Scheming Heart (Available on Amazon Kindle)

Chapter 15

CLAUDIA

In the end, I purchased an evening dress for the event. Gianna insisted that we should buy an outfit instead of looking for suitable wear in our closet. I spent a little more than my budget when I found this beautiful white off-shoulder silk long dress with a dramatic shoulder cape with matching hand gloves.

The dress fits me perfectly that's why I can't say no when my sister insisted that I should buy this dress. Looking at the full-length mirror in my room now I can say that I didn't regret my decision to purchase this evening gown since I'll be attending Opera, after all.

"Looking good," Anna commented when she barge into my room with a grin on her face. "You look so angelic in that dress, Claudia."

"I think so too," I answered back, admiring my reflection. I also curled my hair today and parted it sideways with a sparkling clip to keep it in place.

"Men at the Opera will drool at the sight of you." My best friend proclaimed. "I can almost envision that they will not focus on the program because of your beauty."

I turned around to face her. "This is the reason why you are my best friend. You keep on feeding my ego and I like it."

She was about to reply when a knock sounded on our apartment door. "I will check who that is but I have a feeling that must be your sister. It's almost time to leave, after all."

When Anna left my room I sprayed some perfume on each side of my neck, on my wrist and rubbed them together. I also wore my low-heeled favorite designer shoes and took my small black handbag on the bed before going out of my room.

I found Gianna and Anna and the living room having a light conversation. As expected, my sister was so beautiful in her sparkly figure-hugging evening dress with matching red lipstick. She could be mistaken as a model or even an actress at first glance.

"Shall we?" I asked, closing the door of my room.

Gianna stood from the sofa and smiled satisfactorily in my direction. "I knew that dress would be perfect for you, sis."

"Worth for its price, I would say," I replied dryly. I couldn't help but grimace when I remember how much I spend on this dress.

"Come on," Gianna said looking at the wall clock. "It's almost time. We don't want to be late for the event."

I nodded as we went out of the apartment. My sister encircled her arm in mine and walked on the silent corridor. From the look of her face, she's rather excited about this event when to my knowledge she doesn't enjoy this kind of event.

I didn't have time to mull with my thoughts when she hail a taxi and we're on our way to the theater. After half an hour or so, we finally arrived at our destination. I looked at the imposing Teatro dell'Opera, it still feels like a dream standing in front of this building. I saw some notable people coming out of their cars that makes me wonder who in the world gave those tickets to my sister in the first place.

Since when did Gianna have ultra-rich friends that could give her sought-after tickets just like that? We paid the cab driver and went inside the lobby. I was aware of how my heart was pounding on my chest looking around at my surrounding. I have been to high-end parties before because of my work and once with the devil Alfonso so I could stop familiar faces here.

"Oh my God, we're here, Claudia. Can you believe it?" My sister whispered in awe. "Almost every elite member of the Italy society is here."

I couldn't help but wonder if there's a possibility that Violetta Ricci would be here and that cursed man who had been plaguing me lately...