?I?ll arrange to have a portfolio sent to your office.?
?In the meanwhile, I will have a CD containing our available eastern artifacts sent to you.? They kept up a very professional
conversation. Suddenly Alessandra?s facial muscles tensed. Krista looked up and saw Arianna Di Montalvi approaching their
table, accompanied by a distinguished older man and a teenager.
?What a coincidence...? Arianna started. ?I did know my assistant had a meeting with you tonight, but I was not aware it would
be here. I hope she will be of help to you Krista. As I previously told you, she is my best employee and is priceless to me.? The
double innuendo didn?t go unnoticed and Krista glanced at Alessandra who was nervously holding her espresso cup with two
hands, her jade eyes narrowing with disdain. Unquestionably, something was going on between them. Arianna flashed a superior
grin and introduced her companions.
?Ms. Petrovna, this is my former husband, Graf Von Meinhard, who is also one of your biggest admirers and our son Carlo.?
She stated politely.
Krista didn?t miss Arianna?s predatory stare in Alessandra?s direction. She smiled amiably as the marquis took her hand and
lightly kissed it. He was a tall man in his late fifties with silver hair, and one could not ignore the great intellect hiding behind the
steel gray eyes. Krista detected a certain loneliness enveloping Arianna?s son, who seemed lost in another world. She felt a
certain feeling of intrusion at that moment, but tried to dismiss her discomfort and managed to be cordial. After a shallow
conversation, the countess and her escorts walked to their table leaving Alessandra livid.
?Krista, I must go now, could we schedule another meeting? I?ll drive you home.? She immediately regretted her abruptness,
but she had to get out of the place. They left the restaurant in silence. Krista felt uneasy and thought about getting a taxi, but she
could not bring herself to leave this incredibly sensual woman. So rather than follow her instincts, she accepted the offered ride.
They barely spoke as Alessandra drove away.
~~~~~~
Alessandra continued kicking the door of Arianna?s townhouse with her feet, her speech slurred and vision blurry as she
released an incoherent slew of obscenities. A bottle of Stolichnaya® hung precariously in her grip as she struggled to right
herself into an upright position. As an afterthought, the inebriated woman leaned against the wall, tilting her head back as she
tipped the bottle, closed her eyes as the drops of the fiery liquid poured down her throat. After she swallowed the vodka, she
opened her eyes, fought to focus her vision, then released a disgruntled mumble as she turned her attention back to the door. For
a moment, she felt her world suddenly spin out of control. With a shake of her head, she returned her attention to the front door,
the vodka did nothing to dispel her anger.
At her insistent knocking, James, the butler, opened the door and caught Alessandra before she landed on the floor. The tall,
regal man crinkled his nose in displeasure as he was assaulted with the pungent order of liquor. With only a questioning arch of a
brow, he took the half empty bottle from the woman?s hand as he helped her in. Arianna?s two bodyguards who were standing
on each side of the door relaxed upon seeing her.
?Ms. Akhtar, what happened?? the concern registered in the butler?s voice as he tried to hold her up.
?WHERE is she?? Her speech slurred as she stumbled into the foyer ?Where is the FUCKING b???
She never finished her sentence as she freed herself from James? grasp and staggered up the stairs. Reaching Arianna?s
bedroom she hurled herself through the door. Concerned by the sudden intrusion, the countess jumped up and sat on the bed,
her eyes widened in alarm.
?What are you doing, Amore? Oh God! How much did you have to drink??
Alessandra stumbled onto the bed. She sat there in a drunken stupor and could not no longer move. Arianna started to undress
her.
?I am here now, you can fuck me anyway you want?? She whispered. ?Do you know how much I hate you? I wish Justine
was here? I miss her so damn much,? Alessandra released a sob as the futility of it all settled in.
Arianna ignored the last comment and held her tightly brushing her cheek against the soft shoulder and inhaled the sweet smell of
her scent mingled with the odor of the vodka. The Italian woman to released a sigh of sadness. Alessandra had passed out
against her. Arianna frowned slightly and lowered the inebriated woman down gently.
As she watched Alessandra?s slow, even breaths, the countess moved to a nearby nightstand. She opened a golden box and
removed a fresh Rothmans® from the container. Upon lightening it, the stately woman inhaled deeply, absently watching as the
tip burned a deep red while the smoke filled her lungs. Once lit, she returned the lighter to the nightstand and moved near the
edge of the bed. In silence, Arianna stood over Alessandra as she balanced the slender cigarette between two fingers. With a
shake of her head, she absently watched the smoke from her cigarette slowly rising toward the ceiling.
To be continued
