Chapter 13 The Mirror

Proud, head held high, like he has won the lottery, Danner walks down the halls to my office. When he opens the door, he walks right up to me, takes me tenderly in his arms and presses me against him. Possessive and eager. He lifts my face towards him with his fingers. "Ready, my love?", he asks with a gleam in his eyes. I think Alyssa is right, Danner is indeed in love with me. I can't imagine that I've taken the look in his eyes all the time as lust and preserving his position as my favorite sex partner. Before I can answer him, he kisses me briefly on the mouth and takes my hand. We walk to the elevator, and in the parking he leads me to his brand new Rolls Royce. "Hey, a new addition?", I ask him, happily surprised. He smiles softly. "A new life, a new car". He turns to me. "I still can't believe we're engaged now. This has been my dream for a long time, actually from the first day we were together. I want you as my wife, Loraine." Flattered by his words, I blush like a beetroot, stand on tiptoe and kiss him on the tip of his nose. "Well, I'm glad I helped your dream come true. So many women who are jealous of me now, I've put the best man out of their reach." He helps me into the car, and as he takes his place behind the wheel, he intertwines our hands. Skillfully he drives out of the underground onto the highway. "Loraine, I have an urgent question." Danner continues to stare straight ahead at the traffic. I nod so he can continue. "When are you ready for us to actually have sex? I want to experience that real physical pleasure with you, own you completely, feel that you are all mine." I forget to breathe from anger. Danner knows I'm still a virgin and will be saved for my wedding night. He and I are in the engagement stage, what is his question then? I've agreed to be his betrothed, but that doesn't mean he's got a hold on me and can get everything done. One final misstep and all his efforts are for nothing. "Danner, you know my position on that. I've given in to many of your demands, but you really shouldn't push your luck too far, my dear," I warn him. My mood is messed up, a storm is raging on my face. He sighs defeated and we continue the ride in silence. When we arrive at the jeweler, the assistant is already waiting for us at the door. When we are in, he immediately points us to a few rings that he calls his masterpieces. Danner fits a few on my finger until he applies the gorgeous Aphrodite. "This one", he points to the assistant admiringly. "It seems to be made exclusively for her. It shines perfectly in her gray eyes. Beautiful!". It is a white gold eighteen-carat band, with round diamonds. I admit it is a beautiful piece, exquisite. But for a forced engagement, it's a bit too expensive. I haven't seen the price tag, but I'm estimating it must cost a few million dollars. Not that Danner can't afford that and I'm not worth it, but it's just a waste of money. This engagement leads to nothing, it's just the endpoint. I look away from the ring to another cabinet where the rubies show off. Have always loved this stone, but never had time to shop for it. "Danner, I prefer rubies. I'm not really the diamond type. And given my jet-black hair and gray eyes, the color is a nice contrast," I say enthusiastically. He looks at me disapprovingly, he can't imagine a woman rejecting magnificent diamonds for the cheaper rubies. "Loraine, do you want me to be the laughingstock of the country? The first thing people will ask you is to see the ring, what do you think would happen if instead of these beautiful diamonds, you showed cheaper rubies?". Hmmmm, he has a point, I haven't thought about that yet. The ring entails much more than proof of engagement, it defines your class and capacity. I let Danner decide on the ring. While he walks into another room with the assistant to agree on the details, I go to inspect the rubies. I wasn't kidding just now, I really like this red natural stone, it's often undervalued. Ruby has the color of warm love and desire, typical for an engaged couple. The blood-red color gives strength, energy and life. "Beautiful, isn't it? Would you like to try it on?", I suddenly hear someone ask. I was lost in thought and hadn't heard her coming. I smile at the shop assistant. "Gladly". She pulls out the drawer and displays some models for me. "These here are the one-of-a-kind models. We only have one of them. And that's the only one in all of America," she explains proudly. There's one particular one that really appeals to me, as it challenges me to try it out, I pick it up and thread it onto my ring finger. Downright breathtaking! Though I say so myself. With wide eyes I look at my own hand, I have never seen such a beautiful piece of art. "Can you remove it from the display case? I'll be back tomorrow to discuss further details with you. I'd like to do it privately." Of course, she wants to. "Let me quickly measure your finger. That saves time". Before I know it, she's taken my finger and nods in satisfaction. I look longingly as she wraps the ring up and puts it away in a safe. I hand her my business card and turn to the room where Danner is still with the other assistant. Then I stop abruptly, I think I recognize the reflected figure in the mirror glass of the shop window. I turn around but don't see anyone. The shop assistant understands what is happening and smiles at me. "That's an optical illusion. The angle of that mirror is on the other side." She takes my hand and walks to the intended corner. But there is also, nobody. Strange!.