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She’d lost weight, she thought as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. The dress, a plum-colored affair had been close fitting, but now it was loose around the waist and the hips. The theater was always cold, so she’d chosen a chic plum and white jacket that covered her hips.
Her face was sharply defined, her eyes haunted. She’d piled on the makeup to hide the fact that she wasn’t sleeping well. Pretending to be happy was taking its toll on her.
She just needed to get out of the slump. So, she’d agreed to go to the Opera with Mark.
They were well into the second act when she happened to glance over. One hand flew to her throat as the man who haunted her every waking day and night loomed in front of her.
Lowering her hand slowly, she took in the sweep of his broad shoulders, encased in a rich dark blue jacket. His black hair picked up the lights from overhead. Her eyes drifted to the woman sat next to him, wearing a dazzling dress the color of emeralds. Her dark hair was swept back from her face and her makeup was flawless.
Alessia felt her heart twist inside her chest when Annie leaned into him and whispered something in his ear. He chose that moment to turn around and their eyes connected. For a minute, he went still as he stared at her.
Then his gaze shifted to Mark. She saw when a cold look of indifference came over his handsome face. Leaning into Annie, he whispered something back that had her smiling up at him.
“Alessia?”
“Yes?” She managed to choke out.
“You okay?”
“I’m not feeling well.”
“Would you like me to take you home?” She felt awful for the look of concern on his face.
“Thanks.” Taking a deep breath, she rose and made her way blindly out of the box. She was grateful for Mark’s hand on her arm, because she had no idea how she would have managed to make it out on her own.
“Honey, you’re shaking. Are you coming down with something?”
“It might be something I ate. I’ll be fine.”
*****
“You can look now. She left.” Annie told him quietly.
“I know.” Stretching his legs out, he leaned back against the chair. “Do you know the guy she was with?”
“No. I mean, I’ve seen him at some of the parties I’ve been to. She left before the show ended.”
“Yeah.”
“She looked like she saw a ghost when she saw you.” Annie prodded.
“She likes the Opera, or so she told me. Not that I ever got the chance to take her.” The bitterness in his voice was plain to hear.
“Darling, I have to say something.”
“I’m not stopping you.” He gave her an amused smile.
“You still love her.”
“True.” He nodded.
“We’ve been going out for the past month and you haveon’t touched me.”
“Do you want me to?”
She gave him a wry look as the curtains went up signaling the end of the opening act. “I’m much too beautiful to lower myself by forcing myself on a man who doesn’t care.”
“I do care. I complimented you on the dress, didn’t I?” He asked her mildly.
