My Dark Scientist

60| Strip

E L L O R A

"So, Ellora Davis. I hope you're enjoying your stay with my man?" Vittorio asks nodding his head with a charming smile at me. The question is casual enough, but nothing about his tone or manner is.

I cast a look behind me nervously- professor Langdon is busy fraternizing with Gigi.

I turn back infront.

It's going to be a long, long night.

I look around the hall to spot any familiar face. There are so many, celebrities I've seen in newspapers, scientists mostly- I think I see a Nobel laureate too.

But no one who could save me from Vittorio.

"Um, yeah." I answer softly, looking anywhere but at him.

"Is Abraham treating you alright?" There's a slight tilt to his tone, a devious smirk.

I don't know what to say, as I turn around to glance at professor Langdon again. He's still talking to Gigi.

I turn back around and simply nod at Vittorio, feeling frustrated and annoyed and honestly- a little bit scared. There's a gun peeking from behind Vittorio's tux, and no doubt all human beings in this room is loaded with one.

Except, me.

Vittorio's eyes...they're are so intense, it's not like professor Langdon- like Magnus, that makes my insides melt and a different kind of shiver run down my spine. This intensity is different, it's cruel, mirthless.

I want to leave.

"Let's not waste time shall we?" Vittorio says moving closer to me.

My eyes widen as he places his hand on my arm. "Dance with me."

I flinch taking a slight step back.

His hold on my arm tightens. "Please?" He presses with a smile that to an outsider would look like a simple enough request. But the look in his eyes, the hardened edges to his mouth, the curling of his smile all speak differently.

I straighten my back and look him straight in the eyes. "Of course." I say with a fake smile, "But only if you will excuse me to the restroom first." I sweeten my smile, and add, "Please?"

He grits his teeth behind his smile and his fingers tighten around my arms to th point of bruising.

And finally he lets me go. "Sure."

After one last smile at him, I turn around and leave.

As I fly through the ballroom holding my gown with both hands, I can feel his eyes on me- not Vittorio, Magnus. Professor Langdon- I can feel his eyes burning at my skin.

I couldn't give a rat's ass.

On my way I ask a waiter to the restroom and he points the way.

I almost rush through my way until I reach the door to the bathroom.

Inside, I lean my head down between my shoulders pressing onto the sink with my hands and take deep breaths.

One.

Two.

Three.

In through my nose. Out through my mouth.

A month back I was just a college student whose only problems with life was getting a good cgpa. And now I'm attending a party of scientists who are potential terrorists with guns inside their tuxedos and gowns.

Something feels wrong.

I feel it before I hear it.

The door to the washroom being opened a second time.