Page 79 of Forbidden Deception

“You said you don’t know how to dance!” I giggle when he pulls me out, then spins me back in.

“I don’t, but watching others seems to have come in handy,” he confesses, and when I look up at him, I find his lips quirked. He’s watching me with something akin to fascination.

And my heart weakens all over again.

“Rafael?”

“Hm?”

“Want to order food?” My stomach grumbles right on cue making him grin.

“Sure,” taking a step away from me, he goes to grab his phone when a knock sounds at the door.

Rafael turns around and eyes the door. “Come in,”

The handle turns and Danyi takes a tentative step inside. Her eyes watch me standing and raises both brows at me in recognition. ‘Hey’ she mouths making me smile.

“Mr Gustav,” she takes on a professional tone and stands straighter.

“If Venezia hasn’t got anything on schedule, I would like to borrow her for lunch,”

I look over at Rafael to see his eyes flit to me, any kind of softness now gone from his face.

I shrug. I would go with whoever he chooses.

He pauses for a moment, then he nods.

Danyi looks at me excitedly and walks over to grab my hand and pulls me to the door. “Thank you sir,” she grins over her shoulder at him.

On the way out, I look back at Rafael to find his arms crossed and him leaning against the same desk. He winks at me and I just smile, shaking my head.

I know he said yes because I voiced how alone I feel in the office.

31

4 years ago

“Iwas called in for something?” I say to the woman behind the reception desk.

The red-haired lady nods and hands me another letter. The rough brown envelope scratches at my heart, and the words that I know will be in there are going to burn it even more.

I don’t know who it is from, though the impossible feels possible right now.

Medora waits for me near my bed, looking up from her book to find me with another letter in hand.

“Another one?”

I nod, sitting soundlessly on my bed and just staring at my name on the front of the letter.

“Open it. I’m sure it’s from the same person again,” she says.

Carefully tearing at the seam, I slip out the white paper with printed writing on it.

Venezia,

It’s time for me to bring you home. It’s time for you to step out and find the world you must be looking forward to seeing.Your dreams, aspirations, the freedom and the first breath you will take in my world will surely give your life new meaning.

It’s not long till I come to get you. Until then, hold on for me.

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