AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As the sky dimmed and Dante’s eyes grew tired, Rebecca’s soft knock echoed through his room. He swung the door open, and her face lit with joy he hadn’t seen before.
“How was your day?” he inquired as he guided her inside, though her bright eyes already hinted at fulfillment.
Her cheeks tinted pink as she delved into her day. “Oh, Sir, it was wonderful. I assisted in the bakery, kneaded dough for muffins and bread, and even bussed tables during lunch. My feet are aching, but oh, it was worth it.” She chuckled, her eyes twinkling with the day’s adventures. “I witnessed a Daddy feeding his Little at lunch, and oh, it was a scene. She was splashing her hands in her bowl, sending spinach flying everywhere!” Her giggles filled the room as she reminisced. “He just laughed it off, scooped her up, and assured her a warm shower was coming. It was heartwarming.” Her cheeks pinkened even more, and she added a whispered, “He also promised her some frisky times that weren’t all that innocent.”
As she chattered, Dante noticed some stray straw pieces entangled in her hair. He grinned and plucked them out, holding them up for her to see. “These didn’t come from the bakery or the restaurant,” he teased.
Her eyes widened as she grinned. “No, in the afternoon, I helped with the horses.” Her hands animatedly gestured the size. “They are so big, and their hooves... just huge!”
Dante chuckled at her enthusiasm, feeling a lightness in the room that contrasted with the heaviness of the previous day. But as he stood there, watching Rebecca’s eyes light up as she recalled her day, the reality of his chosen profession hit him hard. Here was Rebecca, rebuilding her life after a horrific ordeal, and there he was, a seasoned defender of those who caused such pain. The guilt settled in, a heavy weight on his conscience.
Before, his clients were just cases, their victims merely names on paper. He was adept at crafting defenses that set culprits free, all in pursuit of a paycheck and a growing reputation. But now, each smile Rebecca flashed, each giggle that filled the room, served as a stark reminder of the countless lives that might have been shattered, perhaps beyond repair—broken by the actions of those he had once defended so fervently.
It was an unsettling revelation. His world, once defined by clear lines of law, now was tainted with moral ambiguity. The law, with its black and white tenets, seemed to blur. Each “not guilty” verdict from his past was now a reminder of the human cost that came with it. Dante forced his mind away from his morose thoughts and focused on the vibrant woman in front of him.
As Rebecca’s laughter from her recounted tales simmered down, he noticed the slight droop in her shoulders. He also noticed the way her posture leaned into the comfort of his hold.
The day’s toil, albeit joyful, etched fatigue lines around her eyes. Her mind might not have caught on, but her body signaled a need for rest. Recalling her mention of aching feet, he suggested a warm shower to wash away the day’s exertions.
He listened to the soft patter of her footsteps against the tiled floor, the gentle closing of the bathroom door marking a shift in the room’s ambiance. His thoughts drifted back to the unsettling reflections earlier, but he quickly shook them away. This was their time to unwind and find solace in each other’s company.
As the shower’s hum drifted softly through the room, Dante tried to shake off the earlier unsettling emotions. He paced a bit, his mind whirling through the murky waters of doubt his thoughts had plunged into. It was a deep dive he hadn’t expected, and the ripples still spread through him.
He needed to refocus, for her sake and his own. Tonight was about comfort and connection, not his professional ghosts.
He moved to the dresser, pulling out a long nightgown in a deep cobalt blue. As he held it up briefly, he imagined how it would enhance Rebecca’s eyes with its color. A small smile played on his lips as he laid it on the bed, alongside a matching comfortable robe and warm slippers.
His thoughts wandered to the rest of the evening as he ensured everything was neatly laid out for her. He wanted a relaxed atmosphere, a chance for them to explore the delicate buds of connection that had begun to blossom between them. A movie perhaps? It would provide a casual setting, yet allow for closeness, a doorway to the unspoken words and feelings that fluttered in the space between them.
He picked up the remote, browsing through the movie selections as the shower water came to a halt. A gentle romantic comedy, something light and heartwarming, might set the proper tone.
As the bathroom door opened, releasing a cloud of warm steam, Dante turned with a welcoming smile. He was ready to usher Rebecca into the cozy nest he had prepared.
Once the credits of Crazy, Stupid, Love rolled on the screen, Dante switched the TV to an instrumental jazz radio station. The smooth tones of a classic Chet Baker trumpet solo filled the room, providing a soft, ambient backdrop.
“That scene where Ryan Gosling teaches Steve Carell how to pick up women was hilarious.” Dante chuckled, reminiscing a lighter moment from the film.
Rebecca threw back her head and laughed out loud. “Oh, absolutely! Though, the part where Steve’s character finds out the woman he’s seeing is his son’s teacher was just cringe-worthy, but in a good way.”
Dante nodded. “Yeah, the mix of awkward and funny situations made it entertaining. And the way all the storylines intertwined in the end was clever.”
Rebecca’s eyes sparkled as she added, “I loved the message about not giving up on true love, no matter how messy life gets. It’s hopeful, don’t you think?”
Dante caught the soft, hopeful glint in her eyes and agreed, “Definitely. It’s a reminder that love can weather through the storms and come out stronger.”
The conversation flowed easily between them, the laughter from the film still lingering, wrapping them in a warm, relaxed ambiance. The quirky characters and unexpected plot twists from the movie served as a gentle segue into more comfortable, light-hearted chatter.
As their discussion about the movie dwindled down, Dante shared his idea of a soothing massage to help her further unwind. “I thought maybe a gentle foot massage might help ease the fatigue from today’s work. What do you think?”
Rebecca smiled appreciatively. “That sounds wonderful, Sir.”
He fetched a small bottle of lavender-infused oil from the nearby shelf. The sweet aroma filled the room as he warmed the oil between his palms.
He took Rebecca’s foot. The first tender press of his thumbs against her sole seemed to usher them both into a tranquil sphere, far removed from the world’s demands. The earlier lively discussion transitioned into a soothing silence.
He worked gently, his fingers easing the tightness in her muscles. He moved in slow, rhythmic circles, mirroring the soft jazz music that hummed in the background. Each gentle knead was a non-verbal expression of care.
Rebecca sighed blissfully, her body sinking deeper into the cushions as Dante switched to her other foot, rotating her ankle before continuing the gentle massage. In this room, the outside chaos faded. There were no courtroom battles here, no lingering shadows of crimes past. Just Dante and Rebecca, a man and a woman finding comfort in a simple gesture.
