DUEL

By Amneris Di Cesare

That evening Stefania was not in the right mood when, to please her friend Manuela, she goes to a party where she doesn’t know anyone. She is certainly not feeling ready to fall in love again. But when Davide, the one having the party, entered her life to the music of Duel by Propaganda, without asking her permission, Stefania didn’t know how to react. Because what she feels for Tony, an educated man who gave her Wuthering Heights and left her without giving a reason, is still so overpowering that she is unable to accept turning the page and welcoming a different, but deeper feeling. The love between Stefania and Davide will be a battle that they will fought to the last, destroying each other, because sometimes Love is a Duel that is always in equilibrium between passion and jealousy, trust and disbelief. And Stefania will find that she has to choose whether to follow her destiny to the soundtrack of a thrilling summer song or the book plot that marked the beginning of a passion that is not entirely finished. And maybe, who knows, an unusual ending and a new song will await her around the corner.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Nov 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386963905

Book preview

Prologue

(November 1987)

I

(June 1985)

II

(April 1984)

III

(June 1985)

IV

(April 1985)

V

(July 1985)

VI

(September, 1987)

VII

(October 1987)

VIII

(October 1987)

IX

(November 1987)

Prologue

(November 1987)

It had started to rain. It was a good time to leave. Stefania thought, as she looked out the taxi window that was taking her away. She was leaving her country, her friends, leaving behind a lifetime, and she didn’t care. She was tired. She just wanted to be thousands of miles away from that reality.

Where is Davide now? She was being stupid. She no longer had to think about him. Remembering their last meeting, so cold, it hurt. Oh, if really hurt! Yet she still needed to go back over every gesture, each moment she had lived until then, to convince herself that she had made the best decision. To leave. She would think about the rest later.

When it rains, everyone seems to have forgotten how to drive! exclaimed the taxi driver, smiling into the rearview mirror, look at the traffic, I know it will take a lot longer than half an hour to the airport!

Don’t worry, I am very early. My flight leaves in three hours.

She settled back in the seat, and looked back at the panorama flowing between the raindrops. The city slowly slipped away like that dampness that she now felt penetrating her soul. She closed her eyes, hoping to find some peace. But the memories rose confused and muddled.

I

(June 1985)

We should have arrived already she thought, noticing that the powerful off-road vehicle had slowed down as it was driven onto a dirt track. Relieved, Stefania, thanked heaven that this torture was now over. The trip had been long and uncomfortable; partly because of the bulky gray taffeta dress she was wearing, not suitable for the unplanned rally in a wooden jeep. She had been ‘cornered’ by Manuela, her best friend, who after long discussions had convinced her to go out and accept a blind date. Two men she’d met a short while before would be taking them to a gala party organized at a country villa. They had dressed carefully: evening dress for women, grey tie for men.

"We’ll use all our resources," Manuela had insisted nervously, "because where we are going, it will be very elegant and extremely snobbish!" She had pulled a lace close-fitting body stocking out of the drawers, and a rhinestone top. From the closet, she had pulled out pants and satin skirts with sequins. She had then looked into the mirror frowning and indecisive.

Why don’t I ever listen to my sixth sense? Stefania asked herself now, she found herself looking at a kind of mule track they were travelling along in the huge bouncing machine. Gala Party ... tsk! She was already very angry and irritated for other reasons; the unpleasant evening would make her increasingly upset.

Contrary to her worst expectations, a gate opened at the end of the mule track, and beyond it a park with centuries old trees. Thin candles in earthenware jars illuminated the avenue. The silvery gravel underneath did not allow for the trip to be continued in the car. A servant directed the guests’ cars to a parking lot, and they were indicated a reserved parking place. After having taken the keys into safekeeping, the attendant helped the girls get out of the vehicle; Manuela’s extremely sophisticated friends had already started off without waiting for them. Bumpkins! She screamed furiously to herself, as she tried to set her foot clumsily on the ground.

Careful, Miss! the servant tried to warn her: a puddle of water not very wide but deep, stretched treacherously under her foot. She had no time to react before a silk, lead-colored shoe decorated with glittering rhinestones around the toe, dipped into the liquid sludge and was irreparably ruined. She wanted to cry. She accepted a handkerchief that the man gave her and dried it off as best she could.

It’s hopeless ... this will be a really unforgettable evening, she thought, walking alone and staggering, with her heels sinking into the pebbles of the driveway. She was annoyed. Even Manuela, her dearest friend, had finally abandoned her and had done so right at the most difficult time.

A brightly lit villa rose impressively at the end of the path. Waiters in livery ran quickly from the inside to the outside, now with trays filled with food, now with the same empty. Horrified, Stefania became aware they were among the first to arrive. And she didn’t even know who was having the party.

Where have you been all this time? Manuela asked dryly