Chapter 30 - Grand Opening

Celeste's POV

Once I finished putting on a black backless dress, I did my hair wavy and applied a light makeup. After checking myself in the mirror one more time, satisfied, I grabbed my clutch and left.

Tonight was the opening of Massimo's new nightclub, Azzuro. I talked to Massimo on the phone a few hours ago; he was so excited despite the fact it wasn't his first nightclub.

The moment I got out of the car, my eyes were drawn to the lively crowd gathered outside of the nightclub, as well as about ten paparazzi trying to capture every celebrity and other famous people.

I approached the VIP entrance, skipping the long queue, and told a bouncer my name. After checking the guest list, he let me in, giving me polite smile.

As soon as I walked in, it felt like I was in another world. Massimo really knew what he was doing. It was a blast.

I looked through the crowd, trying to find Massimo. I saw him chatting with a group of men near the dance floor. I decided to approach him.

The moment he noticed me, he gave me his dazzling smile and walked towards me after saying something to the men.

"Dolcezza!" he exclaimed joyfully and greeted me with a kiss on my cheek, wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Congrats! Wishing you success," I congratulated him happily.

"Did you like the place? I worked with a interior designer from Milan," he asked, excited, still resting his hand on my back.

"I love it! It's awesome," I replied enthusiastically. He smiled happily, caressing my back gently. "Where is Franco?" I asked, looking around.

"He couldn't come. The photoshoot took longer than planned. He's still in Dubai," Massimo informed me. I nodded, disappointed.

"We've to celebrate your success," I commented, gesturing the people having fun.

"Absolutely! Will this beauty have dinner with me?" he asked in a flirtatious tone.

"I've to check my schedule," I said playfully and we burst out laughing.

A waiter approached us, and Massimo took two champagne flutes. Then he extended the one of them towards me. I took the flute, thanking him.

I took a sip, listening to him as he was talking about his plans for the nightclub. As hearing each other were getting worse, he leaned against my ear, continuing talking. Suddenly, someone called Massimo, interrupting us.

When I turned towards that person, I saw Joshua's friend. He looked at me strangely while walking towards Massimo and me with a brunette woman who looked like a Victoria Secret model.

"Matteo! Amico! Happy to see you here," Massimo greeted him with a handshake.

Then Matteo turned his gaze from Massimo to me and said with a weird expression on his face, "Celeste, what a surprise."

"Hi," I mumbled, forcing a smile while being worried that Joshua was here too.

"Do you know each other?" Massimo asked me, resting his hand on my back, drawing Matteo's attention.

"We met in the company where I work," I replied uneasily.

"I'm Joshua's best friend," Matteo commented, giving me a knowing look. "And you two?" he asked suspiciously.

Did he know about Joshua and me?

Because of it, he acts strange. Does he think I have something between Massimo and me?

I tried to pull away from Massimo slightly, but he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me towards him.

"We've known each other for a long time," Massimo replied cockily and turned his gaze from Matteo to me. "Lei è la mia dolcezza," he added softly and placed a tender kiss on my cheek, taking me off guard.

Massimo! What are you trying to do?

He'll misunderstand.

And if he tells about it to Joshua, he would get mad.

When Matteo wanted to say something, the woman beside her intervened and introduced herself. Then they walked away, leaving Massimo and me alone.

"Massimo! Why did you acted like that in front of Matteo?" I asked angrily, pulling away from him, and folded my arms over my chest.

"Did you forget how you got into a relationship with your crush in high school?!," Massimo said, giving me a devilish look.

"No, but..."

"No buts... Let him suffer and beg for a chance to prove his love," he resumed confidently and clinked his flute to mine.

"I hope it doesn't blow up in our faces," I commented anxiously.

"Trust me," he assured, gripping my chin gently, and winked at me.

I sighed, nodding, and took a sip from my champagne.

"Come on, cheer up, dolcezza!" Massimo exclaimed joyfully as he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me towards him. I forced a smile and leaned my head on his shoulder. "Would you like to dance with me?" he asked softly.

"No, I'm not in the mood," I refused, pulling back, and sipped my drink.

"Do you think I'll let that idiot make you upset?" Massimo commented cockily and grabbed my flute.

"Massimo, really, I..."

"Dolcezza, I won't let anyone not enjoy themselves in my party. Especially you," he stated, determined and placed the flutes on the table near us. Then he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the dance floor.

Joshua's POV

Once I left my penthouse and got in the car, I called Matteo. He came to New York to attend the grand opening of a new nightclub. He told me it was his friend's nightclub. Matteo asked me to accompany him, praising the atmosphere of his Italian friend's nightclubs. Despite the fact he insisted so much, I declined his invitation because I wasn't in the mood. Celeste still hadn't forgiven me.

So we decided to have lunch together today before he went back to Italy.

As he didn't pick up the phone, I sent him a message reminding him about our plan. He probably forgot about it after getting wasted at the grand opening last night. Moreover, I was sure that the Brazilian model who accompanied him last night made him forget about everything else.

"Mark, stop here," I ordered as we were about to pass my favorite coffee shop.

I got out of the car and went to the coffee shop to grab a cup of espresso.

While a barista was preparing my coffee, I checked my emails. Then I grabbed my coffee and left the coffee shop.

Near the coffee shop, the magazine on the newsstand caught my attention. There was the news about the opening of the nightclub Matteo attended. I decided to buy it before getting in the car, guessing there were the photos of Matteo and his model partner from last night.

Once Mark parked the car in front of the company building, I got out of the car, holding the magazine in my hand while sipping my coffee.

As soon as I stepped into the building, almost everyone was talking about the grand opening of the nightclub. I was getting more curious about it. I visited one of those nightclubs in chain in Monaco a few years ago; the atmosphere there was so vibrant. However, I didn't meet the owner. I just knew that he was one of the Romano heirs. They were one of the wealthiest families in Italy.

When I approached my assistant, I heard her talking to my father's assistant about that nightclub too. Of course, they were chatting about the boss' appearance and charisma, wishing they could attend the grand opening.

I cleared my throat, getting their attention. My assistant greeted me nervously while my father's assistant left quickly after a brief greeting. Then I went to my office. I had a Zoom meeting with Canadian businessman about our new stadium project in Vancouver.

Once I finished the meeting, Matteo called me, informing me that he was one of the way. He sounded weird on the phone, but he said he was fine when I asked.

While waiting for Matteo's arrival, I decided to read the news and looked at the photos from last night in the magazine. Maybe, something happened at the grand opening of the nightclub.

In the first page of the article had the nightclub owner, Massimo Romano's photo. I understood now why the assistants were upset not being there and meeting him. Then I saw Matteo's photo with his model girlfriend. When I wanted to turn the page to look the other photos, someone knocked on the door, interrupted me.

"Come in."

A few seconds later, the door opened and Matteo walked in, looking nervous.

"Are you okay?" I asked, worried as he sat down on the seat near the my desk.

"Yes, yes. What are you looking at?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

"The photos from the opening of Azzurro," I replied and showed him his photo.

"Damn it," he mumbled, panicked and snatched the magazine out of my hand.

"Matteo, what is going on?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion.

"Let's go to the restaurant. I'm hungry," he mumbled, closing the magazine and holding it in his hand.

"What is there? Give me the magazine," I demanded, feeling suspicious of his behavior, as I stood up and approached him.