Megan Cole - Fortune - The Original Snogbuster

‘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 speedboat zoomed round a rocky outcrop, Sapphire gasped. There, nestling above its own private beach and jetty, was a stunning white building the size of a palace. It was early evening by now and the sun was setting, a golden glow reflecting back at them from the windows.

‘Beautiful, eh?’ Alberto called.

Speechless, Sapphire could only nod in agreement. It looked like something out of a fairytale.

Up close, Casa Eleganza was even prettier, with jewel-coloured flowers tumbling from window boxes and immaculate green lawns stretching out in front. Despite the scorching heat, the grass was a dark emerald. Sapphire could see several gardeners hard at work. She was so busy taking in every detail she didn’t realise for a moment that they’d docked. Sapphire felt a warm hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Alberto smiling down at her. She blushed, wondering if all Brad Masters’ staff were this good-looking.

A plump, friendly-faced old woman with grey hair tied back in a bun was standing expectantly on the end of the jetty. ‘You be careful now, Alberto!’ she called. Sapphire noticed she had a strong Irish accent. As Alberto helped Sapphire off the boat, the old lady stepped forward and clasped both of Sapphire’s hands warmly.

Sapphire started to feel more relaxed. The woman had a kind, motherly air about her that just made you know she’d look after you. Yet somehow she also fitted in with the opulent, luxurious backdrop of Casa Eleganza, as if she was part and parcel of the place.

‘I’m Maggie O’Sullivan, housekeeper,’ said the woman. ‘And you must be Sapphire.’

‘Hi, Maggie,’ said Sapphire, suddenly feeling rather shy again. Maggie noticed and put a comforting arm around one shoulder. ‘You must be awful tired after your journey, so why don’t you come along and see your bedroom. I’ve had it made up extra-nice for you.’

‘What about my rucksack?’ Sapphire asked, but Maggie was already guiding her towards the house.