Death sentence

She was so perfect and innocent. And to his surprise, she gave in more than he expected. He hoped she would give in just as much to walk away with him. Hand in hand, off the dance floor.

Luciano kept reminding himself in his head every minute that followed with Keirah in his presence. That he was there to hypnotize her and steal her off the dance floor. He was there to save her from his uncle and nothing else.

He recited the plan over and over to do the impossible of everything he needed to do to win her out of there. And walked with her to his room as his woman. That way, he could tell her what his uncle intended for her and warn her of men like his uncle.

But he got it all wrong.

He planned wrong.

He didn't plan beyond the plan; he didn't know he would have to deal with her beauty clouding all his senses when they danced. He didn't plan for her scent, which hypnotized him over and over.

Because that was now the only thing he could see and feel.

He watched Keirah's beautiful face and body, and it fazed him.

Too tempted to touch and caress her. He was never in his life tempted to do that to any woman.

He became crazier and lost his mind and thoughts when he continued dancing with her.

It was her, the same girl he bumped into on his way out of the toilet earlier, Keirah. The scent was so calming he could not mistake it anywhere he went in the world.

He felt calm. He felt alive.

He couldn't control his urges and he lost more again when he held on to her body to connect to her like deep roots on the stem, caressed her, and felt electric shots traveling through him.

He almost jumped out of his own body. What he was feeling was unreal.

But it felt so good. Too good that it scared him.

Every touch, every move he made was for him to feel good, but she made it worse. She reciprocated his wishes and actions; She reciprocated his moves and intentions the way he wanted them.

He did everything she wanted, and so did she.

He kissed her belly button, then her delicate hands. He breathed her intoxicating scent. And she let him savor her through it all.

What was happening?

Luciano had never smiled at anyone like he did to her. Or hold on to someone like he was cringing on to her.

Leave alone dance like this with anyone in his life except his mother. He spoke to her with no words, as he did with his mother at their dance. But this time it was different.

It wasn't pain like he was used to speaking to his mother.

It was good. It was okay. It was at home that he spoke to her.

The strange ability to keep his focus completely on her and no one else scared him. He entirely lost his way, like she had superpower over him.

What's up with the strange women he has been meeting today?

The one he met earlier was extraordinarily powerful and Keirah was extraordinarily hypnotizing.

He must truly be losing his shit. But he enjoyed losing it this way. He felt weird. In and out of place. He smiled at her and un-smiled.

Then…. The salsa music reached an apex. The time he was anxiously waiting for finally came. The time that would ruin it all. The time he would bring her lips onto his.

He was scared so much as he waited through the dance time. Worried it would all come to an end after he tried kissing her.

He knew from that point when their eyes met. And he saw those lips. Way before he climbed up to the dancefloor. He knew he had to try and kiss those lips.

And even if it did not work out like it always did. At least he would have satisfied the urge that was almost driving him crazy. He could no longer fight the urge in him that wanted to kiss her so badly. Here he was…

And then, at the music apex, time naturally presented itself. He pulled her into a kiss, and she didn't hold back.

Keirah kissed him as if she were also waiting like he was. It was as if it was the only thing she could do for him at the moment. He felt connected.

Too connected to her.

This was the most alive he had ever felt.

He would swear this was the day he had been asking for from God. To feel alive.

To kiss a woman for the first time. And not feel nauseated. He didn't feel nauseated. He was expecting this to be his breakpoint from the dream, but no, she didn't nauseate him.

Then… Out of nowhere, she stopped. She pulled her lips off him. Before he knew what was happening, he felt her hand on his back as she pushed him. To make their final bow together to the crowd. The crowd cheered for them.

And then that was it.

She walked out of the dancefloor.

His sweet dreamland was ending.

It reminded him that nothing stays when it is good for him in his world.

He almost lost his mind trying hard to think of a way out. He wanted to do everything he could to keep living in it. To keep her beside him, for now at least.

He turned around, searching for something, trying to find a way. He saw the DJ, who was standing away from his station, lost in the show they had just given.

He signaled the DJ to play more good music, but she turned to him with that angelic smile and spoke in between her breath.

“Thank you. I had a wonderful time dancing with you.” The pleasure was all his. She had done him too well. And he wanted to get greedy and ask for more.

Luciano found himself already in her proximity, wanting to kiss her again. He thought he could communicate his feelings again through another kiss.

But no...

She cut him off.

Cutting off the chemistry they had built together and all the communication they had when they danced.

Keirah walked off the dance floor without another look back. She walked at a fast pace out of the dancefloor as if she were running away.

What had he done wrong? Luciano questioned himself.

His legs kept up with her, but from her back, he could read her. She had cut off everything.

He wished so badly to know what he could do to have her stay.

He didn't know how to ask her to stay. He asked no one to stay.

But now he had more reasons to want to make her stay apart from the dangers of his uncle waiting for her.

He wanted her to stay with him.

It was against his nature. But he needed this.

Luciano tapped her on her shoulder. When he touched her, he felt the electrical sparks and the feelings he had felt earlier. He felt the same way again. What was she doing to him?

With a pleading face, he turned her face to face him.

“Can you please stay?” He begged.

After he pleaded with her, they were lost, staring into each other's eyes. Luciano was almost sure she was going to stay with him. Then…. The deep Italian accent, “OOH… Keirah, you're already here?” gave his uncle away even before Luciano could rise to see who was speaking to Keirah.

Don Mauro's eyes were fully on Keirah. Fuck.... fuck... Luciano cursed in his head. The devil himself showed up at the worst time ever.

Luciano knew what his uncle was aiming at. Claiming his territory in front of everyone. Don Mauro was challenging him, and Luciano prayed she chose him instead of his uncle.

Because if she didn't, he would not have any way out to save her from him.

Don Mauro stood watching Keirah with calculating eyes.

And of course, no one prepared Luciano for watching Keirah running up to hug his uncle lovingly.

At that moment, he felt the same excruciating pain as the one he felt when he saw his mother fall to the ground as the bullet penetrated her skull.

Keirah had signed up for her death sentence.