♥ Chapter 17♥

Isabella Conti.

I walk to my room, throwing my bag on the bed before heading to the bathroom. I calmly remove my clothes, leaving them carefully folded on the counter. Furthermore, I step into the shower stall, and, as I feel the hot water running over my body, I let out a sigh of relief.

The comforting sensation of the warm water calms me down a little, but the anxiety is still there. I'm nervous about this dinner, afraid of the unknown, but also anxious to see what will happen. What will he say? What did that brush of lips mean? These are the questions that hammer away in my mind as I let the water relax my tense muscles.

While the hot water from the shower massages my tense shoulders, my mind continues to spin with conflicting thoughts. Why am I so attracted to him? It's a question that echoes inside me, an unknown that haunts me. I've never experienced anything like this before-such a powerful and overwhelming attraction.

I remember the erotic dreams I had with him-so vivid and intense that they seemed real. Every touch, every look, and every sigh echoed inside me like a promise of pleasure. And when I saw him enter the cafeteria, it was as if my heart leapt into my chest, a sensation so strong I could hardly believe it.

This dinner could be the key to unlocking this mystery, to understanding what attracted me to him so much. Perhaps, by sharing an intimate moment at the table, we can open up and reveal our true feelings. Maybe then I'll discover the reason for this overwhelming attraction, or maybe I'll just lose myself even more in his presence.

'' Isa! Finish that bath! '' I'm startled by Gabi's voice.

"I'm finishing! "I shout back so she can hear.

Despite my determination to minimize the importance of this encounter, a small voice inside me suggests that I should prepare myself as if something else might happen. The idea of trimming the hair on my private parts is tempting; after all, who knows what dinner might bring, right? But then I remember it's just a date and decide it's not worth the extra effort. After all, why bother with something that could be nothing more than a simple conversation at the table? Confident in my decision, I finish my bath and step out of the shower, ready to get ready for the night ahead.

I decide to brush my teeth. With each brush, I feel a wave of nervousness run through my body, as if each bristle of the brush is touching my deepest fears. But even so, I keep brushing, as if I could wash all this anxiety down the drain with the foam from the toothpaste. It's as if each repetitive movement is an effort to prepare myself not only physically, but also emotionally for what's to come.

As I rinse my mouth, I can't help but look at my reflection in the mirror. I see the tension in my eyes, the uncertainty hanging over me like a shadow. And it's then that I realize what I'm doing. I'm preparing for an encounter with a man who could have ended my life in the blink of an eye. A man whose mere presence makes me excited and scared at the same time.

Why am I acting like this? Why am I so attracted to someone so dangerous? It's a strange feeling, a rollercoaster of emotions that I can't understand. I just let out a sigh and walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around my waist, to find Gabi waiting anxiously for me.

"Let's get started, Isa. Sit here in this chair. '' Gabi points to the chair in front of the full-length mirror. ''I'm going to turn you into a diva.

Swallowing dryly, I follow her instructions, eager for what's to come.

As Gabi begins to work on me, I feel a mixture of nervousness and excitement. The brush in her hands feels like an extension of her artistic soul, and every stroke she makes on my face is like a promise of transformation.
''You're going to be amazing, Isa. Trust me." Gabi smiles, her eyes shining with determination.

I trust her, but I'm also aware that, behind the mask of make-up and the glamorous hairstyle, there's a turmoil of emotions that I can barely understand. After all, why am I trying so hard to impress a man who, until recently, was just a creepy stranger?

This uncertainty hangs over me as Gabi works, and I wonder if tonight will be the start of something incredible or the beginning of an impending disaster.

Gabi finished her masterpiece, and when I saw myself in the mirror, I could hardly believe it. That woman in the mirror didn't look like me, but an improved and exuberant version of myself.

'' My God. Is that me? "I exclaimed, surprised by the transformation.

She lets out a melodious laugh, looking at me with pride.

''Of course it is, love. Now all that's left is the dress. '' Gabi approaches me, carefully holding up the dress. ''Let me help you; I don't want you to undo this divine hair.

With a grateful smile, I accept her help, gently sliding the red dress over my skin. It's a stunning piece, long and dark, with a subtle slit up the thigh, sleeves that fall to the shoulders, and a perfect fit that highlights every curve of my body.