Page 47 of Giovanna

I did refuse to move into his wing though.

“No one is under any illusions that you’re a virgin, Francesca,” Sandy had stated, matter of fact.

Embarrassed at the thought that they might think I was trying to pass myself off as a pure and innocent virgin, I snapped back, “That’s not what I’m saying at all. I just don’t want to share a room with a man who is still sleeping around. I doubt Elio wants me in his space either. What if he wants to bring aguesthome.”

Elio remained emotionless in the chair beside me. He allowed himself to be railroaded by his father as usual and didn’t dispute that he would continue having sex with other women.

“What about after you’re married?” Giovanna enquired. She hadn’t said a word up until this point. The best and worst part of living with the Marinos was that I saw more of Giovanna. More reminders of what I couldn’t have, but also more fleeting moments of contact with her that set my body alight.

I looked at Elio and he looked at me. We both shrugged.

I lost that battle though and I begrudgingly agreed to try living with Elio for a month. After that, I can move into a guest room if I still want to. We are sleeping in the same bed, but I have slapped away every advance he has made in the dark of the night. Thankfully he is often out late and I can pretend to be asleep when he returns.

My olive skin is tanning up quickly now that I’m back in a country with regular sunshine. After my trip to the beach with Massi the other week and daily sunbathing sessions by the pool, I’m a golden brown that is just crying out for white bathers.

I choose a bandeau bikini top with a twist in the middle of my breasts. The bottoms sit high atop my hips and the small piece of fabric on the back disappears into my bum. I know Elio’s eyes will bug out of his head when he sees me, but it is in the hope that his sister will join the party at some point that I’m really putting an effort in.

I’ll probably go for a swim at some point so I don’t want a full face of makeup to melt and leave me looking like the Joker. I just smooth out my complexion with tinted moisturiser, slick on some waterproof mascara, and stain my lips an almost burgundy red.

Chunky wedges with cork heels and thick white linen straps that weave around my ankles, complete the look because I just can’t be arsed with standing in stilettos all day.

The ring on my finger is ostentatious and heavy. It is over the top and designed for people to grab your hand and gasp over its obvious value. It is a ring that Elio would choose. One that he wouldn’t spend much time looking at.

‘Bring me the most expensive, flashy one you have,’ he would say.

Giovanna would choose a solitaire. A big diamond, clear and pure, but simple. Just diamond and band. When I start to imagine her grabbing it out of her bedside drawer and sliding it on my finger as we wake together in bliss, I tell myself to stop being a pathetic creep.

“Where have you been?” Elio sounds irritated, but his irritation quickly melts away when he takes in my appearance. He looks hungry like he might drag me into the pantry and devour me.

I register his lust with satisfaction. His wanting me feels like a victory even if only because it gives me a smidge of power over him. “Just upstairs,” I reply mildly. I deliberately hid up there until the party was underway.

A cold cocktail in a tall glass with ribbons of cucumber and lemon rind cascading over the rim is thrust into my hands. Of course, he has hired someone to make proper cocktails all day.

Elio’s hand on the small of my back guides me around the room and outside. We stop several times so he can introduce me as his fiancee and it is fascinating to watch women one after another ignore me and make eyes at him. He laps it up and I wonder how many of them he has already slept with.

Seizing the chance for a break from schmoozing, I leave Elio and head to the bathroom. Luckily no one is waiting for the loo because I sit on the toilet texting Massimo long after I have finished my wee.

Me: Where the fuck are you?

Massimo: Working

Me: I need you to save me from your brother and his friends

Massimo: I’ll be there later hopefully

Me: Can’t you ask Giovanna to let you come early? :D:D:D

Massimo: not really how it works. Plus she ain’t here

Me: What are you doing?

Massimo: you know I can’t tell you that

Me: you’re no fun

Massimo: xo

I take my shoes off after about an hour and venture through the forest of beautiful and beautified bodies. Women who could easily grace the covers of Vogue or stomp down a Victoria's Secret runway tower over me and my self-doubts multiply until they’re a poison in my blood and a plague on my mind.

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