CHAPTER 75: RHYTHMIC BLEND

"You look hot, Val!" Sonia gasped as she turned Valentina towards the mirror so she could stare at her reflection.

"I look like an idol," she laughed at her reflection. "How in the world did you manage to tuck my hair into this bulky pink fringe wig, Sonia? That’s genius of you!"

"You think so? I do my best."

"And your best came out excellent!" She turned to her and struck a pose. "Do I look like an alien bad bitch?"

"What you mean, bad bitch?" Sonia’s forehead creased.

Valentina chuckled, genuinely tickled by the question.

"I mean like you know how the sexy girls are."

"Oh sexy! Like stripper?"

Agh!

Valentina cackled. "You know what? Hell yeah! Like strippers? Have you seen strippers before?"

"Club Neravalle have strippers. Beautiful women. My cousin, she stripper there," she said.

"Oh really? What is her name? Maybe I’ll recognize her if I see her in the club. Fun fact, I’ve never seen strippers in real life before."

"You no see?!" Her eyes widened. "You see today. Her name Candy."

"Ohhh, spicy! I like it." She licked her lips, and Sonia laughed.

Elio walked into the room in that moment, but paused by the door on seeing Valentina.

The flow of his breathing shifted gears, as his eyes travelled through every inch of her.

From the heels that added more inches to her already long legs, to the gown that fit like a glove, hugging her body whilst projecting all of her curves.

His gaze moved to her face. No one would recognize her through the wig and body painting.

Sonia had done an amazing job.

"You look flawless," he said when he finally found his voice.

"Do you think anyone will recognise me?"

"Not a chance in hell," he replied.

"Sonia, you are a superstar! Well-done!" Valentina heaped praises on her.

She beamed, proud as hell of her accomplishments.

"Alright, remember the plan Sonia. You’ll stay in Val’s bed just in case Luce

picks out this night to check up on her."

"But I no look like Val."

"When you’re in the bed, how will anyone know?"

A little addition and subtraction from the plan, and they were on their merry way out.

"My stomach is all grumpy Elio," Valentina said as they walked through a path.

"Are you nervous? Don’t worry, no one ever goes through this path. In no time, you’ll be at club Neravalle."

His words were comforting enough, and so she decided to put her trust in him.

After a ten minute walk, Elio dropped the goggles in her palm.

"Wear it. From this point on, it’s going to be dark until we enter the club."

She took a deep breath, and put it on. Immediately, she was hit with bright light that dulled, and blended with the environment after a while.

"This is awesome!" She declared, causing Elio to laugh.

They began climbing up a staircase moments later.

"Are you ready?" Elio asked her.

"We’re almost there then?"

"Almost," he said.

"I am," she replied as an excited flow coursed through her blood.

"Good."

They arrived at the top of the stairs, and walked to a door.

"Elio?" The guard at the private area door called out.

"Sifratello."

"Who is the girl?"

Valentina held her breath.

"A friend. Why?"

The guard grinned. "You won all that money and suddenly don’t know how to behave anymore. Good for you, fratello. Good for you."

He patted his shoulders proudly, before opening the door.

Valentina released the breath she was holding, as they finally walked into the club.

Her heart dropped at the first sight of it.

The neon flickered across the walls in sync with the bass drop of the music.

Holographic lights slapped across both skin and surface, creating explosive colours as bodies smashed against bodies.

The rhythm was not only thumping bass, but also layered with electronic symphonies.

Through her goggles, the dark spaces not covered by light showed blue lights.

Tattoos glowed, drones flew overhead with cameras capturing moments, screens on the walls displayed betting stakes.

It was time, future, space, and eternity in the most breathtaking way.

"This is amazing Elio!" She breathed out in astonishment as they stopped at his private section.

There was no one else there. Just the two of them.

"Yeah Marcello and I killed it, didn’t we?"

"You so did!"

"Great, you’re here fratello."

Valentina looked to her side and saw Marcello. She quickly stifled a gasp, and threw her face away.

But as she did, it went towards the section at the far end of the other side.

Someone over there caught her attention. On closer inspection, she saw it was Salvatore.

It wasn’t just him. Vittorio was also there. Her heart began to pound softly.

If those two were there, then it meant that Luciano De Luca wasn’t far off.

"That’s Valentina?! Have you fucking lost your mind?!"

"Lower your fucking voice, Marce. I didn’t break her out of lanotte. Signor Vitto did that. Now help me keep an eye on her whilst I go ensure everything is perfectly in place."

"You never learn Elio," Marcello shook his head. "But I got you."

"Thanks fratello."

He turned to Valentina. "Hey, I’ll be right back okay? Marcello knows it’s you. No, he won’t tell."

"That’s three people already. This isn’t looking good," her words quivered nervously.

"I promise it’s fine. Just enjoy yourself, okay? I’ll be right back."

She sighed as she watched him leave. Not even the crazy scenes in the club was enough to soothe her thumping heart.

"You’re not dancing," Marcello said, drawing closer to her as he moved his body to the sound of the music.

His dance moves made her chuckle. "Did you recognise me?" She asked.

"Sorry?" He leaned in.

She repeated the question, and he shook his head.

"But it doesn’t matter, does it? You’re still the hottest girl in the entire club."

She giggled, and the weight of her fear slipped for a few minutes. Enough for her to begin to sway her body in accordance to the rhythm of the song.

Valentina floated into a different world. The energy was through the roof. Unlike anything she had ever experienced before.

Marcello was there to guide her. They danced together, and laughed in sync.

"You are an amazing dancer, Val!" He screamed to her.

"And you too Marce!" She called him how Elio called him, and they burst out laughing.

Valentina spun around twice, and on the third spin, her eyes caught an image down the other private section.

She slowed down a little, and really looked.

Shimmering black suit under holographic lights which were the most perfect blend of futuristic and the old world.

Her heart throbbed. She would recognize that presence anywhere.

From the moment he rescued her from the sea, his image was forever burned in her head.

"Luciano De Luca," she thought, and a shiver ran down her spine.

But he wasn’t alone. There was someone else with him. Not just Vittorio, and Salvatore.

A man that caught her attention too.

"You slowed down. What are you looking at?" Marcello leaned in to question her.

He followed the direction of her eyes and smiled.

"I knew she liked Carpo," he said in his mind, feeling sorry for his friend.

However, it wasn’t Luciano Valentina was looking at anymore.

The man standing with him, turned a little. She inhaled sharply on seeing his full face.

"Jared," she muttered.

"What did you say?"

Panic shot through her as she turned to Marcello. "I need to get out of here," she demanded—breathlessly.