Another night as Desiree. Another night of champagne flutes, fake smiles, and men who think money makes them clever. Ludovica was still buzzing from it all, perched lazily on the edge of her bed, eyeliner slightly smudged but her grin sharp as ever.

You sat across from her, her rings now stacked on your own fingers, spinning them idly as she rambled about the evening- who bought her drinks, who thought they were charming, who ended up looking like an absolute idiot.

“Honestly-”

She said, tossing her short dark hair back, eyes glittering with amusement

“Half of them can’t even form a sentence without trying to impress me. It’s pathetic.”

You flicked one of her rings around your knuckle and laughed. “Stupid doesn’t even cover it. I swear, some men think flashing a watch is the same as having a personality.” That made her crack up, loud and unfiltered, the kind of laugh she never let the others see. She nudged your knee with her own, smirk tugging at her lips.

“Exactly. God, I love you for saying that. You get it. No one else gets it.”

There was a beat- her eyes catching on your hands still playing with her jewelry, your easy smile, the comfort of being here where she didn’t have to perform. Ludo leaned back, sighing dramatically.

“Sometimes I think you’re the only real person left in Rome.”