♥ Chapter 47♥
Isabella Conti
Thursday
17:30 '' Cafeteria '' Portevecchio
I've hardly been able to concentrate at work; anxiety is consuming me at the prospect of dancing for Alessio. The good news is that we left work early today. At this very moment, I'm getting changed next to Sophia, who has a radiant smile on her face.
'' I'm so excited to teach you to dance! You can be sure that your boyfriend will be delighted to see your beautiful Isabella dancing sensually for him. '' She laughed, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.
'' Stop, you're making me even more nervous! '' I closed the closet door and grabbed my bag. '' Shall we go?
'' Let's go! '' She said, almost jumping for joy, as we left the staff room.
''Has Tom left yet?'' I asked, looking around and not seeing him anywhere.
"Yes, he said he had something urgent to deal with." She replied, nodding.
As soon as we left the cafeteria, I was surprised to see Gabi waiting for us at the entrance with a big smile on her face.
''Did you leave early too?'' I asked, trying to understand why she was already there.
''I asked to leave early. I'm so excited to see my dear friend learn to dance! '' Gabi replied, jumping up and down almost with excitement.
I glared at Sophia, who laughed at my face without any remorse. During lunch, she simply picked up my cell phone and called Gabi, telling her all about our plan. The two of them spent minutes chatting animatedly about it while I could barely eat, drowning in anxiety.
We got into the car, and I sat in the back seat, watching the animated conversations between Gabi and Sophia. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and an involuntary smile appeared on my face as I heard their excited voices.
''It's going to be incredible, Isa! He's going to be totally disarmed and speechless!'' Sophia said, gesturing with her hands as if she were describing a great spectacle.
''And you're going to be amazing. I'm counting the minutes to see his reaction! '' Gabi agreed, with a twinkle in her eye.
Their conversation unfolded into details about what Alessio might feel when he saw my dance, imagining his reactions and how delighted he would be with the surprise. Their every word seemed to make my heart beat faster, mixing nervousness with growing excitement.
''You're making it sound like it's going to be a big event. '' I commented, trying to hide my anxiety with a light laugh.
''That's because it is! You're preparing something incredible for your boyfriend. Sophia looked at me through the rearview mirror with a smile full of complicity. ''This is going to be a moment he'll never forget.
'' I really hope he likes it. '' I said, biting my lip nervously. ''I want him to see how hard I worked.
Gabi gave me an understanding look.
''He'll love it. And more importantly, you're doing it because you want to and because you're in love. This is going to be a beautiful present.
While they talked about what else I could do to make the evening special, I lost myself in thoughts about Alessio. I imagined the look on his face when he saw me, and how surprised and delighted he would be by what I had planned. The idea of doing something so intimate and personal for him made me excited, and at the same time, it made my stomach churn with anticipation.
''Are you anxious?'' Sophia pulled me back to reality with her curious question.
''Yes, a little.'' I admitted it, giving a nervous smile. ''But I'm also very excited.
'' Great! Excitement will help you.'' Gabi replied, with an encouraging look on her face.
''Exactly. And don't worry, I'll be here to support you and Gabi too,'' Sophia assured us, as Gabi drove towards our house.
We arrived at our apartment, and I was relieved to finally be home. Gabi parked the car in the building's garage, and we got out, walking quickly to the elevator. Anxiety began to mix with nervous excitement, and I listened to the excited chatter of my friends around me.
"It's going to be perfect, Isa! Your boyfriend will be speechless!" Sophia was saying it with contagious energy.
''You're definitely going to dance your socks off! '' Gabi added, looking at me with an encouraging smile.
I found myself smiling at their excitement, feeling a little of my own anxiety diminish with each word of support.
''I hope so,'' I replied, trying to stay calm.
The elevator reached our floor, and the doors opened. We got out and walked towards the door of our apartment. The corridor seemed a little longer than usual, perhaps because of my growing anticipation.
'' Here we are! Welcome, Sophia. '' Gabi said, putting the key in the lock and opening the door.
''Thank you. '' We entered the apartment.
As soon as I enter, my cell phone starts ringing. My heart instantly races, and I take a quick look to see that it's Alessio calling. The sight of his name on the screen makes my stomach turn.
'' Oh my God, it's Alessio! What do I do? What do I do? '' I ask desperately, my hands shaking as I hold the phone.
''Pick up, Isa. Try to be natural, say you're busy with work and can't meet him. '' Sophia guides me, her hands making encouraging movements.
I take a deep breath, trying to control the anxiety that almost paralyzes me.
''A-Alessio?'' My voice comes out hesitant, and I feel a wave of guilt as I see the concern on my friends' faces.
''Why did you stutter, my precious?'' His voice is low and seductive, but there's a palpable tension that makes me shiver.
Nervousness is consuming me. I look at my friends and see them gesturing for me to continue.
''It's just that I was talking to my friends when my cell phone started ringing,'' I explain, trying to look calm while my friends nervously pace back and forth.
'' I see. I just wanted to hear your voice. I can't wait for Saturday to arrive, I want to see you. '' Alessio says, and I feel a pain in my chest just listening to him.
'' Ah... About that... '' My voice trembles, betraying my nervousness.
'' Tell me. What happened? '' His voice becomes colder and more implacable, and I feel a chill run down my spine.
''I'm going to have to stay late at work... And... And I'm also going to start working weekends. '' My voice almost dissolves into a whisper of fear.