The fatigue, the slackening of my nerves, the sadness, the fear, the disarray, all this mixed together, weighs on my shoulders to the point of hunching over me and wanting to roll into a ball, in a fetal position on the ground. Only, an affectionate caress on my shoulder blade brings me back to reality.

- Do not be afraid Miss Bianco. You made the right call phoning my boss.

His voice is reassuring. He opens the door and with a slow wave of his arm signals me to enter. So I hide my shaking hands in the pockets of my jacket, then suck in a breath of air to give myself the courage to join Gabriel. He stands at the foot of his bed and seeing him twist his fingers to the point of tearing them off, I guess his concern for me.

-Paola. Finally here you are!

He rushes towards me, well towards the sound of my footsteps I suppose and opens his arms to welcome me there. Without taking a second to think, I rush towards him like a woman lost in the desert seeing an oasis.

My face nestled against his chest, I get drunk on his spicy smell. His arms screwed around me send me reassuring signals. His strength, his protection, allow me to lay down the terrible burden that I carry.

— Thank you Marcus. I will take care of Paola alone now.

- Well sir. Good night and call me if needed.

I don't answer and don't turn around anymore, to see him come out. My cocoon is far too soothing for me to want to leave it.

The minutes pass without our duo breaking up, then the fateful question falls.

- What happened ?

I feel the contraction of his muscles on my skin and I detect a hint of annoyance in his deep voice.

“Theo, it’s… He… I never want to see him again.

The horrible scene passes before my eyes and bursts of sobs prevent me from explaining anything to my adorable bodyguard.

- Hush ... slowly ... calm down, everything is fine now. You are going to take a hot shower and rest afterwards. Tomorrow, you will tell me if you wish.

Dressing my ills with his words, he grabs my face in his hands and with infinite gentleness, explores every millimeter of my skin. Caressing my lip and my chin, it suddenly comes out of its hinges.

- Whore ! The asshole! He dared to hit you?

His fingers perceived the swelling of my lip and surely felt the dried blood on my chin.

- No no. He lost his balance… Please, not tonight…

- Of course Paula. Excuse me. I'll get you one of my t-shirts and some boxer shorts for the night. Go and relax underwater, it will do you the greatest good.

- Yes, but…

I feel stupid, only I am very anxious at the idea of ​​being alone.

- There is a problem ? Are these the clothes? I'm sorry, but I never wear lace dresses or underwear.

His smile, my God, his smile.

This man is a call for sex and unless you are a lesbian or a nun, it is impossible not to burn with desire for him.

"Would you like me in the only bed in the room?" With all due respect, of course.

"I fidget a lot at night, but if you're not afraid of a beating, I don't mind. Besides, if anyone has to sleep on the chair, it will be me.

- I am a gentleman Miss and my reputation would be tarnished if I did not properly receive a pretty woman.

- Excuse me, but how do you know if I'm pretty?

- First of all, I was treated to a detailed report, a little too much, from Marcus who, to tell you the truth, seems to find you physically to his liking. Then you kindly let my hands see for my eyes. I am still missing some details and I hope to fill them in one day.

- Which ?

- The texture of your hair, the curves ... Come on, I'm chatting and you're exhausted. Go quickly slip under the duvet!

The curves… of my body? If he knew how much I want his hands to make me forget everything tonight.

When I lay far apart in bed with the light off, I start shivering with stress. It is then that, as if by magic, I find myself enveloped in a warm and tender bubble. I don't dare to move and it doesn't take long to fall asleep, my lips on his chest.

When I push the door of the showroom, I am dazzled by a huge room with walls covered with bright red plates. Instinctively, I raise my head to the ceiling or should I say the sky, it seems so inaccessible. Its whiteness softens the blood color that surrounds me and gives an impression of fluffy clouds.

Dressed like a princess on the arm of her handsome Prince Charming, I move elegantly, enjoying every click of my heels on the light wood floor. For the first time in my life, I feel like a femme fatale and sure of myself. This feeling of omnipotence and extreme control triggers a cascade of very pleasant shivers down my spine. In addition, the small comforting caresses that Gabriel places on my forearm make me melt.

Lost in my bubble of happiness, I don't see a very pretty blonde woman heading straight for us. A bright smile lights up her doll face, but when I meet her gaze, her joy disappears as quickly as it arrived. With a nod and an enlargement of her doe eyes, she makes me understand that I must be quiet. The pleasant sensations that my body felt before are transformed in a few seconds, into cold sweats. Which does not escape my beautiful Apollo.

- Is there a problem Paola? I feel you tense all of a sudden.

Miss Devil doesn't give me time to open my mouth.

"Oh Gab! I'm so glad you were able to free yourself. But, you are well accompanied from what I see. Won't you introduce me?

Traitor!

This bitch is an outstanding actress and I'm afraid I'm not up to it in this kind of discipline. She hangs around Gabriel's neck while giving him lots of kisses with her lips covered in a bright red that leaves no trace. You know, that famous red kiss that all femme fatales wear. This bitch is elegant to the core. As for him, innocent, he smiles happily.

"Millie!" I'm glad to see you, or not. I present to you Paola, my special journalist and no less… friend