Chapter 56

SILVANA

I stepped into the hall and found myself a sit beside Lily. We exchanged greetings before focusing on other things. My eyes went to my phone as I checked the time. We still had five minutes before the start of the program. A small bottle was suddenly placed on the table. I looked up to see James passing me a smile before walking away.

My brows furrowed and I picked up the bottle, my moving to the label. A small smile pulled to my lips when I realized it was a hangover drink. He must have realized I didn't take the hangover soup. I glanced over at him now seated a few chairs away, engrossed in a conservation with someone. My smile broadened and I returned my attention to the bottle, downing it's content in one gulp.

A satisfied sigh escaped my lips as I discarded the bottle. The program began shortly after and as it progressed, I found myself stealing glances at James, our eyes meeting once during the event.

After three hours, the program ended and the attendees began filing out of the hall but Lily and I stayed. We struck up a conversation about our respective companies and I discovered that she owned a construction supply company here in Italy. She supplies construction materials both nationally and internationally. From what she said, she was well known and we also shared a common experience - we both succeeded the company after our father's passing though mine was a little after and more complicated.

We also exchanged numbers, and I turned to leave, but my movement was abruptly halted when I got startled by the sudden presence of someone standing directly in front of me, causing me to jump in surprise.

"The fuck." I scoffed when I saw it was Reed, who chuckled. "What now? Are you scared of me."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop talking nonsense, and move."

"What if I don't?"

I inhaled deeply, attempting to push past him but he grabbed my hand.

"You know, lately, your ego has been skyrocketing."

I snickered, locking eyes with him. "What then? You don't like it?"

"Hey – "

"Piss off, will you?" My hand was yanked free from Reed's grip. A surprised look appeared on my face when I saw James.

"Look who we have here," Reed chuckled, "Silvana's knight in shining armor."

"Hey, try to use your head for once." James retorted and tried pulling me away, but Reed spoke up.

"Be careful, Silvana. James won't always be there to save you."

His words, unexpectedly sent shivers down my spine. I turned to face him, but James pulled me away the next instant.

"Are you okay? He didn't try shit, right?" James asked, when we were some distance away from him. I smiled at the concerned look on his face and shook my head. "I'm fine."

He sighed, nodding. "You should stop letting him say trash to you."

"It's nothing, as long as I don't get pissed off." I said with a little shrug and he smiled. "Heading for lunch."

"Not really – "

"Mr James!" I was cut off but the sound of James name being called. We turned to the direction of the voice to see a group of men.

"I think you should go." I muttered, staring at the men who seemed like they wanted to see him.

James turned to me. "I will see you later."

"Go on." Nodding, I urged him to go, and he walked away to meet the men.

My eyes remained on them as they talked for a few seconds before I finally made my way out of the hall.

I was still full, but I also didn't want to go to my room and end up staying there throughout the whole day, so I decided to treat myself to some pampering. Following one of the hotel staff's recommendation for a saloon first, I went there and I was stunned by the beauty of the whole place. Their design kind of caught my eye. I nodded as a smile slowly spread across my lips. I was welcomed and led to a station where I met a hair stylist. I wanted to get my hair done, change my hairstyle precisely, and after lots of recommendations from the stylist, I decided to go with curls.

After hours of sitting in the chair while my hair wss being worked on, the stylist finally finished, and I was blown away by the outcome. My once straight and plain hair was now a shiny mane soft curls. The curls were certainly a banger; it brought out another side of me, which looked absolutely stunning.

"Do you like it?" The stylist asked in her Italian accent. I nodded my head, "I love it."

The lady smiled and I smiled back.

Feeling fulfilled, I left the saloon, heading straight for the closest mall. After doing my hair, I decided to shop for few things. I stepped in, taking a cart. As I walked through different shelfs, I picked out random things that seemed pleasing to my eye and threw them into the cart. But just before I ended the whole shopping spree, I decided to pick out a shoe for Karen.

As I wheeled through the section, I unexpectedly came across the person I hoped not to meet again - Kyra. Our eyes locked as we stopped our shopping to stare at each other. She had a scowl on her face and I expected her to come at me, but she just walked past me.

My brows hiked up as I turned to watch her walk away. Did she take my advice to stay away from me? If she did, then that's good.

With a little shrug, I continued my shopping, my eyes scanning through the whole area in search of an heel which was or close to Kyra's taste. I finally found one, it was a silver heel, which had diamond stone in its it was beautiful and surely something Kyra's taste. I took it and headed to the counter to checkout.

When I was finished, I stepped out, surprise clouding my face when I saw the day had already gone dark. How many hours did I spend doing all this. I caked my phone for the girl and a low gasp escaped my lips when I saw it was past seven.

Still stunned, I shook my head and kept my phone in my bag before hailing a cab to take me back to the hotel. Entering the cab, I threw my head back on the headrest, a loud sigh escaped my lips as the began moving. My eyes went shut and I was almost dozed off when I noticed the car had stopped moving. My eyes shot open, my gaze moving to the driver.

"What's going on?" I questioned and he glanced at me.

"There is a traffic jam, we would get moving soon."

Sighing, I rested my head on the car window. My eyes caught the tall building of the hotel, which was some distance away. I was already so close so I decided to just get down from here. I paid the driver and left the car, walking the lane down to the hotel. I had just diverted from the street walk into the street of the hotel when I heard footsteps behind me. I wanted to ignore it at first but it became more obvious. I stopped walking, hoping that the person would just walk by, but it was the opposite. The person also stopped and when I started walking again, the person did the same.

I quickened my pace, my heart pounding in my chest as I hastened toward the hotel. The footsteps behind me also accelerated, echoing in my ear.

"Ahh!!!" I yelled out a startled cry as someone suddenly appeared in front of me.