I'M JUST A BIT CLUMSY

ILARIA

As I hung up the phone, a sense of uneasiness washed over me. Lucy seemed distant during our conversation. I know I'm not totally being honest with Lucy, but I don't know how to tell her that I kind of joined hands with the guy that I was supposed to spy on?

Okay, that sounds awful. What if she thinks I'm betraying her? Or worse, I'm scamming her for money or something? I hope that Niccolo finds something about the accident she had so that I can give her an update.

Speaking of Niccolo, I haven't seen him since the day we had the agreement. It's just been 4 days though, not that I'm counting.

He also sent a doctor for me that day. The audacity of him. First he sends bodyguards, then he sends a doctor too. Who does he think he is?

But he did say that it was a misunderstanding though, but who cares? Not me. And true to his words, I didn't see that giant bodyguard again.

Ohhh and not to mention the privileges he mentioned. I'm enjoying my life to it's fullest right now. I now get why people pay too much money to stay in hotels like this.

I mostly stay in my room, which is farthest away from Niccolo's. I opened my laptop and searched to find any job openings. Yep, as of now that I have halted my spying adventures, I decided to get a work from home job. I applied for a few management trainee posts and I have yet to hear from them.

After applying for a few more companies, I closed my laptop and made my way out of the room. One of the reasons why I prefer to stay in my room is, this penthouse is a masterpiece of luxury. I'm afraid that I'll stain something just by breathing and I'm not exaggerating.

I entered a spacious living area that was designed for both comfort and style. Plush velvet sofas and armchairs were arranged around a grand fireplace, creating an inviting space to relax.

The room was tastefully decorated with ornate sculptures, intricate vases, and carefully curated artwork that reflected the rich cultural heritage of Italy.

Adjacent to the living area was a dining room fit for royalty. A long, polished wooden table stood at the center, surrounded by high-backed chairs.

The room boasted a fully stocked bar, perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet drink while taking in the breathtaking views that stretched beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The penthouse boasted a gourmet kitchen, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and adorned with sleek granite countertops. Whoever loves cooking, this place is heaven for them.

The bedrooms, oh god, each room has a king-sized bed with fine linens and soft, fluffy pillows. I wish I could atleast take the pillows home with me.

And I think the most captivating feature of the penthouse was its expansive terrace. Stepping outside onto the private outdoor space, I was greeted by a haven of relaxation and beauty. The private infinity pool overlooking the city is breathtaking.

After relaxing for a few minutes, I decided to go to another infinity pool, which is a few floors below the penthouse.

As I lounged by the poolside, sipping on a fruity cocktail, I struck up conversations with the friendly pool attendants, Andrea and Giulia. I came here before too and we shared stories and laughter, becoming friends in no time.

"Ria, you're such a lucky woman," Giulia remarked, adjusting her sunglasses. "Most people only dream of experiencing this level of luxury. And I can't believe Mr. Moretti has a girlfriend. He always looks so broody and angry."

Uh-ah, everyone here thinks that I'm Niccolo's girlfriend. I first tried to deny it, thinking they misunderstood since I'm staying in his penthouse. But someone heard Niccolo saying I'm his girlfriend in the restaurant.

''Pstt.. He isn't that scary. In fact, he is a total sweetheart. You should see his face when I first rejected him.'' I said, hiding my smirk. Bloody hell, I totally love this.

Andrea gasped. ''No way! How did you resist him? Why did you even reject him in the first place?''

I shrugged. ''He was too clingy. He literally begged me for a date.''

They both narrowed their eyes at me, as if they didn't believe a word I said. I should not pull until it breaks.

''What? It's true. He even wanted me to stay in his penthouse so he could see me whenever he wanted, but I only accepted to stay here for a few days.''

After speaking for a few minutes, I decided to leave the place. A few more questions and they'll definitely know I'm lying.

For the last few days, every evening, I dined at the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant. Nope, it's a different one from last time. I would never step foot into that restaurant again, not after I got caught spying.

The chef, Antonio, crafted exquisite dishes that were both visually stunning and a treat for the taste buds. This evening, as I savored a succulent dish of homemade pasta, Antonio came out of the kitchen, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Ria, my dear, I have a surprise for you. Follow me."

Intrigued, I followed Antonio into the kitchen, where he introduced me to his team of skilled sous chefs. They welcomed me warmly, allowing me to help them make their version of Tiramisu and it was beyond perfect. I left their kitchen covered in flour and laughter.

_____

I stepped into the elevator and used the golden exclusive elevator card to unlock the top five floors. As I was about to press the penthouse button, my eyes scanned the other 4 floor buttons which were off limits except for the hotel's top clients.

You see, there are a total of five floors which are off limits. The first one is the penthouse where I'm staying. The second one is Niccolo's office. The third one, I don't know what it is or why it is off limits. The fourth one is a private gym and the fifth one is a private pool for exclusive clients.

While I roamed every corner of the hotel, I didn't go to Niccolo's office or the floor below that. Not going to Niccolo's office is a choice, but even if I want to go to the floor below it, I don't have the black card which is used exclusively for that floor.

Isn't that highly suspicious? I mean what is there on that floor for it to be off limits to everyone except those who have a black card? I smiled, a mischievous plan formed in my mind. I once saw a bellboy using a black card. I didn't give it much thought then, but now I have to get the card.

I went to the private pool, spa, restaurant and other places to search for that particular bellboy. But I couldn't find him anywhere.

Finally, I spotted him near the reception desk in the lobby, his crisp uniform contrasting with the opulent surroundings. A mischievous smile played on my lips as I made a plan to steal the exclusive black card from him.

Approaching the bellboy, I put on my most charming smile and began a conversation. "Hi there! What a splendid day it is, isn't it?" I said cheerfully, hoping to catch his attention and distract him.

The bellboy looked up at me, his expression friendly but slightly surprised by my sudden enthusiasm. "Yes, ma'am, it's a beautiful day indeed. How may I assist you?" he replied politely.

I took a moment to admire his name tag, which read 'Tom'. "Well, Tom," I continued, "As you know, I stay in the penthouse but I didn't explore the hotel to the fullest. Could you tell me more about the amenities NewView offers?"

Tom's face lit up with pride as he began to describe the hotel's features. He enthusiastically detailed the luxurious suites, the exquisite dining options, and, most importantly for me, the exclusive elevator reserved for VIP guests.

I knew that if I wanted to get my hands on that card, I had to keep him engaged in conversation. "Oh, What's the most fascinating thing you've witnessed?"

A grin spread across the bellboy's face as he leaned against the reception counter. "Well, there was this one time when a famous actor stayed here. The whole place was abuzz with excitement."

Inwardly, I rolled my eyes. Of course, it had to be a celebrity story. "That sounds intriguing! What did the actor do?"

"He had a huge entourage with him," the bellboy replied, clearly relishing the memory. "Security was tight, and everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of him. It was like a whirlwind of paparazzi and fans."

As Tom spoke, I subtly shifted my position, edging closer to the small desk where he had left his belongings. I kept up the conversation, asking questions about the hotel's history and any interesting stories he might have encountered during his time as a bellboy. I wanted to engage him fully and divert his attention from the task at hand.

My eyes darted to the small tray where the elevator cards were kept. I knew I had to act swiftly and inconspicuously. I pretended to stumble slightly, my hand 'accidentally' brushing against Tom's wrist. "Oops! I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, feigning embarrassment.

Tom, being the gentleman that he was, quickly assured me it was no problem. "No worries, ma'am. Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

With a playful smile, I replied, "I'm fine, thank you. I'm just a bit clumsy sometimes.''

Feeling the walls closing in on me, I searched frantically for another distraction. "You know, I've heard that NewView has the most exquisite art collection. Is that true?"

His curiosity piqued, the bellboy leaned in. "Yes, it's quite remarkable. We have some renowned pieces from around the world displayed up there."

Relieved, I seized the opportunity to inch closer to the card once again. This time, I decided to play the damsel in distress card. "Oh, how I wish I could see those magnificent artworks. Unfortunately, I left my room key upstairs, and I was locked out. Could you help me?"

The bellboy's eyes widened with concern, and he straightened up, ready to assist. "Of course, ma'am. Let me help you out. You are staying in the penthouse, right?"

Now that I had successfully diverted his attention, I couldn't afford to waste any more time. "Oh, yes. Thank you so much!"

As the bellboy turned, I seized the opportunity to make my move. I attempted to snatch the card from the desk and conceal it in my pocket. But fate seemed to have other plans.

Just as I was about to secure my prize, the bellboy turned around, catching me mid-action. His eyes widened in disbelief, and his expression changed from concern to suspicion. "Ma'am! What are you doing?"

Caught red-handed, my mind raced to come up with yet another silly excuse. "Oh, you see, I thought I dropped my earring on the floor. Silly me!"

The bellboy crossed his arms, clearly unconvinced. "That doesn't explain why you were reaching for the card, ma'am."

Panic set in as I realized the gravity of the situation. I needed an escape plan, and fast. "Well, you see, I thought the card had fallen behind the desk, and I was trying to retrieve it for you. But it seems I was mistaken."

The bellboy's brow furrowed, clearly not buying my flimsy explanation. "That's highly unlikely, ma'am. The card was right there on the desk, and I saw you reaching for it."

Unable to come up with a better excuse, I resorted to a desperate bluff. "You must be mistaken, boy. Perhaps it was a trick of the light or a figment of your imagination. In any case, I really must be going now. Goodbye!"

Before the bellboy could respond, I turned on my heels and dashed towards the elevator, hoping to make a swift escape to the penthouse.

I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the penthouse floor. As the doors closed, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of disappointment and relief.

As the elevator glided upward, I gazed at my reflection in the mirrored walls, contemplating what to do.

The doors opened, and I stepped out onto the penthouse floor. As soon as I got inside, I slipped into a plush robe and padded over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, marveling at the breathtaking view of Rome at night. The city twinkled beneath a star-studded sky, captivating in its timeless beauty.

As the night wore on, I went to my bedroom, the soft sheets and pillows inviting me to rest. I nestled in bed, my mind buzzed with memories of my escapade. I closed my eyes hoping I'd get some sleep.