!!*PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU READ CHP. 1* !!


"Why, Ms. Rell, what a beautiful shot!" exclaimed Daisy. It was just another day at my photo studio-where all the magic happened. A rather cozy place- red interior, crimson cushions, lots of cameras. My most recent client, Daisy Lowe had commissioned me to do her maternity photos.

"Now now, Ms. Lowe, please call me Eleanor. Such frivolus formalities!" I said jokingly. "And I'm elated you love the photos. You and your husband make a lovely couple-and I'll bet the little one will be equally as stunning."

"Oh thank you! You're a doll, darling! I particularly like this one." Daisy showed me the photo of she and her husband under a floral archway, with him down on one knee and placing a tender kiss on her baby bump. The happiness radiated from her rosy face. Her dazzling smile showcased it all. They both gazed into each others eyes. It was the perfect mix of intimate and happily ever after. The thing that made it even more special was that I caught this one off guard. Those are usually the more powerful ones-they tell stories.

"It was a pleasure indeed. I had lovely subjects to work with, after all! Here let me package them for you."

I slipped her photos into a nice perisian blue envalope. I was always meticulous about presentation and packing. In fact, perisian blue and deep red were the prominient colors of my studio-Photophoria. Its based around the fact that photographs can bring euphoria, pleasure and sometimes, nostalgia. It was located in the central part of Venice. After a few more minutes of casual conversation, Daisy paid for her package and we gave each other a quick friendly peck on the cheek. You know, a common Italian gesture.

"Bye dear! And oh, do get out of this stuffy studio and try to have some fun," she called out over her shoulder before slipping through the doors. I laughed heartily. I was kind of a workaholic, and somewhat of a loner honestly. Didn't have much of a social life- I was too busy working. Today was hectic to say the least. And Daisy was not the only client. The studio was packed earlier.

"What a day!" I exclaimed and plopped onto a plush couch. I saw my favorite camera, and grabbed it. Might as well get started on some more editing. I hadn't even begun to examine the first picture when I heard the door bell chime. Someone else had come-probably another client. Sigh. I got up out of my private editing room and headed for the front desk. "Hello, how can I-"

When I caught sight of the person, I stopped dead in my tracks, and every nerve and muscle froze.

"Hello, Bellissima."

It was him. Adam. That preposterously hot and sexy man I met at the coffeehouse. Eyes even blacker than usual-but this time sparkling with mischief and wickedness. What the hell is he doing here? How did he find me? I bit my lip nervously, taking a moment to breathe-and to look him up and down. Black collared shirt and a burgundy coat. Tailored pants. God- why did he have to wear these tailored pants that fit so well around his strong Herculean legs? He wasn't even that close to me and I could...