"Did I not have an allergy to flowers? Why then, can I not pull my nose away from your neck?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Relaxing music, sophisticated elegant clothes, and luxurious cars stopping every few minutes announcing the arrival of the noble families invited to the birthday party of the Duke of Milan's daughter...
This is the atmosphere that enchanted Mary, standing in the middle of the palace, with her flowing black hair and her elegant appearance, a long light pink dress made of Italian satin, wearing a small Victorian-era shabbo on top of her head, which gave her a soft touch..
The palace was built in an old style, which made her enchanted by its architecture and decorations..
The hall is spacious with a high ceiling, from which crystal chandeliers hang.
Round tables are distributed throughout the hall, decorated with candles and natural Flowers , some roses and some peonies.
There are delicate glass vases and glass chairs. The curtains in the background are silk, in royal blue and white.
As for more Something she liked were the artistic masterpieces and statues that adorned the corners.
A tall, five-tiered strawberry-flavored cake, decorated with delicate details such as edible gold and roses، was in the middle of the large hall, which made her think that the girl was spoiled and loved pink.
Of course she would be spoiled if a party like this was held only in honor of her birthday..
A large table laden with gifts for guests and bouquets of flowers stood at the entrance of the palace.
making her wonder where she would put all those presents.
What also caught her attention was the way the place was decorated; there weren't balloons everywhere and the usual birthday decorations she usually saw at parties.
This was completely different..
Roses, candles, silk fabrics, and a few small star-shaped lights.
phrase "Birthday Girl" written in gold at the palace entrance, scream of the luxury and wealth of its owners.
A soft voice brought her out of her long conversation with herself..
" Did you like it? I personally supervised the making and decorating of it."
She turned to see that the source of the sound was a blonde girl with golden hair that barely reached her shoulders and green eyes Shining,
she looks seventeen years old, wearing a pink dress that reaches her knees and a small diamond-studded crown adorning her hair.
She looks like a Disney princess!
Mary replied:
"What?"
"I mean cake."
"Aa, Very much.."
The girl smiled and then said, as she stares at Mary ،
"I liked your dress very much, even though you broke the rules..."
" Oh, what rules do you mean?"
she whispered in her ear:
"The pink color I banned from attending..."
" Oh!", Mary gasped..
"I'm really sorry, I didn't know.. I really didn't mean to ruin your birthday for you.."
No, yes, Celia is a fool. She was only interested in attending, so she didn't ask about the dress code , which is the most important thing...
"No, it's really okay, I don't mind. You look beautiful. Really.."
Mary smiled shyly,
"and you look like a Disney princess.."
" Oh, thank you, how kind.."
She extended her hand,
"I'm Rosalina.."
"cil... Mary.. It's an honor to meet you.."
" I'm honored.. "
.
.
"Rosa, come, my little one.."
Rosalina turned when she heard her father calling her to introduce her to other important people, as he said.
that's really boring..
"I have to go, I'll see you later.."
Mary smiled at her..
She's really nice..
She went back alone. Again... her phone rang. It was Bianca..
"How are things with you, Celia?"
" It would have been better if I wasn't alone.."
" I'm sorry, but I have to say goodbye to Marcelo. I won't see him for many days This drives me crazy when I remember it .. "
Celia rolled her eyes..
" Where are you now? "
"We're at the airport. His plane is in an hour."
" convey my greetings and wishes for his safety."
"Thank you. I will. I'll go now. Enjoy the party and be careful not to arouse suspicion Rodolfo.."
Celia bit the inside of her cheek anxiously.
"Well, If he comes.."
" he will come. Just wait, okay, goodbye.."
She hung up the phone and a wave of tension washed over her.
The number of guests was increasing until the hall was almost full.
Mary's eyes scanned the area, searching for him... but he was nowhere to be seen.
The voice of the Duke of Milan silenced the noise emanating from the guests' conversation...
" Ladies and gentlemen, I extend to you my highest words of thanks and gratitude for accepting our invitation today and honoring us with your presence at this party that I have held in honor of my daughter Rosalina on the occasion of her eighteenth birthday.. And also, on the occasion of her official announcement as the owner of "Profumica", the company producing your favorite Italian perfumes... On this happy occasion, you will be the first to experience her "Rosa" fragrance before its launch... "
The servants placed several beautifully wrapped, feminine pink bottles on the tables scattered throughout the hall as the Duke finished speaking...
"Thank you..."
Applause and congratulations filled the air..
Celia was amazed by the atmosphere and the news, and very happy for Rosalina and her fragrance, which perfectly represents her..
Rosalina stood beside her father, smiling gratefully, while he looked at her with pride.
She cut the large cake, receiving congratulations and compliments, which made Mary so engrossed in enjoyment as she strolled around the palace, sampling the cakes..
that she completely forgot the real reason for her visit.
But it didn't matter; he hadn't appeared anyway..
Soft music began to play, and the guests started dancing in pairs—very romantic.
She retreated to a corner that allowed her a clear view.
"Are you a party ghost?"
That unmistakable voice, a soft whisper in a masculine tone in her ear, sent shivers down her spine.
She turned slowly, her heart pounding violently .
Rodolfo stood there in a dark blue suit, his raven-black hair styled in a way that looked...very masculine.
"And are you a party ghost hunter?"
she said calmly, belying the turmoil inside her.
A faint smile touched his lips as he gazed into her blue eyes.
"Yes, I suppose so, as a side project."
The eye contact they were making was more powerful than any reply she could think of.
He placed one hand behind his back and extended the other towards her.
"May I have this dance, my ghost French lady?"
She hesitated a little, then accepted and extended her hand to him.
He took it and placed his other hand on her waist, which made her pulse quicken.
"I heard you were looking for me,"
she said as they danced a slow, classical dance.
"Yes, I was."
"What do you want from me?"
"You didn't say goodbye at our last meeting."
"That's all,? "
she said, trying to maintain eye contact with his eyes, which had become lighter in the dim light.
"Yes, in my dictionary, leaving without saying goodbye means meeting again."
She smiled as he took her hand and made her spin.
"Yes, I think so."
He held her waist again, and her breath, which always betrayed her, began to falter.
Damn it, this was what she feared.
" And you didn't tell me your name"
He added in a calm and composed tone, unlike her own, which she feigned with difficulty.
"So I'm guessing your research hasn't answered your questions."
He smiled, curling his lips in a feigned Sadness..
"Unfortunately"
"Mary... my name"
" Marie... so French, enchanté de faire votre connaissance"
He spoke with a more Italian than French accent..
"De même, ravie de vous rencontrer"
The dance was coming to an end… but she wasn't sure she could bear his closeness much longer..
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'd like some water."
He stopped the dance and they sat at one of the tables while he brought her a glass of water.
"Thank you"
"Do you need anything?"
he asked seriously.
"Yes, something sweet, please."
He nodded and left.
Celia jumped up from her chair; this was her golden opportunity to escape.
Rodolfo returned quickly, carrying a piece of cake , but he found the table empty.
He searched the entire hall, but... it was as if it had vanished...
Damn it!... he cursed under his breath... but then he smiled.
"See you again, Mary.."
.....
"It's really delicious, I swear"
"You're a damn liar, Alfredo!"
said Racina, snatching her half-burnt cookie from Alfredo's hand, who was eating everything.
"As long as you made it, it'll be delicious..."
Racina tossed her hair proudly.
"Of course.."
" Great, then give it back..."
he said, snatching the cookie from her hand again.
They looked like children squabbling For a piece of candy..
Here in a public park in Rome, they sat on the grass eating burnt cookies, having the biggest random conversation...
so random that Alfredo told her about how his head got stuck in an ostrich cage when he went to the zoo as a child and how the ostrich almost pecked his head...
and she told him how she cut the hair of all the girls in her elementary school class just so that she would be the only one with long hair there...
But more importantly, they both seemed to be excellent listeners. Each considered their brief daily encounters a respite from life's pressures and problems,
simply because they were both themselves—unpretentious, speaking without thinking, just saying whatever they wanted, however they wanted..
Then Alfredo received a message from Celia telling him she was stuck in Milan and couldn't find a taxi.
He stood up quickly.
"Oh, I have to go, Rasina. Sorry"
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes. Just a small problem I need to sort out."
"Okay,"
she said, her sadness skillfully concealed.
"See you again."
He kissed her hand and took a cookie.
"See you later. Thanks for the sweets "
She smiled as she watched him leave quickly.
She sighed, picking up her bag and the box of cookies to return to the Serrani Palace..
.......
꧁End of Chapter꧂
A new chapter! What do you think of today's events and character development, especially Rodolfo's relationship with Marie?
I love it!