All the work he planned to do that night was left behind.
-I didn't know you liked those things," he told her as he hugged her in bed.
She was already between dream and reality.
- What things? -
- The aggressiveness... You're always demonstrative, but that's new... -
- It's what I like most about you -
- My aggressiveness is what you like best? -
- Yes... no... I don't know... It's what you provoke me -
- You want to kill me...
This woman was a box of surprises, she kept driving him insane. She had an unspoken sweetness in everything she did, she was smart and combative, she was carried away by tenderness and when he least expected it she was biting his mouth like an animal. How could he not lose his mind? He could never let her go.
- When will you see her? -
- Tomorrow she's coming for the first time at the theater -
- She'll go with Daniel, for sure. Don't do anything strange or he'll take her away -
- I know, I know... How do you know so much about their movements? -
- I have my ways... Make good use of the opportunity you have, it's a win-win situation if you do things right... -
- You don't need to remind me -
The Ambassador was just as she remembered it, she had been there when she was a teenager and her mother took her to see her first opera.
-Mrs. Crusher, welcome.
- Professor Marcus, thank you so much for having me -
- Daniel, how nice to see you again -
- Thank you, Marcus, likewise -
- Well... I take it this is not your first visit to my theater -
- Oh, no! I've been for a performance a few years ago -
- Which one did you come to see? -
- Tosca.
- Ah! One of my favorites... Well, do you want to go behind the scenes? -
- I'd love to -
- Will you join us, Daniel? -
- No, I'm sorry, but I have to go. I have a meeting -
In the upper rows, darkened by the lack of lighting, Reed watched what was going on below. He had a smile on his face, satisfied and ecstatic about what awaited him ahead. The lady was the crown jewel. He would take it upon himself to make her shine despite the impassive husband she had. Maybe that way he could finally find out what it was that feeling he couldn't shake every time he looked at her.
- What do you think of everything so far? -
- It's beautiful theater...
- How wonderful... What do you say we do a little audition? Do you feel up to it? -
- Of course! I'd love to... -
- Since you mentioned Tosca, what do you say we go with Vissi d'arte?
- Of course - Deanna's smile became huge.
- Let me talk to the sound staff then -
Marcus came down from the stage and looked up to where Reed was hiding. He settled further into the darkness, at last he could hear her in live performance.
She began to sing and, holy God! the feeling was genuine. He could sense the anguish and sadness of the piece in her voice. He got goosebumps for the entire 4 minutes that she sang, he knew he was right! Not only was she talented, she was an old soul. He squirmed a little in his seat and fell backwards more than amused.
Marcus was just like him standing next to the stage, how had he not known about this woman before? He looked up again and smiled.
- That was wonderful, Mrs. Crusher -
- Was it? Thank you very much... please, call me Deanna, Professor -
- Deanna, let me officially welcome you to the Ambassador. I anticipate a brilliant career for you - Incredible! –
She left the theater completely dazzled. Not only had she been welcomed there, but Professor Marcus had praised her highly. Without thinking she ran to the company to find Daniel to tell him the good news.
She walked through the front door just as he was stepping off the elevator with Harry, Beverly and his secretary. He had just finished their meeting and the general mood was somber. He saw her enter with a bright face and a huge smile.
- Deanna? -
- Daniel! - She waved and hurried towards him.
Daniel went to meet her with the same rush, seeing the expression on her face everything he had discussed in the meeting a few moments ago just vanished. She gained momentum and without realizing it jumped into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Daniel hugged her when he felt the impact. He saw her so happy that he couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.
- I guess it went well at the theater -
- Very well... Thank you! - And she kissed him on the cheek.
The lobby was crowded at that hour and many were surprised, others smiled and still others gasped. The CEO of the company did not look like himself at all; no one had ever seen him with such joy on his face. It was quite strange.
Beverly approached them discreetly and made a sound with her throat to draw them out of the bubble. It was no place for such a display. Hearing her, Deanna turned red and detached herself from her husband a little embarrassed.
-I'm sorry... I didn't think it, I'm sorry-
Daniel turned to look at Beverly, who returned a cold look.
-Don't worry... I was on my way out anyway, shall we go? -
- Yes..." She said, ducking her head a little, but without losing her smile.
- See you tomorrow, Beverly -
He took his wife by the hand and they walked out the door.
Harry remained in a corner watching everything unfold. The look on Deanna's face when she saw Daniel caused one more wound in his soul. She had never looked at him like that. Beverly stood there watching them leave, when they left she turned and looked for Harry with her eyes. They both had the same feeling: apprehension.
She approached him.
-It seems that your sister-in-law did well?
- Yes.
- Professor Marcus must have accepted her.
- How do you know about that? -
- Well... Daniel was asking around and I was told that he's a respected professional -
- So you sent her there? -
- No, not me, your brother –
- You help Daniel with everything -
- I don't see why I wouldn't -
Leonard also left the theater excited. He hadn't got it wrong with the little flower. He was due to return for Alice to go to her mother's house, but decided Alice could go alone, he was sick of the look on his wife and mother-in-law's face. It was a better idea to satiate his enthusiasm for the beautiful Deanna with some "friend". He could never contain his urges.
- Where are you?
- Don't annoy me, I'm not coming. Stop calling me -
- You always do this, Leonard! -
- You're right, you'd better talk to your lawyer and lets divorce, I'm fed up with you! - And he hung up on her.
Alice felt a burst of uncontainable anger, she smashed the phone against the floor. That bastard was after Crusher's wife, he was obsessed with her. Reed's assistant was his most trusted man, the one who cleaned up his messes; but also the one who informed Alice of her husband's movements. She already knew that the young girl would be at the Ambassador and that Leonard had pulled some strings to get her there.
If she had her removed from the theater she was going to be in big trouble with the Crushers when the scandal broke. Camilla wasn't going to forgive her, not because of Deanna, but because it would embarrass her beloved son. But she wasn't going to lose to an ambitious and opportunistic young girl; Leonard would stand by her side for the rest of his life and make him pay for every one of the infidelities.