Lena was hoping Gianluca would get the message and not come in her direction. So she put her mirror inside her bag and looked around. She saw the beautiful marble fountain of the Bellagio gardens that was decorated with Roman era style statues. She decided to walk to the fountain and pretend watching the water movements and inspecting the statues. With her luck Gianluca was going to be either getting the message that she did not want to face him or maybe he was going to be called upon by one of the adults just like how Luigi was. The second scenario was more likely.

Seconds later she closed her eyes shut in annoyance and almost cursed as she heard him approach her. She knew the sound of his footsteps. Before she knew it, he was standing right behind her.

Lena heard him say "Hello Lena."

Lena sighed. There was no escape. She said to herself "Damn it. Where is Luigi when he is needed?" She slowly turned around and looked up into the eyes of Gianluca. His towering figure was intimidating but handsome at the same time. She said "Hi." She then looked around hoping for a distraction or a way to divert his attention to make a run for it.

Gianluca said "Can we talk?"

Lena looked at him with a surprised expression "Talk? Well. We are talking now..."

Gianluca shook his head "No. I meant, can we talk in private?".

Lena couldn't believe this. There was no chance she wanted to be alone with this guy. She smiled politely and said "I am sorry. I think I need to go. It's not respectful to keep the host waiting. I should go say hello." She said quickly without thinking automatically. She just said the first thing that came to her mind.

Gianluca smiled "Oh. Then in that case you should say hello to me.... I am your host. Aren't I? Let's go talk in private."

Lena wanted to face palm herself. Of course. He was the host of the kids party today. It was his house."

Lena tried again" Well... Your guests... I haven't seen them yet. I should go say hello."

Gianluca said "I think you can say hello after we talk."

Lena gave up at that point. Gianluca never took no for an answer. She could not avoid him forever at a party at his own house. She had to get it over and done with. She sighed "Fine. Where would you like to talk?"

Gianluca's eyes lit up. "Let's walk in the gardens. I would like to take you to a new section of our garden that's inspired by the hanging gardens of Babylon.

That got Lena's attention. Gianluca's mother liked architecture for some reason. For that reason the Bellagio mansion and gardens were the most beautifully designed in New York. They expanded their property too to include so many new themed separate gardens. If she was going to be stuck with this guy, she could at least see some nice architecture.

Lena said "Sure. Lead the way. Show me the direction."

Gianluca said "This way."

Lena was in awe of the scenes. The Bellagios had great taste. She did indeed see the hanging gardens and it was not only beautiful but also breathtaking. Here she was climbing the stairs to the top of a tower like structure with a balcony.

As she stood at the balcony and looked down at the gardens, she was way too busy admiring the view to even remember Gianluca standing there next to her.

His voice startled her " Now that we are here alone, let's talk."

Lena put her hand on her heart and took a deep breath and sighed. She told herself "Let's get this over with."

Lena turned to Gianluca "What do you want to talk about? Why did you bring us here to talk?"

Gianluca said " I wanted to talk with some privacy. I just don't like an audience when I am talking to my girl."

Lena told herself "But I am not your girl Gianluca." She smiled sweetly but remained silent.

Gianluca said "I was wondering if I could take you to watch a show in Broadway tomorrow."

Lena thought to herself "How do I get out of this now?" She quickly said "Well. That sounds lovely. I would love to come. However, my father needs to give permission. He needs to also know all the details in advance when I am invited anywhere... He is not around. He is on a business trip in case you didn't know. So I am sorry Gianluca." As she was about to walk away and walk down the steps she had just climbed minutes ago, Gianluca stopped her in her tracks as he gave her the brightest smile he had ever given to anyone in his life "It's settled then. It's a date. I will pick you up tomorrow afternoon."

She was baffled "Hold on. I just said, my father is out on a business trip..."

Gianluca explained with a smile "You are my girl. I am allowed to take you out of dates. Your father gave me permission. My father was told he can arrange all security and details. I am so happy you said yes. I will pick you up at 4 tomorrow and will take you back by 7 in time for dinner."

Lena was cursing her luck in her mind. She had just said yes to going out with Gianluca. Lena argued "Hold on. I am not sure if it's a good idea. What if something happens... it's not safe unless my father is around to arrange security. It's quite late at 7. The roads can be dangerous... It may not be safe to drive back home that late you know. Broadway shows are long." it was none sense of course. No one had a death wish to mess with her. Most importantly no one dared to even look at a Bellagio registered car in a funny way.

Gianluca looked thoughtful for a second and then said "I don't think safety is big problem. But fine. I will do anything necessary to put your mind at ease."

Lena asked "You... You will?"

Gianluca smiled "Certainly. I will talk to my father and ask him if you can stay the night here at our mansion after we return. It should be ok. So fear not. I will ask him to arrange for you to stay the night at our home and to be dropped off early morning at your home on Monday in time for school."

Lena could not believe how she had dug herself an even bigger hole.

Gianluca carried on "Just make sure you pack a bag with your essentials to stay the night."

Lena tried to shoot the last arrow she had "Well. That sounds great. Again. I would love to be a guest at your home but I am not sure if my father would approve of me to stay over night at your home while he is away. He needs to approve of details." She was making false claims of course. Her father looked at Gianluca's father like his own brother. He trusted him with his daughters life for sure. But his father was not there to give permission for an overnight stay so she was going to dodge the bullet there hopefully. But then she saw him smiling. Why was he smiling?

Gianluca said "Actually about that. Your father and my father have an arrangement when it comes to business trips. So dont worry."

Lena said "Of course...." Lena couldn't believe she had forgotten about that. The Bellagios were so close to Alessandrinis. They did business all the time and were in good terms. They shared man power and resources. They could provide security if needed and had many pacts. For sure there were arrangements for business trips too.

Gianluca continued "If you feel unsafe in the dark going home, I can arrange your stay at our house. It would be my pleasure."

Lena was fuming. She said to herself "I bet it would be."

Gianluca said "We can have dinner with my family and sit down and talk afterwards till late. We can get to know each other better."

Lena could see that her situation was getting worse and worse.

****

Lena was eating a cookie with milk as she was sitting with a group of girls watching TV in one of the party rooms. She preferred being secluded at the party. She wanted to avoid Gianluca and end up falling deeper than she already had been. She was hoping she could come up with a plan to postpone this date. There were different plans she could execute. But none seemed realistic. They could get her into trouble. If Gianluca was a typical kid, it would have worked. But it was Gianluca. He did not take no for an answer. Saying no would have made him even more determined to get her to go out with him. It would have not worked in her favour at all. He was quite intelligent and had so many ways to persuade her to hang out with him.

One idea was to fake an illness. She could tell him she was not feeling well. That may have helped to postpone the date for one weekend. Then what? She could not fake an illness every time.

The other idea was to maybe arrange some event over the weekend and call Gianluca and say that she couldn't make it. Again it would have been a temporary solution.

Oh, she just wished she could get the Broadway theatre to cancel the show all together. But how could she do that? She could ask Nick Edwards to help out. His father was a higher up figure in Hollywood. This could work. But again this could backfire if Gianluca ever found out this was his doing. He would have killed Nick.

She sighed. She was running out of options. For now she only had temporary solutions. It wasn't just the date that she had to think about. She had to stay the night at his house too when they returned. Oh. She wished she could talk to her brother about this. He would have found a way. She hadn't seen him around. He was hanging out with the boys.

Once the movie finished the girls wanted to go outside to walk in the gardens.

Lena said "I just went for a walk there earlier at the beginning. I don't think I want to go again. You guys go ahead."

The girls left and she was alone in the room. She carried on watching TV killing time. Just then she saw none other than Gabriela who was Gianluca's sister. She got along with Gabriela. They were the same age and studied alot together.

Gabriela came in with a smile "Hi Lena. I heard from the girls you are sitting by yourself. How are you?" She then say down next to her.

Lena said " I am good. But I could be better. Your brother has asked me out. I said yes."

Gabriela stated "You said yes this time? How come?"

Lena rolled her eyes "You know how it is. I couldn't exactly say no."

Gabriela said "You could say no. Are you worried about what your father would say?"

Lena sighed "My father would be cross I guess but your brother is unpredictable. I don't want to get on his wrong side."

Gabriela narrowed her eyes "Hold on a second. Since when are you like this? You were so formal and polite with my brother. You just said yes with no resistance or insults? I was in the gardens and over heard part of your conversations. I didn't eavesdrop into your conversations. But seriously something is up though. You are being nice to my brother. He did tell my mother you were very polite and respectful and you said yes with no issues. My mother thought you were becoming mature and this is called growing up. I know you better than that."

Lena defended "I have always been nice... Fine. I have been too nice recently. You are right."

Gabriela asked "Why is that?"

Lena sighed deeply "I will tell you. But you can't tell anyone. It's a secret..."

Gabriela said "I won't tell anyone. I promise."

Lena looked at the half open door. She walked to it. Closed it. She then went back to her seat next to Gabriela. "Well. I am trying to be nice to your brother and compromise with him but its because I am trying to protect someone..."

Gabriela said "You make no sense..."

Lena said "Well. There is this new boy in our school... He is so interesting."

Gabriela gasped "You like him?"

Lena shook her head carried on whispering "Keep your voice down. Well. Not exactly. I didn't say I like him. I said he is interesting."

Gabriela said "You find him interesting? So it means you like him... Oh my god."

Lena gasped "No. I dont like him... Its not that. I just like to hang out with him. I miss the company of boys. Come on you know what it is like. I want to have a friend who is not a girl for once. Everyone is afraid of my brother. No boy dares come close even for study purposes in school.. All because they know if they upset me or I get hurt somehow they will have to answer to Luigi."

Gabriela said "So what is different about this new boy?"

Lena said "He is new to the school. My brother told him to stay away when he asked me out but still he does not know fully about what my brother is capable of and who my family truly are. And I like to keep it that way. He knows he cant date me because my brother told him I have been spoken for. He is wary of my brother because he could not beat Luigi in a fight. Not many can... But anyways... I can be friends with him. Right?"

Gabriela stared at Lena and suddenly laughed. She then said "Lena. Come on. Are you being serious?"

Lena said "Yes. I am being serious."

Gabriela said "Lena... Boys like Luigi and Gianluca do not share. There is no way you can get away with this. End this friendship before my brother finds out."

Lena said "That is what Luigi told me."

Gabriela said "He is right. I cant believe he asked you out. You said no. Right?"

Lena said "Well..."

Gabriela gasped "You said yes?"

Lena said "Not exactly. I agreed to hang out with him as friends..."

Gabriela sighed. "Bad idea. I feel sorry for this boy whoever he is. What is his name?"

Lena said "Nick Edwards."

Gabriela said "Hold on. That is not an Italian name. Is he not of Italian heritage?"

Lena said "No. He is fully American. I dont know. The past four generations or more from both sides of his family are Americans."

Gabriela said "You have lost your mind Lena. But hold on. How being nice to my brother and saying yes to him will protect this boy you are talking about."

Lena said "Well. If I go out with your brother then he wont get too mad if he ever finds out I have been friends with this boy maybe. I dont know. It just seems like the right thing to do. If I say no and he finds out I hang out with Nick he may think I am choosing another boy over him. He will see Nick as his competition. Nick will die for sure. At least this way I can explain that I am just friends with Nick but chose to go out with him."

Gabriela said "What if my brother doesnt see it that way. What if he finds out and says oh, hold on Lena you are cheating on me with this new kid? Then what?

Lena rolled he eyes "I will not date Nick. There is nothing going on. I just want to hang out with him as friends."

Gabriela thought about it and said "I guess you are right. If you reject Gianluca he will dig deep until you say yes and if you keep saying know he will go to hell and back to find out why you say no. I bet you if he sees that this Nick guy is close to you, he will think you like this new guy and choosing him. Either way Nick is doomed if Gianluca finds out about him. But he may live if you give my brother a chance to date you. But again... I dont know Lena. It could back fire. Boys get jealous easily you know. Now that you are dating my brother, please be aware that his jealousy may sky rocket. But Lena is dating my brother so bad? Gianluca is not nice to anyone but you. He treats you so well. Whats so bad about going out with him?"

Lena said "I dont know Gabriela. I dont know if I am ready for this... Gianluca is so... intense, serious and intimidating. What if I make him angry. He can be scary you know... Its too soon. I just wish I was not 15 yet you know. My father said I can not date until I turn 15 and here I am. I just had to turn 15 two weeks ago and just as school starts, your brother wastes not time to ask me out."

Gabriela said" You could always say no to my brother and give up this new kid too I guess. But why do you want to risk it so much? Is this friendship with Nick even worth it?"

Lena shrugged " I just find him interesting. He is from Los Angeles. He has stories from there. He has met many actors and actresses. He even said he might introduce me to some famous people from Hollywood if I ever agree to go to parties with him and his mother. Him and his mother get invited to events and parties alot. I just want to get to explore this other world I cant access..."

Gabriela said "Lena... I think I will pray for you tomorrow at church. You need alot of prayers. I pray to the lord to show you the right path. You are risking so much."

****

It was the end of the party and families were saying goodbye and leaving. Most people had left now and Lena was standing next to the fire place waiting for her mother to finish her conversation with the hosts so they could leave. Lidia Alessandrini and Gina Bellagio were very close friends so they spent ages talking at the end of every party when saying goodbye. She couldn't wait to leave but she had to wait. Luigi was not far standing talking with Gabriela. He was laughing with her totally ignoring her discomfort. Was she the only one not having fun? She was hoping she didnt see Gianluca again that night. Avoiding him was all she did at parties.

She watched as Gianluca entered the room. She quickly turned around and hugged her chest as she kept herself busy watching the flames in the fire place. This was her attempt at hiding from him.

Gianluca came from behind her and whispered "Lena."

Lena sighed "Gianluca." She turned around hoping her mother would soon announce their departure.

Gianluca said " I was looking for you earlier. I couldn't find you."

Lena had been hiding in that TV room and Gianluca had not looked there by the sounds of it. She said "Really? I am sorry you could not find me. Here I am. We are about to leave actually. if you excuse me I need to say goodbyes."

As she tried to side step him, he took a step in her way and blocked her path "There is time for that... I wanted to talk about tomorrow. I spoke to my parents and your mother. They said it is ok for you to come back here after we return tomorrow night. You will be dropped off at your home early morning on Monday. You will make it to school on time. So you have nothing to worry about."

Lena said "Great. Thanks for telling me. Your mother spoke to me about it actually."

Gianluca smiled "Excellent. So you know about our arrangements."

Lena said "Yes of course. I told your mother how excited I am to spend the night here and I would love to bond more with your sister. So I asked if it's possible to have a sleep over after we return from watching the Broadway show. She said yes. I look forward to spending time with your sister. You know how sleepovers go. I go to her room in the evening and wont come out till dawn."

Gianluca stated "There will be time for that. But... You will have dinner with my family when we return and then we can talk..."

Lena said "No. Not on sleepover nights." When it came to sleepovers Gabriela chose how it all went. They always ate in her room and had so much fun in her huge bedroom. They always spent the whole night trying dresses from her many walk in closets. Again it was down to Gina Bellagio. She not only loved architecture but loved fashion too. No one owned as many clothes and shoes as Gabriela did just like her mother.