Chapter 139
Lucky
Our driver has dropped us at the door to the most exclusive gown shop in Atlanta. There are dresses in the window fit for a princess. And after all, that is what I am. A Don’s princess. His Queen to be. A little thread of excitement passes through my body causing me to smile.
My two detail step out of the vehicle that my mother and I shared, two more step out of the vehicle that was behind us. Honestly, I think that Nico is a little overboard with the men he has assigned to me.
The sooner that Yelena is awake to talk the better. Who knows what else that bitch has got up her sleeve. My mother is saying something but I haven’t heard a word since I am lost in the memory of being chained to the bed.
“Lucky,” she says shaking my arm. “Did you hear me?”
“Sorry, Mom I was miles away for a second.”
“Of course. Do you want to cancel? We can come another time or have designers come to the mansion. It’s not mandatory we do this today.”
I couldn’t do that to my mother. The happiness on her face earlier was evident and I know how much she wants me to finally be married and produce those grandchildren she so desperately wants.
“I wouldn’t dream of cancelling, Mom. I’m absolutely fine.” I give a nod to the detail protecting me and stride ahead to open the door for my mother. One of my detail gets there first.
“Please wait here with your team, Miss. Gianluca. We will see that it is safe.” Okay, I may be rolling my eyes some here. I mean let’s be real. This is a bridal gown shop and not just an off the mill one. It’s an exclusive with gowns from Vera Wang, Victoria Beckham, Prada, Gucci and Valentino. Still, I do as I am told. The last time I didn’t I was in a world of hurt. Have I learnt my lesson? Yes.
We wait outside for what seems an eternity then he reappears. “Find any hiding gunmen?” He doesn’t think my comment is funny. These guys are paid an awful lot of money by Nico to keep me safe, but a sense of humor would not go amiss.
“All clear,” he says mostly addressing the other detail before holding the door open for my mother to enter first, followed by myself. Two guards stay outside the door, two come inside.
With their big build and wide shoulders, it seems they take up the entire space. A very beautiful, exotic looking woman comes towards me, wearing a cream pants suit, extremely high heels and a burnt-orange silk blouse with a kitten bow.
“Miss. Gianluca, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you,” she tells me as she extends a perfectly manicured hand. Orange nails to match her shirt.
“Thank you, this is my mother,” I tell her.
“I am Gina, and will take care of you today. I hear from your mother that you have expressed a keen interest in the Wang gown and the black Valentino.”
She snaps her fingers and it appears out of nowhere, a young girl – at a guess about eighteen or nineteen, also in cream slacks and a blazer appears with a tray and two champagne glasses on it. She offers the tray up to my mother first. My mom shakes her head and declines. My mother rarely drinks since she takes meds for her heart and the two would not be a good combination.
I on the other hand do not hesitate and take a crystal glass off the tray. I thank her. She turns and goes to behind a mannequin wearing a red, full skirted gown with a diamond encrusted bodice. It reminds me of something that Scarlet O’Hara would wear and I am literally salivating over it.
Could I wear red, blood red to my wedding? Or is Nico expecting me to wear a demure, white lace number with a flowing train?
“I like that one,” I say nodding my head towards the amazing red gown that has on closer inspection jewels sewn into the skirt. I take a sip of my champagne and wander round to take in the back of it. Oh, my it even has a bustle. It’s perfect, absolutely perfect.
“This is called, Scarlett,” Gina tells my mother and I. Well, that figures. “And is a typical Southern gown. Red is a bold and daring choice, Miss. Gianluca. Are you sure you want to try this one on? We have the black Valentino and the Oyster Wang ready for fitting.”
Mm, dare I or dare I not wear blood red to the mafia don’s wedding as his bride?
“Lucky, I think you should pass on the black. It’s too macabre,” my mother offers as she guides me away from the red gown. Very clever move on her part.
“I like the red one, Mom. It’s bold and beautiful and will look stunning on.”
“Yes, but darling, it is a symbol of blood.” She gives a shudder, like I have stabbed someone in the stomach and their guts are hanging out. A tad dramatic.
I snort. “Oh, come on. No, it’s not. Richness, wealth and fertility,” I tell her. She merely raises an eyebrow at me.
However, I do let her guide me through the archway and down a step that leads to the back of the small entrance. Here it is a vast space reminding me of a hacienda with wide, ceiling to floor doors that lead onto a terrace with shrubs and plants in large Spanish style planters. It is breathtaking.
“Would you like me to show you some other designs that are not available on our site?” Gina asks now catching us both up.
“Sure, why not,” I reply as I take a seat on one of the plush, oyster velvet sofas. My ever-trusty guards are close behind. If they are uncomfortable being in a gown shop, they do not show it.
Let’s hope when I am in the bridal lingerie showing my mother, they’re not uncomfortable with that either!