AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We have no time for that; she looks fine. Let's go.” Marco says as he walks towards our waiting car. I follow him quickly before Leo marches me back to our room. I get in the car leaving the door open for him to slide in beside me. For a minute, I think he isn’t going to come, but eventually, he lets out a big sigh and climbs in. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the theatre; the car pulls up to a red carpet at the front exit. Leo hasn’t spoken a word to me the whole way. He holds his hand out to help me out of the car. I reluctantly place my small hand in his large palm. A tingling sensation shocks me as our skin touches, making me jump, I try to pull my hand away, but he holds on tightly. His wide eyes meet mine, pulling me towards him, and he whispers into my ear.
“That split in your dress is far too high.”
“Oh really? And I forgot to put underwear on, too, whoops!” My statement stuns him into letting go of my hand. I quickly make my way up the steps before he can catch me. I hear him roar and slam the car door. Marco walks beside me and holds us back to wait for Leo.
“You are a bad girl, Katherine. You do not leave my side all night, do you hear me?”
“Yes.” I smile, greeting the doormen and other guests as we enter.
We are shown into a large reception room. Waiters offer champagne and canapes on silver trays. All eyes are on us while we make our way through the room.
“What would you like to drink, Katherine?” Leo’s fingers lightly touch the bare skin on my back as he gently directs me toward the bar. I smile.
“Why are you smiling?”
“I think that is the first time you have ever asked me what I would like. A gin and tonic would be lovely, thank you.”
We stand at the bar and drink our drinks. A couple of gentlemen come over and speak to Leo and Marco in Italian—mostly business. One man receives a death threat as he comments on my bottom.
Leo whispers to the man with a smile on his face, still unaware I speak Italian.
“If you look at my fiancé in that way again, I will rip out your eyes and feed them to the birds. Now get out before I let Marco take you out.” He then friendly slaps him on the shoulder and tells him to have a good night. The man was very creepy, so I am glad he sent him on his way.
“Signore e signori, vi prego di prendere posto, Juan Diego Florez sta per iniziare.”
Ladies and gentlemen, please, will you take your seats, Juan Diego Florez is about to begin.
We are seated in a private box with a fantastic stage view. I notice people take a second glance as we take our seats. Some people in the tiers below us seem to leave the theatre after recognising Leo.
The lights dim, ready for the show to begin. Leo leans in and whispers in my ear.
“You look beautiful.” The compliment surprises me. I feel myself blush, I don’t look at him, but I can feel his eyes on me. I don’t respond with words, but I’m sure he can see my reaction from the effect on my body. Why does it continue to rebel against my common sense? I’m soon fully immersed in the opera; the emotions I’m experiencing are really unexpected. It’s so powerful; I’m crying at the tragedy, laughing at the comedy, and gasping at the surprises. The final part of one of the songs has everyone on their feet; it's incredible how the audience is connecting to the music, it gets louder, and I can feel the rhythm vibrating through my body.
*Bang! *Bang! * A painful pressure in my chest brings me out of the emotional trance. My head shoots with agony. I hear screams. My ears still ring with noise, but it is no longer with the beautiful music; it’s the sound of panic and pain, high-pitched, frenzied cries.
*Bang! *Bang! *
Fear fills me.
I can’t see anything. I am struggling to get my breath; it's hard to expand my lungs. I’m trapped.
“Stay down until I say move.” I realise Leo’s body covers mine, which is the pressure I feel on my body, the reason I can’t fully expand my rib cage to breathe. My head is being held against the floor. Why is he doing this to me? I’m confused. I have no idea what is going on. A few more minutes pass, and my head feels light with the lack of oxygen. I want to scream for help, to thrash out, but the weight is too much for my strength. Just before losing conciseness, I’m lifted into the air. My body held close to a chest, my head into a neck, Leo’s neck. His smell fills my senses. My hands grab hold of his suit as he runs downstairs and out into the now cool night air. A car beeps unlocked, the hold on me loosens, and I’m placed gently but quickly into the passenger seat. Leo fastens my seat belt before quickly rounding the car, jumping in the driver’s seat, and starting the car in record time. We speed out of the car park and join a busy road.
“Are you hurt?!” His abrupt question makes me jump. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. There was pain, but I’m mostly just sore now. I look down at myself; I look ok; there’s no blood. I ache, but that’s about it.
“Katherine! Look at me! You’re ok. You are safe now.”
My body shakes uncontrollably. All I can do is stare out of the window. The street and car lights that we pass form coloured streams in front of my eyes. I try and process what has happened. The night's events are jumbled in my memory; I struggle to make sense of it.
Leo opens my door. We’ve arrived back at the house. He lifts me out of the car and carries me in.
We go into the living room. He sits down on the sofa with me on his lap. His fingers gently move across my face moving my hair out of my eyes.
“You are in shock. I promise you are safe now.”
Alga comes in, pushing a trolley of refreshments.
“Here, drink this.” I take a sip of the sweet tea and settle back down on his lap.
