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"Philippe..." Tatiana murmurs in her sleep, snuggling closer to me as if seeking the safety of my embrace. I wrap my arm around her, holding her close and feeling our heartbeats syncing, creating a rhythm that is only ours.
"Buongiorno, bella" - Good morning, beautiful - I say, my voice low and tender, not wanting to startle her awake just yet. But even in her drowsy state, I can see the smile beginning to form on her lips.
"Good morning," she breathes, her eyes fluttering open to meet mine.
"Did you sleep well?" I ask, genuinely curious about how she feels after our passionate night.
"Like a baby," she purrs, stretching languidly beside me and pressing herself against my side. "I haven't felt this at peace in a long time."
"Neither have I," I admit, feeling the vulnerability of my confession hanging in the air between us. I pray that this is only the beginning of our story. That there will be more moments likethis; moments when we can steal away from our worlds and find solace in each other's arms.
As I admire the glow of the fire still on, casting a warm dazzle on Tatiana's skin, she stirs beside me. Her eyes flutter open again.
"Philippe," she whispers, her voice husky from sleep as she glances around in a panicked haze. "What time is it?"
I glance at the clock on the nightstand, its red numbers glaring back at me. "It's just after noon," I reply, feeling a twinge of guilt for keeping her so long.
"Noon?" Tatiana sits up abruptly, the sheet falling away to reveal her naked form. "My parents must be worried sick!"
"Hey," I say, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It'll be alright. We'll get you home as soon as possible."
She nods, biting her lip as she searches my eyes for reassurance. I offer her a small smile, trying to convey that everything will be okay. As we dress quickly in the dimly lit room, I can't help but let my thoughts wander as to what this could mean for us going forward.
Our connection feels so strong, but she's leaving too soon. I need many more hours to talk with her.
"Can you call me a cab?" she asks in a frenzy, putting on her clothes.
"I'll drive you."
"But, I live in New York!" she protests. "That's like, almost three hours away."
"I'll drive you," I repeat myself, leaving no room for argument. What she doesn't know is that she's just made my day by telling me how far she lives.
"Ready?" I ask, holding out my hand to her. She takes it without hesitation, and together we make our way through the maze of corridors that lead to the elevator.
The underground casino is quiet now, a far cry from the raucous energy that filled it last night. The staff bustles about, readying the space for another evening of indulgence and risk.
As we enter the foyer to step into the elevator, I notice Tatiana's frown as the security measures engage.
"Is all this necessary?" she asks, her voice laced with curiosity. "Even on the way out?"
"Unfortunately, yes," I reply, guiding her hand to the fingerprint scanner. "These measures help prevent theft and maintain the secrecy of my subterranean world."
Her finger glides over the glass surface, leaving a faint trail of warmth as the scanner hums to life, analyzing her print. A moment later, a soft click signals our approval to proceed, and we enter the elevator for it to begin its steady ascent.
"Philippe, what if someone tries to break in?" Tatiana inquires, her brow furrowing in concern as she regards the array of security equipment surrounding us.
"Let's just say they'd be met with some...unpleasant surprises," I answer cryptically, not wanting to divulge too much about the darker side of my world.
Tatiana shivers, pressing closer to me, and I can't help but wrap an arm around her shoulders, drawing her in for comfort. She leans her head against my chest, listening to the steady beat of my heart. It feels as though we're suspended in time – just the two of us.
At the same time, her question haunts me. My chest tightens with a mixture of desire and dread. Why did she have to stumble into my world? My father was unable to protect my mother from the dangers that lurk in our world.
The elevator comes to a halt, jolting me back to reality. As the doors slide open, revealing the sunlit street above, I force a smile onto my face, trying to push aside the weight of the questions that plague me.
"Ready?" I ask, carefully steadying my voice as I look down at her. She nods, squeezing my hand tightly.
The sunlight filters through the tinted windows of my sleek black car as we pull away. My entourage of security follows. Their night did not include the same enjoyment as mine, but that’s what they get paid good money for.
