Tarantism

7

After the movie ended, Victor drove me home to my little apartment. We pulled up outside the building, and he was out of the car before I had time to open my door. I went to get out and saw his out stretched hand.
"Oh. Thanks."
"You're welcome Princess."
I blushed a little and turned to go inside. Victor followed. I wasn't sure what he was doing.
"You don't have to follow. I'll be fine. Thank you for the ride."
"I'm just walking you to your door just for my peace of mind. I'll leave once I know you are safely inside."
"Oh ok."
We walk up the two flights of stairs to my door. I unlock it and step inside. True to his word, Victor stays in the hallway.
"Thank you for bringing me home."
"You're welcome. Goodnight Princess."
He grabs the door handle and pulls the door shut. I hear him walk down the hall to the stairs. After I lock the door, I climb the steps to my loft and climb in bed. I don't even bother with my clothes. I have to be up in a few hours anyway. I fall asleep with images of good looking guys and dancing.

The next morning is as routine as it gets for me. I get up, get ready, and then take the bus to the studio first thing. Since I'm always the first one there, I'm usually able to dance a bit alone. I'm going through warm ups when I feel the air shift. I turn and there is Gabe.
"Hey Trouble. I was just going to watch you for a little while."
"Yea that sounded a lot creepier than I think you meant it." I laugh a little and turn on my next song.
"You can join me if you'd like."
He grins and throws down his stuff.
"Let's do it."
I think we dance for what seems like hours. Just making it up as we go. I hear a slow clap off to the side and snap my head to the noise. Eli is standing there watching. He grins at me in a I caught you way.
"You guys are great. Gabe you have some freaking sick moves. Maybe you can step into one of our hip hop classes every once in awhile."
"Sure whatever man. I'll be here a while." Eli just nods and smirks at me. He's always saying I need to date or meet people. I think he gets his kicks playing matchmaker. Old sap. I go back to dancing and the rest of the day pans out pretty much the same as yesterday.
When I close up for the night, North is waiting outside the studio. He's in a huge black jeep.
"Hey Sang Baby. Need a ride home?"
"Oh no it's ok. It's still light outside I'm good. Besides I'm not that far." He frowns and looks at Gabe.
"Well we are meeting for dinner at the Italian place down the road. Do you want to join? I know from a little bird that you haven't eaten." So I was tattled on. Hmm.
I look at Gabe and he ignores the look I send his way.
"Sure why not."
They both grin and go to throw our stuff in the jeep. North opens up the door and gestures for me to hop in. I go to climb up but feel large warm hands on my hips that cause a gasp to escape before I can catch it. I hear a deep rumble from behind. Apparently he finds this amusing. I huff and scoot in and buckle up. Once we are headed towards the restaurant, North starts talking about some assignment coming up that he needs Gabe's help for. Weird, but I don't say anything.
We pull up to the parking lot and climb out. I notice some expensive looking cars in the lot. I also spot Victor's BMW he drove last night. The others must be here too.
As we are seated at the table, everyone is here as I expected. Since I don't make a ton of money at the studio, I don't go out to eat very much. I haven't ever been to this restaurant actually. I'm brought out of my musing as a familiar voice is listing wine selections. I know that voice but from where? As I look around the table I finally spot it. All the air leaves my lungs, and I know the blood drains from my face. Owen notices first and tries to get my attention.
"Sweetheart. Sang, what's wrong?" At the mention of my name the object of my horror locks eyes with me. An evil smile spreads across her face. "Well well. Look who I found. Just wait til I tell mother where you are." "Marie, please don't. I'll go away. I promise. Just leave me alone." I'm visibly shaking now. All the guys are looking between us with confusion and a touch of anger. Owen looks to Marie and gets this look about him. "What is the meaning of this. Why are you harassing her? I want your supervisor." Marie just looks smug as she takes in the table. "Did my dear old sister not tell you. She's a whore and a runaway." She sneered. "She slept her way through high school and probably already started in on all of you right." Her question was rhetorical as she laughed and turned to walk off. I didn't realize I was crying until I felt Silas wipe a tear from my face.
"Aggele?"
"It's not true! None of it. Well the runaway part is but none of the other stuff. I promise! I had to get away from her. She would have killed me. I just..." I look up and the guys are all looking at me with different emotions. Mostly pity and concern. "I need to go home."
I get up and race out of the restaurant with a chorus of voices behind me. I think it's time to move out of Charleston. But where will I go? Why now? I make it home and lay on my bed and cry. I need to think of a plan. I need to hide again. I thought it was over. I guess not.