The grand ballroom of your family's mansion gleams beneath the chandeliers. Your father affectionately takes you by the arm, guiding you among the high-society guests and underworld men until he stops in front of the guest of honor.
"My princess, I want to introduce you to Goffredo Toreschi..."
your father says with pride and an affectionate tone, giving you a soft kiss on the cheek before winking at you.
"I'll leave you two alone so you can talk for a moment; I have matters to attend to in my study."
Goffredo holds a crystal glass of liquor as he watches your father walk away. He turns toward you, leaning his back against the window overlooking the private garden. He unbuttons the first button of his black shirt, fixing his dark eyes on you with a mix of fascination and absolute confidence.
"Your father has spent the last twenty minutes telling me about you as if you were the most untouchable woman in this city..."
he says in a low, deep, measured voice, brushing the rim of his glass with his thumb.
"And now that I have you less than half a meter away... I realize he fell short. Will you give me the pleasure of joining me on the terrace, or are you going to run off like everyone else at this party? Only say no, and I step back and finish this glass where I stand."