At 20:00 Elio was waiting at Madame Lefebvre's door like a good little puppy. The lady opened the door. Now she was just Carol, Carol Lefebvre. A friend, a patron and a little bit teacher.
Neri entered the room timidly, as if he will get eaten if he rushed inside. He was fascinated by the atmosphere there. The dark office was separated from the bedroom by only one door, which was now slightly ajar, exposing a little bit of the bed.
Carol pointed to a chair next to the desk and the boy quickly sat down. He looked around the place as his teacher searched for his essay.
The heels rattled on the floor and she sat down next to him. He looked at the woman. Her black pencil skirt matched elegantly with her thin black shirt, which revealed a small part of her chest. On her chest lay a cold gold necklace filled with a small chain and balls of different sizes strung on it.
"I found that in your essay, too." The deep voice pulled the embarrassed boy out of his trance. She handed him a small piece of paper. On it a beautiful drawn picture of Paulette sleeping peacefully. Elio laughed.
"Do you like her? Paulette is a good girl, but she's her head is always in the clouds." the woman said, laughing.
"N-No, I like someone else." Elio blushed and looked down.
"It's wonderful, you're a very good artist." Madame Lefebvre lifted his chin and smiled warmly at him.
"Thanks.",
"Now, let's review your essay."
The woman approached him. He bristled. He could smell cigarettes mingling with expensive elegant perfume. Her hand began to play with the golden chain around her neck.
She began to explain spelling mistakes, punctuation, and other peculiarities. He kept his eyes on her the whole time. He was captured by her like a unicorn captured by an innocent girl.
After their session, Carol let Elio examine the small library she had managed to bring from her home. She explained that her house was on the Riviera, a legacy of relatives and that she had managed to get some books and objects to remind her of home.
The statuette of a black seated greyhound made the biggest impression on Elio. He asked if he could see it. Lefebvre shook her head, and he took the dog slowly and carefully in his arms. The dog's medallion was in gold and his eyes were ruby stones.
"This is a gift from a friend of mine. When she was in Austria, she saw the statuette and reminded it of me. "The woman laughed and peered behind Elio.
"It's beautiful. Can I take it, to draw it?" Neri asked, embarrassed, and looked at the woman next to him.
"Of course. And show me what you did afterwards. If you have a problem, I can teach you a few drawing lessons."
"Thank you very much, madam. With pleasure. Do you want it on Friday, again 20:00 o'clock" The boy blushed and smiled innocently at the older woman
"Yes, at 19 I finish my lessons, just till 20, I would prepare."her laugh was like a nectar for his soul.
On his way out, Carol Lefebvre handed him the essay. For the first time, their hands touched. How he wanted to hug her,to make passionate love to her, but it was wrong. All wrong. Lefebvre just smiled and wished the sweet boy good night.
YOU ARE READING
Death of Pygmalion
Non-FictionElio Neri is a student at the prestigious St. Edmond's Boarding School in England. As a heir of a textile company, he wants to become a renowned poet and professor of French literature. But he never believed that a tiny thing could kill or save him.
