Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
“I love it.” Stephan clapped his hands together. “Keep talking.”
“I like the shape of this but since it’s so simple, we need to up the fabric or color. If it’s green, make it metallic or make it black with top-of-the-line lace insets.” The ideas rolled easily off Angelina’s lips as she talked nonstop for at least ten minutes.
“Girl. I think we are going to get along just fine.” Between gathering materials from the stock room.
In a matter of hours, the table was piled high with fabric, accessories, and sketches. Inspiration flowed. Even Bella got into the action wrapping herself in material and jewelry.
“I have the perfect name for this collection.” Bella bounced on her now forgotten sore feet while she grabbed Stephan’s arm. “Well, that is if you decide not to use Debutante.”
“And what’s that, my beautiful muse?” Stephan obviously was captivated by their new redheaded model.
“Dark Angel.” She whispered.
“I love it.” He put his fingers to his mouth and gave her an air chef kiss.
“I do too.” Angelina’s mind spun with possibilities. “I can visualize so many things. A perfume line, purses, and jewelry.”
“Remember we have to keep it elegant, sophisticated, and one of a kind.” Stephan dotted the suggestions down.
“Absolutely. I have some designs I did in school that might work.” Angelina reached for her phone.
“Do you have them with you? Has anyone ever seen them?” He tried to peek over her shoulder.
“No. It wasn’t an assignment, but I have them on my phone. See.” Handing the phone over, he flipped through the various photos.
“Wow, this is not at all what I expected. I love it. I can see the campaign already. These would also blend in well with carnival.”
“Masks. I can see the fashion show now.” Angelina stood and placed her hand in front of her face. “All the models wearing matching masks.”
“Yes. Yet we could still do the gowns in other colors for those that don’t want black.” Stephan suggested.
Angelina pumped her fist in the air. “I’m so excited. I can’t believe I get to work on this.”
“You can thank Heidi for being sick. Otherwise, you’d be working with her. I begged Camilla for your help today. Once she sees what we’ve already come up with, there’s no way you’re going back.”
“Yay,” Angelina squealed before sitting back down. “Where should we begin?”
“We take the silhouette Bella’s wearing and create a few examples of what the collection will be like.”
“Got it.” She reached for a sketch pad. Many designers preferred using iPads but she was more old school.
“What should I do?” Bella remained on the platform.
“Take a seat sweetheart and rest those pretty feet.” Stephan smiled and motioned for her to sit on a nearby couch. As soon as her bottom hit the cushion, she pulled off her shoes and massaged the soles of her feet.
Before she knew it, five o’clock had arrived. Bella yawned and stretched. The girl had fallen asleep somewhere around four, but neither designer said anything. Whereas Bella was tired, Angelina was inspired. It was a welcome relief after the rude start to the day and her menacing lunch guest.
Joseph would be here soon. She bit her lip. What kind of mood would he be in now? Had he really meant to go ring shopping? And if he did, why was her stomach doing cartwheels as if she were considering accepting?
Camilla never returned to check on her so the woman must have left for the day. Angelina locked her designs in her desk. Together with Bella, now dressed in jeans and a light sweater, they said their good nights to Stephan.
They waited inside the door as told, but by five after, Joseph still hadn’t arrived. Finally, Bella’s phone buzzed.
“Dante will be there soon. He’s taking us out to eat then home.” She’d barely gotten the words out when he walked in the door. There was security at the front but they’d waved him in. The guard knew who and who didn’t belong inside the house of Caponelli.
“Hello, ladies. Ready to dine?” Dante offered the crook of his arms to the women, but only Angelina accepted.
“Yeah, sure. I’m starving. You wouldn’t believe how tiring it is standing all day. I think I must still have jet lag.” Bella flexed her foot.
“Well, if you weren’t up all night on your phone, you could get some sleep.” Dante held the door open. Four men were outside keeping watch. Were they really in this much danger?
Bella stopped and narrowed her eyes “Wait. How do you know I’m up all night? Are there cameras in my room?”
“No, but we do monitor signals from your phone.” The men ushered them into the waiting SUV.
“Why couldn’t I have been born into a normal family?” Bella groaned after they settled in the back where Dante joined them.
“Be thankful you are not. Do you know how many girls there are who’d kill for a job like yours?” Dante gave it right back to her.
“I know. But like Angelina, I’ve worked hard to get here. A name will only get you so far. You have to have talent to back it up.” She stuck her nose in the air and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Again, you don’t have to have a lot of skill to walk down an aisle and look pretty.”
Angelina’s eyes widened. Dante didn’t know what he’d stepped into. Bella was about to go loco on his ass. She’d enjoy watching every minute. Surprisingly, Bella remained calm.
“Hey Gangster. I know you don’t get out much since you live in the shadows of the underworld and all, but there is beauty out in the world. For your information, it does take talent to glide down a runway on five inch or higher heels, looking elegant, and showcasing clothes designers, seamstresses, and other craftsmen created. I may not be the most stunning model out there but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that I do my best at what is asked of me. Modeling is a dream of mine, and I don’t give a damn what you or anyone else thinks. It’s important to me.”
He frowned their way. They cringed. Although they were welcome to speak their minds in the Caponelli family, voicing their opinions to other men in the mob was frowned upon, even considered an insult.
“I meant no disrespect. I admit my ignorance of the fashion industry. It won’t happen again. Please accept my apology.” He bowed his head to her.
“I, ah. Well. Apology accepted.” Bella tucked her shaking hands under her legs.
“Good, then let’s go eat. As you said, I live in the shadows of the underworld. Tonight, I want to dine in the light with two beautiful ladies.” There was a spark in Dante’s eye whenever he focused on Bella.
A half hour later they were enjoying a five-star meal in the private dining room of an exclusive hotel restaurant.
“Bella, if modeling doesn’t work out what will you do?” Dante asked between bites of a filet mignon.
“Don’t doubt me. It will work out.” A scowl on her face, she stabbed at the arugula salad with her fork.
“With Bella’s determination, I don’t see how she’ll fail.” Angelina attempted to break the tension. “How did you find this place? The food is amazing.” The pizza had all her favorite toppings. Greek olives, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, basil, and the perfect amount of sauce. The fresh bread almost had her eyes rolling back in her head. It was the best ever.
“Glad you like it. It’s a family-owned business.” Dante motioned for another bottle of wine.
“The restaurant? I thought you didn’t need to look at the menu because you ate here a lot.”
“I have a passion for food and helped create the various selections. One of my many passions in life.” He spoke to Angelina but his focus was on the redhead at the table. “I own the hotel as well.”
“It’s gorgeous.” If the marble floors and warm woodwork in the lobby were any indication.
Bella took a large sip of wine. Her face flushed. Whether it was from the alcohol or the man’s attention, who knew?
“My mother dabbles in hotels. My passion is food.” Dante grinned. “Bella, do you have any passions? Besides modeling, of course.”
She flashed him a tight smile and narrowed her eyes.
He smirked and sat back in his chair.
The awareness Dante gave Bella had created an unwelcome tension. Angelina darted her gaze back and forth between the two. Would she have to break up a fight?
“Dante. Do you have any weekend plans?” Angelina reached for another piece of bread. If she kept eating like this, she was going to have to make use of the workout room in the building.
“Since it’s only Monday, it’s too far away to make plans.” His phone buzzed. Dante frowned as he read the message. “I’m kind of a last-minute plans type of guy.”
“Is everything all right?” Worry about where Joseph was popped into her head.
“Yes, everything is fine.” He laid his phone on the table and picked up a glass of cabernet. “Tell me about your first day of work.”
“It was good. The person I was supposed to work with never showed up, which ended up being a good thing because I worked with someone else coordinating on a new line. I’m super excited about it. It’s totally different from what Madison designs, so I hope she liked it.” The buzz of inspiration still flowed through her.
“You were picked for the job, so I’m sure she will. What’s it like?” Dante spoke to her but his gaze still floated toward Bella.
“It’s top secret.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“Anything else happen today?” Dante finished his glass of wine.
Angelina stopped mid bite of her pizza and paused before putting her utensil down. He was fishing. Either that or he wanted to know more about her lunch date.
“As I’m sure you’ve already been told. I went unaccompanied to lunch and was joined by a member of the Irish mafia.”
“Do tell.” Dante set his glass down. “Who was it?”
She waved it off. “Some tall guy with a snake tattoo on his hand.”
“What happened?”
“Joseph showed up, threatened the man, and told me to never go out alone again.”
“Sounds like good advice.” He glanced at his phone again.
“Where is he by the way?” Angelina searched the room hoping Joseph was in the area.
“Taking care of business.”
“What kind of business?” If she had to guess it wasn’t something good.
“Gangster kind.” He winked at Bella and motioned for a waiter.
Angelina met Bella’s eyes. The thought that Joseph might be in trouble left her stomach queasy. She pushed her plate away.
“Is he safe?” It was all she could think about. What if she’d done something to put him in danger? Why did she have to go out alone? What if he got hurt or worse yet, killed? No matter the years or what had happened between them, she would always care.
Dante scowled. “We’re never safe. The sooner you realize it the better.”
A chill ran down Angelina’s spine. “What do you mean?”
“Life is short, eat dessert.” He winked.
As if on cue, a staff member wheeled up an antique cart with an elaborate array of delicious looking treats. Cheesecake, chocolate cake, cannoli, gelato, and other Italian delicacies. Yet, nothing was appetizing. Her feelings for Joseph were a jumbled mess. Their friendship as kids, their unfulfilled spark as teens, and their troubled relationship as adults. Now forced to live in the same space and pretend to be a couple. Joseph swore he’d never got over her and wasn’t giving up. She was living a twisted ‘enemies to lovers’ movie with no happy ending in sight. Was he her enemy or her hero?
The last thing Angelina wanted was for him to get injured as the result of something she unwittingly caused. Her stomach ached.
“I’ll pass. I want to go home now.” Angelina tossed her napkin on her plate.
Dante turned to Bella, who nodded. It’d been a long, stressful day. She wanted to soak in a hot bath and crawl into bed. Who was she kidding? Angelina needed to see Joseph and know he was okay.