The Devil of DiRisio

by Leslie DuBois

  Chapter 20

  Speaking of Chemistry

  After that amazing performance with Damian Karl, I thought I was safe. I thought there was no way I could get kicked out of the Academy after the kind of reviews I had just brought it. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Monday morning I was summoned for a meeting with the Enrollment Committee. I knew it wasn’t good. Once you were enrolled in the Academy, the Enrollment Committee all but forgot about you until graduation unless there was some sort of problem. Since I wasn’t graduating anytime soon, that meant there had to be a problem. And oh, was it big.

  “I suppose you know why you’re here,” Signore Atanasio the owner of the Academy said. He sat in between Alejandro and Madame Mara in the business office of the school.

  After several attempts to find my voice, I finally squeaked out a, “No.”

  “So you haven’t had any problems with your grades? Chemistry in particular.”

  That’s when it all came back to me. The Chemistry test. Cynthia must have ratted me out. She was probably so jealous of my performance that she couldn’t wait to get me expelled.

  “About Chemistry, I worked so hard on that test. I really did. I didn’t plan –.” I stopped talking when I noticed Alejandro and Madame Mara exchange glances. I thought I was done for. There was no way they were going to believe me. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me … again. How was it possible for me to get expelled for cheating from two schools in one year? And both times it wasn’t my fault.

  “Cynthia claims it wasn’t you who took that Chemistry test,” Signore Atanasio continued. I just stared at my feet. I still had my ballet slippers on. I hadn’t even bothered to change when the secretary pulled me out of class.

  “But we know she’s lying,” Madame Mara said.

  My head shot up. I stared at her with wide eyes. “Excuse me, what?”

  “I said it in English didn’t I?” She looked at Signore Atanasio. “Is my English that bad?”

  “No, I understood you. I was … I just wanted to know how you know she’s lying.

  “Damian explained everything. He says there’s been an interesting love triangle going on with you three and that when he chose you over her, she vowed to get revenge.”

  “Damian said that?”

  She nodded. “It’s certainly understandable. After that performance with him the other night, I assure you many of the girls in the company and the Academy are going to be jealous of you.”

  “Sonya, we just wanted to assure you that your position with the Academy is safe,” Signore Atanasio said. “And if you keep dancing the way you did on Saturday, it will be for a long time to come.”

  I sat there in stunned silence for what felt like ten minutes. Was this really happening? Had something actually worked out in my favor?

  Finally, Alejandro tired of my staring said, well, barked, “We are through. You can go!” Was that man ever in a good mood?

  Still shocked, I stood to leave. But I couldn’t. Something just didn’t feel right. I still felt like I was lying.

  “May I have a small request?” I said before leaving the room.

  Signore Atanasio looked up from his desk where he was putting away my file. “Yes?”

  “Um, I’d like to take that Chemistry test … again if I may.”

  “Whatever for?” Madame Mara asked.

  That was a good question. How was I ever going to explain it without admitting that I didn’t really take the first one? “Well, as you can see in my file, I’ve been wrongly accused of cheating in the past. I would just like to dispel any residual doubt about my integrity. Please.”

  “It is completely unnecessary, but if it is all right with your professor, we see no reason why not.”

  I was overjoyed as I left the business office. It didn’t even bother me that I would have to take that dreaded Chemistry test. I would force Sasha to tutor me round the clock until I could spout the periodic table backwards from memory. Okay, that probably wouldn’t be necessary, but the point was, I wasn’t afraid of a little extreme studying. And Sasha owed me for what she had put me through.

  But as I stood next to Pierre in pas de deux class, my elation about avoiding a cheating scandal suddenly deflated. Signore Atanasio stated that as long as I kept up the same caliber of dancing, my position was secure. There was no way I could keep up that level of dancing with Pierre. I was doomed unless I had Damian Karl by my side. I couldn’t dance that way with anyone else. But his tenure at DiRisio was up. He had also finished the work he was doing with Veronica Valerio. There was nothing keeping him in Italy. He had a successful career that took him all over the world. Why would he want to stay here and help boost my career?

  I agonized over the predicament for the rest of the day.. Anna Marie thought I was giving Damian too much credit. She said I was good without him and I didn’t need him. I knew I was good without him, but with him I was spectacular. And that’s what I wanted. I decided I had to ask him, or beg him, to stay. I knew Will would be furious with me, but what else could I do? This was my future. I also needed to thank him for what he did with the Cynthia situation. I wondered if he knew the truth or if he actually thought she was jealous of me.

  Even as I stood outside his hotel room door I knew it was a bad idea, but I really couldn’t think of another way. What was I getting myself into? This man was so strange and unpredictable I didn’t know how to play it. Should I just come right out and ask him to be my partner for at least another four months until I was invited to the company or should I use some sort of reverse psychology? I could tell him that he was just an okay ballet dancer and that I was glad he was leaving so I could find someone even better. Well, that would sound stupid. He would know I was lying. I was a horrible liar.

  Damian answered his door practically naked. I gasped at his incredible physique. With my mouth agape, my eyes traced the outline of each and every lusciously firm contour of his body from his head to the virtually nonexistent tight little dance shorts that accentuated his manhood. My eyes bulged when I got to that part. It was like I was transfixed. I couldn’t turn away. All I could do was shut my eyes. Then without saying a word, I spun around and headed to the elevator.

  My eyes were still closed when I walked into a wall and fell flat on my butt. Damian started laughing. He was really enjoying my embarrassment. He started to approach me to help me up, but just then the elevator opened and I literally crawled into it. The two people already in the elevator stared at me like the complete moron I was, but I didn’t care. I had to get away from him. There was no way I could go into his hotel room alone with him looking so … so … wow. I didn’t know what I would do.

  Fortunately, I had convinced Sasha to come with me and she was waiting downstairs in the lobby.

  “That was quick,” she said when I ran to her. “What did he say?”

  “Naked … ” I panted, out of breath.

  “He wanted you to be naked?” I shook my head. “He was naked?” I nodded. “He came to the door naked?”

  “Biker shorts … ”

  “What did you do?”

  “I closed my eyes … and walked into the wall.”

  “So, you didn’t ask him?”

  “I got nervous.”

  “Come on,” she said grabbing my hand and leading me back to the elevator. I dreaded facing him again. I knew he thought I was a complete idiot. Why did the sight of his body do that to me?

  “Damn, I missed the show,” Sasha said flirtatiously when Damian opened the door fully dressed.

  “I’m always up for an encore,” he said as he started to unbutton his shirt. I covered my eyes.

  “Relax, he’s kidding,” Sasha said as she pulled my hand away from my eyes.

  “So, how can I help you two beautiful ladies?” he said after we stepped inside. Damian sat down on the couch, put his feet up and clasped his hands behind his head. How could he look so calm and collected? Wasn’t he the least bit embarrassed that I had seen him practically nude? W
hat was it with European men and nudity?

  “My sister is here for two reasons,” Sasha began as I stood there mute. “First of all, she would like to thank you for handling the Cynthia situation.”

  Damian looked at me and said in Italian, “No problem. I knew it wasn’t your fault. Just one look at your sister and I knew she was trouble.” He winked at Sasha.

  “What did he say?” she asked me.

  “Um, he, um. He said it was no problem.”

  “That’s it? Sure sounded like more.” She shrugged and continued. “And she wants you to stay in Rome and dance with her. She realizes what an extraordinary dancer you are and thinks you can help her get accepted into the DiRisio Company.” Damian stared at me with his intense eyes. Once again, I felt like he was burning my clothes off.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t help you,” he said coldly and in English. “I have obligations elsewhere. I have nothing keeping me here.”

  “But it would just be for a few months,” I said speaking up.. “Then you can go off and do whatever you want.”

  “What I want to do is you,” he stated in Italian.

  “What did he say?” Sasha asked again. I didn’t have time to answer because Damian kept going.

  “I want you to admit you want me. Just say it one time. Just tell me that I excite you in ways your boyfriend can’t. Then let me make love to you.” My mouth flew open in astonishment. What an arrogant bastard, I thought.

  “What is he saying?” Sasha was growing impatient. I was afraid she would be able to pick up on some of what he was saying because she had taken Spanish in school, but, thankfully, I think the full import of his words eluded her.

  “He said … he … he said that … um … ”

  “I said that I would see if I could move around some things and that I would let her know in a few days. Until then, she will just have to purchase a gas mask in order to endure Pierre’s body odor.” He smiled and Sasha started laughing. I was not amused.

  “You’re attracted to him, aren’t you?” Sasha said while we were leaving the hotel.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. He infuriates me. He tries to intimidate people with his sex appeal and … and deceptive charm. He uses sex like a weapon to control people and get what he wants. He’s a psycho. I hate him. I absolutely hate him.” Sasha stopped in her tracks and stared at me, causing me to stop and turn to her.

  “You hate him?” she asked skeptically.

  “Yes, I hate him.”

  “You don’t hate anyone. It’s not in your nature. Even after everything Lauren DeHaven, Ashley, and Brittany did to you I never heard you say you hated them. And even though you claimed to hate me, you forgave me the moment you saw me again. You’re incapable of hate.”

  “Yeah, well, not anymore. I said I hate him and I mean it. I hate him.” I spun on my heels and continued walking.

  “I guess we’ll see,” she said skeptically.

  What was that supposed to mean?

  Chapter 21

  First Sign of Fame

  A normal man brought a woman flowers when he picks her up for a date. Sometimes he may go a step further and bring a box of candy or a stuffed teddy bear of some sort. Will had really gotten creative lately and brought me different trinkets from various countries for our dates.

  Once, while he was in Moscow, he picked up a poster of Natalia Karleskaya to add to my collection. All of these were normal expected gifts for a normal guy to give to a normal girl.

  Raffaele Borcelli, however, was anything but normal. He showed up an hour early for his date with Anna Marie and instead of flowers, he brought her a dress, shoes, a purse and even a bra. Yes, he brought her a bra.

  This wasn’t just any, ordinary, run of the mill dress, though. It was a Raffaele Borcelli original. Raffaele had just spent a week in Milan working on a project for one of his classes and he got inspired to design a dress especially for Anna Marie, or should I say, Maria.

  I had to admit, the dress was fabulous and it fit Anna Marie like a glove. Raffaele was obviously a genius who was going to be rich and famous one day. The dress was tight around the bust which accentuated Anna Marie’s breasts and created cleavage where there was none. Then it flowed out from right below the bust line and fell gracefully to her mid thigh. She looked three inches taller before she even put the shoes on. The dress had this retro yet modern European feel to it. The rust color perfectly accented her new hair color and didn’t clash at all as I thought it would when I first looked at it. The olive purse seemed completely random to me, but when it was all together, it worked. It actually brought out her eyes. I never noticed she had green eyes. I thought they were brown. Anna Marie could have easily been on the cover of one of those magazines she was obsessed with reading.

  Raffaele was so pleased with Anna Marie’s look, he didn’t want to leave the room. He started kissing her and telling her how beautiful she was. I was starting to get uncomfortable as neither of them seemed slightly aware of my presence anymore. Thankfully, Will arrived and we were able to go out on our double date.

  “Is that all you’re gonna order?” Will asked after the waiter left.

  “Yeah, why? What’s wrong with a salad?”

  “Nothing’s wrong with a salad, but you didn’t order a salad. You ordered a plate of lettuce.” Here we went again. Will, seemed to be overly concerned with what I ate lately. I didn’t feel like getting into another argument so I tried to keep the conversation light.

  “Well, look who’s talking. All you ordered was vegetables. You were always such a carnivore. What’s going on?” Will smiled.

  “You’re gonna think it’s silly, but my new luck ritual is to not eat meat the day before a game.”

  “What? Come on Will, I’ve heard of people giving up meat for Lent, but giving up meat for luck is a little um … strange. You’re gonna have to explain this one.” Will squirmed in his chair excitedly. For a moment, he looked like a child about to share a juicy secret.

  “Okay, last week in the game against Bologna, I had my first slam dunk, remember?” I nodded. I wasn’t at the game, but he had shown me the clip of it about thirty times. “Well, the day before, I ate at this restaurant and I couldn’t understand the menu and I ended up ordering an entrée without meat.” I couldn’t help giggling a little.

  “So, you think, you made a slam dunk because you didn’t eat meat the day before?” Will nodded confidently like he was some sort of genius for finding the connection. “Will, your ability to slam dunk has nothing to do with meat. You’re 6’3”. You only have to jump like two feet in the air.” I started laughing hysterically. Fortunately, he saw the humor in it as well and joined in.

  “Now, if 5’5” Anna Marie skipped the meat then made a slam dunk the next day maybe I would agree with your little theory.” I looked over at Anna Marie for a little back up but she was too busy eating a breadstick out of Raffaele’s fingertips. After Raffaele’s ten minute soliloquy about a pair of shoes he wanted to buy for his Maria, Will and I kind of tuned them out. This was the first time we had even looked at them since we sat down at the table.

  For some reason, watching them interact was suddenly absolutely hilarious. Maybe we were both picturing Anna Marie going for a slam dunk. I don’t know, but for whatever reason, Will and I started laughing uncontrollably at them. I mean tears were streaming down our cheeks. It felt so good. It was like a release of all the tension that had built up between us.

  When our laughter subsided somewhat, Will reached for my hand, wove his fingers between mine and said, “That’s the first time we’ve laughed together in a long time.”

  I stared into Will’s sweet blue eyes for so long I almost didn’t notice the female voice from behind say, “Can I please have your autograph?” I assumed, of course, that she was talking to Will. It happened all the time. Women would approach him on the street and ask for his autograph or ask to get their picture taken with him. I was starting to get used to it. I usually just let my mind wander while Will c
hatted with his fans for a while. He was very good at playing the role of celebrity. He was becoming well loved in the city.

  But this voice was not addressing Will. She was talking to me. I turned around and saw an adorable little girl of about ten years of age holding a program from the performance I did with Damian. I was so stunned I froze. Will had to squeeze my hand and bring me back to reality. While I signed her program, I rattled on about how glad I was she enjoyed the show and how she could one day do the same thing if she worked hard.

  I was so excited. It was the first autograph I had ever signed. I wondered if my penmanship was dancer-like enough. Lord knows I had practiced it for hours on end while I was growing up. I’d waited so long for an opportunity like this. I almost wanted to get the little girl’s autograph just so I could remember her as my first fan.

  But then I looked at Will. He was smiling so broadly it was like he was the one to sign that program. His eyes gleamed with pride as took my hand and kissed it. Then I realized something. Will was really my first fan. He loved me so much. How could I be such a jerk and keep rejecting his proposals? Was Damian right? Did I really not love Will?

  Chapter 22

  Roman Engagement

  “Is it all right if I bring a date tonight?” Sasha asked as we were getting ready to go Will’s game. Lottomatica was playing one of their biggest rivals, Montepaschi Siena, and Will really wanted me to be there.

  “Sure,” I said. I was a bit curious to see who Sasha had met after being in Rome for such a short time and not speaking the language. But, I should’ve learned to never underestimate my sister. Moments later, the doorbell rang.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked Damian Karl as he stood at my, well, Will’s front door. He didn’t respond. He just stood there and gave me his signature intense glare that, unfortunately, was becoming familiar. “What do you want?” I said a little louder when he didn’t respond.