"Vittoria."
She glanced sideways and found one of her older cousins.
Jolie stood there with a drink in her hand, watching her with an expression that had slowly turned amused.
"How many times have you said that tonight?"
Vittoria frowned slightly.
"What?"
"That," Jolie said, raising her glass and copying Vittoria's welcoming smile with exaggerated politeness.
"Buonasera, è un piacere vederti. Felice anno nuovo. Come stai? Come è stato il viaggio?"
("Good evening, it's a pleasure to see you. Happy New Year. How are you? How was the trip?")
Vittoria's lips curled.
"I do not sound like that."
"You absolutely do."
Vittoria opened her mouth to argue, but another guest appeared at the entrance before she could get a word out, and her expression immediately changed.
"Buonasera! Felice anno nuovo."
Jolie looked at her with a smile, but Vittoria ignored it.
The guest greeted her, exchanged a few words, and continued towards the villa.
