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It's ridiculous to compare the kiss I got from Otis with his. My friend is handsome and charming, but God, the Greek's touch... I don't know anything about men, but I know intuitively that Ares is the king of seduction.
He didn't force me into anything or touch me in any intimate place. It was a delicious kiss with some more intense caresses,and I swear to God I turned into putty in his hands. I have never felt so overwhelmed with emotion. My every cell connected to him, asking for more than he was giving.
As soon as Debra came up that day, Ares left, but not before telling me that he had searched my suitcases for any possible threat and had found nothing.
When I got to my room, my face felt like it was on fire. Yes, he’d done as I asked, but my luggage was open on the bed with my clothes scattered everywhere, including my lingerie. But that wasn't what left me dying of shame—rather it was the fact that a black thong, which goes with a lace bra, disappeared.
Did he steal my panties?
I told Debra about everything that happened, including the two spankings I received, and contrary to what I thought, she is super open-minded. She found it exciting.
I know she's still young—she turned thirty-eight last month—but even so, I didn't think she would take what's been happening between me and my guardian so well.
It was then that she explained to me that now, after turning thirty, she is starting to live. Like me, she was obsessed with dance and skipped several important stages in her life. When she suffered an injury that ended her career, she spent around three months not knowing what to do from then on, continuing to train despite being injured, which only worsened her condition.
Her story is very sad because, at the worst moment of her life, when she thought she had lost everything, she met someone—a love that helped her recover, build a new future, set up a dance school. And then, two years into their marriage, he died in an accident.
She has talked to me a lot about the fragility of life. We cannot deposit all our energy into one channel. I know she’s telling me this for my own good because, like me, she is passionate about ballet. However, she has been trying to makeme live a little. Go a little beyond daily rehearsals. Even though I haven't officially started at the dance company I was hired for yet, I’ve practiced there every afternoon, religiously, since I set foot in New York.
We've been to a musical on Broadway, we've gone shopping, and we're planning a trip to a nightclub. But the decision that is paralyzing me at the moment has nothing to do with the “enjoy life” project and everything to do with my missing lingerie.
Debra said I should send a simple message to Ares:I know what you did.
I won't deny that the idea excites me. The only thing that's holding me back is the possibility that I'm wrong and he didn't take my thong, because then I'll die of shame.
"If you're so unsure about it, forget it," she says.
"No, I'm thinking. That message that you suggested, ‘I know what you did,’ is something that gives me some wiggle room."
"What kind?"
"Well, if he answers: ‘What did I do?’ or ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about, Serenity,’ I can cover it up with some excuse. Like, ‘You told the bodyguards to increase surveillance,’ or something like that. It fits well with ‘I know what you did.’"
She laughs and claps her hands. "It's a great idea. If you’re going to take a leap, set up a safety net first."
"You are the best friend a girl could ask for."
"Maybe because, outside of ballet, my mental age is still close to yours. The only thing I feel one hundred percent confident about is dancing. Grado, my late husband, managed to adjust some pieces here"—she puts her hand on her heart—"and here"—she puts the other on her forehead—"but I'm still insecure in several other aspects."
"Like a teenager?"
"No, a ‘young girl’ like you. I'm only immature in the head, because my body knows I'm not young anymore."
"You are in good shape."
"Yes, and I intend to continue to be. Now, seriously, don't do anything under my influence. I'm just a romantic fool."
"Do you think I'll be disappointed?"
"There's always that possibility, Serenity. Life doesn't come with guarantees, because if that were the case, I wouldn't have gotten hurt and would have continued with my career."
"But you wouldn't have met your husband either."
It was her late husband, an ambulance paramedic, who attended her when she was injured. If that isn't proof that it was written somewhere that they were meant to meet, I don't know what the word “destined” means anymore.
"Yes, it's true. Life is full of surprises. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, but guess what: the prize or loss only comes to those who take the risk."
"Fifty percent chance."