2
Nicco
Ever since I shot to fame, what feels like overnight, about a year ago, my life has changed dramatically. I went from being a no-name actor to getting fired from my acting job to being a gardener for three years.
Now, I have ten million followers on Instagram, I’ve starred in a wildly successful erotic movie, and I’m making albums of my own music. My life is incredible and I’m grateful for how blessed I am.
One thing I’m learning about fame is that sometimes fans have a hard time differentiating a character from the person playing the character. Men seem to think I’m going to whip out a gun and kill them and women want me to kidnap them and have sex with them. It’s very strange. Whenever I’m interviewed or talk to fans, I do my best to distinguish myself as being separate from the character that skyrocketed my career.
Outsiders may look at my life with envy and think I have it all; success, fame, wealth — the world at my feet. But, there’s one thing missing: love.
My fame has brought me two kinds of women: either hot women who think they’re better than everyone else or star-crazed fans who cry and tell me they love me, even though they know nothing about me. The hot ones fulfill a basic sexual desire for a while before we part ways. I learned long ago not to hope for anything more when it comes to women and relationships. That’s the way it’s been. And I’m afraid that’s the way it will always be.
Though I’ve learned to accept this as my reality, a petite, fair-skinned, blue-eyed, blonde caught my attention from the moment she turned around and stumbled backwards.
Destiny’s awkwardness is quite charming. The fact that she’s pretty and doesn’t know it makes her even more attractive. When she came out in that white jumpsuit, I had a hard time focusing. Once she stopped fumbling with the fabric of her jumpsuit and let herself relax, she was unbelievably sexy.
Though our interaction was brief, something inside me made me want to know more about her. When Candi invited us to join them, I didn’t hesitate to accept.
Destiny
Candi and I get in Roy’s car while Giovanna, Nicco, and Shawn, another one of Candi’s crew, get into Nicco’s car. The rest of her crew pile into a third car.
Roy pulls up to the valet parking at Songbird Plaza and we get out and wait for the others to arrive. Once we’re gathered, we head into the club.
Candi and Nicco lead the way to the hostess stand. Several steps behind them, I see all the women and a few men near us peeling off Nicco’s clothes with their eyes. How strange that must feel for him and so violating.
Candi waves at me and we all fall in line behind the hostess who leads us down a black-marble hallway to several elevators. I’ve never been here before so I have no idea where we’re going. We get into the elevator and Candi loops her arm in mine, bending her knees alternately to the beat of the music and grinning from ear to ear.
As the elevator doors open, we’re greeted by a huge private suite. I can’t believe she did this for my birthday. It’s a little over the top for me and she knows I don’t need any pomp and circumstance. I just want my sushi, cupcakes, a good movie, and my best friend.
We exit the elevator and I scan the room. Squeezing her arm in mine, I whisper, “Candi, you didn’t have to do all this. It must be expensive to have a private suite with a bartender.”
“You’re worth it, but I didn’t.” She winks.
Then I hear the hostess. “Thank you so much, Mr. Mancini. We’re happy to have you here and accommodate your request. Let Barry know of anything you need and we’ll get it for you,” she says, gesturing to the bartender. “Please enjoy your evening.” She smiles politely at him and gets back into the elevator.
I’m so confused right now. Surely Nicco didn’t do this for my birthday. I guess this is just what he’s used to. But he didn’t know we were coming here until sometime during the time we were at Candi’s studio and he was in the photo shoot the whole time. Maybe because of who he is, they were able to get him a private suite? But this place looks like it would be booked solid.
“Come on.” Candi grabs my hand and leads me to the bar.
I stop trying to figure out how we’re in this amazing suite and follow her to the black marble-topped bar where we each sit on a black, buttery-soft, leather-covered stool. They sure do like their black marble. I must admit, it adds to the classy style of the entire place. With the silky fabric falling between my legs, I make sure I keep myself facing the bar.
“Good evening, ladies. I’m Barry,” he says as he grabs two cocktail napkins, stamped with a silver logo of a songbird inside a diamond shape, and places one in front of each of us. “I hear we have a birthday girl in the house tonight.” He smiles as he adjusts the black bow tie around the collar of his perfectly pressed tuxedo shirt.
“That we do,” Candi says as she stands up from her stool and hugs me. “And she’s right here.”
“Well, happy birthday.” He smiles broadly at me. “What can I get you both?”
“I’m thinking shots all around.” Candi raises her voice as she turns and waves everyone towards us.
Oh boy, here we go.
“Nine slippery nipples please, Barry,” she announces as everyone makes their way toward us. It’s my favorite shot.
Barry gets straight to work and we watch him line up the shot glasses. Candi holds onto the bar top and dances to the thumping music, swinging her pink hair to the beat.
Someone is hovering next to me. I look up and Nicco’s dark brown eyes meet mine. My heart lurches to a syncopated rhythm.
