Veil of Deceit

CHARLOTTE

I shifted uncomfortably in the car. The crowd outside had grown bigger, and I could hear sirens in the distance. “What’s happening out there? I should…” I began, reaching for the door, but the driver locked it.

“Why… What’d you do that for?!” I exclaimed. He turned around and looked at me intently.

“I’m sorry, Signora,” he said after a short silence, then returned to his seat. “I can’t let you leave the car,” he finished, and I scoffed.

“You can’t let me leave the car? That sounds ridiculous. Open the damn door,” I retorted, but he exhaled and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.

“I’m trying to keep you safe, Signora; that’s my job. I can’t let you out of the car,” he answered and started watching the area.

“Then you’d…” I started to say, but he suddenly pressed the buttons, and the car unlocked. I looked at him in confusion and reached for the door when Sonia entered through the other door.

“Where are you going?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.

I let go of the door and