Fortune: The Original Snogbuster

‘Simonetta?’

‘Lexi, you’ll never believe whose party I’ve just been invited to!’ Simonetta’s normal aloofness had been taken over by excitement.

Her agent laughed. ‘Brad Masters?’

Simonetta frowned. ‘How did you know?’

‘Because his office called the agency, wanting to invite you to one of his parties.’ Lexi sounded almost as excited as she was. ‘Simonetta, Brad only asks the big-name models to his parties. This could be your break – it could put Models Italia on the map!’

Simonetta rolled her eyes. Typical Lexi, only thinking of herself and the stupid agency. After Brad Masters’ party, Select, Models One and all the other top agencies would be begging to sign her up. A beep indicated another call. ‘Lexi, I’ll call you later,’ Simonetta cut her off and switched over to her mother. Normally Simonetta would have ignored the call but she had to share the good news.

‘Mamma, you’ll never guess who has just invited me to his birthday party!’

‘I do not know, Simonetta.’

‘Brad Masters! You know, the really rich and famous music guy.’

She knew her mother wouldn’t approve, but even so, Simonetta was shocked by her reaction. There was a long silence, then her mother let out a high-pitched shriek.

‘Simonetta! This is an outrage. Why are telling me this?’

‘Because it’s exciting, Mamma, I thought you’d be pleased for me.’

‘Pleased?’ Her mother could barely get the word out. ‘I knew moving to Rome would be the undoing of you. You’re on a slippery slope. Mixing with those, those…people. Sex, drugs and loose morals, Simonetta – that’s all they care about.’

‘Mamma, it’s only a party!’

Her mother let out a stifled sob. ‘No, it is not! Simonetta, you do not know what you are doing. I forbid you to go.’

Simonetta had had enough. ‘And I forbid you to ring me again. I’m sick of you always telling me what to do.’

‘Simonetta, I only have your best interests at heart!’

‘Goodbye, Mamma,’ she said coldly and put the phone down.

Chapter four

London

Jerry let out a low whistle.

‘Brad Masters, eh?’

Sapphire played with a piece of her hair, as she always did when she had something on her mind. ‘What do you think?’

Jerry was silent for a moment, considering. ‘I think as long as your mum’s OK with it, you should go. Sapphire, Brad Masters wants to meet you and talk about music!’

‘But I’m crap at melodies!’ she half wailed. ‘What if he asks me to sing something?’

Jerry laughed at her anguished expression. ‘Then Brad Masters is the man to talk to about it! He knows the best people in the business. They’ll help you get it right.’

‘You really don’t mind if I take time off work? It’ll only be a few days.’

Jerry clutched his hand to his chest. ‘It’ll be hard, but I’ll try to survive.’

His silly face made Sapphire laugh, showing off her cute little dimples. ‘You’re the best, Jerry, thank you!’

‘Go get ‘em, kid,’ he said fondly.

Capri, two weeks later

Simonetta stepped out of the private jet and looked round triumphantly. This was what it was all about! She’d told her modelling agency that she was burned out and needed a last-minute holiday, and begrudgingly, they’d agreed. Lexi, her agent, wouldn’t have been so snotty if she knew Simonetta was going to stay with Brad Masters! Even though Simonetta had remained her aloof, disdainful self, inside she was bubbling with excitement. This was going to be the start of the rest of her life – the life she, Simonetta Mastrangelo, had always known she was destined for.

An immaculately suited chauffeur was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. Simonetta paused and looked over her sunglasses at him, adding to the effect of her tight black dress and towering heels.

‘Buongiorno, signorina,’ he murmured. ‘If you would be so kind, your transport awaits.’

He gestured with a white-gloved hand to a sleek, black Ferrari at the edge of the airfield. A smile crept over Simonetta’s face. Oh, yes, this was what it was all about. Flinging her hair back, she sashayed off, the admiring chauffeur following in her wake.

Sapphire’s journey had been just as mind-blowing. After travelling first class for the first time in her life, she had been greeted at Capri airport by another chauffeur, this time in a gleaming Mercedes. After a short journey which made Sapphire feel like she was gliding along silk, the car had made its way with some difficulty down to a little port where a sleek yacht called Melodia had been waiting for her. Sapphire knew enough Italian from her GCSEs to know it was Italian for melody.

But I’m rubbish at melodies – is this a bad omen? she thought, worriedly. Despite the stunning scenery around her, tension had been building in her stomach since she landed. Was it really such a good idea coming here? She had never met Brad Masters in her life and she wouldn’t know a soul at the party. Sapphire could only imagine the sort of movers and shakers who would be there; what on earth was she going to say to them?

But the handsome young crew waiting aboard the boat soon took Sapphire’s mind off such matters. With their deep tans, white teeth and sinewy bodies, they looked like a chartbusting boy band.

‘Signor Masters especially wanted you to come to his house this way,’ Alberto the skipper told her. ‘It’s the best way to see Casa Eleganza.’

Sapphire sat at the front of the boat, enjoying the sea air and occasional sea spray against her face. After ten minutes, Alberto pointed ahead and shouted something. As the speedboat zoomed round a rocky outcrop, Sapphire gasped. There, nestling above its own private beach and jetty, was a stunning white building the size of a palace. It was early evening by now and the sun was setting, a golden glow reflecting back at them from the windows.

‘Beautiful, eh?’ Alberto called.

Speechless, Sapphire could only nod in agreement. It looked like something out of a fairytale.

Up close, Casa Eleganza was even prettier, with jewel-coloured flowers tumbling from window boxes and immaculate green lawns stretching out in front. Despite the scorching heat, the grass was a dark emerald. Sapphire could see several gardeners hard at work. She was so busy taking in every detail she didn’t realise for a moment that they’d docked. Sapphire felt a warm hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Alberto smiling down at her. She blushed, wondering if all Brad Masters’ staff were this good-looking.

A plump, friendly-faced old woman with grey hair tied back in a bun was standing expectantly on the end of the jetty. ‘You be careful now, Alberto!’ she called. Sapphire noticed she had a strong Irish accent. As Alberto helped Sapphire off the boat, the old lady stepped forward and clasped both of Sapphire’s hands warmly.

Sapphire started to feel more relaxed. The woman had a kind, motherly air about her that just made you know she’d look after you. Yet somehow she also fitted in with the opulent, luxurious backdrop of Casa Eleganza, as if she was part and parcel of the place.

‘I’m Maggie O’Sullivan, housekeeper,’ said the woman. ‘And you must be Sapphire.’

‘Hi, Maggie,’ said Sapphire, suddenly feeling rather shy again. Maggie noticed and put a comforting arm around one shoulder. ‘You must be awful tired after your journey, so why don’t you come along and see your bedroom. I’ve had it made up extra-nice for you.’

‘What about my rucksack?’ Sapphire asked, but Maggie was already guiding her towards the house.

‘Ach, that’ll be brought up to your room shortly. Come along now.’

If Sapphire had thought the chauffeur-driven car and the yacht were mind-blowing, her bedroom was something else. In fact, the word ‘bedroom’ didn’t do it justice, as Sapphire found when she walked through her own private living-room on to a sweeping balcony overlooking the sea.

‘Maggie, this is amazing!’ she gasped.

The housekeeper smiled proudly. ‘Mr Masters does like to keep a nice house.’

‘It’s more than nice,’ said Sapphire, flopping on to a huge L-shaped sofa. Vases of exotic lilies stood everywhere, while the walls were cramped with modern art and expensive-looking paintings.

‘I’ll leave you to it,’ Maggie said. ‘You probably want a nice, long shower or something.’

Sapphire suddenly felt a bit awkward. ‘Er, when is the party? I mean, do I need to change now or anything?’

‘The party isn’t tonight, pet, don’t worry. Mr Masters is flying in tomorrow from a business trip. He sends his apologies and says he looks forward to meeting with you.’

‘Oh,’ Sapphire said, feeling somewhat at a loss. What was she supposed to do until then?

Maggie seemed to read her mind. ‘Why don’t you unpack and get yourself straight and then I’ll introduce you to the other guests.’

Sapphire felt a jolt of nervous excitement in her stomach. The other guests, she thought. I hope they’re nice.

Chapter five

It was 6:55pm and Sapphire was due in the drawing-room in five minutes. Unfortunately, she didn’t even know what the drawing-room looked like, let alone how to find it.

She gave herself one final look in the mirror. The vintage flowery tea-dress she’d bought from a second-hand shop in Covent Garden now looked a bit old and frumpy. Still, she didn’t have much else to choose from. As usual, Sapphire had left her packing to the last minute and had ended up throwing a mish-mash of random clothes in her rucksack. At least her dress for the party was OK – an All Saints puffball number her mother had bought her for Christmas last year. Sapphire had hung it up as soon as she’d unpacked, but like the rest of stuff she’d pulled out, it looked like it needed a good iron.

She looked at the photo of her dad that she’d brought, on the bedside table. Its presence comforted her. She still thought of her dad often, and loved to tell his photo what she’d been up to.

‘Wish me luck, Dad!’

Pulling open the heavy door to her bedroom, Sapphire slipped out on to a wide, marble-floored corridor. She paused to listen. Considering that there was supposed to be such a huge party tomorrow, she was surprised not to hear the sound of any other guests. Then again, the place was so big Sapphire doubted she’d hear them anyway.

The grandfather clock in the hall was chiming seven as Sapphire made her way down the sweeping staircase. The vast rooms yawning off the main hall were motionless and empty. Except for one. Sapphire strained her ears; a low murmur of voices was coming from somewhere. Following the voices, she set off down a corridor which seemed to lead into the heart of the house, pausing to admire the huge, blown-up photographs on the walls – most of them of the famous artists signed to Brad Masters’ record label, BMM. Oddly enough, there were no pictures of the man himself.

Finally, she stopped at a dark, wooden studded door. She held her breath for a moment before going in. From behind the door, she could hear what sounded like a young female voice. At least there were going to be people there her own age. Encouraged, she pushed open the door.

Inside, the drawing-room was just as opulent as every other in the house. The lights were turned down low, evening shadows starting to dance in every corner. Sitting in huge sofas opposite each other were two stunning girls – one dark-skinned and smouldering; the other blonde and icy-looking. While they were both slim, the dark-haired one had an angular look that made Sapphire think she might be a model. She was gazing round with a bored expression while the blonde talked in an affected American drawl. Both were wearing tight body-con dresses that definitely weren’t off the rack at Topshop.

‘So I said to Lauren Conrad, like get over yourself bitch, and she said—’

The blonde American girl stopped, suddenly aware of Sapphire’s presence. ‘Oh. Who are you?’ She gave Sapphire a snotty once-over and raised an eyebrow. ‘I didn’t realise tramp chic was in.’

The blonde looked to the brunette for a laugh, but the other girl yawned and went back to staring out the window. Feeling rather stupid, Sapphire introduced herself. The blonde looked disdainfully at her hair, which was still wet from the shower and curling round her shoulders. She sniffed.

‘I’m Madison Vanderbilt, and this is Simonetta…er…Mongolla, or something.’

‘I’ve told you, it’s Mastrangelo,’ Simonetta said, shooting Madison a death stare. Sapphire had already decided that she really didn’t want to get on the wrong side of these girls. Neither looked like they were about to get up, until Madison spoke.

‘You can come and say hello if you want to.’ She stuck out a hand as if she were royalty. Sapphire walked across and took it, before Madison snatched it back as if she’d just touched something unpleasant. She waved Sapphire away, and without thinking, Sapphire backed away respectfully. As she sat down on a hard little stool, Sapphire laughed at herself in disbelief – she couldn’t believe she’d just done that!

Simonetta looked at Sapphire, a secret smile playing on the edge of her lips. ‘So, you got the black invitation too, little creature? We were just talking about it.’

‘Er, yes I did. It was sent to my home.’

‘You’re English?’ said Madison.

‘Yes, I’m from London.’

‘Have you met the queen?’ Madison asked, her blue eyes showing interest for the first time.

‘Funnily enough, no,’ Sapphire replied, thinking Madison was winding her up.

Apparently, she wasn’t. Madison just sighed, as if Sapphire was just one big disappointment. ‘When’s everyone else getting here? I need some proper people to talk to,’ said the blonde, staring up at the ceiling. So far she hadn’t once made eye contact with Sapphire.

‘I think Brad is back tomorrow so maybe they’re coming then,’ Sapphire ventured.

Simonetta turned sharply towards her, incredulous. ‘How do you know that? About Mr Brad?’ she said.

‘Er…the housekeeper told me. Maggie.’

‘Ah,’ said Madison. ‘Already friends with the domestics. Tragic.’ She turned a hand over and studied her nails.

After an excruciating five minutes in which Madison talked about herself, Simonetta closed her eyes as if asleep and Sapphire perched awkwardly on the stool wondering what on earth they were all doing there, the door opened and Maggie came in. Sapphire smiled with relief.

‘There you are, girls,’ Maggie exclaimed cheerfully. ‘Madison, Simonetta, I haven’t had the pleasure yet, but welcome to Casa Eleganza. I’m Maggie. If you need anything, just let me know.’

‘I’ll be sure to do that,’ said Madison, coolly.

Maggie smiled blandly, as if Madison had said something nice. She’s got the patience of a saint, thought Sapphire. The housekeeper clasped her hands together. ‘I’m thrilled to see you all getting to know each other,’ she said. ‘Now, dinner will be served in a few minutes. Can I get you anything to drink in the meanwhile?’

‘A cosmopolitan,’ said Madison. ‘Pomegranate. I literally won’t drink anything else right now.’

Maggie gave her a steely look. ‘Isn’t the legal drinking age twenty-one in America?’

‘Yeah, if you’re a loser. Besides, we’re not in America,’ said Madison condescendingly.

Maggie ignored her and turned to the other two. ‘I’ll get you all a fresh pineapple juice.’ Giving Sapphire a wink, she exited the room with the light movement of someone half her age.

At dinner, which was served in a long, elegant room with chandeliers twinkling above, Sapphire got a better look at both girls. From their manicured nails to their perfect eyebrows and salon blow-dried hair, they had an expensive gloss to them. Sapphire felt a bit like a poor relation, something Madison wasted no time in pointing out.

‘So, why is it you say you’re here?’ she said, toying with the delicious lobster ravioli she had barely touched.

‘My mum knows Brad Masters,’ Sapphire said. ‘She kind of told him I was doing my own thing musically and apparently he wanted to meet me.’ Even to her ears, it sounded hollow. Why am I here? she wondered for the umpteenth time.

She turned to the sultry girl on her left. ‘What’s your connection to Brad, Simonetta?’ They’d already heard at great length how well-known Madison was on the New York/LA party scene, and how Brad must have spotted her there.

Simonetta shrugged her tanned shoulders nonchalantly. ‘I am a model. I am beautiful. People recognise me. Brad contacted my agency and invited me out here.’

‘Oh, right,’ said Sapphire. She looked at Simonetta to see if she was winding her up with the being beautiful bit, but quickly realised she wasn’t.

‘I haven’t seen any of your work, you can’t be that successful,’ Madison said.

Across the table Simonetta’s eyes glittered dangerously, but she didn’t dignify Madison’s comment with a response.

‘And what is it you do?’ said Madison, turning to Sapphire. ‘Clearly nothing in the fashion industry.’

Sapphire ignored the jibe. ‘Actually, I’m a student. I’m doing an art degree.’

Madison looked as if Sapphire had just made her eat a tablespoon of dog shit.

‘And I work too,’ Sapphire continued, with a sudden urge to displease Madison even more. ‘I’ve got a part-time job in a record shop. To help put me through art school.’

‘A record shop?’ Madison asked, horrified. ‘What, you own it?’

‘No,’ said Sapphire. ‘I work at the till.’

‘Till?’

‘Cash register,’ said Simonetta, in a bored tone.

Madison gasped. ‘O.M.G,’ she said. ‘That’s so not hot.’ She made a show of examining Sapphire’s bitten nails and the Top Shop earrings dangling in her ears. ‘Are your family really poor or what?’

Sapphire was taken aback by the rudeness of the question. ‘It’s just me and Mum so it is hard,’ she said defensively. ‘Well, there was my dad too, but he died when I was young. Before I went to boarding school.’

‘Boarding school,’ mused Madison. ‘That’s private, right?’

‘Er…yes,’ said Sapphire.

‘So how did your mother afford that?’

Sapphire opened and then shut her mouth, realising she had no answer. It had never occurred to her before – how had her mum been able to send her to the best girls’ school in the area when some months in the winter they’d had the electricity cut off?

The door to the dining-room swung open and through it came Tito, the young man who had served their ravioli.

‘Ladies, excuse me to interrupt.’ Tito had big eyes and slightly goofy front teeth, which gave him the look of a startled rabbit. ‘Signor Masters has just phoned from Monaco. He says he’s sorry he can’t be there, but hopes this will please you in his absence. Please, follow me.’

Even Madison and Simonetta let curiosity get the better of them. As Simonetta unfolded herself elegantly and stood up, Sapphire realised how tall she was. Even without the black stilettos, the dark-haired girl must be six foot. Sapphire felt like a midget in comparison. Sighing loudly, Madison got up and shoved past her. Sapphire watched as the American girl tottered out the room in stupidly high wedge heels. Sapphire looked down at her own New Look thong sandals. She’d break her ankle if she tried to walk in Madison’s shoes. The three followed Tito out on to the veranda, where an inky sky hung over the evening sea. He stood there, gazing intently at the view.

‘Like, it’s the sea at night-time. Whatever,’ complained Madison. ‘You can’t even see that many stars.’

All of a sudden there was a loud whoosh! and the sky was lit up by a huge, screaming rocket. It soared up higher and higher before exploding, a cascade of stars falling on to the waters below. Another went up, and then another, until a circus of light danced before their enraptured faces. On and on it went, the display getting more and more dazzling. It was the most incredible thing Sapphire had ever seen.

Some minutes later, when Sapphire thought her eyes couldn’t take any more, there was one final burst of colour. They all stood silent, watching the final sparkles fade away into the horizon.

Tito turned to them and smiled. ‘Signor Masters’ way of welcoming you to his home. Pretty good, huh?’

‘It was OK, I guess,’ said Madison, recovering her normal obnoxious manner.

‘It was brilliant, Tito!’ Sapphire told him.

He grinned. ‘Signor Masters will not be returning until tomorrow night. Until then, he has said you must use Casa Eleganza as if it is your own home.’

They stared over the balcony at the tennis courts, swimming pool and manicured gardens. A helipad stood some way off in the distance, its location marked by a big ‘X’.

‘I suppose it will have to do,’ sniffed Madison.

Chapter six

Sapphire woke up a start. Where was she? The soft silk sheets certainly didn’t feel like the ones on her narrow single bed at home. She opened one eye and realisation hit. She was at Brad Masters’ house in Capri! Instantly awake, she sat up. She picked up her mobile; it read 8:10am. Bright sunlight streamed in through muslin curtains that fluttered in the breeze. Sapphire threw the silk covers aside and got out of bed, bare feet padding on the marble floor. She walked over to the balcony, pulled the curtains aside and stepped out.

It was a stunning day, the sun already high in the cloudless sky. Below her, the grounds of Casa Eleganza stretched out like a kingdom. Sprinklers on the lawns whirred round and round, drenching the lush green grass. Sapphire saw a maid scurry from an outbuilding, her arms full of washing. To her right, the infinity pool glittered enticingly, overlooking the sea. Sapphire had only ever seen such things in the magazines her mum sometimes got.

A surge of excitement coursed through her – she had to get up and explore this beautiful place! Throwing on a vest, shorts and her old Havaiana flip-flops, she brushed her teeth and slipped out.

Downstairs the house was coming alive. Sapphire could hear women’s laughter and the clatter of plates from the kitchen. Turning left, she walked towards the huge front door and, with some difficulty, pulled it open. The view stretched before her like a painting. With a little hop and a skip, Saffron ran down the steps into her own private paradise.

From his bedroom window, the half-naked young man watched the brown-haired girl run off towards the swimming pool. His stomach churned with a mixture of rage and shock, just as it had when he had first laid eyes on the spoiled British girl yesterday. As far as he was concerned, inviting their new house guest was the worst mistake Brad had ever made. Not that he would ever tell Brad that. With a dismissive shake, the boy turned away and started to get dressed.

By mid-morning, Sapphire had pretty much covered every square foot of Casa Eleganza’s grounds. The more she explored, the more amazing it seemed to get, from the olive groves to the vineyard to the huge garages at the back of the house, which housed a fleet of Ferraris, Aston Martins and Lamborghinis. Brad Masters obviously liked his cars. Sapphire started to make her way back towards the house. She was feeling hungry now and wondered what would be for breakfast.

As she walked up the winding path, Sapphire noticed a building that sat back in a shady corner of its own, surrounded by trees. She frowned. Would it be rude to go and have a look inside? Brad Masters had said to treat the house as their own, after all.

Quietly, Sapphire pulled open the door. Inside it was cool and dark. ‘Hello?’ she called out. Hearing nothing, she ventured inside. She was standing in what seemed to be the corridor of a little flat. In front of her was a small living-room, practically empty apart from a sofa and a guitar leaning against one wall. Embarrassed that she had walked into someone’s home Sapphire turned to walk out, but bumped into a young guy standing behind her.