2. La Bella Vita

Isabella, as she meticulously examined herself in front of the mirror, a contented smile escaped her lips. The woman looking back at her was like a fairy with her cream-colored dress. The dress perfectly emphasized her feminine curves, while the deep slits showcased the elegance of her long legs, giving Isabella both sophistication and allure. The dress's flowing fabric danced with every movement, capturing the light from different angles and creating a dazzling sparkle.

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, the sharp and sweet fragrance of her perfume filled her nose. Looking at herself one last time, a faint smile adorned her lips. She styled her curly hair into a half bun, with some cascading down her shoulders, accentuating her bronzed skin tone.

Taking her small black leather bag, she placed her phone inside. The bag perfectly contrasted with her cream dress, adding a sense of luxury with its gold-plated chain strap and minimalist design. As always, Isabella exuded elegance and sophistication in her style.

She looked at Sofia and asked in a hushed voice, "Are you sure you don't want to come?" However, the devilish grin in Sofia's eyes and her firm stance against Marco indicated that she had plans to have fun all night long.

"Absolutely," Sofia replied. Isabella nodded, smiled, and headed towards the door with her bag in hand.

"Will Marco regret not ruining the party tonight?" Sofia shrugged her shoulders. "He deserved it," she said briefly. "Alright then, I'm heading out. See you later."

In the heart of Rome, a chic restaurant awaited Isabella and the surprises that would unfold throughout the night.

The restaurant's name was "La Bella Vita," located in the bustling, lively city of Rome. As soon as you entered, you were greeted with a historical atmosphere; an 18th-century building revived with a decor that harmoniously combined the elegance of the old world with modern comfort.

"Whoever decorated this place has a great taste," Isabella whispered to herself. A few steps further, you encountered curved, spiral wooden beams in the ceiling, slightly weathered stone walls, and antique furniture. The high-ceilinged restaurant was adorned with elegant, classic striped fabrics and warm brown-toned wooden furniture. Each table was covered with thick white tablecloths and adorned with crystal glasses, silver cutlery sets, and elegant porcelain plates.

At the center of the restaurant was an open courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard stood an old olive tree, its rustling leaves providing shade around it. The surrounding tables were filled with colorful flowers, and a few fallen leaves adorned the ceramic pots.

In one corner of the restaurant, there was a spacious open kitchen. Here, chefs skillfully transformed fresh ingredients and served the most delicious Italian dishes to the customers. Shrimp risotto, dana ossobuco, fresh fettuccine with sliced truffle - these were just some of the mouth-watering aromas that filled the air.

The restaurant also had an excellent wine cellar, offering the best Italian wines. Wooden shelves adorned the walls, holding dozens of wine bottles. The sommeliers of the restaurant were always ready to help you find the perfect wine to accompany your meal.

And of course, one of the most crucial elements: the staff. They radiated warm, friendly, and helpful Italian hospitality. Each one of them was there to ensure that you had a comfortable experience while enjoying your meals and drinks.

"I wonder how I never knew about this place before," Isabella said to the host, showing her invitation card and following him to her table. The reserved table was for at least fifteen people. Apart from Marco, there were six more people at the table, sipping their wines.

Marco stood up with a smile. "Bella, welcome," he said.

"Nice to see you, Marco," Isabella said, kissing him on the cheeks. "I thought you wouldn't come."

"Turning down your kind invitation wouldn't be right, would it?" He extended a small gift box to her. "Thank you for the invitation."

"Happy birthday," Isabella said as Marco accepted the box. "Sofia didn't come?"

"She wasn't feeling well," Bella said briefly. Though a hint of concern sparkled in Marco's eyes, it quickly vanished.

"Please, take a seat," he said as he pulled the chair for her. "Thank you," Isabella replied. Though she tried to blend into the ambiance at the table, she only knew a few of the people. The restaurant turned out better than she expected, but she didn't particularly enjoy the atmosphere. Eventually, feeling bored, she began scanning the surroundings.

Leonardo arrived at the restaurant just a few minutes before Isabella. With his blue eyes and dark brown hair that reached his waist, he stood out in the crowd. He wore a black suit that perfectly showcased his Italian nobility and elegance.

As Isabella scanned the crowded entrance of the restaurant, she felt a sudden electric surge. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the source of this feeling, and amidst the crowd, she found Leonardo. For a moment, their eyes met, and it was as if time stood still. All the noise and crowd seemed to vanish, and the only reality that existed was each other.

Perhaps it was love at first sight, but it was also mysterious. Leonardo felt like he had just locked eyes with the woman of his life. Just then, a waiter brought a new bottle of wine to Leonardo's table. Leonardo thanked the waiter and immediately looked at Isabella. Their eyes met again, and Leonardo gestured to the waiter, requesting another glass for Isabella.

As the waiter walked away, Isabella continued to watch him and accidentally locked eyes with Leonardo again. With one hand, Leonardo signaled towards Isabella, and with the other, he raised his glass. Isabella blinked in surprise and the waiter headed towards her table, offering her a glass of wine.

Accepting the wine from the waiter, Isabella took sips, keeping her eyes on Leonardo. When her phone vibrated, she looked away to see who was calling. Her eyebrows furrowed. Amidst a dull birthday party, receiving a glass of wine from a stranger added a spark of excitement, but the caller on the phone ruined her mood. With a swift gulp, she downed the entire glass of wine in response to the barrage of messages that went from curiosity and "where are you" to threats and profanities from Matteo, leaving her frustrated. Looking up from her phone, she couldn't spot the stranger at the table anymore. Despite searching around the restaurant, he was nowhere to be found.

Observing that Isabella seemed distressed, the man decided to keep his distance. While occupied with his phone, he glanced at her again. "Maybe some other time," he said, smiling. As if these little encounters and escapes would continue for another day...

Handing a small piece of paper to the waiter, he gestured with his eyes toward the girl. Then he turned and left the restaurant, walking briskly.

Reading Matteo's messages on her phone, Isabella's face displayed annoyance. She knew someone would bother her, but she hadn't anticipated giving up so quickly. When she noticed that the stranger was gone, she felt both alone and frustrated. She had forced herself to attend this boring birthday party, and now she had to deal with threatening messages from Matteo.

Amidst the restaurant's cheerful sounds, laughter, and pleasant conversations, she felt like she was in a different world, grappling with her own problems. A few more glasses of wine, served to her slowly, became a kind of refuge against Matteo's irritating messages. After a few glasses, her head started to spin, and she felt nauseous.

But the nausea wasn't just from the wine; it also came from the situation she found herself in. Feeling a bit dizzy, Isabella stood up and looked around. She hoped to see the stranger again but couldn't spot him. Feeling alone and irritated, she tried to drink another glass but sighed and put the wine glass down.

"Maybe some other time," she murmured to herself as she stood up from the table and left the restaurant. She had started the night with a charming stranger, putting everything else aside, but the end of the night didn't turn out as she had hoped. Now, she felt both alone and disappointed.

As she exited the restaurant, she took the red piece of paper that the waiter handed her. With the red paper in her hand, she walked out. The night had begun with a charming stranger, setting everything aside, but it seemed this little escapade would have to wait for another time.