Chapter 27
Aria was due to leave for New York tomorrow, so I planned to make tonight one that Emilio would thoroughly enjoy. I began dreading when Aria would leave Chicago, knowing Emilio would no longer come around. He was adamant about keeping his distance when she wasn’t distracting Luca.
While shopping for some new lingerie, Emilio calls me.
“Lucky you, I’m at your favorite store,” I answer.
“Tonight isn’t going to happen.”
“What? Why?”
“Aria is leaving earlier than planned. Your brother and I have a little meeting at Chaos tonight.”
“Okay,” I replied. “You can’t just come later?”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
We got off the phone, and I couldn’t help but be disappointed.
Tossing what I had in hand back onto the rack, I walked out and did some retail therapy instead.
This month flew by, and I hadn’t realized how attached I had become to Emilio.
He’s all I thought about, and I got butterflies anytime he came into sight.
My phone rang again; this time, it was Alfie.
Sometimes, I wished that I didn’t know the truth about him.
I didn’t know how to act and somehow, I couldn’t remember how I treated him beforehand.
“Hey, Alfie,” I answer.
“B, I’m back.”
“Back in Chicago?”
“For the weekend. Can’t miss Tiffany’s party.”
The fourth of July was around the corner, and Tiffany was throwing her yearly epic bash on a rooftop hotel for a pool party. It was always full of Chicago’s finest men and women.
“What plans do you have tonight?”
“Meeting Emilio and some chick at Chaos tonight.”
My stomach dropped. Emilio said he was meeting Luca.
“What chick?” I asked.
“Some blonde. She comes to Chicago from time to time.”
My blood boiled while I was getting off the phone. I felt like a fool, but I won’t be made one. I texted Natasha and Tiffany that we were having a girl’s night.
The place was packed out as we made our way through the crowd.
The girls danced as we walked to the bar while I kept my eyes open to see whether I could spot Emilio.
The club was hot, and even though I was dressed in a cropped pink tank top and matching skirt, my body was sweating.
After a round of shots, I shouted to them over the music that I was going to the restroom.
Leaving them, I head toward the private room area; he had to be there, but nothing.
The only other place was the showroom. Although she looked familiar, I couldn’t place my finger on who she was.
Unlike last time, the two guards let me in without a fuss.
Walking in, the room was fuller than last time.
Scanning the place, I see Alfie seated on a chair, speaking to a woman I’ve never seen before.
She was blonde, and I wondered if it was the one Emilio was meeting up with.
As I got closer, I could make out the features of her face.
Her blue eyes sparkled, her blonde hair tied into a bun, and I thought her red lipstick made her look cheap.
“Having fun?” I asked as I joined them.
Alfie was surprised to see me. “B, how’d you get in here?”
“I’m a DeCarlo, remember?” Part of me felt guilty rubbing it in his face, knowing the truth. I need to remind myself to hold back those kinds of comments. “Who’s this?”
The blonde looked up at me, sizing me up. I’d never gotten into a fistfight before, and I was sure if that happened right now, she would win. Any woman dressed in leather pants in June was ready to brawl at anytime.
“Grace,” she smiled, extending her hand.
“Bethany,” I returned the gesture.
She turns back to Alfie, “Kid, where the hell is Emilio? I don’t have all night.”
“He should be around here; I’ll check the bar.”
He left us there, and to me, it felt awkward, but Grace leaned back in her chair and swung one long leg over the other.
Her pant leg rose a bit, and I saw a butterfly tattoo.
She screamed badass—something that would catch Emilio’s attention for sure.
I couldn’t help but feel jealous and insecure.
Unlike Grace, I was the typical rich brat in Emilio’s eyes.
“So you’re Luca’s sister?”
“That’s right,” I smile.
“Aria’s mentioned you.”
“Me?” I was surprised.
“She’s mentioned you’ve been making her feel welcome here.”
I smiled but felt guilty; my kindness was just a ploy to get her to trust me and use whatever she may say or do against her. That’s the only reason Luca wanted me to start a friendship.
“Chicago is a tough city; having a friend on your side is good.”
“I heard she met your mother briefly,” Grace was laughing. “I wish I was a fly on that wall.”
Again, I felt guilty for that, too. My mother wasn’t happy with Aria being here and staying with Luca, which she wouldn’t have known if I didn’t open my mouth.
“You must be good friends with Aria if she told you that.”
“We grew up together.”
Why would Grace, who is close to Aria, be in Chicago meeting Emilio?
Surprised by the information, I asked, “So, how do you know Emilio?”
“Just happened to be at the right place at the right time and saved my life. I’ll never forget that.”
“He’s a good guy under all that darkness.”
She gave me a look that said she wasn’t so sure. Maybe she’s seen that side of him often enough to forget there was any kind of goodness.
“He has a soft spot for damsels in distress.”
I laugh, “You don’t look like a damsel in distress.”
“Younger Grace was. Times have changed.”
“Grace,” Emilio appeared and greeted her by shaking her hand. “Bethany, what are you doing here?”
I was so eager to spy on him that I didn’t think it through that if he saw me what I would say—so I had to think of something on the spot.
“Natasha and Tiffany wanted a girl's night. Alfie said he was coming here and figured I’d say hi.” I got to my feet.
There’s no way Grace was a threat if Emilio shook her hand. I excused myself to return to the bar to enjoy the rest of my night. Alfie stood there speaking to one of the guards at the door.
“What was that about?” he asked me as I approached him.
“What?” I asked innocently.
“You popping in like that?”
“I can’t come say hi?”
Alfie gave me a suspicious look. “Luca send you?”
“No… why would you think that?”
“To check on me.”
I got nervous. “Why would he want me to check on you?”
“It’s been weird lately around here.”
“Weird, how?”
Alfie shrugged with one shoulder. “Luca called me back when I was supposed to stay in California for a while. Emilio’s been… nicer. I was surprised he was trying to get me to stay in Chicago since he was so eager to get rid of me.”
“You’re overthinking it,” I replied. “What’s Grace’s deal?”
“She comes to the city every once in a while.”
“You think they are sleeping together?”
“E and Grace?” Alfie thought about it. “Doubt it. E doesn’t mix business and pleasure.”
I trusted Alfie’s instinct, so I sighed a breath of relief. Leaving the showroom, I got back to the girls who were now on the dance floor.
“Where were you?” Natasha asked.
“Saw Alfie and was just catching up.”
As the night went on, we drank and danced.
This time, I behaved myself, unlike the time on the dance floor.
In the distance, I see Alfie walking Grace out.
A smile crossed my face as it confirmed that Emilio wasn’t having a thing with her.
Liquor was flowing through my body, and I was feeling promiscuous.
I sent Emilio a text asking if he was here but didn’t get a response.
At the end of our favorite song, I shout to the girls, “I’ll be back.”
When I went to the door of the showroom, there were no guards, and the door was locked.
I guess it was done being used for the night.
If I were Emilio, where would I be? I scanned the club but didn’t see him.
Walking toward the private room, I asked familiar faces if they had seen him, but they didn’t.
The private room was empty, which was disappointing.
Maybe he left. I checked my phone, but he still hadn’t replied.
A waitress happens to walk in to grab something from the bar.
“Hey, have you seen Emilio?” I asked.
“Should be in the office.”
Hmm, that should be fun. As I head toward the office, I push my boobs together, making sure they looked perky.
Getting closer to the door, I could see the light on from under the door.
I knocked before opening it, only to find it was empty.
What was going on? Stepping out of the office, I walk further down the hallway.
There was a strange sound that got louder the more I walked.
It was a clapping sound. Turning a corner, I see a woman with her legs around a man’s waist as she was pinned against the wall.
Each time the man thrust forward, it created a clapping sound followed by a thud from her body getting hit against the wall.
They were still dressed; the woman just hiked up her skirt, and the man unbuttoned his pants.
Standing there, I couldn’t take my eyes off them.
Hearing him grunt, he pulled out once he was finished.
I sigh in relief when the man turns around, and it isn’t Emilio.
Giving up on searching for him, I return to my friends. We were there until the place shut down. As I got to my car, I finally got a text back from Emilio.
Although I wasn’t as drunk as I was earlier, the alcohol was still very much influencing me, and I knew better than to drive, but my body was aching for him.
I didn’t want to wait until tomorrow. I reach his building safely and stumble to his door with my heels in hand.
Putting my shoes back on so that I could pose for him when he opens the door, I fall back onto my butt with a loud thump.
“Shit,” I spit out as I held my ankle, which was throbbing.