hangover didn’t make her happier.
“We are in The South of France,” Alex told her. “In the small city of Cannes.”
Vanessa had heard of the city’s name in reports from the Cannes Film Festival. She had a vague memory of Kat and her watching some live reports covering actress’s dresses. She must text Kat as soon as she came off the plane. Perhaps she would even run into some celebrities. As he said this, the stewardess put her head inside the door and announced that she was leaving the plane. She glanced at Vanessa and Alex, her eyes halted on the glasses of champagne, and she wrinkled her mouth in an expression that made her look like a sulky child.
“Well, enjoy the champagne,” she said and Vanessa thought she sounded just as bitter as she looked. “Good night, Alex,” She again pronounced Alex with a long a.
“What’s up with her?” Vanessa asked after the stewardess left them.
“Oh, nothing, Francesca is just being silly,” Alex changed the subject before Vanessa had time to dwell on the matter.
“Look over here, this is the control pad that gives the Pilot his instructions.” He sounded excited and gave her a thorough description of the equipment.
“Right.” Vanessa nodded politely, even though she heard him, the words meant nothing to her. Alex went on about the technicalities of the cockpit.
“So what do you think?”
“Wow,” she nodded again, “Fantastic” She wrenched her mind away from an image of Alex and Francesca canoodling all over the stick and screens Alex pointed out for her. “Alex,” she said sternly. ”It’s all very interesting, but why are we still on the plane?”
“Gian-Carlo and the rest of my team are on their way to set everything up for our stay and will make all the arrangements. Until my chauffeur comes to pick us up, we can relax in here. I have told the staff to leave the plane so we can talk in private.”
“You seem to be quite the arranger yourself,” Vanessa said with a dry tone, but before she could say anything more, Alex leaned into her seat and gently pressed his lips against hers.
Chapter 8
Vanessa admired the stunning landscape passing by from the backseat of the black Rolls Royce Phantom. I’m in Cannes with Alex, a Prince! Vanessa kept telling herself that it was real, not only was she with Alex on this trip, but she was with him. She even whispered it to herself to see if it felt any more real. It didn't, it still felt as she was saying ‘I’m in a fairytale’. The ocean had a turquoise color and the road they traveled on was swiveling in serpentines from the mountain until the waves from the Mediterranean Sea met the cliffs. White painted boardwalks surrounded the sandy beaches that stretched ahead.
Luxury Hotels in rows on the other side of a small street stretching in between the beach and the sidewalk. Luxury cars and their equally luxury owners crowded the street. The sky was blue, and the weather was at a perfect 25 degrees. This she read from the small TV-screen attached to the seat. The car had that new car smell, a scent far from her normal way of transport; New York cabs. Alex sat next to the driver and discussed a recent major European sport event. He sounded relaxed and happy in a manner she by now knew was Alex attitude towards most things in life.
As they reached the Hotel, Alex gave the driver directions to go through the garage of the Hotel. They sneaked in using the backdoor. Vanessa felt like a celebrity and giggled to herself. This was amusing. They came into the lobby from a side door and Vanessa took a deep breath when she entered the lavish lobby area. The decor reminded her of a luxury boutique combined with an Art museum. Grand chandeliers hung from the beautiful ceiling and the soft rugs made her feel as she walked on air.
“This is the Grand Hotel in Cannes, this is where all the stars stay during the f
ilm festival, and it has historical memories from the days when Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Alfred Hitchcock, and even Greta Garbo stayed here. You know she has a suit named after her at the hotel.” Alex continued, “Grace Kelly has an entire floor, probably because she became Princess Grace of Monaco.” Alex smiled and led her through the exquisite interior of the grand lobby.
“Here my princess, this is your room for tonight. You can order whatever you need from room service, massage, manicure, breakfast, a car if you want to go shopping. Just tell them what you desire and they will arrange it for you. If something is not to your satisfaction, just tell them my name, they know me, this is practically my second home.”
She looked up at him, despite from being a little touched by him calling her his princess, she was not comfortable with the circumstances.
“Where are you going to stay?”
She realized she had taken for granted that they would share room after what had just happened between them in the cockpit of the plane.
“Oh, I have so many errands to do tonight sweetheart, I will stay at the boat or perhaps in Monte Carlo. It depends on how it all turns out during my game tonight.”
“What game? Don’t tell me you are a Poker-player?” Vanessa said with disgust. Her father had taught her to stay away from all kinds of gaming related to money. Fair sports and sportsmanship, never take part in anything else he had told her.
“I am, but not a fortunate one. I guess you could say I’ve retired from playing. Now I tend to keep to things I know I’m good at instead. Like investments.”
“I am talking about the pre-race game that's on today. Mitch and I have to be there.”
She knew that Mitch recently invested a fortune in the Ferrari stable and talked Alex into doing so as well.
“It's the Grand prix in Monaco this weekend.”
The Grand prix in Monte Carlo was one of the most extravagant races in the world. Known for all the luxury surrounding it, attracting the rich and famous to the posh miniature country of Monaco. The world's multi-millionaires gathered for the weekend and enjoyed the scenery from huge Yachts in the picturesque Monte Carlo marina. Showing off their wealth as a spot in the marina cost more than an average yearly income.
“Ok, fabulous” Vanessa said in a nonchalant tone not wanted to sound impressed, or worried.
Wasn’t it extremely dangerous driving those racecars? She was sure she had heard about least five or six royals who had ended up dead in crashes, and Alex had recently been in one.
“Alex, Vanessa said in a stern voice. You know you’re not fit to drive don’t you? You just healed from your last accident!”
“Don’t you worry princess, I’m just there to watch this time.” Alex smiled and planted a kiss on her head.
“You better stay here and enjoy the spa facilities. Oh and Vanessa, try to soak up some sun, you look a little pale. Tomorrow night you will be my guest at the Grand Prix Charity Gala. My family has been hosting it forever and my grandfather was the initiative-taker together with Fürst Rainier III the Prince of Monaco and Princess Grace. Anyone who’s anything in this shallow world will be there and I can’t wait to show you off to my friends,” Alex winked at her. “It’s an important night for me and I need you to be well rested for your Grande entrée.”
Was he kidding? A Gala where she was one of the main guests. She definitely needed to visit that spa. Perhaps she even had to call in an emergency face-lift she thought as she too well remembered her tired reflection in the airplane's bathroom mirror.
“You never told me to bring dresses, especially not a Gala-dress,” Not that she owned one, but that was not the point. She hated not being well prepared. “What am I supposed to wear, my bathing suit?”
“I have it all under control Baby, you will get everything you need. Trust me,"
“But what about me tending to you? I need to do your daily medical check-up.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Alex said with a sexy smile and gave her an intense kiss. “Just call me if you need anything.” And with that, he disappeared into the elevator.
Vanessa looked after him in disbelief. Why did he leave her here all by herself? Not that she was stuck in a horrible place, the surrounding was nothing to complain about. But after what happened between them in the cockpit, Vanessa longed for Alex's body the second he left. She wanted nothing else than be close to him. She had thought, naively, that it would have been her and Alex tonight, slipping down in the beautiful bathtub, ordering oysters from the room service and spending the evening in bed exploring each other's bodies. Instead, she was left alone with him being on some party with Mitch securing his investment or whatever he’d called it.
Instead, she spent the afternoon wandered the small streets of Cannes. Vanessa had got the main sightings circled on a map from the friendly concierge who had appreciated her trying out her school French. From the Grand Hotel, it was a few minutes’ walk to the Le Croisette and the Palais des festivals. Better do some research on the sceneries before tomorrow night’s Gala she thought to herself as she walked down the boulevard. It’s always good to know your new environment. She felt like a professor on a scientific expedition.
The surrounding streets glistened with glamour. Lined with expensive shiny shopfronts and perfect palm trees, and rows of luxurious-looking cars. Cars were a completely different thing here in France she thought to herself. People drove by in their shiny Aston Martins, Maserati’s, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis. Even if she didn’t know all the different brands, she understood they were expensive. New York were full of luxurious cars but the difference was that here in Cannes the drivers had their roof down on their convertibles, looking all relaxed and friendly. It was the opposite of New York where everyone sat in their cars, stressed out swearing at the traffic jams. The sunlight glinted off all the shop windows and expensive watches on people's wrists. Outside Dior, a woman with long blonde hair and huge dark sunglasses was piling a whole load of bags into a car. Oh my god, for a second Vanessa almost stopped breathing. It’s Nicole Kidman! Slightly different hair color, but who can keep up with their constant makeovers. Or it was a wig to fool the paparazzi. Perhaps the nose was not really like Nicole's when she inspected her face closer and wasn’t she quite a lot shorter than Nicole was? Apart from those small details, it was clear it was Nicole Kidman. Kat would die when she got her text. Oh, right Kat was at the meditation camp, Vanessa would memorize everything and then tell Kat all about it over drinks when she came back. She looked at the woman with the bags again, and it was strange that the Gossip pages hadn’t mentioned Nicole’s breast enlargement? Ok, perhaps it wasn’t Nicole. It was probably just some random oligarch-wife out on a shopping spree.
Disappointed Vanessa shrugged her shoulders and continued her stroll. As the sun set, she took a seat at the famous café on the terrace of the Grand Hotel. She enjoyed the dazzling scenery with a glass of chardonnay looking at the beautiful and rich people that crowded the street. Amusing as at it was, imagining how the ultra-rich Europeans lived her mind kept going back to Alex and after a while, she got restless. What had she got herself into? Was he still this playboy as Kat had told her? He had told her that his party days were over and that he now wanted a real relationship. He sounded sincere when he told her, but now she wasn't sure. Oh, she hoped it was the case. Vanessa had never before felt like this for a man. But to be frank to herself, how much did she know about him? They’d only just met and being locked inside the hospital couldn’t really count for dating in real life.
Vanessa decided on taking an early night and went to up to her suit to catch up on her beauty sleep after all it was a big day tomorrow. She would join Alex at the Gala in Monte Carlo and maybe, maybe she would even be presented as his girlfriend. She must look her absolute best. Pampering herself with a steaming hot shower and having lots of fun trying out all the different lotions and face creams the hotel sent up to her room when asked the concierge for some shower gel. Vanessa wrapped herself in a sof
t white bathrobe and surveyed her reflection in the massive mirror in her suit. It rested on top of a huge carved chest and there were two enormous armchairs opposite on the beautiful marble-tiled floor. Everything in the suit was massive. An L-shaped sofa placed in the middle of the room took at least ten sitting guests. The four-post bed made of mahogany in the bedroom was so big one could easily get lost in it. But despite the over-proportioned furniture, the look of the suit was picturesque and Mediterranean. Vanessa found it as gorgeous as the rest of the hotel.
The big bed with its many pillows made her feel tired, and she wished for nothing but a good night's sleep. Even though she had preferred being seduced by Alex and spending the night with him, she knew that it wouldn’t give her a good night's sleep. It would give her plenty of other things, but sleep, no.
Vanessa woke up in alarm, sat up in her bed, trying to localize the sound that awakened her. Was someone knocking on her door?
“Hello?” She whispered “Pardon?” She added in French, no answer.
My Italian Prince: Clean Romance Page 5
