“Boss... I advise you not to get too close to that woman.” “Why not?” Henry asked amiably. “She's the boss's fiancée.” “How can that be? Dester is already married.” “The culture of people like him... Of... Ah! He's part of a sect that accepts men marrying more women.” Henry frowned. “I already live with other men, from the same family as Dester, and... They only have one wife.” “Yes. Some wives don't accept that they remarry.” Henry sighed. “She's beautiful. Dester never told me about her.” “Why should he? You're partners, not friends. They're getting married soon.” “She told me that, and other things...” Henry then began to tell the boy the things she'd told him, and he noticed the pallor on his face. Even if he didn't confirm it, he already knew. Brianna didn't lie. “Boss... He does these things with his fiancée, but he's forbidden anyone to talk about it, and she's forbidden to tell either. If he finds out, he'll kill us both and lock her up somewhere. He
Henry and Dester met again at lunchtime. “So, Dester? Did you get the cooks to come up with a satisfactory menu?” “Yes... I'm very happy today. Everything's going well... You know... My future wife was a bit wild, and I've been concentrating on taming her for a few months now. And today, after many months, she seemed more resigned to my teachings. I think that now, the trend is only to improve, just a few more adjustments, and she'll be a perfect wife.” “What you've said makes me wonder three things... How do you domesticate a human being? And another question: what is your ideal of the perfect wife? You told me a few years ago that you would never tie yourself to a woman, even if you were married. You refused to have children with your wife because of your ideal. Why did you change your mind?” “Well, if you domesticate a woman by giving her correctives so that she knows who's boss in the house and respects your rules.” “Corrections?” “Henry... You don't want to lectu
Henry looked at his wristwatch. “The time I agreed with her starts in a few minutes. I thought you wouldn't want to miss your own engagement dinner, so I asked her to come now, in the afternoon.” “You really are my best friend. This is the perfect present. Sarah really appeals to me...” “But not enough for me to be your wife...” “She has a son. And she loves his father. Only a fool would take her for a wife. She has no scruples, she's a bloodthirsty witch, and she'd cheat on you with the father of her child without a second thought. As it happens, I'm always informed about her life. And I know that she's living with a... man. And how could I trust a woman who lives with a man and goes out with another man?” “He doesn't seem to care.” “He lives numb to drugs, as does the father of her child. My sources tell me that she sends him money every week.” “You describe her as a disgusting person. Why do you want to stay with her?” “Because I've heard reports of what she does
Brianna was very happy to hear that Henry had successfully arranged everything necessary for them to be alone. She noticed that there were no armed men around the pond, and she knew that this was Henry's doing. Brianna ran into her room and brushed her hair. She wanted him to think she was beautiful. Unconsciously, of course. She believed that if she showed a little vanity, she would reward him for helping her escape that fate. And although she found him beautiful and attractive, she hadn't yet experienced the love that her mother had told her she would feel in her dream. But she knew that she could feel things for that man that she had never believed were really possible, far from her imagination. Henry awakened dreams and desires in her. He awoke hope in her. Hope of having something that she could take with her forever. Something that no one could ever steal from her. Henry could be the answer she had been waiting for. Henry could be her option. She left as soon as she sa
“I know this isn't difficult for you. I haven't seen Dester's men here, and I know you're behind it. They wouldn't let me out of their sight for a second. They watched me all the time.” “You have no idea how difficult an operation like this is. It will destabilize me. Dester is very powerful. He'll hunt down anyone who takes part in his escape. He loves you, Brianna, and will go to hell to rescue you.” “He loves me? Oh, God! What would he do to me if he hated me?” she asked sarcastically. “It's not a joke, Brianna. What you're asking me to do is... possible, yes, but I don't know if I should jeopardize the lives of the people who are needed for something like this to be done forever.” “I see. I don't want anyone to live a life on the run because of me. But tell me, what was the proposal you had in mind?” Brianna didn't want to dwell on the subject. She didn't want to push him to do anything against his will. “I... I thought I'd ask for something, in exchange for your
He turned away from her, and became preoccupied with his reactions. That woman moved him in a way he had never felt before. It wasn't certain, but with her he would start a family, and he understood Dester's anguish to have her all to himself. “There's a party tonight to celebrate your engagement... I'll see you there again.” “Dester said that?” “You must pretend to know me at that moment. Dester is clever. Don't talk to me in his presence. Be natural.” “Don't worry, I'll be natural... Thank you for everything you're going to do for me.” Brianna said, but she wanted to ask him to make love to her, right there, by the lake. But she didn't know how to do it without sounding too vulgar, so she kept quiet. Henry accompanied her to the house and was surprised when she hugged him tightly before entering. And that sorceress gave him the ideal idea for them to meet every day... or night... Or nights. He walked slowly back to the mansion. It was empty. The only sound came from the
Dester finally decided it was time to serve dinner and invited everyone to join him in the dining room. The table was well set and each guest's name was on it. Brianna noticed that a few seats had been added to the large table and that her brother and his wife sat on them. Dester sat at the head and Brianna on his left, while Henry was placed right in front of her and to Dester's right. No one asked about the first wife. Dinner was served, and the conversation became more cheerful, as the men were no longer talking about their business problems. They were talking about their marriages and how they met their wives, who smiled flatteringly when they heard their husbands talk about the love they felt for them. “I bought my second wife.” Dester said, and silence descended like a rain that doesn't make a sound before it arrives. Brianna didn't mind the rudeness, but it seemed that her allies didn't approve of her attitude. But Dester was already too visibly drunk to notice and
Brianna took a deep breath. She didn't care what he would think. Henry needed to know what kind of danger he would face if he dared to help her. “Dester's brother hates me because women like me don't usually become wives to men like them.” “Women like you?” “Humans.” Henry was thoughtful for a few seconds. “I understand, Brianna. It's crazy, but I believe it. I know that Dester isn't human. He's... I've seen situations where... If he were human, he'd be dead. Not to mention the impressive speed that he sometimes can't control, the whispers I speak and he hears, as if I'd shouted. One day, a man fired a few shots and hit him in the head and chest. Dester didn't go to hospital.” “How do you know that? Did you see him get shot?” “I did, Brianna, because I was the one who shot him.” “Did you want to kill him, Dester? I thought you were friends...” “He thinks I'm his friend, but I'm not. I approached him, and when the opportunity arose, I hid in the shadows, wearing