Emiliana
“Nope, nope, nope.” I scanned through each item of clothing on the rail aggressively, agitated that I couldn’t find anything I liked.
Sliding each hanger past me, something caught my eye. Black and cream detail bounced out at me. I gripped the hanger, pulling it from the metal bar that it was slipped around.
I held it up to the light, it was a two piece outfit - in my size. A tight fitted black skirt that came up to my ankles was matched with a black and cream coloured bustier. The black geometric lines sprawled across the material, making the outfit look both sophisticated and modern. I tore it off the hanger excitedly and slipped it on. It fit snugly around my chest while the skirt hugged my hips and thighs. I turned in the mirror and Oli whistled at me.
<Emiliana It was a busy day at work, meetings after meetings filled my diary and I was anticipating the Christmas break. I had two weeks left before the holidays and I had so much work to get through. I was naive to think that there wasn’t as much paperwork involved with being a CEO. It was only the middle of the week and I was feeling swamped with how much I still had to complete. I glanced down at my watch, it was almost lunchtime and my stomach was growling. Hunger was enveloping me and I was struggling to find the time recently to grab something to eat. “Hungry?” A familiar dulcet tone caught my attention. Luciano lingered in the doorway, his golden hands clutched a brown paper bag. “I brought lunch.”
Emiliana I had always enjoyed Christmas, ever since I was a little girl. From decorating the Christmas tree to playing Christmas songs that my mum would religiously listen to. Snow would cover every surface it came into contact with, blanketing the once pristine decorated gardens in a crisp white fluffy sheet. As a child, I would go out and make snowmen with my father, but the tradition soon found its demise as we both got older. Still, it never detracted from the Christmas spirit we held as a family. It was the entire season that made me feel wholesome and grateful for the family I had. Even though I was an only child, my parent’s brothers and sisters and their families made ours much larger.
Emiliana“While numbers are up on purchasing, there are some figures we would like to address with you.” Mr Rogers spoke deeply to me, his white beard muffled the majority of his words but I could just about make out what he was saying.“Sure.” I replied pointedly. My assistant was beside me, she had been reeling out the data from the sheets while Sandra clicked her pen annoyingly from across the table. Her brown fringe wiggled frustratingly across her face every time she looked down to write something and I had to fight the urge not to pull a hair grip out and shove it into her skull.Melanie, the blonde bob haired woman that always looked so stern was wearing the same grey pinstriped suit as the last time I met her. Her arms rested either side of her particularly straigh
EmilianaI stepped onto the curved concrete, gripping my coffee in one hand and Giovanni’s hand in the other. Stumbling up the gritty slush, we rested against the bridge wall. He placed his forearms on the crooked rocks that made up the jagged edges and I stood beside him, basking in the silence and dim moonlight.I gazed down at the iced river below us, frosted cracks decorated the smooth planes of frozen water. Snow lined the wide belt of iced water while we let the soft silence envelope us both. It was so tranquil.I closed my eyes, breathing in sharp intakes of the crisp air before opening my eyes and watching the heated vapor escape my mouth. I turned my head to observe Giovanni. Small puffs of air clouded before him as he stared at something ahead of us. His eyes were focused on one p
Emiliana It was a week before Christmas and only a few days since I had last spoken to Luciano. I could feel the space that had drifted between us in the last couple of days, I wasn’t sure if it was because of the terrible meeting that took place or Giovanni constantly lingering in my thoughts. Whatever it was, I felt myself sinking in the overwhelming sea of emotions. I watched as couples waltzed in carefree circles on the dance floor behind a golden backdrop. Swaying to the gentle Christmas music. Everyone was in their own bubbles of Christmas spirit and joy and I felt slightly envious of them. Chatter could be heard from the far reaches of the room and laughter was chasing it closely behind. Long rows of tables adorned the main section of the room, rose vines entwined the chandeliers hangi
Emiliana “So do you.” It was the first time he had ever spoken directly to me and I froze. I had no words. I had never anticipated him to reply or respond at all. His syrup smooth voice ignited a fire within me. The butterflies no longer danced but stirred into a disturbed frenzy. It was like auditory caramel, my ears longed to listen to his words over and over again. My mother had interrupted any chances of me finally having a conversation with Giovanni and I felt despondence radiate through me and immediately cast down the flurry of wings. She had hurried me back into the venue to listen to speeches before I had time to protest. After the Christmas ball, the immense silence that enveloped his company was even more prominent. No o
EmilianaI took a moment to calm myself, as I watched everyone open presents. Tie pins and cufflinks were the main themes for the males of the family, and each received a matching set, purely by coincidence. Twenty four carat gold and platinum adorned with diamonds and engraved with initials and sweet sentimental quotes.Giovanni sat silent, as usual but my gut twisted with guilt that he hadn’t received anything. He didn’t look phased by it, but it didn’t sit well with me. He knew everyone in the room, yet he hadn’t received one gift.My mother placed a wrapped up box in front of me. I tore the paper away like a little child, only to find a wooden box in my hands. I paused for a moment, before I opened the clasp carefully and lifted the lid.
GiovanniI stood in the arctic darkness, listening to the soft crunch of Emiliana’s feet across the snow as she walked away.The Empire State Building keychain she had gifted me turned in my hand. She had felt bad for me, something I wasn’t used to. I didn’t want her to pity me, and the more I thought about it, I realised it wasn’t pity. She had bought this last week, this was thought out - to a certain extent.It was a cute gesture, one that had me stumped as I lay in bed that night.The Christmas Ball earlier in the week was something I hadn’t anticipated. I had let myself down, unable to contain my resolve when I had spoken to her. But damn she looked exquisite in that red gown and it wasn’t a lie that she had th