“I didn’t say you smell bad. I just meant…” He sighs deeply. “You need a shower. It’s good for you.”
“Why does it matter if it’s good for me? I’m your prisoner.”
“You didn’t go with that man last night when you had the chance. If you were truly working with your father, you would have gone. I’m starting to see that maybe…”
“Maybe?”
He shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. Just take the shower, Emma. We have plans this evening.”
“What plans?”
“I’m taking you to the opera.”
I blink, not sure if I’m understanding him. “The opera? I don’t know what that is.” It was never mentioned in any of my books.
“You don’t know what the opera is?”
“No.”
“It’s where people sing on stage for a few hours. You were listening to an opera album before. When I saw you crying. I thought maybe you would enjoy it.”
I stare at him for a long moment and he looks back, unfazed, not giving anything away. “You want to do something nice for me?”
“You didn’t go with that man last night. I think it’s only fair. Would you like to go out to the opera tonight?”
“Do I get a choice?”
He doesn’t respond to that.
The chance to get out of the house and see more of the world would be amazing but at what cost? I’m not sure I fully trust that Leo wants to take me out just to make me happy when he’s treated me like I’m the enemy. But when else am I going to get this chance?
“Ok,” I whisper. “I’d like to.”
“Good. Take a shower. I have a dress laid out for you in the guest bedroom. We’re going to the matinee showing. Normally I prefer going at night but this was the only time I could get last minute.” He motions for me to head to the bathroom. In my confusion, I do what he wants.
I take the shower and I change into the beautiful dress he bought. It’s a long, green gown that flows out around my legs like a flower. It’s so beautiful I could cry. This was the life I thought Leo was going to give me. But I was naïve. Leo is a dark man and I never should have trusted him. I can’t let him get in my head now.
But I can’t give up this opportunity.
Leo is dressed in a simple black suit when I approach him in the foyer. His eyes rake over me, making me blush. “You look good enough to eat.”
That only makes me blush harder.
Leo smirks, like he knows what he’s doing to me, before putting his hand on my low back and lighting my body on fire. He drives us to a grand building. One that looks a couple hundred years old. I’ve never seen a building so beautiful. Other people are going inside, all wearing nice gowns and suits.
This feels like a fairytale and I have to remind myself that it’s not.
I can’t stop myself from gazing around the inside of the building in awe. The grand foyer is so large and elegant that I feel myself grow breathless.
“People come here all the time?” I ask.
“They do. How have you never heard of the opera? You’re from a wealthy family. I know your uncle used to love going to the opera from what Gabriel told me.”
“Because I don’t know my uncle or my father. I am telling you the truth.”
Leo doesn’t say a word to that. Instead, he leads me to our seats in a private box overlooking the stage. I watch in fascination as the opera begins. People in elaborate outfits come out and begin to sing about heartbreak and pain and death. The entire ordeal is magical.
I don’t feel time passing by. I only feel elated.
