One Night Only

Dante

I stand in front of the mirror as I finish getting dressed. Black dress pants and a shirt, no tie, with the top buttons unbuttoned. I almost never like wearing anything around my neck other than my white gold chain that my mother gave me when I turned fifteen. On it, I wear a pendant of wings similar to my tattoo, only with two wings. Behind them is written in Italian, Sempre con te. She had said that those wings were mine, that the phrase was for me to know that she would always be with me, protecting me, that when I was ready to fly I would need them. In a way, she was right. I needed those wings a lot when I lost them. They were what I clung to. Her words remained deeply etched in my memories. However, what hadn’t been true was that she would always be with me. When I was very young, I believed everything, but I never thought I could lose them, that some damned people would snatch their lives away and separate them from my life.

It’s a loss and pain that I can’t seem to overcome and heal. My nightmares always remind me of how they were murdered before my eyes. It’s something hard to bear. The worst part is that I was the one to blame for it. Because of me, they were killed, all to protect me, and I did nothing to save them.

I try to bury my tormenting memories deep into that dark hell I lived almost nine years ago.

I finish getting ready. After putting my watch on my wrist and grabbing my phone, I leave the room to head to the backyard, where the farewell party is being held.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

As I walk without taking my eyes off the path, I send a message to my wild one.

“I’m returning to Italy tomorrow, and after a couple of days, I’ll travel to see you. I can’t wait to see you and finally devour that delicious little mouth.”

I send the message. I hope she responds soon. I don’t remember what time it is right now in America, but I know as soon as she sees it, she’ll reply.

I arrive at the garden. Everything is arranged with lights, fabrics… Gold everywhere, as always. And there are the women dancing a dance from their region and the appetizers. A grand banquet is hosting the night. I head to one of the banquet tables and grab a snack. A servant passes by with glasses of champagne. It’s not my style. Those drinks are for women. I prefer something stronger. So, I ask for a whiskey on the rocks.

As I wait for my drink, I cross my arms and watch the show. They’re good dancers, but not better than my woman. She knows what a dance is; more provocative and exciting.

At this moment, I don’t want to think about it, because I could get turned on right here, and I don’t want anyone to notice that.

“So, here you are,” Muhammad says as he approaches me. “Ah, I saw you, you scoundrel.” He smiles and points at me with his finger. “You were watching women.”

I smile as I shake my head.

“Truthfully, yes, but I wasn’t paying attention.”

“How so? None of them are suitable for you? Or maybe they’re not up to the Devil’s standards?”

“I didn’t mean that.”

“It doesn’t matter. I can order one to your liking, just the way you like them.” He raises his eyebrows several times as he pats my back. “How do you want her? Young, virgin, or experienced?” He lists several types. “Just ask, and I’ll make sure you have a list in your chambers by tonight.”

Perhaps under different circumstances, in my past life, I would have said yes, but not now. It’s not that I’ve been tied down or become submissive, as my friends said, I just don’t want to do it. I’m no longer interested in other women besides my beautiful wild one. She has me so enchanted with her beauty and charm that I have no eyes for anyone else, only for her. I’ve never desired a woman as much as I do her. The truth is, I’m not interested in having affairs just for fun anymore. With Lillie, I can have that and more. I have no need to look elsewhere while almost with open arms await me in another country. Well, and also open arms. Being unfaithful is not something I ever considered. It’s as if my instinct tells me, or everything in me, that I must be faithful to my woman, but even then, it’s not just that, but also no other woman besides her awakens in me that desire, that lust, that wild animal I carry inside.

“Actually, I’m not interested,” I finally say.

The servant I had asked for a drink approaches.

I thought he had forgotten.

“Am I hearing correctly?” He opens his eyes in astonishment. “Don’t tell me you like the h…”

I chuckle and wave my free hand, interrupting him.

“Of course not,” I try to control my laughter, “it’s just that I’ve had enough fun and adventures with women.” I take a sip of my drink.

“Oh, now I understand!” He exclaims loudly. “You’ve been tied down,” he laughs.

I don’t know if ‘tied down’ refers to commitment, being in love, or both. What I can tell him is that I plan to marry the most beautiful woman.

“Well, I’ll just say that there’s already someone and that I plan to make her my wife very soon.”

“Who’s the lucky one? I want to meet her. I hope to be invited to the wedding.”

“Of course. And I’m the lucky one to have such a beautiful woman. She’s precious, my most precious jewel.” I smile as I remember her beautiful emerald eyes. “I hope to bring her here, so you can meet her beforehand.”

“That’s great! I can’t wait to meet her and find out who this precious jewel is. I can already imagine she must be very beautiful, just as you say. Let’s sit down so we can eat and drink something while you tell me more about your beautiful woman.”

We go to a large and grand table and take a seat to continue our lively conversation. Jokes and laughter don’t wait, especially when everyone teases me because I plan to propose to the woman who drives me crazy. Enzo is already sitting on the other side of the table; he talks to other acquaintances of Muhammad’s, who also have their new companions. On the other hand, Franco didn’t want to sit down and join in the fun because he’s on duty. No matter how much I ordered him and told him he’s free for the night, he refused. It’s not just him, but also his guys, who are on guard, so he can take a moment to be a man for a few minutes, but he preferred to keep working.