Chapter Rating: PG-13
"Absolutely breathtaking!" The compliment greeted her as she opened the door for her dinner companion. Mateo stood before her, his eyes roaming indiscriminately over her. Olivia smiled to herself as she took in the brief look of almost dazed awe that was upon his face.
Finally realizing just how far out of your league you are?
Mateo snapped to his senses and held out his arm. "Ready, Madam?” he crooned in an attempt to sound regal to compliment his gesture.
"As I'll ever be," Olivia replied.
During the ride the two consorts managed to make small talk, even around the periodical glances at Olivia's cleavage, which she did her best to make him believe were going unnoticed. They soon arrived at La Contessa's, and Mateo made it a point to open her door for her and assist her out of the limo. As it already had, several times already this evening, her mind went to a random thought of Natalia.
At least this time no one is making fun of me, she scoffed, remembering Natalia's arrogantly retributive display the day before.
She took his arm as they proceed through the doors of the restaurant. It had occurred to her that either the family was well known in the public eye, or they had come here rather often, as Mateo didn't need to announce himself to the maître d'. They were instantly being led to the table to join the rest of the party gathered there. She inwardly applauded her choice of evening attire when she caught a few idolatrous stares along the way.
Natalia had been previously engrossed in a conversation with one of the men at the table. He wasn't particularly the most interesting of people but she had been well trained, from years of playing hostess to many diplomats and aristocrats, to hang on every word as if she couldn't possibly tear herself away. When she saw the pair that was walking towards the group she did, however, get torn from the conversation immediately.
When she took in the sight of Olivia, she felt an indescribable feeling in the pit of her stomach. She was used to being the one that all the men in the room were fixated upon. But now everyone, including herself, was gazing at the exquisite Ms. Spencer. A new version of Ms. Spencer. A Ms. Spencer that made her breath catch slightly. She tried to take her eyes off of the other woman, but she couldn't manage it, and it was starting to inwardly cause a panic inside of her.
I'm simply envious of her ensemble, she quickly deduced. At that point, she was greatly favoring the contemptibly irrational excuse of jealousy over what she frighteningly suspected was truly behind her reaction. She was struggling to put it all out of her mind when her mind suddenly took in the rest of the view. She noticed Olivia's arm resting around that of her despised brother. A chill ran through her body at the same moment that she felt her blood beginning to boil. Her eyes narrowed, and she barely avoided clenching her teeth when Mateo bent down to kiss Olivia on the cheek as they left each other’s side to let the other men greet her.
When they had reached the party, Olivia was greeted first by Antonio Rivera who was, of course, at the head of the table. The rest of the gentleman, which included Jacques, Mr. Bellerive, and a young man whom Olivia presumed was Bellerive's son, all rose to greet her in true European fashion with a kiss on each cheek. All but the younger Frenchman, whom Olivia hadn't met before. Olivia knew it wasn't proper etiquette for a man and a woman to cheek kiss upon the first introduction. He motioned for her hand with genuine politeness and placed a kiss on her knuckle.
Olivia made her way to the seat next to Natalia and was about to extend her hand for a simple handshake but was surprised when Natalia rose to greet her. As they stepped towards each other, Olivia felt as if the air had become charged with electricity. Natalia leaned into her slowly and pressed her cheek to Olivia's left one and then drew apart to continue the greeting on the right side. As she moved to lean in to the right, she caught Olivia's eyes. She recognized the look of shock. She continued her motion and, again, pressed her cheek to the other woman's. Olivia felt Natalia's breath upon her neck and she almost shivered. Natalia quickly breathed in the scent of Olivia's perfume, and without thinking, she placed a perfectly accustomed kiss for their greeting upon Olivia's cheek near her jaw-line.
When they drew apart again, both women had wanted to say a 'Good Evening' to each other to break whatever spell had seized them in those few seconds, but neither seemed to be able to speak. A second later she felt a warm hand on her lower back and nearly jumped.
"Come, Ms. Spencer, allow me to help you be seated," Mateo’s voice and touch shattering the charged connection between the two women. Olivia was unsure of how she felt about this. Although she felt somewhat relieved for the distraction, she also wished that it were possible to keep her gaze upon the young woman in front of her without anyone in the world noticing.
Both women were seated by the gentlemen beside them, and everyone made themselves comfortable yet again and began to speak to each other about various topics ranging from business and politics to the economy and the war. The first course of their meal had been brought out, at which time the topic of conversation inevitably led to the food and the dining ambiance. Olivia listened intently to whatever was being said to her. She always made sure that she kept up with current issues and had her strong opinions ready in case anyone asked her for them. She talked with the men closest to her and accepted the myriad of compliments that she was being paid, both for her attire and for how she operated her ever-expanding hotel franchise.
Natalia had been 'engrossed' in a conversation that the young Frenchman was having with her and her father. The man at times needed to turn to Jacques to ask him to give them a brief translation of what he was trying to say. Her back was almost completely turned away from the other woman.
Olivia had turned to face forward in her chair at the end of a conversation she had been having with Mateo and Mr. Bellerive. She couldn't help the sideways glance in Natalia's direction. Her mind, though it had been deflected occasionally throughout the evening, had still kept coming back to the feeling that had taken over her when their bodies were in such close proximity to each other. She wanted to rationalize it as being due to the thrill of seeing Natalia's icy glare when she noticed her arm linked with her brother's.
Natalia's back was turned to her slightly and she made a point to assess the woman's equally enchanting attire. She was wearing a plum and sky blue, full-length ombre halter dress with accordion pleating. It had a braided neck strap that wound its way down in a cross pattern at her sternum and then snaked its way around her hips to form the bodice of the dress. Her hair was in a loosely twisted up-do that exposed the soft, tanned skin of her bare shoulders and back. She was adorned with white gold and Ruby globe earrings that complimented the color of the dress.
Natalia turned in her chair, and Olivia quickly dropped her eyes back to her plate. The table of men seemed to be engaged in their own conversations leaving the two women sitting quietly beside each other.
This is ridiculous! Olivia thought to herself. She had never experienced a shortage of small talk. There had been loads of it stock-piled and filed under 'useless conversation' in her brain. But right now she couldn't think of anything to say to the beautiful woman beside her. If she didn't know better herself, she would have sworn that she was almost feeling...
Shy? Yeah right!... She's just being rude and refusing to talk to me, that's all.
Olivia tossed her napkin on the table with a little more animation than she had intended and pushed her chair back to make a break to the ladies' room. Her actions had caused Natalia to look at her in curiosity. As Olivia stood, she turned to her.
"Is everything alright, Ms. Spencer?" She looked at her intently.
"Yes, of course, Ms. Rivera." Olivia figured that as long as Natalia was now clearly focused on her, she might as well give her something to look at. She bent down slowly behind Mateo, knowing full well the view that meet Natalia's eyes, and pressed her lips next to his ear. She was simply telling him that she would be back in a moment. But that's not what was happening in Natalia's mind.
Natalia watched as Olivia bent over, exposing even more of a view of her cleavage. She saw her hand as it raked its way up her brother's arm and came to rest on his shoulder. She saw the full lips whispering in his ear. Whatever was being said didn't matter. It enraged her.
She watched Olivia float away to the restroom.
How dare she? Does she honestly think that seducing my brother is going to get her the deal? She waited in her chair as long as she could, but her anger had gotten the best of her. She obviously wants a confrontation, what with that pathetic display... fine, she will get what she wants!
After several moments Natalia withdrew herself from the table with a polite smile to the others and made her way to the restroom door, hell bent on giving a piece of her mind to the devious woman on the other side.
"Absolutely breathtaking!" The compliment greeted her as she opened the door for her dinner companion. Mateo stood before her, his eyes roaming indiscriminately over her. Olivia smiled to herself as she took in the brief look of almost dazed awe that was upon his face.
Finally realizing just how far out of your league you are?
Mateo snapped to his senses and held out his arm. "Ready, Madam?” he crooned in an attempt to sound regal to compliment his gesture.
"As I'll ever be," Olivia replied.
During the ride the two consorts managed to make small talk, even around the periodical glances at Olivia's cleavage, which she did her best to make him believe were going unnoticed. They soon arrived at La Contessa's, and Mateo made it a point to open her door for her and assist her out of the limo. As it already had, several times already this evening, her mind went to a random thought of Natalia.
At least this time no one is making fun of me, she scoffed, remembering Natalia's arrogantly retributive display the day before.
She took his arm as they proceed through the doors of the restaurant. It had occurred to her that either the family was well known in the public eye, or they had come here rather often, as Mateo didn't need to announce himself to the maître d'. They were instantly being led to the table to join the rest of the party gathered there. She inwardly applauded her choice of evening attire when she caught a few idolatrous stares along the way.
Natalia had been previously engrossed in a conversation with one of the men at the table. He wasn't particularly the most interesting of people but she had been well trained, from years of playing hostess to many diplomats and aristocrats, to hang on every word as if she couldn't possibly tear herself away. When she saw the pair that was walking towards the group she did, however, get torn from the conversation immediately.
When she took in the sight of Olivia, she felt an indescribable feeling in the pit of her stomach. She was used to being the one that all the men in the room were fixated upon. But now everyone, including herself, was gazing at the exquisite Ms. Spencer. A new version of Ms. Spencer. A Ms. Spencer that made her breath catch slightly. She tried to take her eyes off of the other woman, but she couldn't manage it, and it was starting to inwardly cause a panic inside of her.
I'm simply envious of her ensemble, she quickly deduced. At that point, she was greatly favoring the contemptibly irrational excuse of jealousy over what she frighteningly suspected was truly behind her reaction. She was struggling to put it all out of her mind when her mind suddenly took in the rest of the view. She noticed Olivia's arm resting around that of her despised brother. A chill ran through her body at the same moment that she felt her blood beginning to boil. Her eyes narrowed, and she barely avoided clenching her teeth when Mateo bent down to kiss Olivia on the cheek as they left each other’s side to let the other men greet her.
When they had reached the party, Olivia was greeted first by Antonio Rivera who was, of course, at the head of the table. The rest of the gentleman, which included Jacques, Mr. Bellerive, and a young man whom Olivia presumed was Bellerive's son, all rose to greet her in true European fashion with a kiss on each cheek. All but the younger Frenchman, whom Olivia hadn't met before. Olivia knew it wasn't proper etiquette for a man and a woman to cheek kiss upon the first introduction. He motioned for her hand with genuine politeness and placed a kiss on her knuckle.
Olivia made her way to the seat next to Natalia and was about to extend her hand for a simple handshake but was surprised when Natalia rose to greet her. As they stepped towards each other, Olivia felt as if the air had become charged with electricity. Natalia leaned into her slowly and pressed her cheek to Olivia's left one and then drew apart to continue the greeting on the right side. As she moved to lean in to the right, she caught Olivia's eyes. She recognized the look of shock. She continued her motion and, again, pressed her cheek to the other woman's. Olivia felt Natalia's breath upon her neck and she almost shivered. Natalia quickly breathed in the scent of Olivia's perfume, and without thinking, she placed a perfectly accustomed kiss for their greeting upon Olivia's cheek near her jaw-line.
When they drew apart again, both women had wanted to say a 'Good Evening' to each other to break whatever spell had seized them in those few seconds, but neither seemed to be able to speak. A second later she felt a warm hand on her lower back and nearly jumped.
"Come, Ms. Spencer, allow me to help you be seated," Mateo’s voice and touch shattering the charged connection between the two women. Olivia was unsure of how she felt about this. Although she felt somewhat relieved for the distraction, she also wished that it were possible to keep her gaze upon the young woman in front of her without anyone in the world noticing.
Both women were seated by the gentlemen beside them, and everyone made themselves comfortable yet again and began to speak to each other about various topics ranging from business and politics to the economy and the war. The first course of their meal had been brought out, at which time the topic of conversation inevitably led to the food and the dining ambiance. Olivia listened intently to whatever was being said to her. She always made sure that she kept up with current issues and had her strong opinions ready in case anyone asked her for them. She talked with the men closest to her and accepted the myriad of compliments that she was being paid, both for her attire and for how she operated her ever-expanding hotel franchise.
Natalia had been 'engrossed' in a conversation that the young Frenchman was having with her and her father. The man at times needed to turn to Jacques to ask him to give them a brief translation of what he was trying to say. Her back was almost completely turned away from the other woman.
Olivia had turned to face forward in her chair at the end of a conversation she had been having with Mateo and Mr. Bellerive. She couldn't help the sideways glance in Natalia's direction. Her mind, though it had been deflected occasionally throughout the evening, had still kept coming back to the feeling that had taken over her when their bodies were in such close proximity to each other. She wanted to rationalize it as being due to the thrill of seeing Natalia's icy glare when she noticed her arm linked with her brother's.
Natalia's back was turned to her slightly and she made a point to assess the woman's equally enchanting attire. She was wearing a plum and sky blue, full-length ombre halter dress with accordion pleating. It had a braided neck strap that wound its way down in a cross pattern at her sternum and then snaked its way around her hips to form the bodice of the dress. Her hair was in a loosely twisted up-do that exposed the soft, tanned skin of her bare shoulders and back. She was adorned with white gold and Ruby globe earrings that complimented the color of the dress.
Natalia turned in her chair, and Olivia quickly dropped her eyes back to her plate. The table of men seemed to be engaged in their own conversations leaving the two women sitting quietly beside each other.
This is ridiculous! Olivia thought to herself. She had never experienced a shortage of small talk. There had been loads of it stock-piled and filed under 'useless conversation' in her brain. But right now she couldn't think of anything to say to the beautiful woman beside her. If she didn't know better herself, she would have sworn that she was almost feeling...
Shy? Yeah right!... She's just being rude and refusing to talk to me, that's all.
Olivia tossed her napkin on the table with a little more animation than she had intended and pushed her chair back to make a break to the ladies' room. Her actions had caused Natalia to look at her in curiosity. As Olivia stood, she turned to her.
"Is everything alright, Ms. Spencer?" She looked at her intently.
"Yes, of course, Ms. Rivera." Olivia figured that as long as Natalia was now clearly focused on her, she might as well give her something to look at. She bent down slowly behind Mateo, knowing full well the view that meet Natalia's eyes, and pressed her lips next to his ear. She was simply telling him that she would be back in a moment. But that's not what was happening in Natalia's mind.
Natalia watched as Olivia bent over, exposing even more of a view of her cleavage. She saw her hand as it raked its way up her brother's arm and came to rest on his shoulder. She saw the full lips whispering in his ear. Whatever was being said didn't matter. It enraged her.
She watched Olivia float away to the restroom.
How dare she? Does she honestly think that seducing my brother is going to get her the deal? She waited in her chair as long as she could, but her anger had gotten the best of her. She obviously wants a confrontation, what with that pathetic display... fine, she will get what she wants!
After several moments Natalia withdrew herself from the table with a polite smile to the others and made her way to the restroom door, hell bent on giving a piece of her mind to the devious woman on the other side.
0 comments:
Post a Comment