FALSE IDENTITY

7

Nicholas entered the drawing room crossing it at good pace, he drew near the drinks table, poured some brandy into a crystal glass and then he placed back the decanter. He sipped thirstily closing his eyes, enjoying the flavored taste, meant to numb his senses. He turned around, expecting to see someone in the doorway. He shrugged bored, seeing there was no one. He kept his free hand in the pocket and decided to walk a little around the room. He was fidgety. All day long, he had been grumpy and irritated, as if caught in a trap. His predator instinct had been fully stirred up, awakening all senses he thought well hidden away. In time, he noticed that there were only a few women capable of having real feelings, and of awakening in him feelings and behavior, close to tenderness and pure love. Not that he would believe in such a thing, but there was one thing he was sure of: he could not say he confided in the word love, in the word loyalty.

Now, if he came to think of it, not even one single woman of all thosewith whom he had spent more time than usual, dared to defy and enrage him likeJoanna did in the morning. He was sure there were just a few women who couldkeep their calm and maintain their will unshaken. He started to focus on themain problem because it made him feel irritated. He would have to come up with aplausible explanation to justify the coldness he showed towards this girl andwhy he purposely avoided being around her, so  as not to risk stirring up sparks and flames. She was particularly gifted to bring out all the evil in him. Now, since he made an idea of her hot temper, he was sure it would not be all so easy.

A thought dirtied his reasoning and suddenly he felt disgusted by himself. Even if she had the education and experience to produce pleasure, she was still too young for him. Fortunately, he was not lusty enough or lacking morality to be so trivial as to take advantage of her. They had an agreement, and the idea of making her his mistress during the arrangement was repulsive and crazy. There was no way he could go so low and have a brief relation with an easy woman with whom he had an arrangement. He had to respect the very own principles he had set.

He turned around in surprise when he heard a voice behind him: "Excuse me, sir", said the woman noticing his surprised look, "would you like me to serve dinner?" "No, thank you, Elly, I'd kindly ask you to wait a little longer, if possible, my friends should show up any moment now."

Nodding demurely, Elly, the cook, withdrew slowly. She was with him for a few years now and she loved him like her own child. From the very beginning, she was swept away by his calmness and respect for the people around him.

Elly was a medium height woman, chubby, with red cheeks emanating joy. She kept her hair up in a bun, covered with a white bonnet, which highlighted her warm eyes, of a brownish hue. The kitchen was her territory and there was no way she accepted intruders onto her domain. She was organized and tidy, and the delicious smell of her bakeries made Nicholas think of the grandmother he never had.

After he had the last sip of his drink, Nicholas put his glass on the table. There were voices in the entrance hall and he came to the doorway of the drawing room just in time to see Ross rolling his eyes, playing purposely grumpy. Will, amused, could barely hold in his arms boxes and colorful packages. Joanna was... he studied her slowly, trying to guess the expression on her face. She was indifferent and reserved. Yet, that serious look meant she was proud of what she had just done.

"How was it?" he found himself asking. "If I were you I wouldn't ask", answered Ross shortly.   

Hiding his smile, Nicholas continued: "then I get it didn't go too well?" "For God's sake! This girl is a public menace. What have I done to deserve such a curse?" burst out Ross, not letting Joanna see the amused flicker in his eyes.