"Can't I? You dare question me, Carmen?"
"I will find a way back to the city! " I said determinedly.
He laughed with amusement in his dark eyes. "As I said you can always hike. I hope you can walk, as far as I know, you start panting once you walk for at least ten minutes. The last time I saw you walking you were dead as a log after walking just half a kilometre and now you have to walk for miles to reach the highway."
I was too angry to speak, I looked away and fought for control as Marc knew very well that I had a mild breathing problem because of which I could not walk for a long time but I couldn't think about it, I had to escape from him so after a moment I said ." All right you can keep me here, but you can't make me see you. "
He made a little sound in his throat a noise mixed with a threat. "No? And after you have been so kind and loving all these weeks Carmen! I have thoroughly enjoyed having you dance attendance on me every day. So sweet and compassionate, I barely recognize you, I thought you had really changed your skin."
"Well, you were wrong Marc," I said flatly.
"So, it seems at first but you really had me fooled Carmen," Marc said angrily.
"I had you fooled, off all the nerves! I exclaimed unbelievingly.
I tried to pull my hand away, but his hand was on the back of my neck forcing me forward and when his mouth found mine there was a quite different intention in the kiss. His lips moved with slow, deliberate sensuality upon me, languorously exploring every corner of my mouth at leisure.
I was not responding, I kept myself rigid even though my senses were inflamed by the seductive movements of his lips.
He lifted his head and we stared at each other. "Don has not taught you much, I am really disappointed." He said insultingly.
"He taught me not to have casual sex, you brute. "I said bitingly then escaped while he was off guard and ran out of the room.
I sought the freedom of the open land that stretched far ahead, finding the bracing rush of the wind, and the cry of the birds, that is the kind of comfort I needed.
It was all my fault. Don had wanted me to stop, my common sense had warned me to stop. Marc had been playing out his Charade and I had fallen for it like a fool troubled by my weakness and forgot that I ought to hate.
Don had pointed out all the facts to my face, but I had refused to acknowledge it. I had come here willingly.
I covered my face with my hands. God how willingly, I thought in humiliation. Marc had not pulled the wool over my eyes, I had done it myself. silently Cooperating with him in his charade. I had known that had less said as much and no doubt that is why Cathy had agreed to help Marc by lying because it had been so obvious that I wanted to go along with the pretence.
I want to have more pride, I told myself contemptuously. My eyes fell on the band of the wedding ring that Cathy had told me to wear. I tried to pull it off, tempted for a moment to throw it on the open field. But I could not do it, I grimaced as pushed my hand into my pocket. At least now I need not keep up the pretence, I thought it was infuriating that Marc might have seen through my own apparent belief that I was eager to play along with him.
I ran out of his room towards the exit fuming with anger. I was on the verge of a breakdown.
How could I have been so foolish! That man will never change. I should have listened to my instinct rather than believing in Cathy.
Oh, but whom am I Kidding? I was the one who got myself into this mess.
I walked down the road struggling with myself. What was I going to do the only way to get off the estate was to walk for miles till I find the highway and I knew that anyone driving through the state would not give me I lift, even if I gave them double the amount that they charge usually. Marc would make sure that no one helps me.
Marc could make life hell for anyone who offended him. Even if I did manage to persuade someone to take me by in his car there was this strong possibility that Marc would pursue them and force them to come back. This was not London, where you get cabs and Uber by snapping your finger. Marc was a powerful man with many interests in Italy. I would be helpless against his exercise of power.
All my efforts were in vain. It seems I don't have any choice but to listen to that arrogant man. All I wanted was to see him and then get a divorce and get back to my normal life.
I kicked a stone so hard with anger that it did not do me any good, and I ended up hurting my foot. I screamed and tried to rub it gently so that I would get some relief.
.
*********
Marc looked at her retreating back from his window as Carmen walked away down the road. He merely smiled and was amused.
Soon, Carmen, you will be back as I won't allow you to leave me again. No matter how hard you try you will come back. He sneered as he looked at her.
Ria came in and saw him looking at Carmen. And shook her head in disbelief.
"Where is Carmen going big brother?" She asked curiously.
"She is trying to escape from me." He said softly.
"What! what did you say to her, Marc? Must you be so rude to her?" Ria said softly. "You don't have any right to keep her hostage. You know the reason she wants to go back. She has a son who needs her."
Marc's face turned gloomy and Ria was scared that he would beat her up.
"Listen, ma Cherie, Don't interfere in between my wife and me and as for why I am treating her like that it's between her and me and you do as you are told if you want to see your brother happy. Now go and do your work. I want to be alone." He said and walked back towards his work desk.
Ria glared at him but he merely glanced at her so she just shook her head helplessly and walked out of the room.
As much as she loved Carmen she wouldn't dare mess up with her brother as he was too dangerous.
***************
The wind was getting stronger and even the sun was bright causing me to feel a little bit dizzy as I walked. I was tired, I suddenly realized my bones were about to crack as I struggled against the heat. And walked further than I realized. I was out of sight of the Villa and it was going to take me a long time to go back.
I shrugged I would welcome physical exhaustion, it was easier to deal with them within the confused state of my emotions, at least I might find it possible to sleep that night.
Remembering that the broad road led towards the sidewalk, I turned back from the way that I had walked away hoping to cut into the rough track eventually making my own to the rough pathway. I loved the vineyards but right now I was not in the mood to observe the beautiful surrounding as I was too bust racking my mind to think of an escape route.
Marc had thought and planned it well. It had never entered my head that I might be stranded with him here. I should have known perhaps, I had perhaps but my subconscious had refused to let me think about the other aspect. I had not seen Ria and Mathias around in the morning so I now know for sure that Marc must have warned them to stay away from me.
He is making sure none of his family members help me. That bastard! I wanted to beat him up real bad if I got my hands on him. I loved Mathias and Ria's company and don't want them to be in trouble because of me.
The sound of the engine startled me so much, that for a moment I was frozen surprised when I ran through the bushes thinking it was Marc. It was coming fast and I instinctively increased my speed afraid that Marc would see me. I was so intent on the car that she did not see through the huge rock until it was too late my whole body jerked as I tripped over it and I fell hard crying out shocked with pain into a dead silence, as I lay full-length among the bushes feeling nothing but the pain in my bones.
Someone lifted me and turned my face upwards, hands ran over my body searching for possible injury. I opened my eyes wincing with pain and looked into an anxious pair of bright blue eyes. .
"Are you alright ?" He had knelt beside me still supporting my head with one hand after he had checked it for blood or bruising as he spoke in English.
"Yes." I did not sound too sure my voice was very faint. I was shocked and said. " Are you a tourist?"
"Are you sure you're fine?" he said as he looked at me with concern and added. "Yes, but I live around here."
"What are you doing here ?"
"Travelling." he retorted."
I suddenly became aware that one of his hands was resting on my waist in an intimate gesture that made my face white. I sat up and my head went around in circles.
He said his voice distinctly concerned. "You shouldn't move you look quite terrible. "
I put my head down on my knees my hands around my legs taking slow deep breaths.
He left me like that for a moment and when the world stopped spinning I slowly lifted my head.
"Are you feeling better?" He asked smiling at me after a while.
I nodded. "Thank you," I added politely.
" I thought I was seeing things when you came running towards me." he said.
"That makes two of us because the last thing I expected to see was a car. As this estate is very big and the only people who have cars here are its owners. "
"That figures," he grinned. "The only person who has a car is Marc Garcia. And his family ." His blue eyes looked at me puzzled. "but you must know that, where else could you be staying? I heard he was back, you must be his nurse. "
I was taken aback and answered. "No, I am not his nurse ."
Blue eyes opened wide. "But you are staying at the Villa?" Then a new expression came into his face "Oh sorry, I did not mean to ask leading questions. "
I could see what was in his mind he did not have to draw diagrams, as the quick long look he gave me made it clear that he was mentally assessing my status and deciding that Marc had brought one of his women with him. I had no doubt he would have done it if I had not been available and jealousy made that skim to a conclusion. And I tried to get up, my green eyes flashing with anger.
He got up and moved to help me as I swayed slightly still dizzy from my fall.
"I'll give you a lift back to your Villa," he said. "That is what you wanted right? "
"Thank you yes," I said turning towards the vehicle standing on the track he walked behind me, his blue eyes sliding down over me with interest and appreciation.
"We ought to introduce ourselves. I am Eric Kent."
"Carmen White," I told him flatly.