Truths and Lies Duet

A chill runs down my spine, remembering when I thought I was going to be kidnapped. It turned out it was Niles’s doing, but at the time, I was terrified. My face must show how I’m feeling because Kostas gives me a knowing look. “Every time you step foot off the property, you are in danger. These men are trained to keep you safe. They know your schedule and will escort you to every class, every day. Understand?”

“Yes.” I glance over at the men, who are still standing in place as if they aren’t even really here.

“Very well,” Kostas says. “I’ll see you at home tonight. We’ll go to dinner so you can tell me all about your day.”

I find myself sighing in relief. He may not be happy about it, but he really is going to let me go.

“Have a good day,” I tell him. Standing on my tiptoes, I give him a chaste kiss, unsure if he’s okay with kissing me in front of my new bodyguards. Kostas must not care because he turns my quick kiss into something deeper, devouring me as if it’s the last time he’ll see me. For a split second, I consider skipping my first day of classes and spending the day in bed with him. But then he pulls away.

“Behave,” he warns.

In the town car, I sit in the back, while Michael drives and Tadd sits shotgun. Neither of them says a word as we drive out of the resort and toward the city.

“Can you please stop for coffee?” I request when I notice we’re going to be passing by my favorite coffee shop. Michael nods once. Since I’m not allowed to go anywhere alone, they both accompany me into the coffee shop. I offer to buy them something, but they shake their heads. Their loss. The coffee and pastries here are to die for.

When the barista calls my name, I grab my coffee and croissant, thanking her. I take a sip, but it tastes off, bitter, causing my stomach to churn.

“Everything okay?” Tadd asks.

“Yeah, I think the coffee is bad.” I try another sip, but when the smell hits my nose, I gag, almost throwing up.

“Excuse me,” I say to the barista, “I ordered an espresso, but I don’t think it’s good.” I hand her back the cup. She apologizes and remakes it. Not wanting to be late, I take the new drink with me to the car, but when I try to drink it, it tastes and smells just as bad as the last one.

What a shame…I really liked that coffee shop. Maybe my school will have a coffee shop on campus. Otherwise, I’m going to need to get up early, so I can go to the restaurant at the hotel.

Not wanting to risk getting sick on my first day of school, I forget the coffee and just eat the croissant while I mess around on my phone, checking social media. A few of my friends in Italy have started classes and have posted about upcoming performances. I no longer have Alex as a friend, but he’s tagged in a few posts.

A picture of my mom at a charity function from last night pops up on my feed, and the feeling of loneliness overtakes me. My friends and family are all in another country going about their lives, while I’m over here. Sure, the restaurant kept me busy this summer, but I need something more. Something for me. Kostas doesn’t understand that because when we got married, his life pretty much stayed the same. My life, on the other hand, completely changed, and going to school means holding onto that last piece of myself I haven’t handed over to my husband.

Feeling overly emotional, I put my phone away.

We arrive at school, and Tadd opens my door for me. When I get to the first building, I pull out my map to see where my Theatre class is located, but Michael grunts out, “This way,” and nods toward the first hallway.

“You know where all my classes are located?” I ask, confused.

“It’s our job, ma’am,” Tadd says. Of course. Kostas said they knew my schedule. He probably made them scour the campus and map out where and when each of my classes are.

When we get to the door that reads Theatre, Michael opens it for me. As I step in, I notice they’re following me, so I halt in my place.

“You’re not, like, coming in here with me, are you?” There’s no way I’m going to sit in my classes with them literally standing guard next to me.

“It’s our job, ma’am,” Tadd repeats. Another student walks up, and since we’re blocking the doorway, I move out of the way.

“You can wait outside,” I tell them, trying to keep calm.

“You’ll have to take that up with Mr. Demetriou, ma’am,” Michael says with zero emotion.