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“Good evening. They’re with me,” Sebastian said.
“Yes, sir.”
Alice and Hugo followed Sebastian up the stairs.
The balcony was well decorated. Two crimson, high-back chairs were surrounded by couches and other assortments of furniture. The soft glow of lamps in the corners provided light in the otherwise dark space. An oversized fireplace dominated the middle of the back wall. A player piano was set against the wall. Sebastian moved around the high-back chairs.
“My love, our special guests are here,” Sebastian said to the woman on the other side.
She set a wineglass on a table next to her. The dark, reddish liquid sloshed back and forth as she set it down. She stood and emerged from around the chair to greet them, staring Alice directly in the eyes.
Alice gasped, shocked at her exquisite beauty and enchanted by her presence. She was tall and slender like a fashion model. Strawberry blonde hair parted to her left and cascaded down below her shoulder in luscious waves. Her intense blue eyes were like sparkling sapphires enhanced by a touch of black mascara. Her face was sculpted to perfection with high cheekbones and a sharp jawline. Her pouty lips accentuated her natural beauty with a sense of strength and determination.
“Welcome to The Heart and Rose. I’m Sylvia Savino,” she said, slightly bowing. “Please. Come sit.” She motioned for them to sit on an adjoining couch.
Alice couldn’t take her eyes off Sylvia, enthralled by her remarkable fashion sense. Her leather jacket fit snugly against her curvy frame—white with a red stripe across the shoulders, a modern takeon an '80s design. The large lapels and a smooth texture accentuated her feminine magnetism. She wore a simple black top beneath her jacket that didn’t distract Alice’s eyes from her natural beauty. The black leather pants complementing her look hugged the curves of her hips and left nothing to the imagination.
Alice’s heart fluttered as she was hypnotized and captivated by her beauty.
“It’s not polite to stare,” Hugo whispered to Alice.
Hugo’s words broke her trance. Alice blushed and followed him to the couches. Sebastian sat next to Sylvia in the other high-back chair.
Sylvia picked up her wineglass and took a drink. “Sebastian told me we’re neighbors,” Sylvia said over the pulsating beats below.
“We live in the purple house. You can’t miss it.” Hugo chuckled.
“I love what you did with the house,” Sylvia said. “It’s so unique and . . . interesting.”
“I can’t take credit for it. She painted it before I moved in.” Hugo motioned to Alice with his head.
Alice sat frozen, only to take the occasional sip from her vodka cranberry, unable to pull her eyes off Sylvia.
Hugo continued, “Your house actually used to be mine.”
“How interesting,” Sylvia said. “It’s a quaint little house. You took care of it well.”
Hugo glanced to his empty ring finger. “Thank you. It was a great home, but I have a better one now.” He placed his hand on Alice’s leg.
Hugo’s touch broke Alice’s gaze from Sylvia. The room swirled as she became lightheaded. Her heart raced.
Hugo leaned in and whispered, “Everything okay?”
Alice brought her drink up to shield her mouth from the Savinos’ view. “I’m fine. Just got lightheaded for a moment. Drinking and dancing.” She took a sip.
“Ah,” Hugo replied.
“Are you enjoying yourselves?” Sylvia asked.
“It’s been great,” Alice replied. “I could see myself here every Saturday night.”
“Well, I hope so,” Sylvia replied. “I was watching you. You’re a great dancer.”
“Thank you,” Alice said.
“So, what brought you to Newbury Grove?” Hugo asked.
Sylvia took a drink and set it down. “We wanted a quieter life. A smaller place to unwind. We run a small restaurant and nightclub empire. A few establishments in a few cities. Nothing much. It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle. We wanted some place quiet and disconnected from everything else. Where we could relax and be ourselves.”
