Carmen
Revenge.
The word continued to revolve in my mind all the way back to Sebastian’s penthouse. The other word was trust. A part of me wanted nothing more than to trust him, but something was holding me back, as if I was Cinderella waiting for the glass slipper to shatter. Just like everything else had in my life.
Sylvie merely helped me bring the things inside, checking the penthouse before she’d allow me to set two feet further than the foyer. Given the all clear, only then did she leave, promising to remain by the door until Sebastian returned. She was all business once again, taking her work very seriously. I had no doubt she’d make certain that Sebastian knew all about my disobedience.
At least my conversation with Sylvie had provided more valued information about Sebastian than all the searches I’d done on the internet. I studied the small foil bag I’d purchased, adjusting the gold ribbon not once but twice. I’d already signed the card, although it had taken me some time to prepare the words, my mind jumbled with Sylvie’s story. The gift was nothing much, but I hoped it would be an olive branch of sorts.
While I hadn’t been forbidden to enter his office, I felt guilty for going inside, walking softly as I headed toward his desk. I placed the gift in the center of the smooth wood, once again fluffing the bow, as if that would matter in the least to a man as powerful as Sebastian. I had no way of knowing whether the symbol would touch his heart, but I felt better about my decision.
As I took the packages to my room, I noticed the door was half open to another room. They’d all been closed before. I don’t know why I was shaking as I walked toward it. There was no reason for him to honor his promise to me, but the moment I took a single step past the doorway, I was in shock.
Not only was my beautiful cello positioned in a place of protection, but there was a baby grand in front of the sprawling set of windows. There were also recording devices, incredible speakers, and the finest equipment I’d ever seen. I was floored, turning in circle after circle to try to take in everything.
He’d given me my own recording studio, a place where I could continue studying, even reaching out to producers and music directors and… The shock quickly wore off, the realization that my playing would only be a hobby, a pastime. Still, as I ran my fingers over the ebony surface of the piano before walking to my beloved instrument, a tweak of true love filtered into my mind.
I was a fool to think we could share the kind of love I’d always hoped for, but maybe there was room for something special. Maybe.
I was unable to resist, my longing to play something that I’d been missing even for only the couple of days since the concert. I was almost numb as I walked toward the instrument, taking my time as I sat down on the stool he’d selected. Everything was just perfect. The moment I picked up the bow, I fell into a lull, my mind fully cleansed, a wash of peace unlike anything I’d experienced in what seemed like forever.
Within minutes, I was lost in the music, pushing aside the horrors of my real life. The adrenaline flowed, the piece chosen a much darker selection that I’d played for the symphony. I was aggressive in my methodology, my hand wrapped tightly around the bow. Every chord was one of my heartbeats, stealing my breath as I worked through the piece I knew by heart. I kept my eyes closed, burning with energy until I reached the very last haunting note.
I didn’t expect the voracious hand clapping and jerked up, almost knocking over the cello. Sebastian’s face held such reverence, his eyes shining with pride. He walked further into the room, his hand on his heart. “That was… amazing.”
“I didn’t think that you’d allow me to have my music.”
He inched closer, issuing a deep breath. “I may be a hard man but I’m not a complete monster. Your music is very important to you, so it is to me as well.”
“Thank you.”
The way he pinched my chin as he’d done before, lifting my head until I was forced to look into his eyes forced a quiver straight into my pussy. “Granted, I’m certain you heard what happened while Sylvie and I were out.”
He lifted his eyebrows and I realized just how exhausted he seemed. “We’ll talk about your disobedience over dinner. We have reservations at one of my favorite restaurants tonight.”
“You’re taking me out?”
This time, he chuckled. “You seem surprised.”
“Perhaps I am. There’s obvious danger everywhere, even though I hate that I have to live that way.”
“While that may be the case, I doubt anyone would be so brazen as to attempt an assassination in the middle of a crowded restaurant. You’re not going to spend your entire life fearful, I assure you. Just right now, we need to be cautious.”
“Well, especially since we know that my father couldn’t care less about me or my welfare. Why not just kill me?”
A shadow fell across his face.
“What is it?” I asked, knowing I wouldn’t get an answer.
“I think you’re worth more alive than dead.”
I opened my mouth twice, but nothing but air slipped past my lips for several seconds. “But you believe my father had something to do with it.”
“Perhaps. Something to be explored. I’ll leave you to your music but keep in mind that we leave precisely at six. I don’t like to be late.”
“Yes, sir.” I could see just how troubled he was, as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
He lowered his head, pressing his lips against my forehead. There was such sadness in his actions, an odd resignation that certainly didn’t seem like him in any regard. He lingered, his fingers brushing across my skin, for a full minute before moving away. I caught a single glimpse of his eyes.
They were haunted.
He stopped in the doorway, his fingers tapping on the doorjamb. When he tilted his head, I could swear I noticed moisture in his eyes. “Thank you for such an incredible gift. I will cherish your CD always.”
His words rang of such truth, even after I’d been the one to destroy his original copy. When he finally walked out, his feet heavy, I sagged down in the chair.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’d resigned himself to the fact he was going to die.
Murdered.
And all because of me.