60 Tumultuous Escape

In the dimly lit elegance of the Opera House, Lily's heart raced as she read Diana's messages, each word amplifying her dread. [Diana: The couple in the front row... Lily, is that you? I must know!] [Diana: Who’s the enigmatic man with you? I’ll find out after the concert!] [Diana: Can’t wait to get their autographs. Want one?] Each message felt like a tightening noose. Michael, her stoic companion, had meticulously arranged the evening, including a backstage rendezvous. Lily knew that staying meant an inevitable encounter with Diana – a situation fraught with unbearable awkwardness. Her sudden flight from the seat, leaving Michael’s jacket behind, was a blur. Michael and his bodyguard watched, stunned, as she vanished amidst the opulent décor. Her absence left a void, her perfume lingering like a ghostly presence. "Should I fetch her, Mr. Everett?" the bodyguard inquired, sensing the storm brewing within his boss. Michael's eyes, a tempest of emotion, stayed fixed whe