Carmen

Page 18 - 'Dad?'

Carmen's POV

"Thank you" I said, almost breathlessly as I tried to get out my words.

"After you" Lorenzo smiled then moved aside, waiting for me to go past him to get into his car.

"Such a gentlemen" I chuckled at his action before brushing past him and I made my way to his car.

After he opened the door for me and we were both in the car, I couldn't help but notice that Lorenzo seemed different, he came across as quite tense and unsure, but I probably looked the exact same so I didn't take to much notice. The car ride was silent so I decided to take matters into my own hands and turn on the radio, the song was quiet in the background and I could vaguely hear Lorenzo humming along to the tune which made me giggle to myself but Lorenzo didn't seem to notice as he continued.

The drive was long, Lorenzo and I would occasionally made small talk but other than that it was pretty silent, like most of our car rides are together. However, once we pulled up, the scene was mesmerizing, we turned up to what looked like a palace, couples where crowding round the entrance, waiting to be let in by the two rough, but smart looking bouncers. The palace was lit up all around, a fountain was at the entrance completing the scene before me.

We parked up in the fancy-looking car park and I had to catch my breathe a couple times as the nervousness was creeping back up.

Lorenzo noticed that I was nervous, as he placed his hand on top of mine and squeezed it. It almost seemed like he was trying to reassure himself as well as trying to reassure me.

I gave him a soft smile before turning my gaze back to the entrance of the place I will be entering at any moment.

"Ready?" Lorenzo asked, his stare was still on me, his brows were furrowed, waiting for my answer.

"As I'll ever be" I sighed worryingly before taking my hand away from his and opening the car door.

Lorenzo came and met me round the passenger side and held his arm out for me to link it, I smirked at his action while he rolled his eyes at my reaction.

I linked my arm with his, before we made our way towards the entrance of the ball.

The bouncer simply nodded his head towards Lorenzo and I, before stepping aside to let us through. The inside was even grander than the outside, a huge chandelier hung from the ceiling and classical music was playing softly in the background among the chatting and laughing of the individuals who filled the room.

"Dance with me?" I drifted my attention back to Lorenzo who was waiting for my reply, staring into my eyes, like he was searching for my answer through them.

"Would never take you for a dancer" I smirked, Lorenzo chuckled at my comment before he lead me towards the dance floor where others were dancing along to the music.

I placed my hands on his shoulders, while he placed his hands on my waist, I flinched to his touch, I could feel my cheeks heating up, I don't know why even Lorenzo's simple touch, would make me so shy and vulnerable but Lorenzo didn't seem to noticed how tense I became. He wasn't really even paying much attention to me as we swayed to the music, he was looking around the ballroom looking for something or in fact someone.

"You okay?" I asked him, my brows were furrowed with concern as he jumped to my voice, before he quickly relaxed once he knew who was talking.

"Fine." He replied quickly, I'd never seen him like this before and I never thought i'd say this but he almost looked scared?

"Seriously Lorenzo what's wrong with you-" I pressed on, but I was soon cut off to Lorenzo's reaction to what I presume was that he found what he was looking for. His eyes widened with shock and I'm almost sure I heard him gulp from fear.

"Just let me do the talking okay?" Lorenzo said to me with a worried look on his face. His hands went up to my shoulders as he tried to reassure me. But what or who was he trying to reassure me from?

"Lorenzo you're starting to worry me now, what's going on-" But before Lorenzo could reply, I felt a tall figure towering behind me and I instantly knew this was who Lorenzo was looking for before, but I couldn't bring myself to turn around.

"Lorenzo, I see you brought the girl" The gruff voice boomed from behind me. what the fuck is going on?

I looked at Lorenzo, waiting for an explanation, however he just looked at me with sympathetic eyes before turning his attention back towards than man who stood behind me.

Lorenzo simply nodded at the man before forcing me to turn around and face him.

The man was older, he had a perfectly groomed beard, extremely tall, he was wearing a smart suite that looked very expensive, I couldn't help but notice that on his waistband, a gun was clipped in between his belt and trousers, the sight of him send a shiver down my spine as I couldn't help but think he looked familiar? I'm sure I have never met this man, but I must've seen him in photos as he I'm almost sure I have seen him before.

"And you are?" I asked the man judgingly, I was almost to confident, considering this guy literally had a gun visible for everyone to see.

I felt Lorenzo kick my shin, signalling me to stay quiet "Ow-" I started to moan, Lorenzo then kicked me again so I just sighed and stayed quiet while my shin was throbbing in pain as I don't think Lorenzo realised how hard his kicks actually are.

the man's eyes were cold, maybe even lifeless as he stared at me.

"You have no idea who I am, do you?" The man began to say, I simply shook my head in confusion.

The man then pulled out his wallet, and pulled out a small photograph and handed it to me. My breathe got caught in my throat as I realised it was the same photo I thought I had seen him in before. My pulse was racing as I turned my attention towards Lorenzo, then back to the man standing before me.

"Dad?"

Well that was a turn of event wasn't it?

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