The Secret Between Us
Chapter 2

2 years ago

The dozens of etiquette classes, the years invested in learning languages and going to the best university in the country, is summed up in this; a new event, a new exclusive dress from one of the best brands to be this society woman that I am forced to be to fit into the world in which my father moves. Being Federico Morelli’s daughter is not easy, not only am I the daughter of the owner of half of the most important casinos and hotels in Las Vegas, but also of a firm, dominant man who makes everyone around him act his way, many times I think that’s why my mother abandoned him; what I don’t understand is why he left his two year old daughter with him.

-Miss Morelli, welcome. – My father’s new and flamboyant partner tells me too kindly as I walk through the exclusive nightclub that is being inaugurated on the terrace of one of my father’s best hotels.

-Mr. Del Cerro, thank you very much and congratulations again. – I answer and smile and stand up as a gesture of courtesy.

-Thank you very much, but you can call me Santiago, there is no need of so much formality, I am only a few years older than you. – he offers looking at me fixedly with those eyes as blue as the sea.

-It’s ok Santiago, you can call me by my name too. – I say and look around -I’ll go to say hello to some acquaintances. – I explain and just make a gesture and then walk away from him.

I have nothing against my father’s new partner, but there is something about him that doesn’t convince me, maybe it’s the way he looks at me or maybe my father is trusting him too much, I don’t know.

I continue walking through the huge nightclub dodging the people gathered in groups talking and drinking champagne, until I reach one of the lonely bars that are practically at the back of the place. I know I’m supposed to be representing my father because he couldn’t come due to an emergency trip to Atlantic City to solve some problems in the casinos there, but honestly I don’t feel like socializing tonight.

-A glass of champagne please. – I ask the bar tender who approaches me.

The young man nods and quickly starts looking for the bottle of champagne while I try to pass unnoticed as I watch the guy pour my glass -serve another one of those please. – I hear a rather husky male voice say and the bartender quickly grabs another glass to pour another champagne.

As I look to my side, I find a tall, black-haired man with green eyes dressed in a tuxedo and a sophisticated bearing that highlights the elegance he possesses. “He’s very, very handsome…” I think, but my thoughts are interrupted by the bartender who hands me my glass. -thanks. – I say and try to move away from the bar, but suddenly my small bag falls to the floor -definitely tonight is not my night. – I complain as I bend down to try to pick up the bag, but a hand does it first.

-I don’t think that’s what makes it a bad night. – He smiles at me and I can’t help but notice the perfection of his face and that slight beard that makes him look so masculine.

-Thank you. – I say when he hands it to me.

I know, it’s not the bag’s fault, it’s just that I’m not going through a good stage in my life and I don’t think tonight is going to change anything. – I explain as we both stand up.

-You never know. – He comments and looks around and then back at me -with all due respect, you are the most beautiful woman in the place and I’m sure that any of these men here would do anything to make things better in your life. –

-Including you? – I ask bluntly and smile mischievously.

-Definitely me too. – He answers and makes a gesture that I find most sensual with his lips. – she introduces herself.

-Mia. – I answer.

-Nice name. – she comments.

-Thank you. –

-Shall we go out on the terrace for a better conversation? – he proposes.

-It seems perfect to me. – I accept and without further ado, we walk around the place until we go out to the terrace.

Once there, we sit around one of the high cocktail tables and the dry air of the city together with the infinity of lights of the Las Vegas Strip makes the atmosphere unique. -Do you have a boyfriend? – he asks bluntly making me laugh.

-How straightforward,” I say with a chuckle.

He shrugs his shoulders, “I’m sorry, it’s just that I want to know if I have a chance with you. – He confesses and smiles.

-You don’t know me, and you want to know if you have a chance with me? – I ask amused.

He nods and takes a sip of champagne -I do. – she answers without hesitation.

-Why? – I ask and now it’s me who takes a sip of champagne.

-Because not only are you the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life, but I can tell you’re one of a kind. –

-You don’t know me. – I interrupt him.

-That’s what we’re doing now, isn’t it? – he answers without hesitation.

-I think so…

-Do you have a boyfriend? – he repeats.

I deny -No, I don’t. – I finally answer.

-Good. – she says with a huge smile tattooed on her face.

-Well? – I ask when he falls silent.

-Good. – he repeats.

-What does that mean? – I ask.

He reaches into his pants pocket, pulls out his cell phone and puts it on the table, “It means that if I get your number tonight, I can ask you out on a date. – He responds and looks at the cell phone giving me to understand that he left it there for me to give him my number.

“He’s crazy… but I love it…”

-Is this your tactic to get the number of the women you like? – I question and he denies.

-Not at all, in fact, I wouldn’t let anyone have access to my cell phone and be able to check it, but look, there it is at your disposal. – he explains, making me laugh.

-Your tactic is good. – I comment amused.

-Did it work? – she asks mischievously.

I don’t say a word, I just take the cell phone and write down my number and then put it back on the table -I hope this answers your question. – I say and bite my lower l*p.

-It did…” he says and looks at the screen. -I’ll text you tomorrow to tell you the time and where? –

-When? –

-The appointment? –

-Yes…

-Tomorrow, I don’t want to let the time pass without knowing you better. – he answers and it’s just at the moment I want to answer him, that I see Santiago approaching us.

-Mia, could you come with me? I would like to introduce you to some important people. – he asks me and I nod.

-I’m sorry, I have to go. – I say to Izan and he just nods while I move away from the table to go with Santiago.