CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

Aurora entered the hotel lobby. She kept on glancing consciously around her for anyone who might recognize who she was. She didn't want any paparazzi to get a hint about her. The cold air in the lobby chilled her skin even with her thick clothing. She was wearing a checkered button-down jacket, tattered pants, and sneakers. A small suitcase in tow. A baseball cap was on her head with a mask covering half of her face.

She'd wanted to wear her shades, but that would even make her stand out more for the time of day, which wasn't suitable for it. It was already nighttime. It was 7:00 in the evening. She had decided to have some time alone with herself before leaving tomorrow for her flight back to the Philippines.

The receptionist greeted her as she approached her desk to ask for a room. She'd trust the hotel to be discreet about her information, as it was considered a luxury hotel that was nearest to the airport.

"May I ask for your ID, ma'am?" The receptionist asked politely with a sweet smile.

She took out her ID and placed it on the shiny brown tiled desk in front of her. The ambiance of the place was relaxing. The soft yellow glow from the chandelier above gave light in the center of the lobby. She noticed the girl who saw her identification bulged her eyes and looked at her again. She heard her loud gasp as well.

Aurora smiled at the one in charge and gestured a finger to her lips to keep it a secret. The girl smiled and nodded enthusiastically. She let her do her job then to complete her check-in process. Since she was a walk-in guest, she knew that it might take a minute before they finished it.

She stood there and checked her phone for any news that might get her interested. The girl offered for her to sit at one of the lounge seats, but she refused. After a couple of minutes, her ID was returned, but the girl seemed hesitant about something. She kept on fidgeting in front of her.

"You want an autograph?" She filled in for her. She didn't have all night to wait for her to have the courage to say it.

Julia, the receptionist's name as she could see on her nameplate, nodded and smiled widely at her. "Yes, please, signorina Rosa. I'm a very huge fan." She was trying to lower her voice, but her excitement was undeniable.

She smiled at the girl, though it was hidden behind a mask, but it reached her eyes, so it was obvious that she appreciated it. "Really? Thank you."

Julia gave her a paper and pen for her to sign. Then gave the keycard to her room as she provided her some instructions. She even called for a bellman to help her settle in her room, but then again, she refused politely. She could manage it on her own.

Aurora went up to the elevator and pressed the button to her floor. Her room was on the 5th floor. She had a plan tonight. She wanted to loosen herself somehow from all the feelings she had and from the events they did.

When she got to her room, she quickly showered and changed into a dress. It had been some time since she wore one that she chose for herself. They had their fashion stylist, so whenever she got out in public to appear in media, someone else got to decide what they wore. And she wouldn't argue because they were a great stylist. But now, she wanted to be Aurora, not Rosa.

She fixed her long, wavy hair to the side to hook her earrings as she looked at the mirror. And lastly, a lipstick and perfume were her last touch. She was ready to head out to the bar on the ground floor. Beside the hotel restaurant was a bar. Her plan was to get wasted alone in the bar, then slept in a hotel room, fled out of the country the next day, and hoped to never come back.

Aurora was now out of the room. She brought a purse with her with only money, a phone, and her keycard in it.

It was already 9:00 pm when she got down to the lobby and on her way to the bar. People kept glancing at her, and some snickered at her face. Yeah. Why won't they? She was wearing a dress, but a mask was the ridiculous part of her outfit. She had to until she reached the bar and had settled on a seat.

She finally arrived at the place. She beelined directly to the bar counter. The bartender was busy mixing something. She took one of the stools and removed her mask. She was only facing the bartender, and the area wasn't that bright that anyone could recognize her instantly. And besides, people were busy hanging around with their own peers. She ordered a drink, and the cute bartender worked on it right away.

He knew her as he stared at her wide-eyed for a few seconds, and he stammered when he asked her what she wanted. But she winked at him, and he blushed as he smiled cheekily then. She was just thankful that he remained professional and wasn't chatting with her.

Aurora poured herself a glass from a bottle of gin she ordered. The strong taste of liquor hit her throat hard. It was on the rocks, so the taste was bearable. In her second glass, she did not drink it immediately. She rotated the brandy glass in her hand, and the contents slowly swirled around. She stared at the liquid as thoughts came to her mind. The country music from the speakers in the background sounded far away.

She hated this country so much. She hated it because it was where she was deeply hurt by the only guy she had ever wanted before. If only it wasn't listed as one of the country they got to perform in during their world tour, then she wouldn't be there.

Aurora Fontalva was currently the leader of a famous all girl band in the Philippines and they were slowly being recognized all around the world. But she was known as Rosa. It was her stage name. Italy was their last stop in their world tour and her group was already back in their country. She stayed behind to visit her mom and best friend in their mansion for two days. She told them earlier of her plan tonight and they understood that she wanted to be alone.

She clenched the glass tightly in her hand and downed the drink again. She didn't give a damn about her surroundings and just focused in her bottle and phone at the other hand.

After some time, her vision was getting a bit blurry, but she knew she could take more. She could handle alcohol. She knew how to manage it.

She put down her phone and studied the drink in her hand. She snorted at it. Then she took a deep breath. Her chest was hurting. Her heart was aching. She could never forget her past. The man she loved and hurt her. She'd wanted to bury it down but it all came back fresh as she stepped in Italy again.

Her eyes started to well up from the tears that wanted to escape. But she held it in. She didn't want to have an emotional breakdown in public. She was just there to have a drink and wallow down her sorrows, not to display them.

Aurora's phone buzzed. She looked at the messages that popped on the notifications. They were from her group, asking how she was doing. She picked up her phone after drinking the contents in her glass and placed it down on the marbled counter in front of her.

**********

Another man stalked inside the bar and his eyes quickly scanned the surroundings. The ladies turned their eyes at him as they looked at him with awe and appreciation. He didn't bother to throw a glance at them.

The waiters greeted him but he didn't even respond with a nod as he looked around for someone. Then not another minute, he spotted her.

There she is. Mia moglie. (My wife)