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“Yes, sir. The custodian of the building.”
“This is my wife, Grazia Fiori.”
After he kissed her hand, the man returned to me.
“Everything is ready for your tour, just as you instructed. I have to say,monsieur, it was an unexpected request.” And it had an unexpected price tag attached to it, but I knew it would be worth it. “Follow me.”
He walked in front of us talking about the history of the building, about every painting, statue, and fresco. Grazia listened to every word while I just moved along, impatient to get to the end of the journey. Finally, we made it to the main concert room.
Glossier opened the door and signaled Grazia to go in first.
“Should we be here, Mr. Glossier?”
“Absolutely. Mr. Fiori has arranged everything.”
A small orchestra was ready, and Mr. Glossier found the package I’d arranged to be delivered.
“Salvatore,” Grazia turned to me, “what’s happening?”
I passed the package to her with no words and she opened it, taking out the tutu and pointe shoes.
“Feel like dancing,Tesoro?”
“H-here?” She eyed the massive stage behind us, not believing what was happening.
I stepped closer and stroked her cheek. “You always dreamed of dancing on the big stages of the world. I’ll make your dreams come true, mio tesoro, one stage at the time.”
“Sasa, this is… how?”
“I know some people who owe me a favor. They happen to be benefactors of the Paris National Opera.”
“I have no words. I don’t think I can do it, Sasa.”
“Of course you can. You’re the most talented ballerina I’ve ever seen.”
Her arms crossed under her breasts. “I’m the only ballerina you’ve ever seen.” Correct. If she wasn’t on the stage, then I didn’t care to watch it.
“Do you need help breaking in the shoes? They’re new.”
She picked them out and handed them to me. Mr. Glossier offered to take her somewhere private to change while I took care of the shoes. Grazia taught me how to stretch pointe shoes out so they would be comfortable a long time ago, and she had me doing it quite a few times since I had strong arms. At least that was what she said to me.
When she came back, she was dressed in pink and white, her hair in a bun, and the widest smile on her face. I’ve done my job well. She sat at the end of the stage while I put the dancing shoes on her.
“What now, Sasa?”
I glanced at Glossier. He was in a seat close to the orchestra.
“We’re ready when you are, Mr. Fiori.”
I nodded and the music started at my sign. I had no idea what symphony, what dance, or whatever that was, but Grazia clearly knew it. She got up and picked up the rhythm right away, turning and spinning.
Watching her was like seeing magic. Her body was so graceful, like that of a swan gliding across the mirror of a calm lake and I couldn’t take my eyes away. I was the only one in this huge room, but I knew that if it would be a full house, no one could breathe because of how beautiful she looked out there.
The talent Grazi had, the way she moved, that ease and perfection could not be taught. She was gifted. I was just lucky enough to get a front row seat at her beauty.
A song turned into two and then into three and with every dance she lost herself deeper into the music. I sat back, careful to not make a sound and watched the lithe movements of her arms and sensual curves move seamlessly across the stage.
My Grazi. So young, but so wise. So strong, but still, so graceful. Seeing her like this anyone would say she was born to be a world-known ballerina, not a mafia queen, but my ring was sparkling on her finger.
