Iris POV
The car moved quietly and smoothly almost like it was humming to itself as we drove away from the flashy and impressive exterior of Don Campani's large mansion. The air inside the car was filled with a heavy and uncomfortable silence that felt almost like a thick blanket pressing down on us and making it hard to breathe.
I was sitting next to Raf trying hard to push away the scary thoughts that were creeping into my mind like unwelcome shadows. He had not given me up to Campani even when Campani made his demand for me and for that, I felt very thankful.
Yet along with my gratitude came a cold shiver of uncertainty—what was it that had made him decide not to hand me over? I kept my eyes focused on the road stretching out in front of us determined not to steal a glance at Raf’s face even though the urge to look was almost too strong to resist.
“Raf,” I said after a moment of hesitation my voice coming out very softly almost like a whisper.
He kept quiet and had a serious expression on his face as he drove the car. His eyes were focused on the black road in front of him which seemed to go on forever like a story with no end. It felt like a story I was too delicate to explore and understand.
I wanted to find out what was going through his mind especially what had motivated him to refuse Campani's request. However, all I could feel was the heavy silence around us a silence so deep it could make even the bravest person feel trapped and overwhelmed.
As the car made a turn and entered the driveway of his house I felt my heart start beating fast—experiencing a well-known blend of feelings that included both relief and nervousness. The evening had been like a complicated dance performance where every single step I took could potentially lead to something bad happening.
When Raf got out of the car the door made a loud bang as it closed behind him. He didn’t pause to wait for me instead he walked straight inside with a strong and determined posture. I followed him but my steps were unsure and cautious as I walked behind him.
Once he entered the building he did not look back at me at all. He didn't say anything as he walked up the stairs leaving me all alone. As I stood there it felt like I was on the edge of something very important something life-changing as I tried to understand the reality of my situation.
I had made it through the dinner party without losing myself to Don Campani's disturbing desires. I should have felt victorious and proud of what I had accomplished but somehow I couldn't feel any sense of triumph at all.
In a hurry, I made my way to my room the room that still felt unfamiliar to me. Everything inside it reminded me of who I had become and the kind of people I had started spending time with.
The gown that I had on felt tight and uncomfortable as I lifted it over my head. I ended up throwing it onto the floor. My heart was racing filled with an intense feeling that I found hard to calm down. I then put on my loose nightgown and the soft fabric felt nice against my skin.
However, that comfort didn’t last for very long. I could hear the gentle tapping sound coming from Maria the maid which was her way of letting me know that dinner was ready for us to eat.
“I just want to let you know that I’m not feeling hungry right now Maria!” I shouted out to her and my voice had a tired sound to it. I could hear her footsteps walking away from my room. As I lay on my bed I found myself staring up at the ceiling above me. There was a feeling of restless energy building up inside of me that I couldn't shake off.
With a deep breath and a noticeable sigh, I carefully swung my legs off the side of the bed. As I did this I could feel the coolness of the wooden floor beneath my feet which sent a little shiver up my spine. There was something inside me that urged me to get up and move a strong pull that seemed to draw me toward Raf.
I couldn’t fully understand why I felt this way but there was a deep desire within me to know what he was thinking. I wanted to see if the storm of emotions that were swirling inside him was similar to the tumultuous feelings that I was experiencing myself.
I carefully walked through the hallway that was not very bright feeling a bit unsure as I stood right outside his door. The entire house was completely quiet but that silence felt a bit unsettling to me.
I raised my hand and knocked gently on the door. After waiting for a little while I heard a faint sound that seemed to come from a chair being shifted. Taking a deep breath I decided to push the door open and step inside.
Raf was seated on the very edge of his bed holding a glass of wine gently in his hand. The wine was a beautiful amber color and it caught the soft light in the room just right. When I walked in he looked up at me. His face showed no signs of surprise or shock almost like he had been waiting for me to arrive all this time.
“May I please enter the room?” I inquired politely as I took a step inside.
“Of course,” he replied in a straightforward manner speaking in a voice that was quiet but remained firm and steady.
I carefully sat down on a chair that was directly across from him making sure to keep my hands together in my lap. I then took a deep breath and started to speak to break the quietness that surrounded us…