7

Emma stared intently at her reflection before Sergio turned the seat so she couldn't see him.

Let me do mia bella!

She had called him for help at the last moment, when panic had started to invade her after throwing a desperate glance in her closet.

Thank you very much for helping me, Sergio.

The photographer finished the last braid and pulled it over her head to finish the crown.

It is a pleasure for me to take care of a young woman who knows how to respect me.

Emma frowned.

Why ? Are all models obnoxious?

You have no idea! he exclaimed, putting the pin in.

Emma laughed and smoothed the beautiful white dress nervously. She was so beautiful that she was afraid of damaging it.

"Where did you find that Sergio dress?"

In my secret collection, it's one of my favorites, it suits you perfectly, it looks like an angel...

Emma smiles before stretching a grimace at her.

"I look like a baby whale...and that's just the beginning."

Sergio rolled his eyes before coming over to do her makeup.

Close your eyes mia bella!

Emma complied and remained silent.

It was the first time that we took care of her, and it was very pleasant. She hadn't had the chance to have a mother to do this kind of thing which normally had to be a moment of complicity.

She decided to interrupt her sad thoughts, before tears destroyed Sergio's work.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw him take on a slightly glittery white powder.

"Sergio?" You know on the invitation card, there was marked a Christmas ball, not a masked or costume ball.

Sergio smiled and applied the powder carefully.

I don't want to make up your beautiful eyes too much, I want to bring them out in my own way and then it's Christmas.

Emma let him and enjoyed his way of pampering her.

And There you go ! You can look.

She got up to go to the mirror.

She let out a breath of amazement mixed with emotion when she crossed her reflection.

Her lips were enhanced with a beautiful coral red color, her long lashes seemed more silky.

"God, I feel like it's not me. She whispered in a trembling voice.

Sergio, who was behind her, put his hands on her shoulders.

I assure you it's you Emma.

She touched the glitter with her fingertips then closed her hands against her belly, in front of the growing panic which seized her.

What if they are all dressed normally?

Sergio burst out laughing.

I went to their ball last year, believe me Emma, they are all dressed to the nines. He told her, putting on his black jacket. And then I'm here, I'm not leaving you alone.

Comforted at the thought, Emma smiled at him as she smoothed her dress.

In addition, it will allow me to be seen, now that I have finally been able to speak to Mr. Dantes, you cannot imagine how frustrating it is to know someone who does not know you at his turn.

He paused to put on his bow tie.

"That man is so cold, but can you blame him after what he's been through.

Emma moved closer to him, not far from oblivious to the subject.

What happened to him ?

He gave her a hesitant look.

Please Sergio tell me! He looks at me with so much hate, why? I won't say anything, I promise! She begged with a pout she hoped was convincing.

He sighed, defeated.

Years ago, he got married, a real fiasco, his fiancée made him think she was pregnant and three weeks after the wedding, she told him she was wrong.

Emma put a hand to her lips. Lord!

"But that's not all," he continued, shaking his head. After that, a few years later, he met another woman and she was pregnant, but from what Sharon told me, he didn't welcome her pregnancy, he was suspicious, he refused to approach her and guess what?

Emma felt her blood run cold.

'This child was not his.

Oh my God ! she whispered in a muffled sob.

Emma's legs were wobbling, now she understood why this man was looking at her with so much hatred and sadness. She felt like she was in a real nightmare.

Do you know what it looks like something like this on a man already animated by a certain anger?

"Yeah...yes, I guess...

The poor guy, when he came out of the clinic, he told reporters that a curse weighed on his family, he went crazy, he hit one of them.

Her throat dry, Emma could no longer swallow.

He then fell into a depression, some said he had tried to commit suicide.

She looked down and took a weak breath to keep herself from crying.

He ended up coming back from the front of the stage much more ruthless than he was before.

Sergio replaced a piece of masterpiece sadly.

You know Emma, sometimes rich people have a lot more problems than you think, the Dantes dynasty and in a difficult period, you shouldn't blame them my angel.

Emma swallowed slowly to pass her grief about to become noticeable...

He put his hand on his belly and found his smile.

"Seeing you pregnant only reminds him of what he could have had, in no way do you have to feel guilty."

Emma raised her hand to her forehead.

On the contrary, she felt guilty, assailed by fear and despair.

I'm not sure I want to go Sergio anymore.

He looked categorical.

Oh if you come! Go ! We have to go now!

Azzario didn't move from the already crowded entrance hall staring at the wide open front door.

It was already seven thirty and not a shadow of the young woman let him suppose that she would come. He was so disgusted by it that he thought of interrupting the ball to go upstairs and drown his anger in a glass of bourbon.

He didn't know what made him want to see her again, probably because she was different. He liked to see her cheeks color, her little shy look. She was the opposite of all the women present here, massed in front of the Christmas tree lights, chatting among themselves instead of yearning for the joy of being at home with their families...

His lips curled into a grimace of disgust.

He glared furiously in the direction of Sharon who was trying to obtain favors and favors from her mother.

He breathed until his chest swelled and returned his attention to the open door.

Sergio, the photographer crossed the threshold, alone. He walked over to him and nodded.

"Good evening, Mr. Dantes.

"Hello, Sergio...

Azzario had done his best to be courteous.

The young man shoved his hands in his pockets and looked around the place with an admiring look. Then he stood next to him against the grain, glancing at the door.

"Emma is outside...

Azzario lowered his head and stared at him in surprise before looking up at his door.

She refuses to come in, she's scared to death, please, Monsieur Dantes, don't damage my masterpiece...

At his words, the photographer went in the direction of the guests, while he stared at the door with a furrowed brow. He hastened to put his flute on the piece of furniture and went outside, scanning the terrace with a slow and precise gaze so as not to miss it.

Azzario descended the steps, continuing to look for her before stopping at the last step, enveloped by the graceful and wonderful figure of the young Englishwoman who was hidden behind the illuminated tree.

He thought for a moment that he was the victim of a hallucination.

All his senses were awakened. Azzario descended the last step and stood frozen in front of the magnificent Englishwoman dressed in a magnificent creamy white dress with silver, shimmering borders. Under this fabulous dress, you could clearly distinguish her little belly. Azzario forced himself to stay in his place and continued to stare at her. An irrepressible force pushed him towards this stranger with a fragile and delicate appearance. He wanted to take care of her and make amends for her faults. Her silhouette was so divinely represented that he saw her milky breasts rise to take on a beautiful shape, a sign that they were perfect.

Azzario turned his head towards the back of the park to banish his displaced thoughts. When he was able to turn his gaze towards her, Azzario inhaled heavily and walked over to her silently.

She was walking up and down and across, her fingers in her mouth. For a moment, he smiled at her adorable attitude.

"Miss Brok?" What do you do ? he asked in a soft voice.

She jumped and looked up into his.

Through the lights of the tree, Azzario saw her blue irises reflecting in the moonlight. Sergio was right, his masterpiece shouldn't be damaged.

She was desirable and gorgeous.

He slowly walked towards her, holding out his hand.

Come, no one is going to eat you...

She peered at his hand, hesitant.

"I'm not used to seeing people like that." She whispered as she backed up against the tree.

He raised an amused eyebrow.

"What kind of person?"

The kind who looks at you with a precise opinion, who always finds a conversation even if it turns out to be boring, laughing at everything and nothing...who...

She paused in jerky breathing.

Firmly, Azzario took her hand. The contact was intense, his hand felt soft and moist. Everything that emanated from her was perceptible, as if her body refused to betray those who looked at her.

Without a word, he dragged her with him, taking care to adapt his pace to hers.

When they passed the door, Azzario did not linger on the threshold, he dragged her to the upper floor so that she would be quiet, even if the guests had not failed to make themselves heard as they passed.

When he closed the door of his office behind them, the young woman hastened to tear herself from his grip.

Furious that she is so reluctant to be with him, Azzario approaches her to better make her blush.

"You are absolutely beautiful, Miss Brok. He said in a much hoarser voice than he intended.

She pursed her lips slightly.

Thank you, you're not bad either!

Azzario smirked at the young woman's embarrassment.

He spun around to go to his desk.

"I brought this for you. He said taking the bottle of champagne out of the seal.

She approached with a hesitant step.

It is alcohol free...

She smiles.

'You shouldn't have bothered yourself.

Azzario handed him his glass of champagne without taking his eyes off the blue.

'On the contrary, I had no intention of leaving you tossed about all evening.'

Slowly, as if experiencing a trial, she raised the flute to her lips.

Azzario didn't move until she finished her journey.

It's delicious, it looks like real champagne! But you... you had planned to serve it to me here why? She remarked, bringing her other hand back to the flute.

To get to know you better. He replied, not taking his eyes off her.

He saw her flinch.

Her sweet scent was beginning to intoxicate her again.

"Tell me about yourself, Emma...

His large eyes were lost for a moment on his desk.

Well, I was abandoned at birth, I lived in an orphanage, then a home and now I live here...

His answer was dispatched, his gaze suddenly closed.

Azzario felt immense pain for her, life didn't seem to have given her a gift.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean...

"Never mind, you couldn't know. She cut in with a small smile.

Azzario gazed at her silently, his face closed.

And you then? she asked, taking another sip of champagne.

Azzario frowns without really knowing why. After all, she had just surrendered to him.

Well I grew up here in this Palazzo which now belongs to me, he began going to stand in front of the window. As you can see, my mother is desperately trying to find me a wife, as if I was already in my forties.

Emma stood back like a feverish schoolgirl. The conversation was not going the way she had hoped. It was obvious that he didn't want to confide in her.

"I'm sure you'll find someone one day.

A laugh escaped his lips.

It's true that the candidates are not missing indeed, but they do not correspond to the idea that I have now about my future.

Emma looked down, biting her lip.

There must be one that stands out. Emma quipped clumsily.

No, I want someone different...really different.

Amidst the silence, happy laughter erupted from outside before he turned, impassive, lips tight.

"Like you, Emma."