Chapter 24

The next day, we attended another meeting with other people, and then I didn't see Mr. Hills for the rest of the afternoon because he left with a woman and ordered me to return to the hotel. I decided to take a little stroll around the hotel with the little free time I had. I explored the garden, the pools, the facilities, and the restaurants. It's a luxurious five-star hotel, and not everyone can afford to stay here.

After taking a look around, I took the elevator back to my room. It was five in the afternoon, and I decided to chat a bit with Carol through text messages. She told me that Louis is doing much better and has been behaving very well.

Those are good news that improves my mood.

The night begins to fall in the city of Los Angeles, and I start showering around seven o'clock. When I come out, I dry my hair, and it's time to choose a dress, although I don't have much to choose from, I only brought one dress. It's golden, tight-fitting, and has a slit on the right leg. I decide to put it on and... I am mesmerized when I see myself in the mirror wearing it.

I couldn't say for sure if I feel beautiful or embarrassed. It accentuates my breasts, my curves cling to the fabric, and the slit on my right leg makes it look more sensual.

I can't remember the last time I wore a dress like this. After what happened with Jonas, I never had the confidence to do it, to show myself so freely. I'm more of a pencil skirt, modest neckline blouse, and heels kind of person. I take a deep breath and take a selfie in front of the mirror. I send it to Carol; I need her opinion. I brought this dress without thinking, it was the first one I saw in my closet, and I packed it in my suitcase.

Eva: What do you think? I think it reveals too much...

Carol: Are you kidding? You look amazing. Don't take it off.

Eva: It's been a long time since I showed this much skin.

Carol: Stop locking yourself away and give yourself a chance. You're young, beautiful, and have a great body. You look perfect.

Maybe she's right...

It's me. Always searching for the slightest flaw to find something I don't like. I look at myself in the mirror again, this time with Carol's words in my head.

"You're young and beautiful."

"You have a great body."

I don't look so bad; it's just... the amount of skin it shows makes me feel strange.

I sigh. That's enough. I have to move on. If I cling to something from the past, I'll end up being "flawed" for the rest of my life. I have to go out into the world, show myself as I am, or at least try.

I want to feel good, free, and calm.

Tonight, I have the opportunity to shine for myself.

I put on makeup, using light eyeshadows on my eyes and applying a little lip gloss. As a finishing touch, I put on mascara and slip into a pair of golden high heels. It's an elegant event, and I'm dressed accordingly.

I grab my phone and check the time. Damn! It's eight o'clock! I rush towards the exit and gather my courage before opening the door. I freeze when I see him in a black three-piece suit, he always dresses like this... but this time it's all black.

He didn't bother to fix his hair, but strangely, he looks good.

"Sorry." I clear my throat. "I lost track of time."

He doesn't say anything; instead, he gestures for me to follow him. Is he always like this? Cold, distant, and arrogant?

We step into the elevator and leave the hotel, where the limousine is waiting for us. The driver opens the doors for us, and we get inside. The journey is silent, but I glance at him from time to time. I don't know why I'm curious. When we arrive at the venue, we step out of the limousine, give our names to the uniformed person at the entrance, and are allowed into the sophisticated place that leaves me speechless.

It's fascinating.

As we walk through the room, I notice the immense number of women who can't take their eyes off Mr. Hills. I can't blame them because, as much as it annoys me to admit it, he's quite attractive and captures anyone's attention.

We approach a man, and both of them shake hands as a greeting.

"Mr. Hills, it's a pleasure to see you again."

"Mr. Bernard, likewise." Mr. Bernard's gaze meets mine.

"Are you the secretary?"

"I'm Eva Miller." I shake his hand in greeting, and he accepts it.

"A pleasure."

"Likewise," I respond.

"Mr. D'Agostino has already arrived," he looks at my boss. "We need to go to him."

Mr. Hills nods and gestures for me to follow them. We walk again until we stop in front of a man who exudes a lot of confidence.

"Mr. D'Agostino," Bernard exclaims, causing the man to turn towards us. "It's a pleasure to see you."

"Mr. Hills, Mr. Bernard," exclaims the man with a foreign accent. "It's truly a pleasure to see you again." He shakes hands with both of them and then looks at me. He inspects me with his gaze, and I resist the urge to cover myself with my hands when, for a split second, his gaze lingers on my ample bosom. He seems stunned by me. "Perdere, signorina..." his Italian surprised me. I always found the language quite attractive. "What is your name?"

"Eva Miller. It's a pleasure, Mr. D'Agostino."

"You can call me Fabrizio," he says, winking at me.

I shake his hand for a handshake, but he leaves me speechless when he kisses the back of my hand and smiles. I hear Mr. Hills snort like a little child beside me, and I wonder what his problem is. Then, a conversation ensues between them that lasts a couple of minutes, and yet, the Italian's gaze meets mine a couple of times. At first, I thought it was a coincidence, but then I realized he was doing it on purpose.