Chapter 7

Lena was warm and effusive during the next interview, and she frequently touched my arm as she talked. Her manner, which I supposed was meant to put me at ease, had quite the opposite effect. Her nearness was more than uncomfortable, it was maddening.

Every time I saw her, she seemed more beautiful than the last. Every time I left her, I found myself wanting more. I spent most of my waking hours thinking of her, hearing her voice, trying to remind myself of her soft, lovely scent. Her voice filled my ears at night as I tried to sleep. And some nights, as I lay there, I would pull my pillow towards me and imagine what it would be like to kiss her, to feel her body against mine.

Such thoughts were scandalous, to say the least. I dared not tell anyone about my fantasies. Still, I felt so different when I was with her. Then, it was as though none of the rules mattered. As though only the two of us mattered. Me. Lena. In each others’ arms.

“Bianca?”

Oh my God, was I daydreaming again? Lena was smiling at me again, her hand on my arm. I pulled away, instinctively, too brusquely. My response startled her, but she tried again anyway.

“Are you alright?” she asked softly. “You were just staring off into space.”

“I was? Oh, I’m so sorry,” I stammered, trying to collect myself.

“Am I boring you?”

“God, no! I mean, no, no, you’re not boring me.”

Ok, now you’re practically babbling, I chastised myself, convinced that Lena thought me a complete idiot. But she was still looking at me intently, still offering me that mesmerizing smile that simply melted me.

“I want to show you something. Come on,” she said, pulling me to my feet.

I found myself bounding after her like a puppy, as we once again made our way to the cellar door and then, down the stairs.

She took me through the rows of wine racks, all the way to the back of the cellar. I couldn’t help noticing how quiet it was in the cool, darkened room. She stopped at the far wall, where a tall wooden rack stood, seemingly built into the stone foundation. Lena paused for a moment, then took my hand.

“This is very important, Bianca,” she told me. “What I am about to show you now, you can never tell another person. Not a soul.”

I drew in a breath, then nodded. Lena squeezed my hand, then turned to the stone wall and pushed against it. To my surprise, it began to move. Soon, I realized the wall was not really a wall, but a door that swung backwards to reveal a tunnel. We stepped inside and Lena pushed the door closed behind us. She took a flashlight that was hanging on the wall and flicked it on, revealing a long passageway.

“Where does it lead?” I asked.

“Outside,” she replied. “Beyond the palace walls. Outside of the compound.”

I was amazed. A secret tunnel underneath the palace?

“Why?” What for?” I asked.

“In case I need to leave in a hurry,” she said. “You never know.”

“Are you afraid of someone?”

“You are just full of questions, aren’t you?” she asked playfully, taking my hands in hers. “Don’t worry. I’m not afraid of anyone.”

“Then why are you showing me this?”

She looked serious for a moment, studying my face as though she were trying to decide whether or not to answer. Then she bit her lip and leaned towards me.

“I want you to know I can get out, if I need to. Don’t ask me why. I can’t tell you.”

She squeezed my hands, then released them and went back towards the doorway.

“Come on,” she said brightly. “Let’s get back.”

“Hey!” I shouted at her impulsively as she retreated. She stopped and met my stare as I walked over to her.

“You know I’m a reporter,” I began. “You know I’m writing a story about you. Why are you telling me these things?”

“I’ve told you. This is just between the two of us. It won’t be in the story, will it?”

I stared back at her. Was this a test? Of course she knew anything I wrote would be vetted by the minister. So she had no reason to fear her secrets would be spilled publicly. And apparently, despite her disdain for him, she didn’t fear the minister knowing them either. So why tell me?

There was no answer to that mystery. She merely turned from me and started back into the cellar. And I, incredulous and puzzled as ever, followed her out.