| Dark Heart By Mommints and Adriana |
| ~*~ Chapter 5 ~*~ The girls had a glorious time touring the San Marco district that day, the weather warm and sunny, the sites breathtaking to behold. They had their picture taken in front of the Piazzetta dei Leoncini, playfully posing on the two marble lions that have guarded the home for centuries along with countless other tourists. They then took another gondola ride along the Grand Canal, going through the loop occupied by San Marco, known as "the seven campi between the bridges". It was a sequence of theatrical spaces, each with chic or welcoming bars and Adriana made a suggestion to the girls to visit those same bars later on tonight. After the ride, they went back into the district and ate a late but leisurely lunch at one of the cafes, then decided to head back to their hotel for a nap and to confirm plans for later in the evening. When the girls got back to their rooms, Adriana was surprised to see a message for her at the front desk and when the two sisters went down to investigate, a dozen red roses waited for Adriana with a message from Luciano. “What does it say, Tata?” She asked, peering over her sister’s shoulder. “He apologizes for last night and can’t wait to see me tonight. Dios mio (my God), I’ve got to get ready, he’ll be here in about an hour! He’s going to meet me here in the lobby. ” Adriana exclaimed and ran to the stairs. Tatianna had no choice but to follow her sister back upstairs and helped her get ready. After a quick shower, and heated discussion since Tatianna thought otherwise, Adriana dressed in the simple yet classic little black dress. It had thin straps that accentuated her shoulders and a high enough hem to subtly reveal her slender legs, and she chose her black strapless sandals to finish the outfit. She wore no gaudy jewelry except for a silver chain that draped down from her neck, a prized and sentimental gift from her Mama before leaving on this trip. Her hair hung in shiny waves around her face, and her eyes fairly sparkled from the excitement of seeing Luciano again, as the time drew nearer for him to arrive. “Well, I’d say you’re as ready as you’ll ever be.” Tatianna surveyed her sister. “You look....well, beautiful. I’ve never seen you look like this before.” “Oh, do you think so? My stomach is so upset, I have butterflies in it.” Adriana laid one hand over her middle in emphasis. “Are you in love with him already?” She speculated. “Oh Casper, I don’t know! All I know is he makes me feel.....special.” Adriana breathlessly laughed. “And I can’t wait to see him again.” “Well considering the time, I think your wish is granted. C’mon, I’ll go down with you.” As they walked downstairs, Tatianna told Adriana about her plans for the night and that Cynthia had suggested they go back to Harry’s Bar, a surprising little find on the Calle Vallaresso when they were sightseeing earlier today. The girls thought it would be fun to visit there and dance the night away. “Hey, maybe you and Luciano can meet us there after dinner, and we can all party together. We’re meeting some friends there that I met the other night in the casino.” Adriana absently nodded, quickly looking around the lobby for any sign of Luciano. “Sure.” She said. “Have fun, Tata. See ya later.” And Adriana was left by herself. She walked over to a brocade covered love seat that gave her an excellent view of the front desk, checked her watched and sighed with impatience when she noted Luciano was going to be late. ~*~ “Are we going out for the evening, Luciano?” Bianca asked casually, standing in the doorway and noting his evening attire. He was dressed in a midnight blue silk shirt from Gucci, black Armani slacks and loafers. As usual, his long hair was pulled back into a silky queue and his face was flushed from a recent feeding. “As a matter of fact, yes I am.” He adjusted the shirt cuffs on one wrist. “I see. Another little visit with our newfound girlfriend.” Bianca leaned against the frame and sighed for dramatics. “Honestly, amore (love), aren’t you going after them a little young these days?” Luciano burst out laughing and finished getting dressed, pulling on a black blazer and flexing his shoulders to get a more comfortable fit. “If I didn’t know any better, Bianca, I’d say you’re jealous.” He leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek, his eyes sparkling dangerously. “The color green doesn’t suite you, mio cara. (my dear).” And before she could say anything else, he disappeared from the room. Bianca let out a screech of frustration, spun around and slammed her fist into nearby wall, ignoring the damage done to the plaster, while her hand remained unmarred. “Green doesn’t suit me, eh Luciano? Well I think its time I try another color, like red for jealously.” She snarled. Within a heartbeat, Bianca changed herself into something more suitable, a tight slinky red dress that almost worshiped her womanly curves and long legs. Her long hair was curly and she lightly put in some gel to give it even more volume and height. Finally, she applied red lipstick and without another thought to her appearance, for vampires can’t see their reflections in a mirror, she too disappeared from the villa and began her hunt for tonight’s victim. ~*~ Adriana had just about given up hope in seeing Luciano when like a dream, he appeared in the lobby, almost in front of her, looking as handsome and dangerous as ever. She sat upright on the love seat and her eyes swept over him in honest appreciation, her mouth dry and her hands a little clammy from nerves. “Luciano!” She exclaimed and hurried over to greet him. “Adriana, please forgive me for being late. I had another matter that couldn’t be denied and needed my utmost attention until it was resolved.” Luciano gently took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles, his eyes betraying a darker need when he caught the faint beat of her pulse in the wrist. “Oh, that’s ok, I was just a little worried.” “Shall we go then?” And escorted her through the lobby and outside. “Where are we going, you never did say.” “Dinner of course, then the night is yours, mio angelo (my angel). Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” And Adriana giggled as they walked down to the piers and hired a gondola for the evening. “No but a woman likes to hear that once in a while.” They rode through the Grand Canal, stopping in the San Marco district as Luciano knew of a secluded restaurant at one end of the alley and they had a romantic, candlelit dinner for two. And Adriana thought it odd that Luciano only seemed to push most of his food around with the fork, rather than eat. Once again, she tried to bring out some history about her dinner date but Luciano remained elusive, mysterious and only half answering her questions. The only thing she could get was that he had lived in Venice all of his life and the sad tale of when his first wife was murdered. “Oh Luciano, I’m so sorry to hear about her death.” Adriana stated softly and placed her warm hand over his cool one in a comforting gesture. “And the police never caught any suspects?” “Sadly no, the case remains to this day closed and unsolved.” Luciano whispered, amazed at the warmth radiating from the woman who sat opposite him. He subconsciously leaned over, just once to let it wash over him, to feel something more than the ice-cold world of which he had known for so long. Being near her was almost like being in sunshine and that made his heart ache even more with longing. “Um, are you ok?” She innocently asked, having no idea of the effect she was having on him. “I am now, mio cuore.” He leaned closer to her, until their faces were inches apart and he inhaled her sweet breath, letting it wash over his soul, giving it sustaining new life and almost healing the old hurts. “Wh-what are you doing, Luciano?” Adriana asked breathlessly. Luciano chuckled. “Are you really going to ask me that every time I kiss you?” And their lips gently brushed against the others, tasting and tentative, being so very proper for they were in public. And both didn’t really want to do what each desired, that would be saved for when they were alone. And Luciano decided they needed to be alone as soon as possible. After paying the bill, they left the restaurant and walked back to the canal, where they boarded the gondola and set out upon the waters, the cool evening air making Adriana cuddle close and Luciano only to happy to hold her in his arms. They glided past the palaces, with illuminated windows revealing gleaming Murano glass chandeliers, and red silk-clad walls as other couples could be seen on the balconies. On the water, Luciano pointed out to Adriana a sandolo, a twin-oared rowing boat, scudding by, its prow lit by antique lamp. They docked at the pier from which they started, then strolled through the streets until they came to a bench on Campo San Vio, between Guggenheim and the Accademia and sat, quietly talking and watching the other gondola’s drift by. Adriana tried learning more about Luciano again but he cleverly twisted the topic and she ended up talking about her life back in Florida, her mother whom she loved very much and Tatianna, her younger sister. “Ah, I just realized, Tatianna wanted us to meet her and our friend’s at Harry’s Bar tonight. Do you think we can go, I’d love to see it?” Luciano agreed and they strolled arm in arm to the Calle Vallaresso, enjoying the many shops and cafes as they walked by. As they continued their leisurely stroll, Adriana fidgeted a little, something bothering her but not sure how to start. So she gave a little sigh and Luciano heard it. “Adriana, what’s the matter? Are you not happy with our evening so far?” “Oh no, I love what we’re doing but I, ah....” She took a deep breath then continued. “Luciano, I want to apologize for last night, I'm not sure what came over me. I don’t usually act that way.” “Nessun bisogno di scuse, il mio angelo (no apology needed, my angel). Siete molto appassionato (you're very passionate) as am I and it was our destiny to meet. Li ho aspettati così lungamente (I have waited for you so long)il mio dolce (my sweet) Juliana.” And he reached up to caress her cheek. “What did you say, I could understand some of it and who's Juliana?” She frowned. Luciano smoothly covered his mistake. “Did I say Juliana, I meant Juliet as in how I see you.” Adriana’s eyes widened with pleasure and surprise, amazed at how he seemed to feel the same way she did, confused because she knew so little about him, and this was only their second date. “Usted es mi Romeo y soy su Juliet (You are my Romeo and I am your Juliet).” She whispered and in turn, caressed his cheek, her fingertips lingering over his trimmed goatee. And whispered it again when he shook his head when he didn’t understand. Hearts glowing with a blooming love, they continued walking towards the bar, oblivious to their surroundings, lost in each other’s eyes. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Dark Heart - Chapter 6 |