The Romano Affair

Chapter 11

Chapter 11A date?

Sigh.

A date.

Aria told herself as she struggled to zip up the dress she was in. She was struggling to breathe, too!

She, plain simple Aria, popular yeah, but she never counted that, had a DATE with one of the most richest men in the world. And he was hot. How exactly did she get here again?

After that insane reply from a nine year old, Colin had asked her to go out with him. And Romano Junior had backed his father. Together, they had pestered her on it until she had agreed. It ended in it being a date when Riaz cleverly pulled himself out of it.

So then, she was going out with Colin Romano. The man who caused rippling sensations through her whole form when he touched her even lightly. The man who caused her heart to thud rapidly with just a whisper of a word in that sexy Italian accent. Even when she didn't understand the language, heck he made it sound so...'schmexy'.

"Here!" Callie showed the heels first before her head followed through the bathroom's doorway. She was smiling giddily like a three year old who'd just been handed a box of candy.

She placed the shoes down before looking up at her best friend through the mirror.

"What?!" Aria charged at her.

Callie pursed her lips and shook her head. "Oh nothing," she subtly said. "I mean, my best friend has a date with the...hottest billionaire in town but you know...that happens every other day," she shrugged.

"Will you shut up and help me zip this," Aria ordered.

"Come on, Aria! Tell me you don't feel anything biggie about this!"

"I...don't."

"Liar!" Callie fired after zipping up the dress. "You hesitated!"

"Callie," Aria paused and looked into her best friend's eyes. She placed her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Remember Mark and how he left without calling you...or explaining. Think about that!"

Callie scoffed.

"Well," She pushed off Aria's hands from her shoulders and put hers on Aria's shoulders, "you're in for a BIG disappointment, missy, because he called and explained everything so guess what? I have nothing more to think about than this DATE you have with Mr. Billionaire so say it! Say you're nervous."

Aria groaned as she slid on the six inch peach Louboutin heels that went with the black bodycon dress she had on. Wasn't it earlier today her best friend had been saying she was never going to reconcile with her boy band boyfriend?

"Callie, Colin's gonna be here right about now. Stop trying' to put the fear of man in me now."

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door. Talk about nerves in Aria's system. Her heart almost jumped out of her body.

"I'll get it!" Callie spoke in utter excitement.

"Hi!" she greeted beaming happily at the pair at the door.

Colin was slightly stunned by the greeting. It came too enthusiastic.

"Hi. You must be Callie, si?"

The female nodded. "I've met Riaz," she said as she glanced at the kid.

"Hi, Callie," Riaz greeted. "Can we come in now?"

Colin laughed. Callie was still caught up in the excitement but she let them in.

"Aria, Mr. Romano's here!" she shouted.

"I'm here," Aria replied as she stepped into the living room.

She inhaled sharply as she took in Colin's look. She had put those clothes together yeah but damn, did he look dapper. Was everything about this man so perfect?

"Hi," Aria spoke.

"You look nice," Riaz commented.

Aria laughed a little. "Thank you."

"Uh, hi," Colin stammered.

Aria smiled.

"We're done here. We can leave now?" the elder Italian spoke.

"Sì. Riaz e mi andrà bene," Callie replied theatrically. [Yes. Riaz and I will be fine.]

For the second time in one night, Colin was stunned. He had just turned around to head towards the door when he turned back to face Callie.

"Parli italiano?" he asked her. [You speak Italian?]

Callie nodded. "I've been to Italy."

Colin was amused by this. "Sai Aria non capisce." [You know Aria doesn't understand.]

Callie stole a glance at her best friend and smiled. "Lei sta per avere a che fare con esso," she replied as she turned to Colin. [She is going to have to deal with it.]

Aria sighed.