“El, I’m heartbroken. I need to make sure—you know, as Alessandro’s best friend—that everything is good for him. While I’m here, you can try on some of the same things too. I’ll fill in forAndrea then tell him the favorites. Call it research for all intents and purposes.” Sending another wink her way.
El is caught off guard by Marco’s statement, finding her voice a few seconds later. “Whatever. No one asked for your opinion. Enzo! Come get Marco out of here per favore e grazie. Bye-bye!” She bangs on the door to get Enzo’s attention until we hear the door unlock.
“Alright! Alright! I’ll leave. If Alessandro doesn’t approve of the clothes you’ve picked out for Luci, I’m blaming you.” Marco leaves out the door Enzo opened for him.
“Alright, babe, let’s get this show on the road.” She notices my expression and softens her smile. “I know these guys are intense, and I definitely don’t approve of their dumbass actions, but my job is to take you from cute to smoking hot. Also, I’ve decided we’re going to be best friends. You’re adorable and I can see the spunk behind your eyes begging to be released. I can help you bring that spunk out. In the meantime, let’s have fun draining Alessandro’s money!”
Surrendering this fight, I sit down as El teaches me how to put on makeup. Half of this stuff I’ve never seen before, but I can admit it’s therapeutic to play with it. After I master the basics, she teaches me a few more advanced things, the hardest, winged liner, and lets me play with everything she’s put in front of me. I’m surprised how different, yet the same I can look.
“Yes! Perfect! Now, the fun part. What do you normally wear for lingerie? I don’t want to shock you and throw you into something you wouldn’t wear. Unless you give me creative freedom, of course.”
“Normally I wear a regular bra and underwear. I’ve never worn lingerie. I’ve never had anyone to wear it for.” A warm flush of embarrassment rushes to my cheeks and I know my face is bright red at the thought of wearing lingerie for someone.
“First off, you do not need to be wearing it for anyone except yourself, and two, that’s fine. Here, we’ll do a few basic bra and panty sets and maybe one or two fun things.” She digs through a few bags and shows me a couple of things. “Ok, let’s do a black unlined lace bra and underwear set. Black is simple and men love lace. Don’t ask me why. It’s hardwired into their brain or something. The unlined bra will give a slight peek at your nipples and the tease is the hot part about it. Then, for fun, we can do this purple bodysuit. Purple will also bring out your eyes, the deep v will show off your awesome tits, and since it’s high cut, it’ll accentuate these fabulous hips we both have. Trust me, babe, when my boyfriend saw me in this he came in his pants right then right there. Men are simple creatures. You just have to know how to use that to your advantage. Now here. Take them.”
I hesitate, taking them from her hands. “I think I need to try these on privately. You’ve been infinitely nicer than anyone else here. Thank you for everything.”
“Alright, babe, have fun with your new style. I know this is a shit situation, but I promise I’m here for you. I need to head out though because I have a date with the hottest man alive. I’ll be back in a week-ish to help you with your wedding dress. My number should be programmed into your phone, you can send me inspo for some dresses. I’ll chat with you soon. And remember what I said, men are simple creatures. They’re easy to fool.” El knocks a few times on the door, getting Enzo’s attention as she leaves behind the racks of clothing. I can’t get what she said out of my head about men being simple creatures. It’s like she’s speaking to me in code.
I’m not sure what to think as I stare at a whole new person in the mirror. I put the black set on then another dress that’s on the rack, noticing how they are together. That’s how I spend the rest of the day, happy that Alessandro or Marco don’t make any more appearances.
Chapter 10
Alessandro
27 Days Until The Wedding
When El came yesterday, I left Luci alone while I made arrangements for our wedding. After hearing nothing from or about her all day, I figure it’s time to go check on my little collection. I scan my finger on the door and notice she’s sitting on the bed when I walk in, but don’t notice her new appearance until she stands.
“Luci how was—holy shit.” My voice catches in my throat when I see how El dressed Luci. She’s wearing a hint of mascara, making her eyes shine bright and her pouty lips painted with a rose lipstick beg to be kissed. The black flowy dress she chose almost reaches the floor and cinches in at her waist, accentuating her curvy body. The slight v-neckline highlights thetop of her breast and my hands itch to pull the straps down to let them fall out. When she stands I notice the slit reaching up about mid-thigh.
The door audibly shuts behind me and I stand there, mouth slightly agape, frozen in place.
Luci’s hands come out slightly as she shrugs. “So? You’re the one who was insistent on El coming. Say something.”
Luci yelps when I rush her suddenly and grab her, holding her close as I take in her floral scent. I run my hands up the side of her body, grabbing at her perfect thighs when my right hand reaches the top of the slit on her dress. Her wide eyes finally blink when I clear my throat, letting go of her thighs but standing close enough that she could feel the heat when I exhale.
“It’s nice.” Those two words are all I manage to get out when Luci scoffs at my curt statement.
“Nice? What do you mean ‘Nice’? You’re such a jerk, you know that Alessandro? You do all this stuff thinking you can control me, but that’s not true. You can’t make me do anything. I’ll find a way out of here I guarantee that.” She shoves me away and runs off into the bathroom, locking the door before I have a chance to respond.
I rush over to the door, pounding on it with my fist. “Luci, unlock the fucking door! You’re a woman in your twenties stop acting like a child!”
“No! Go away, Alessandro.” She’s trying to sound brave, yet the slight tremble in her voice tells me she normally doesn’t stand up for herself.
“I will knock this door down unless you unlock it in the next five seconds.” I hear silence then the sound of the shower turning on. “Don’t ignore me I know you can hear me.” I’m met by more silence and start counting.
“Five.” Silence.
“Four.” I pause, hoping for a response.
The patience I want to have with her has run out when I rush through the last three numbers “Three, two, one.” I ram my shoulder into the door several times until the frame splinters and I bust through. She whips around, covering her naked body, shocked that I’ve acted on my threat.
“Alessandro! Go away! I’m in the shower!” I scan up and down every crevice of her body pausing at the crucifix she always wears around her neck.
Before she can process my actions, I run into the shower, still dressed, and pin her against the wall. “One thing you should know about me is that I always act upon my words. You are more than welcome to call my bluff, but always expect what I say to be true.” I can tell she’s self-conscious about being naked while I’m fully dressed as the water soaks through, drenching my clothes.
Her eyes flick anywhere except at me, hoping I won’t notice she’s crying as defeat floods her words. “Alessandro, please go away.”
