Mantis

26. Marcel bared his fangs

Marcel, without a word, packed me into Victor's BMW and, sulking like a child denied a toy by a parent, drove off from the hotel. He took me to a parking lot by a street lined with shops as far as the eye could see and turned off the engine.

– Come on – he muttered, getting out of the car with a heavy sigh.

– Where to? – I asked, still sitting in my seat.

I looked around, but all I could see were shops everywhere.

– You need to pick out some shoes – Marcel replied in a gloomy voice. – Surprise – he added in a tone that made it sound like he was telling me his beloved pet had just died.

I furrowed my brow. What was this supposed to be? A bribe attempt? As if I'd get some shoes and the issue would be resolved? They could kidnap me, move me around like furniture, and pat me on the butt?

– I don't want any shoes – I declared.

– I don't care – Marcel retorted. – You can explain that to Victor later. Now come on. And don't dawdle. I'm not amused by playing your chauffeur and guard. I have more interesting things to do – he said in a tone that brooked no argument, so I followed him into an insanely expensive store because what else could I do?

Marcel showed no interest in me as the ever-smiling saleswoman fussed over me, piling up boxes. He sat with his nose in his phone, tapping away furiously, completely ignoring the commotion around him. Only when I had chosen the shoes and the saleswoman flew off with the box towards the register did he turn his face towards me.

– Did you choose your little shoes? – he asked in a suspiciously sweet tone that completely clashed with his tired expression. – Great. Now listen to me carefully – he said, and cast me a threatening look devoid of any hint of friendliness. – I don't know how you know Rafael Perez or why Victor brought you here, but I'd very much appreciate it if you didn't get in our way.

– Excuse me? – I asked, bewildered.

– This job is his whole life, and you're distracting him – Marcel declared, impatience audible in his voice. – I don't want him to lose everything he's worked so hard for just because his mind is occupied with your boobs.

I raised my eyebrows in silent surprise, much like a small creature.

– I don't understand? – I replied, still playing dumb, because as far as I was concerned, things were going more than well for Victor at the moment.

– And I thought you were supposed to be intelligent? – Marcel scoffed, then started talking to me as if I were slow-witted. – We're here on serious business, which you have no clue about. Please refrain from batting your eyelashes and making googly eyes everywhere. He really needs to buckle down now and be fully focused.

– Isn't he? – I asked, trying not to show my irritation, because Victor had been doing everything in his power to see this through. Including kidnapping me and drugging me with sleeping pills, which was definitely over the line.

Marcel clearly didn't think so, as he looked at me with disgust.

– Don't pretend you don't see what's going on – he snapped, glaring at me. – Ever since you showed up in his life, he's been acting like a blind man in a fog. And don't get too excited about it... He loses his mind every time he sees a beautiful woman, and he's had plenty of chicks like you. You can be sure you won't stay with him for long, but since he brought you here, enjoy the expensive gifts and don't make things difficult. Got it?

Marcel looked at me in a way that left no doubt he wasn't expecting any response, so I kept silent. Apparently, that was the point, because he looked somewhat satisfied and even twisted his mouth into something that could, with effort, be called a smile.

– Let's pack up the shoes and go – he commanded, heading toward the cashier.

On the way back, an unbearable silence reigned between us, which neither Marcel nor I were eager to break. I was as uncomfortable in his company as he was in mine, and I breathed a genuine sigh of relief when the car finally stopped in front of the hotel.

I quickly jumped out of the car and nearly fell into the arms of Rafael Perez, who was just leaving the hotel with Victor and the two men who had arrived with him earlier today.

– We will naturally handle the formalities after the weekend, but you can already consider yourself part of our big family – Rafael addressed Victor in a fatherly tone. – I'll send a car for you at six o'clock.

With that, he bid us farewell as if we were good friends and got into a black Mercedes.

– My enchantress – Victor whispered, catching me in his arms, which left me slightly shocked. – You didn't tell me you knew him so well.

– Because I don't – I assured him, not straying too far from the truth. After all, three years ago, my world didn't revolve around Rafael Perez. – Tell me instead, which guy is an amateur of my photos?

Victor stopped smiling and looked at me seriously.

– He wasn't there – he said, looking in the direction where Perez's car had just disappeared around the corner.

– What? – I frowned. – Then how will he know you did what he wanted? It doesn't make any sense.

– He already knows – Victor admitted. – He wrote to me. He's expecting to meet at the ball.