The Sicilian Affair

Chapter 22 - Grappa for the Night

Laurie was half turned away from him when she felt his hand grip her wrist as he spun her back to face him.

"Don't turn your back on me!" He snapped, his mouth biting out the words.

She tugged at her wrist, staring at him with wide, frightened eyes. "Tomas," She hissed under her breath, looking down at her arm then allowed her eyes to flick back up to his. "you're making a scene."

It took him a while to register what she was saying and why she was saying it to him. They were standing in the middle of the busy street with an audience staring back at them with disapproving glares and he was acting as though she was bound to him. She wasn't, he reminded himself. And if she wanted to accept other mens gifts then.... then what was it to him.

"Tomas!" He heard her voice again but only this time it sound like a plea.

Tomas' eyes slowly trailed down to her captive wrist and he frowned, allowing it to fall free from his grasp.

"Let's go," he said, turning from her. "We're going home." And without so much as waiting for a response from her, he started to make his way down the street to where his car was parked.

Laurie stood in place and watched as he walked away from her. She had no intention of going back with him. It was her day off and he had just ruined it with unwarranted insults.

The things he said. Oh, the things he said. She wasn't sure if she could handle herself being in car with him after all that.

And to think that they were having such a good time, she thought then quickly shook all thoughts of him away.

She released a breath then turned on her heels and started to walk in the opposite direction determined to end what was left of her day with a more pleasant note.

*

It was dark and there was still no sign of Laurie. Tomas had waited for in his car for as long as his ego would allow him but when an hour had turn to two then three, he figured that it was better he just left rather than make another scene.

"Maybe she decided to dine out." Maria said, snapping Tomas out of his daze.

He finished the whisky that he had poured for himself, replacing the tumbler on the kitchen counter with a distinct crash.

A muscle jerked in his cheek.
"So," he crawled, "you approve of her behaviour."

Maria's lips curved, struggling to hide her amusement. "Why are you so angry?" She asked, stirring at her steaming pot of soup.

Tomas frowned, his eyes not leaving her.

Angry? He wasn't angry, no. He was disappointed. Yes,that's what he was. Laurie had disappointed him today.

"Am I?" He returned.

Maria looked up, catching the confused look on his face. Shaking her head at him, she switched off the stove before folding her arms to her chest.

"I asked you why, Tomasa. Tell me." Maria insisted.

"There's nothing to tell, Maria."he replied. He was not angry.

"Alright." Maria shrugged. "I'm going to check on your mother."

There was a silence that lingered behind as soon as Maria left. Tomas walk to the window and muttered something unrepeatable under his breath. It had began to rain.

*

Laurie felt the first splash of rain on her forehead. Oh, no! She cringed. She really had the worst luck today.