01 Don't touch me 

The presidential suite of the extravagant Kelly Hotel in New York City was dimly lit. Lizzie stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows in a scarlet strapless evening gown and pushed the windows open. A brisk wind blew in, slightly sobering her.

Today was her wedding day yet she felt no elation, only grasping the heart-shaped pendant on the silver necklace around her neck. Where had he gone and why no word in a year, not even a call?

 

Lizzie smiled bitterly. Married already, what meaning in pining for him?

 

Turning, she saw the assortment of fruit wines on the table. She went over, picked up a glass and drank it in one go. The saccharine fruity taste with a hint of wine was new to her. An ingénue with alcohol, this first drink was an education in wine's bouquet.

They said overindulgence brought intoxication and in this moment she craved just that, total inebriation, then she could tell herself this was all a dream - his leaving a fantasy and her marriage a chimera. Awaking she would again be the original Lizzie, merely an ordinary college sophomore.

Unconsciously she imbibed several glasses, her head weighty, face flushed. Her petite body sank into the sofa.

Time passed hazily until the door opened and a tall handsome gentleman entered, white suit draped over his arm then discarded onto the sofa. He strode over and stood by the couch.

Hearing the noise Lizzie struggled opening her bleary eyes. Regarding the man she slurred, "You, you..."

Bruno's lip twitched amusedly. He anticipated his young bride demurely awaiting him not solitary drinking, the table's fruit wines already half depleted.

Lizzie stood but a spell of dizziness overcame her and she stumbled unsteadily into Bruno's chest.

Bruno smoothly caught her, an impish grin on his face. "Darling, evidently you yearned for me. Seeing me, you just couldn't help throwing yourself into my arms, hmm?"

"Sorry!" Lizzie wrestled to rise but weakness overpowered her.

"Darling, you overindulged," Bruno reminded her of this truth, nevertheless enfolding her in his sturdy embrace.

Lizzie pouted, "No, I didn't." She girlishly giggled, petite palms braced against his chest.

Bruno eyed her dubiously. "Oh? Do you know who I am?"

"You? I've no idea who you are. Who are you anyway? Why are you in my room?" Lizzie's frown deepened as she bellowed tipsily.

Bruno chuckled. "Incorrect. This isn't your room, it's ours, our new conjugal abode." So saying he scooped her up and headed toward the bedroom, swathed in red.

Lizzie sprawled onto the plush king bed, rolling over and cocooning herself in the quilt, snuggling into its softness. "Sleepy..."

Bruno regarded his bride cocooned on the bed. At the nuptials she was clearly nervous, hands clammy, even recoiling from his kiss. Her present inebriation - fear or something else preoccupying her?

He went to the bar, grabbed a bottle, sat on the sofa and poured himself a glass. Cradling it he stood before the panoramic window.

From the bed sounded, "Yuting, Yuting..." Her faint voice reached Bruno's ears.

He spun around, striding to the bedside placing his glass down. Grasping her chin forcefully, "Lizzie!"

Lizzie's eyes shot open, blearily looking at Bruno. "Ow!"

"Do you see clearly who I am now?" Bruno's voice resonated as his profound eyes scrutinized her intently.

"You..." Lizzie bolted upright, vigorously shoving his hand aside and shrinking against the bed.

Bruno chuckled smugly. "Now you've seen clearly who I am, remember it. Henceforth your life will have only me, your husband." So saying his lithe arm enfolded her as ardent kisses trailed her fair neck, his expansive hand caressing her satin skin.

"Don't! Don't touch me!" Lizzie writhed incessantly.

"Oh? And if I insist?" Bruno's sultry lips neared her ear.

"Scoundrel! Rogue!" Lizzie hadn't anticipated this retort. Though wedded, his proximity still unsettled her.

Bruno slackened his embrace. "Since you protest so, shouldn't I oblige?"

As he spoke the invisible fastening on her dress back was unlatched. Lizzie's writhing only bolstered Bruno's clasp on her waist. Reaching out he grasped her necklace. "It seems you disdains my diamond necklace gift."

He had noticed her refusal to wear the billion-dollar jewels he had gifted, opting instead for this inferior chain.

Lizzie remembered the necklace she had meant to remove still dangled round her neck. "No, it's too precious, I feared..."

"Feared what? You'd rather wear this scrap than my gift. This necklace means that much to you?" As he spoke it slipped into his palm.

"Return it!" Lizzie reached out but he evaded her.

"You're married to me now, no need for some things." Saying so he tossed the necklace, striking the window it tumbled to the floor.

"My necklace!" Lizzie moved to retrieve it but was hindered by Bruno's imposing frame pressing down on her.

Bruno's face hovered by hers. "Lizzie I could give you thousands of necklaces but you must remember you're wed to me now." So saying his mouth captured hers.

To Bruno, Lizzie's attempts were exercises in futility. Her clothing shed, she lay bare before him.

"Is this what you truly desire?" Lizzie knew escape was implausible. If his mind was set she couldn't refuse, could she?

Bruno glimpsed sorrowful resignation in her eyes. He knew she hadn't married him willingly. A sophomore coerced into wedding an unfamiliar groom.

He had complied with his father's decree in taking her hand.

Seeing his pensiveness Lizzie bit her lip anxiously.

Abruptly Bruno released her. "It's late, sleep." Saying so he laid down on the sofa, shutting his eyes.

 

Only muted wall lamps emitting dismal luminosity remained. Lizzie eyed the recumbent man, took a nightgown and tiptoed to the bathroom.

 

Shortly after she emerged and stood by the sofa, gazing at her new spouse. Seeing his chiseled features - knitted brows, patrician nose and pursed lips - a man so refined and prosperous would be any woman's fantasy prince! But alas, not hers, though shackled by marital bonds.

After hesitating briefly her petite body approached the bed. Covering him with a throw blanket she then retired, leaving the bedside lamp faintly aglow, afraid of oppressive darkness.

 

Bruno's keen eyes observed Lizzie's delicate frame curled up petite and feminine on the expansive bed. He fell into silence