Chapter 54: Maria Grew Closer To Paris

Maria took in a long, deep breath and then exhaled slowly and carefully. Her fingers were shaking. She clutched them in a tightly knitted prayer then blanketed them with her palms. Her fingertips still felt cold and numb. She rubbed her palms together and wrapped her fingers in them again. Breathe in… Breathe out… What just happened? Did the president just assault her? Was that considered an assault? Those eyes… They looked dangerous. It was like they wanted to do something horrible to her. She didn't even want to imagine what it was. Those frightened emeralds squeezed shut to fight the images of what happened earlier from surfacing in the mind. Ants were crawling all over her. Maria hugged her elbows as a chilling streak clawed up her spine. Her body shuddered at the memory of that excited breathing in her ear and the feel of those unwanted hugs and touches. She bowed forward, hugged her head, and screamed a silent scream. Hot