with his disdainful dark eyes.
But instead of seeing the disdain, al Pol y could notice was the way the sun hit his eyes as he looked at her. It made him al the more attractive.
“No,” Pol y stammered, “I…um…wasn’t saying anything like that. I was just curious.”
“People here are so trivial,” he said. “Few here can real y appreciate my talents. I’m beginning to think I’m wasting my time at this place. I wil move on soon.”
They both turned down a corridor, and were now getting close to the venue.
“You seem to be one of the few who appreciates my talents,” he said. “That bodes wel for you.”
She looked at him, but he was stil not looking her way as he walked. Was that his version of a compliment? She assumed that it was, and felt flattered, in a strange way.
Maybe he liked her after al . Maybe he was just social y awkward.
The two of them reached a massive door, and as they did, the waiting servants opened it for them. It wasn’t the door to the main room, but a side door, to the backstage area, Pol y could see.
As the doors opened, she saw a smal dressing room, a vanity in its center, with a large white and gold stuffed chair before it.
Pol y stopped at the door, ready to turn away.
She was shocked to feel his hand touch hers. She looked down, and saw Sergei holding her hand.
“Why are you leaving?” he asked, looking at her this time.
He stared at her with an intensity unlike any she had ever seen.
“Wel ,” she began, finding it hard to think clearly, “I didn’t know…um...”
“Come inside. You can have the privilege of watching me prepare.”
He let go and turned his back on her, and strutted into his dressing room.
Pol y didn’t know what to do. The rational part of her screamed for her to walk away; but some other part of her just couldn’t let this go. She just had to see where this went.
And she had to understand for herself why she would be compel ed to be near such a person who treated her like this.
As if in a trance, she found herself walking inside, fol owing him, and felt the two huge doors close behind her.
Sergei sat in his dressing chair, looking back at himself in his huge mirror. No reflection showed, but two servants immediately set to work on powdering his face and fluffing his already perfect hair.
He lifted his chin as they did, smiling. Pol y had never met anyone so in love with himself.
Since he ignored her, she felt like a fool just standing there, watching him get ready. She wondered why he had invited her in. After several moments of silence, she was about to turn around and leave.
Suddenly, he said: “So tel me, Pol y, why do like me?”
Pol y felt her cheeks redden.
“I never said I like you,” she said.
He smirked, and looked back at himself in the mirror, even though there was no reflection.
“You don’t need to say it. It’s obvious.”
Pol y felt herself redden even more. She’d had just about enough. She was about to storm out, when suddenly, Sergei snapped his fingers, and the servants rushed out of the room.
Pol y fol owed them, ready to leave herself, when Sergei hurried up behind her and grabbed her wrist. He held it firm this time, and turned and pul ed her to him, as the door closed, leaving them alone.
He faced her, inches away, staring into her eyes, with a surreal intensity. His features were so perfect, it was like staring at a statue.
“Kiss me,” he said, reaching out and holding her face with his palms, just inches away.
Pol y felt herself trembling, more nervous than she could ever remember. Her throat grew dry.
She was too nervous to even speak, and had no idea what to do.
Despite herself, she began to slowly lean in towards him, when suddenly, he leaned into her, kissing her hard on the lips, which tremendous force. Taken aback, startled, she didn’t even enjoy it.
After several seconds, he pul ed back.
Then suddenly, without a word, he turned and brushed past her, walking out the room, and slamming the door behind him.
Pol y stood there, al alone, completely shocked by what had just happened. And despite herself, she began to cry.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Caitlin walked with Aiden in the early morning light, winding their way slowly through the forest, Ruth at her heels. They had been walking