On their way to the mall, Luca was tapping his finger on the steering wheel.
"What is bothering you?" Lexi asked.
"Chloe told me that you saw... the pictures I took."
"Yeah... I had to ask Chloe. Sorry… But what were these photos? Noelle looked shocked."
Telling Lexi what he had in mind back then would definitely lead to a second scolding round.
"She.. kind of… went into her trailer, and she bumped into Camilla. Sleeping. Naked."
"A naked Camilla is no surprise! But why did Noelle enter the trailer?"
She was persistent, that Lexi. And curious.
"Don't ask why, and don't tell her that you know."
"I hope you don't have anything to do with that…"
Her voice was low, like she was whispering something that if told out loud it would be true. And she was scared that it could be true.
"Just don't say anything to her. I came to an agreement with Chloe about that. We will continue our parallel paths."
He could feel her watching his expression carefully as he was driving the car. "I have a bad feeling about that..." was the only thing she said.
Luca jumped back to his thoughts – unpleasant thoughts – about who he would meet any minute now. Seeing Isabella always felt like walking into a trap. And he couldn't avoid her. After what happened, Chloe would kill him if he stepped out of line. He thought again of Isabella and what she was expecting from him and he shivered.
"What's wrong? Why are you shaking?" Lexi asked.
"Oh... Was that obvious? I was thinking about Isabella ... I'm not that excited about meeting with her today."
"She's far from what you've expected, right?"
"You have no idea... Never had such a girl before."
"Well, what could you have done? There were no signs early enough."
"No, I felt it from the beginning. She was expecting... everything."
He took a deep breath in. Isabella was dangerous. She wasn't respecting the rules of the game. They were approaching the end of their… journey, and Luca was sensing intense pressure around her.
"Lexi, let me ask you. What is love?"
Lexi thought for a moment. "I don't think it's the same for everyone. For me, it's being with someone that I can be comfortable with. Jeff for me is the guy I can talk to about anything. He won't judge. He accepts me for what I am. That is all I'm looking for. But there are other people, who want someone to excite them, or someone to make their every wish come true, or someone just to have fun. I guess, in general, love is to be with someone that gives you what you are missing the most," Lexi said.
"So, the first step is to know what you are missing?"
"No! It's not a checklist! You feel these things! If you are with someone who is good for you, you will definitely know! You start going out with the one that caught your attention, get to know them and see whether they make you happy."
"So, love is being with someone that makes you happy? You said before that it is being with someone that provides what you're missing."
"It's the same, isn't it? Someone filling your... gaps will make you happy, right? Oh, it's too complicated! You'll just know when you find it!" she concluded.
"So, Isabella isn't making me happy?" he said with a devious smile.
Lexi only gave him a side look.
"I've been dating so much, I should know better." Luca chuckled.
"Don't make me laugh... Anyhow, I haven't realized that you were looking for your one and only." He wasn't looking at her, but he could feel the size of her smile.
"That is not for me... I wasn't made for romance," he said.
Or maybe I once was, but it all went wrong.
Once, when he was stupid enough to hope that he deserved happiness. The price he paid was immense. He wouldn't bother looking for true love ever again.
"Pity. I wanted to get the opportunity to prepare a celebrity wedding!" Lexi said.
"I've made it clear long ago. No weddings!" Luca snapped at her. "We have arrived, so let's go see my sweetheart," he said blankly, as they drove into the shopping mall where they had their rendezvous.
They got to the third floor using a service elevator, where the mall's representative waited for them. They were the first to get there.
The scenario was simple; along with his girlfriend, they would stroll around on the floor, then enter two specific stores pretending to shop, people would notice and take pictures. At the same time Lexi and Isabella 's assistant would take shots to feed the social feeds. Afterwards, they would go to Icy Cloud, taste the ice cream, and then they could all go home.
They waited around twenty-five minutes before Isabella made her grand, dramatic entrance, as usual, followed by her assistant. Isabella 's clothes matched his perfectly. They once again looked like the ideal couple.
"Luchino mio, you are already here! You couldn't wait to see me!" she said and ran to give him a kiss.
Those lips, covered in tons of lip-gloss! How he wished he could avoid them. But he obediently and warmly kissed her back. Lightly of course.
"You see right through me!" he said.
"Luchino, the outfit Abby selected is perfect. I love that girl! Isn't it true, Tracy?" Isabella addressed her assistant.
Tracy was a senior assistant and probably the only one that could handle her. Along with her poor manager, they were trying to keep her in line.
"Of course, Miss," she said gracefully.
"Ok, so when do we start? I'm looking forward to going shopping with my honey-bear!" Isabella said all excited. That was too overwhelming. Luca felt an urge to rush out of there, screaming for help - in a Winnie-the-Pooh costume.
"We're expecting a short introduction from the gentlemen here, and we can start the shopping part of the promotion, Miss," Tracy informed her.
"So, gentlemen, please begin. I want to spend a lot of money here today. I want to buy many presents for Luchino," she said.
That nickname would never stop getting on his nerves, but what he hated more was that he was getting used to it.
"Miss Bosi, please remember that Luca does not enjoy presents," Lexi chimed in to bravely save him.
"You are not to tell me if I will buy presents for my boyfriend or not. And he is Mr. West to you," Isabella attacked Lexi, eyes sparkling with hostile embers.
It was to be expected. Isabella never hid that she disliked Lexi. Maybe because she was the youngest of his associates. Any female around him was a threat to Isabella, especially young and attractive ones. She did not hesitate to attack a stylist on a TV show visit, because she was inappropriately touching his shoulders. Or a waitress on a wrecked date, simply because she smiled too much. No wonder why she snapped at Christmas. She was the same age as Isabella and good-looking.
"Miss Bosi, Lexi is probably referring..." Tracy said, unfazed by the outburst.
"I don't care what she is referring to! I don't want to know!" Isabella yelled as she was freaking out.
Luca knew it was time to intervene. He reached for her hand, held it gently and said in a calm voice: "Dear, there is no reason to worry. Let's focus on our work now, ok?"
It had the magical effect it usually had. She docilely sat next to Luca, looking only at him and didn't speak another word. Luca released her hand and patted her on the shoulder.
Good girl!
If she were to stay obedient, he might treat her with a smile. Now, he only had to survive one more hour next to her.
The mall representatives reminded them of the details, and they were ready to start their show.
When they got on the main corridor Isabella took his hand and interwove their fingers. The show was on, there was no escape.
The first shop was a home equipment store and they would spend fifteen minutes there. He was rather pleased as his hand was free again. They started examining various items, like pots and mugs, towels and pillows, vases and chairs.
They finally came to the bedding section where the target product was located. They were supposed to buy a set of sheets, one hundred percent cotton. The shop manager was discreetly monitoring them, to assist them at any moment.
Isabella was touching and caressing the sample. "So soft..." she said in a low voice. She took advantage of the fact that nobody was around and continued: "Do you have any idea of the things I can do to you between these sheets? Or the things I will let you do to me?"
He was not that strong as to be unaffected by what he heard. For a second or two he forgot who was speaking and let his mind wander to what these things could be.
Oh, hell no!
The voice of reason spoke in his head and took a deep breath to calm down. "You know... I don't like sex that much."
"Because you haven't slept with someone who loves you… I love you, Luca."
The sound of his name made him freeze. She had been calling him Luchino since day two. Indeed, that shocked him more than her... confession.
But then again, nobody had said anything like that to him before. What was the meaning of it? Why now?
"Love?" he asked, smiling as he tried to stay focused on what they were doing.
"Is what I feel for you..." she said, getting closer and closer. He felt threatened.
"Isabella , we need to go to the counter..." Luca reminded her.
"I don't care. Here is everything I want," she replied in a rather high-pitched voice.
"Keep your voice down. People are watching," he said with a wide smile. Indeed, many customers had taken notice of them and phone cameras were aiming at them.
"What will they hear? How much I crave you?"
Luca gave her a sweet smile, like he was supposed to. "Let's go to the counter, honey," he said.
Her eyes softened and obediently followed him. He was annoyed by how easily she was manipulated. It made him feel like a monster - that was never his intention.
He wasn't hiding the fact that this relationship wasn't leading anywhere. Why was she ready to be carried away once he showed her the tiniest bit of pretended care? Was what she said true?
No way. She is confused.
The rest of their stroll went without improvisation. Their final destination, Icy Cloud, was a nice surprise. That ice-cream was soft and tasty. They ended up sitting on a small table, carefully positioned so pictures could be taken with the brand being fully visible.
The mall visitors were already aware of who was sitting at the shop and a lot of pictures had likely already been posted. They were watching from a distance as mall personnel were discreetly keeping the crowd away. Isabella never wanted to sign autographs or take pictures with fans.
He glanced at his watch.
Ten more minutes...
"Time for your video Miss," Tracy informed her.
"Ok. You remember your words, Luchino?" Isabella asked him.
"Always." He felt relieved having her using his usual nickname again.
He drew his chair closer to her, according to the script, and took the new ice cream cup and a fresh spoon. The table was cleaned and the commercial was about to begin. Isabella was filming.
"Good day everyone!" he said smiling.
"Hello!" Isabella added, while nuzzling his shoulder like a cat. That was not in the script.
"Dropped by a new ice-cream shop today. Icy Cloud. My girl wanted to cool down a bit," he said, looking at her longingly, as planned.
"Babe, I told you, everyone is talking about Icy Cloud. I wanted to try the strawberry!" Isabella said, sticking to the script for once.
"Not enough for me. I want to try everything," he said, twirling the cup in his hand. "Here, have some strawberry for you..." he scooped up a spoonful of strawberry ice cream and held it to her mouth. Playfully, he pulled back slightly, laughing, before letting her have it.
"Oh my God! You're such a tease!" she beamed and headed for the spoon. He tried to put it away, but he didn't manage to. It was in the script. She grabbed the cup and began picking at the other flavors.
"Hey, that's mine!" Luca cried out.
Isabella turned to the camera: "Double tap if you're also guilty of stealing your partner's ice cream!"
"Isabella, I want to try Icy Cloud too!" he said.
"We are done!" Tracy said. "Please, let's do this one more time", she ordered.
Isabella 's face darkened the minute the filming was completed. Her eyes were glued to the floor. Luca just looked the other way, unsure what to do, what to say. Their table was empty again and a new ice-cream cup was brought.
"Good day everyone!" he said again smiling.
After a couple of minutes it was over. Tracy and Lexi discussed the details. In less than two hours the final video would be posted on Isabella 's account. As he tried to leave, his girlfriend caught his hand.
"Leaving already?"
"We are done here," he answered.
"When will I see you again?" she asked.
"Let's... check our schedules," he said and walked away with Lexi.
That girl didn't get the hint. But as he walked away, what she told him at the store made him feel uncomfortable. Could it be true? Was she in love with him?
This is dangerous...