Dress: Elegant.
‘Oh, mio Dio!’ exclaimed Simonetta. She knew who Brad Masters was! He’d obviously noticed her at a catwalk show and decided he had to meet her. Simonetta’s lips curled into a smile; she’d known it was only a matter of time before someone influential approached her. Even though Simonetta always went for older men, thirty years older was pushing it. Nonetheless, Brad was still very attractive for his age and it would be great to play him along and kick-start the luxury lifestyle she’d always dreamed about. Having Brad Masters on her speed dial would open doors for her, serious doors. Simonetta knew how it all worked.
Her phone rang and she snatched it up. It was Lexi, her agent from Models Italia.
‘Simonetta?’
‘Lexi, you’ll never believe whose party I’ve just been invited to!’ Simonetta’s normal aloofness had been taken over by excitement.
Her agent laughed. ‘Brad Masters?’
Simonetta frowned. ‘How did you know?’
‘Because his office called the agency, wanting to invite you to one of his parties.’ Lexi sounded almost as excited as she was. ‘Simonetta, Brad only asks the big-name models to his parties. This could be your break – it could put Models Italia on the map!’
Simonetta rolled her eyes. Typical Lexi, only thinking of herself and the stupid agency. After Brad Masters’ party, Select, Models One and all the other top agencies would be begging to sign her up. A beep indicated another call. ‘Lexi, I’ll call you later,’ Simonetta cut her off and switched over to her mother. Normally Simonetta would have ignored the call but she had to share the good news.
‘Mamma, you’ll never guess who has just invited me to his birthday party!’
‘I do not know, Simonetta.’
‘Brad Masters! You know, the really rich and famous music guy.’
She knew her mother wouldn’t approve, but even so, Simonetta was shocked by her reaction. There was a long silence, then her mother let out a high-pitched shriek.
‘Simonetta! This is an outrage. Why are telling me this?’
‘Because it’s exciting, Mamma, I thought you’d be pleased for me.’
‘Pleased?’ Her mother could barely get the word out. ‘I knew moving to Rome would be the undoing of you. You’re on a slippery slope. Mixing with those, those…people. Sex, drugs and loose morals, Simonetta – that’s all they care about.’
‘Mamma, it’s only a party!’
Her mother let out a stifled sob. ‘No, it is not! Simonetta, you do not know what you are doing. I forbid you to go.’
Simonetta had had enough. ‘And I forbid you to ring me again. I’m sick of you always telling me what to do.’
‘Simonetta, I only have your best interests at heart!’
‘Goodbye, Mamma,’ she said coldly and put the phone down.
London
Jerry let out a low whistle.
‘Brad Masters, eh?’
Sapphire played with a piece of her hair, as she always did when she had something on her mind. ‘What do you think?’
Jerry was silent for a moment, considering. ‘I think as long as your mum’s OK with it, you should go. Sapphire, Brad Masters wants to meet you and talk about music!’
‘But I’m crap at melodies!’ she half wailed. ‘What if he asks me to sing something?’
Jerry laughed at her anguished expression. ‘Then Brad Masters is the man to talk to about it! He knows the best people in the business. They’ll help you get it right.’
‘You really don’t mind if I take time off work? It’ll only be a few days.’
Jerry clutched his hand to his chest. ‘It’ll be hard, but I’ll try to survive.’
His silly face made Sapphire laugh, showing off her cute little dimples. ‘You’re the best, Jerry, thank you!’
‘Go get ‘em, kid,’ he said fondly.
Capri, two weeks later
Simonetta stepped out of the private jet and looked round triumphantly. This was what it was all about! She’d told her modelling agency that she was burned out and needed a last-minute holiday, and begrudgingly, they’d agreed. Lexi, her agent, wouldn’t have been so snotty if she knew Simonetta was going to stay with Brad Masters! Even though Simonetta had remained her aloof, disdainful self, inside she was bubbling with excitement. This was going to be the start of the rest of her life – the life she, Simonetta Mastrangelo, had always known she was destined for.
An immaculately suited chauffeur was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. Simonetta paused and looked over her sunglasses at him, adding to the effect of her tight black dress and towering heels.
‘Buongiorno, signorina,’ he murmured. ‘If you would be so kind, your transport awaits.’
He gestured with a white-gloved hand to a sleek, black Ferrari at the edge of the airfield. A smile crept over Simonetta’s face. Oh, yes, this was what it was all about. Flinging her hair back, she sashayed off, the admiring chauffeur following in her wake.
Sapphire’s journey had been just as mind-blowing. After travelling first class for the first time in her life, she had been greeted at Capri airport by another chauffeur, this time in a gleaming Mercedes. After a short journey which made Sapphire feel like she was gliding along silk, the car had made its way with some difficulty down to a little port where a sleek yacht called Melodia had been waiting for her. Sapphire knew enough Italian from her GCSEs to know it was Italian for melody.
But I’m rubbish at melodies – is this a bad omen? she thought, worriedly. Despite the stunning scenery around her, tension had been building in her stomach since she landed. Was it really such a good idea coming here? She had never met Brad Masters in her life and she wouldn’t know a soul at the party. Sapphire could only imagine the sort of movers and shakers who would be there; what on earth was she going to say to them?
But the handsome young crew waiting aboard the boat soon took Sapphire’s mind off such matters. With their deep tans, white teeth and sinewy bodies, they looked like a chartbusting boy band.
‘Signor Masters especially wanted you to come to his house this way,’ Alberto the skipper told her. ‘It’s the best way to see Casa Eleganza.’
Sapphire sat at the front of the boat, enjoying the sea air and occasional sea spray against her face. After ten minutes, Alberto pointed ahead and shouted something. As the
