Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Serena
A nton smiled as if he’d just won a game a chess, and it made me wonder if this was a huge mistake.
“You should never do anything you don’t want to do, princess. If a red carpet walk makes you uncomfortable, find another way.”
“Once again, you make it sound so simple.”
“That’s because it is. Let me show you.”
With my hand still in his, he turned away from the direction of the giant granite staircase and we began to walk.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“We’re eliminating hurdles one at a time until you begin to feel comfortable.”
I had no idea where he was leading me, but I’d go along as long as it saved me from the scrutiny of harsh flashbulbs and the press.
A few moments later, we approached the ground-level entrance at 81st and 5th Avenue.
“This door is typically reserved for those requiring a step-free way to get into the building, whether it be for a handicap or otherwise,” he explained. “But it’s also used as a service entrance for large events.”
Anton let go of my hand and tugged on the door handle. Considering the high-profile guests within the walls of the art museum, I expected it to be locked. When the door pulled open, I smiled.
“Today is our lucky day,” I murmured.
Surprising me, he leaned in close. The brush of his jaw against my ear made my heart race. I could feel the whisper from his lips when he said, “There’s no such thing as luck, princess. Only fortunate circumstances.”
I angled away from him, flustered by his sudden close proximity, and released a small laugh. “Isn’t that the same thing?”
He shrugged. “It’s not luck if I knew the outcome. Like you, I want to avoid the press, so I arranged it so that the door would remain unlocked even after the caterers and organizers were finished with their preparations.”
“You arranged it?” I questioned in surprise.
“I have friends in high places who can appreciate my need to enter unnoticed. I wanted to just walk across the street and slip in, leaving the press unawares. They have been …” He paused, considering his words. “Well, let’s just say the media has taken an interest in me recently. Inside the building is another matter entirely. The worst of the excess is on the steps—or so I’ve been told.”
He casually motioned me inside. I tried to calm the pitter-patter of my heart as we made our way down a narrow corridor toward the main vestibule .
He dressed and acted the part of someone who belonged here. But if that were truly the case, he shouldn’t have to sneak in through the back door. I took note of the mention that he’d walked here. No limos or fancy rides for him. That should have made him a little less intimidating, but it only seemed to make me more uneasy about my decision to blindly follow a strange man.
“Do you live nearby?”
“I live in a penthouse across the street.”
A penthouse. On 5th Avenue. Of course, that’s where he’d live. Where else would someone who looked like him take up residence?
“That’s convenient,” I said.
“It has its perks. What about you? You don’t seem like you’re from around here.”
“That obvious, huh?”
He chuckled, the sound low and throaty as we continued to walk. It stole my breath away, causing a flutter in my belly. Everything about him was truly devastating, making it a struggle to feign the confidence I needed to continue speaking.
“That wasn’t meant as an insult. New Yorkers just tend to stand out,” he clarified.
“I was born in the States, but we moved around a lot for my father’s work. If I can call any place my home, it would be Lucca, Italy. It’s where my mother is.”
“Is that where you live now?”
“Not full time, but I frequent there. Work requires me to spend most of my time in Rome.”
We passed through the Great Hall, under the three saucer-shaped domes. My shoes clicked over the marble mosaic floor as we walked under one of eight dramatic arches that sprung from giant limestone piers. I marveled at the design, wishing I had the time to study it further .
We continued on through a display of Egyptian artifacts toward the north side of the museum where the gala was to be held. When we reached the entrance, Anton stepped aside and ushered me ahead of him.
“After you, princess.”
I hesitated before advancing, my nervousness rushing back. I hated to show weakness, but the truth was, schmoozing with donors always made me uneasy. Here it was even worse. This whole charade would highlight my shortcomings, which would surely lead to ultimate failure.
As if sensing my nerves, Anton squeezed my hand. I shifted my eyes to meet his intense gaze. My nerves didn’t abate but seemed to shift focus. The heat in his stare made me restless in ways I wasn’t sure I wanted to be, and I flushed.
“Trustfall,” he reminded me quietly.
I smiled when he released my hand and moved his to the small of my back. It had been so long since anyone had touched me that way. I’d nearly forgotten how much I loved and appreciated the intimate gesture. I’d only just met him, but somehow, this stranger stirred a part of me that I’d long considered dead.
Asserting just a slight amount of pressure, he gave me an encouraging nudge. I walked through the entrance to the Costume Institute, and an otherworldly spectacle opened up before me. A gasp escaped my lips as I scanned the room. I felt as if I were Alice venturing through a looking glass into an extraordinary wonderland.
Floor lamps with shades crafted from enormous palm leaves were strategically placed around the periphery. A stunning centerpiece of four majestic elephants striped with rosy hues stood at the center of the room. They reared on their hind legs, gracefully perched atop a brilliant yellow base with their trunks raised high in perfect alignment. The elephants were constructed from tens of thousands of vibrant blooms arranged in a kaleidoscope of colors towering at least twenty-five feet high.
At the far end of the room, a triangle stage decorated with more lavish flowers hosted a band of musicians. The lead singer swayed with the microphone, a popular Billie Eilish song falling from her lips. Her voice was low and honeyed, the kind that wraps around you and makes the world fade away. The smooth and steady rhythm only seemed to amplify the lush atmosphere.
The scene was a bit outlandish yet truly breathtaking. It was the very definition of luxury, and unlike anything I had ever seen.
“Wow,” I breathed quietly, and then turned to express my amazement to Anton.
However, before I could comment further, I was interrupted by a squeal followed by a familiar French accent.
“Ahhh! There you are, Serena!”
Startled, I turned toward the voice as Madeleine Toussaint approached me. I smiled, happy to see her.
“Hello, Madeleine,” I said. She didn’t have a train of chiffon trailing behind her. Instead, she wore a black rhinestone studded pantsuit. It was stylish yet practical, and more importantly, easy to maneuver in. While I was beyond grateful for everything Madeleine had done to get me here tonight, it would have been nice if I could have worn a less restrictive outfit. “Why have you dressed me up like a red cupcake, but you get to wear a sensible pantsuit?”
“Because tonight is not about me, ma chérie . It’s about you,” she declared in a matter-of-fact tone. She reached out to delicately lift the ruby heart pendant at my neck. She examined it for a moment before nodding her approval. Then, glancing toward Anton, she seemed to notice him for the first time. She gave him an appreciative once over. “Are you going to introduce me to your handsome date?”
“This is Anton,” I said, suddenly realizing that I’d never caught his last name. “Anton, this is Madeleine Toussaint, my dress designer and a family friend.”
He extended a hand to her. “I’m delighted to meet you, Ms. Toussaint.”
She raised a perfectly shaped brow. “Oh, I can assure you, monsieur . The joy is all mine.”
When she batted her eyes, I nearly rolled mine but smiled with amusement instead. Even at the age of fifty-nine, she was a constant flirt. My mother would say it wasn’t flirting, but just her French coming out—whatever that meant.
“Anton isn’t my date. He and I just met on my way here.”
“Ah, I see,” Madeleine said with a nod. “I was waiting for you near the main staircase. I do not know how you managed to evade me!”
“I wanted to avoid the cameras, so I entered through a side door,” I explained. She clucked her tongue at me in response.
“Pish posh. You are absolutely stunning. You were made to be captured on camera, and it does nothing for me if you aren’t seen. I don’t want you avoiding them all night.”
My stomach tightened nervously at the reminder that she needed pictures of me wearing her esteemed dress. I hated having my picture taken. I must have had a mental lapse when I promised to pose tonight, but offered my assurance, nonetheless.
“I won’t, Madeleine.”
“Good girl. Now, turn for me so I can see all of you.”
I playfully rolled my eyes and indulged her with a quick spin. Or at least, I attempted to. The train of my dress made it difficult to move with any haste. A sigh of frustration escaped my lips as I wondered if this was how Cinderella felt—all dressed up yet feeling more at ease in tattered rags. All I knew was that I couldn’t wait for the moment when I could shed my glass slippers.
I attempted to flex my toes in the restrictive five-inch heels. My feet weren’t actually encased in glass, but they sure felt like it. I seriously wondered how much longer I would be able to remain upright in the accursed shoes.
“Oh, Serena Martinelli, you are a vision,” Madeleine said wistfully.
“I decided to splurge on hair and makeup at the last minute, and?—”
“I’m sorry, but did you say Martinelli?” Anton interrupted.
I stopped the awkward twirl and glanced his way.
Not waiting for Madeleine to reply, I said, “Yes, that’s me. Serena Martinelli.”
“ Dr. Serena Martinelli,” Madeleine proudly corrected with an emphasis on my formal title.
Anton’s eyes widened briefly before quickly recovering. They never strayed from my face, keeping focus on only me. Then his jaw hardened into a line of unmistakable irritation.
“Why do you ask?” I wondered, somewhat bewildered by his expression.
“No reason,” he said curtly. “It was nice meeting you, Madeleine. And Serena, thank you for allowing me to escort you inside. Enjoy your night.”
And with that, he turned and walked away. My brow raised over the abrupt departure.
Did I do something wrong?
“He’s so lovely to look at. It’s a shame to see him go, even if I do enjoy the view,” Madeleine murmured. “Just met him, you say?”
“Yes, right outside. He...” I hesitated, not wanting to explain my near fall and all the subsequent events. I didn’t know why, but my brief encounter with Anton felt special in some way, and I wanted to keep the details about our meeting private.
“He’s a good friend to keep around, Serena. The minute you said his name, I knew who he was. He might try to hide from the press, but that handsome face can be recognized anywhere. Especially after he was included in the list of sexiest men alive by…” She pressed a finger to her chin. “Oh, I can’t remember the name of the magazine, but it’s a popular U.S. publication.”
I blinked in confusion.
“He’s really that well known?”
“My dear, are you going to tell me that you do not know who he is?” Her incredulous stare was nothing short of comical.
“I’m afraid I don’t have a clue,” I said with a laugh. Only select U.S. magazines made it into Italian circulation, but even if the magazine featuring Anton had been on the shelves in Rome, it was unlikely I would have paid much attention.
“That was Anton Romano. The magazine referred to him as a newly minted billionaire. All things considered, I assumed your meeting him was deliberate on your part. If you’re looking for financial backers, he might be an interested party. The man was an overnight success. He made a fortune in cryptocurrency a few years back.”
“Crypto?”
“That’s right. Virtual money. It’s changing the world—or so I’m told. I don’t understand the concept. To me, money is a physical thing that you can hold. But I suppose it’s all spent the same way no matter its form.”
The sudden sound of loud voices caused me to look past Madeleine toward a crowd of people filtering in. Their chatter echoed throughout the room.
“Looks like the red carpet parade is over,” I remarked.
“ Oui, oui. Time to get this party going!” she said with an exaggerated clap of her hands. “I’ll let you get to work. I spoke with Raul, the event organizer. He assured me he would seat you with people who might be interested in your cause. I looked over the seating chart when I arrived, and I approve. Your table is along the left wall, third row, second one in.”
I followed where her finger pointed, and quickly noted how she said it was my table—not ours.
“Aren’t you sitting with me?” I asked .
“Of course not!” She laughed as if the thought were preposterous. “Some designers like to sit with their muses, but that is not my style. You are my star here tonight, and you should be seated in a place of honor. I will be in my designated area mingling with my fellow designers. If all goes well, this evening will be a triumph for us both. We will catch up later. I know you will have the time of your life, my dear! Trust me.”
With that, she swept away, leaving me alone as the room gradually filled with guests.
Damn her!
I had been relying on her to guide me through the evening. I was completely out of my depth and had no idea how to navigate a celebrity scene of this magnitude. I had hoped she would help ease me into the crowd.
Guests made their way to the tables, and the room filled quickly. I followed suit and headed in the direction Madeleine had indicated. I eyed the place settings on my approach, taking note of the bamboo utensils, floral-patterned china, and gold-rimmed champagne flutes atop a cerulean tablecloth. The stunning arrangement complimented the rest of the extravagant décor, reminding me once again how much I didn’t fit in with such luxury.
I was the first to arrive at my table. I located the place card bearing my name, picked it up, and traced my finger over the gilded lettering before slipping the card into my red clutch purse as a keepsake to take home.
Glancing around the room one more time, I silently hoped I’d be able to locate Anton. I sighed to myself when I realized finding him now would be hopeless in the crowd that had filtered in.
“You’re on your own tonight, Serena,” I muttered to myself.
Anton’s words from earlier filtered into my mind.
Trustfall.
Pulling out my chair, I shifted the layers of my dress to the side and sat as gracefully as I could while wearing a chiffon monstrosity. Using the back of my hand, I wiped the slight bead of sweat from my brow. The nauseous feeling was back, and if the body aches I was starting to feel were any indication, I was definitely coming down with something. I hoped to be able to keep whatever it was at bay for a little while longer, and prayed the evening would be a success.