The Prelude (A Musical Interlude Novel) - By Kasonndra Leigh Page 0,34
complete with sparkly tutus, men dressed in colorful ballet outfits, and a light display that seduces the eyes.
Luca hasn’t taken his eyes off Adriana the entire time. Carla and her girlfriend, Trina, have been engrossed in conversation between each other most of the night. But even those two quiet down when Adriana’s performance begins. That leaves me sitting alone for the most part, while thinking of the depressing nature of Seraphine’s story of forbidden love. It’s almost as bad as Romeo and Juliet’s tragic ending, and this is so not what I need to be taking a part in tonight.
As the final note to the finale booms through the auditorium on the heel of an aggressive drum progression, Adriana makes a continual twirl that makes me feel dizzy just by watching her dance. The mermaid has saved her lover, but must now accept her exile. Adriana’s final move brings the emotion inside the finale to vivid life.
The curtain falls and Luca flies to his feet. “Brava! Brava! Perfetta e bellissima!” I stand, but give my boss a double take as he catches the attention of the people sitting around us. Even Carla and Trina turn their attention toward the stage.
Could it be possible that Luca and Adriana…? Oh hell no. I’ve been living with Reckless Me’s voice for too long. But still…hm.
I’m caught up in this thought when Luca suddenly grabs my hand, pulling me into the hallways that run along the outside of the main auditorium. We’ve managed to escape before the rush of people start heading toward the exits.
Traipsing down these hallways makes me think of Alek and the day I flashed my goody gumdrops at him. To this day, he has never said a word about the most embarrassing moment of my life. He’s a complete gentleman. Maybe it’s time to consider Petre’s advice. I need to find that line of the straight and boring I’m walking on and decide whether I’m brave enough to move along in life without sticking to it.
We stop in front of Adriana’s door and wait. I have no idea where Carla and Trina have run off to. She mumbled something about heading downtown to the Alcatraz, one of Milan’s wildest nightclubs, later tonight.
I think I hear Alek’s voice. He seems to be heading straight toward us. My heart hammers and several thoughts start to race through my head.
Alek steps around the corner. A redhead is hanging on his left arm, and they seem to be having a lively conversation. My thoughts go from giddy-girl bubbly to kick-ass vixen in less than a second.
“How lovely. It’s Rose Dewitt-whatever from Titanic,” I announce before I can stop myself.
“I think she’s very pretty,” Luca says.
“Be quiet, Luca,” I mutter out the side of my mouth. Alek and Rose head straight toward us. I can hear Righteous Me for the first time in days. She’s getting her I-told-you-so voice ready.
“Alek. What a surprise,” I say with as much polite sarcasm as I can create. Rose Dewitt-whatever looks me up and down. And I think I just saw her lips turn up.
“Likewise, Ms. Angelo. I do believe we have a knack for running into each other in this hallway.” He beams a knowing smile at me, and I throw mental daggers at him. Right. He’s probably ticked that I flat out turned down his proposal the other day. But his little innuendo calls for some comeback action.
“Allow me to introduce Lila Davis, the woman who’ll be singing during Requiem’s interlude. Lila is a soprano. She has performed at the most prestigious opera houses all over the world. These fine people are our designers, Luca Martuccio and the talented Ms. Erin Angelo.” I keep my gaze locked on his.
Lila scoffs and says, “Well, I won’t need any designers. I have my own team, thank you very much.” Luca and I exchange glances.
“So, what song will you be singing for Alek’s show?” I force my lips into a smile. She looks me up and down as though I’m a bug sitting on her shoe, which I could very well be. I think I’ll choose to be the stink bug.
“My Heart Will Go On,” she purrs and gives Alek a proud smile. Only Rose Dewitt’s twin would choose that song, and then stand there looking like it’s the coolest thing in the world. Alek cuts his eyes toward me. A silent challenge. Alright, buddy, you asked for this.
“How appropriately boring. Requiem is a group of songs about healing from