tough girl is what I had to be

valentina took her arm and took a step to close the distance between them. “ sounds like fun nonetheless. extravagant parties are the best way to one-up your colleagues, so props to them, ” she said with a nod. suddenly, a streak of inspiration hit valentina, though she figured she needed the approval of her date first. “ since i’m your date, i think asking your permission is the polite thing to do, so that’s exactly what i’ll do. i’m a journalist, and my paper sent me here to venice to report on those who live here – articles that describe the night life, day life, and so on to compare it to the social life of those in america. i think this gathering could be the topic of my next piece — only if you’re okay with it, though. i totally understand if you say no, ” she reassured, “ i really hope that wasn’t out of line of me to ask. i wasn’t even planning on working tonight, i just think this might be an interesting piece. ”

“I’m just glad you asked me instead of keeping it from me. Because of your honesty, I only have two conditions” she stated “One. These are good people, if you want to write about them, then you will respect them, their work is honest. Two. Enjoy yourself, don’t focus on the work, if interacting is a must let them know you’re a journalist, the working man doesn't like to be spied on.” Mara believed these were fair enough as they were simple etiquette, but sometimes rules like these had to be spoken allowed to ensure they were followed

     “i’ll get it engraved for you.” he laughed softly. “so you’re a physical trainer… or…? i usually only ever see mma fighter type trainers when i go to the gym.”

“I’ll be expecting it in my mailbox” she replied lightly “Yes, trainer and fighter, but fighting only pays the bills if you’re active so while I’m in Venice I figured I’d get a job teaching what I love”

“With their bad breath, not breathing in general.” she couldn’t help but laugh at the girl’s interpretation. “Their breath always smells terrible.”

“Oh! That makes much more sense” she laughed “My bad, I must sound quite foolish right about now”

     “seriously? ok, you win the best cancellation story. guess they just didn’t want you doing your job correctly.”

“Thank you, thank you, I’ll take my award” she joked “To be honest they were one of my few bad cases, luckily I mostly work with good people”

valentina pondered her request, mentally weighing the pros and cons. after a few more seconds, she decided to accept the offer. the brunette before her was practically a stranger, and the mystery of the unknown fascinated valentina to an extent most would consider excessive. “ i’m in. i just have one question – where are we going ? ” she asked, figuring it was imperative to know the crowd she’d be spinning lies for before arriving. “ so, is it safe to assume i’m your date for the night ? ”

She held her arm for the other girl to take “Work gathering of sorts, some colleagues of mine are in town and decided to throw a charity gala to keep up the illusion that they’re all better than one another. They’re great people but they can be petty at times. And yes you are if you don’t mind, then again, if you did, I suppose you wouldn’t be joining me at all”

     “people just always have something to complain about, don’t they? sometimes i really hate working in retail ― but i do love it… despite some of the people.”

“Tell me about it, I once had someone cancel their training sessions because I ‘worked them out too much’ can you believe that?”

“It’d be worth it, they’re so adorable but guess dogs can be cute when you get past their breathe and drooling.”

“You have a problem with their breathing?” she asked “I hate to inform you but you might not be a cat person”

valentina spun around again and arched a brow at the brunette. “ now that’s not something you hear every day. you’re either extremely well off, or have a sugar daddy — and i don’t know which one is more impressive, ” she said truthfully. she let a moment of silence pass, before proposing something new. “ come with me. i’m sure your prior plans could do one night without you. pretty please ? ”

She eyed the girl up and down taking in her outfit, quite formal for someone simply walking the streets of Venice “I simply cannot do that, but seeing as you’re dressed quite appropriately and I am in need of a plus one, I don’t suppose you’d join me instead?”

valentina studied the brunette before her, a frown crossing her painted lips. “ suit yourself. you can carry on with whatever plans you had in mind. i just thought you looked like good company. guess i was wrong, ” she stated simply, looking the girl up and down once more. “ oh, and – cute shoes, ” she pointed out before whirling around on her heel and pulling out her phone.

“I am great company, but you see I kind of owe that company to my prior plans. No hard feelings doll” she shrugged, looking down at her shoes after the girls statement knowing her next words we’re sure to catch the girls ears “Thanks, they’re personalized NVPS Louboutin’s”

“Wait . you’re not, a what?” the information had certainly taken Madison back as she couldn’t believe that anybody could not be a cat person. “Cats are the future, if I could I’d own twenty of them.”

“Sure you could, but you’d probably die because, you know, cat allergy. Im not saying cats arent cool, im just more of a dog person myself”

ø @ & %