Davide entered Teatro Real after showing the ticket his grandmother Stella had easily procured for him before leaving the United States. He shook his head when he remembered how overjoyed his grandmother had been when she'd learned that he had to take Zoe on his quest. What was with his family lately?
He entered the theater and located the stairs leading to the third floor balcony. Stella had reserved a front row seat for him. He was early, so he sat back and closed his eyes.
Movement in the aisle caused him to open his eyes as a beautiful woman and her companion skirted sideways toward him. The woman paused in front of him and swept her eyes over his body before brushing unnecessarily against his legs. "Disculpe, señor." She gave him a sultry smile. She was lovely, but he wasn't interested. Mandy had cured him of beautiful, calculating women. He gave her a half-hearted smile and then closed his eyes again. He heard the woman speaking in Spanish to her companion and felt the brush of her leg when she sat beside him. Her companion sat on her other side.
A few minutes later he felt a rub on his arm and heard, "Voy a disfrutar sentado a tu lado." He understood the language, but decided to feign ignorance. He looked at the woman and shook his head, indicating he did not understand. She spoke in accented English, "I said I shall enjoy sitting beside you, señor."
Davide had no idea how to respond, so he only nodded.
The woman persisted. "So, you are tourist? You enjoy Madrid?"
Davide sighed inwardly, "Yes, it's a lovely city."
"Is this your first visit to Teatro Real?"
"Ah, no, I attended years ago with my parents."
"My name is Magdalena." The woman rubbed her hand sensually up and down his forearm.
Thankfully, he was saved from having to answer because the lights dimmed. He moved his arm slightly and the woman removed her hand, although she kept contact with her shoulder. Davide wondered what her companion thought about her blatant come-on.
The curtains opened and Davide leaned forward searching for Zoe's corkscrew curls using his theater glasses. She sat in the lead position in the violin section. The maestro stepped to the podium and lifted his wand, and beautiful music flowed into the audience for the next hour. At intermission, Davide stood and started to walk to the mezzanine, but again felt a hand on his arm. He turned to the woman beside him. Smiling coyly, she said, "You did not tell me your name."
He glanced from her to her companion. "Davide."
"Well, Davide, I'm happy to meet you. This is my cousin, Raoul." The woman gestured toward the handsome man with Mediterranean features.
"Pleased to meet you, Raoul." Now Davide understood why she had no qualms about coming on to him with her companion next to her.
"Why do we not all enjoy refreshments together?" Magdalena suggested.
Rather than rudely decline and create animosity during the remainder of the symphony, Davide allowed himself to be maneuvered by Magdalena. She kept up a lively conversation during the break and Davide waited for the inevitable. Finally, she said, "Why do you not join me tomorrow for lunch at Café de Chinitas?"
She lowered and then lifted downcast eyes in a feminine gesture that revealed promise of more than lunch.
"Thank you for the invitation, but I'm leaving the city tomorrow." He didn't add that he would be leaving tomorrow night, and hopefully, Zoe would be traveling willingly with him; if not, then by coercion.
Magdalena looked disappointed and Davide changed the subject before she could launch another attack. "Looks like it's time to return to our seats." He turned and led the way.
The lights dimmed and he relaxed into his plush chair as much as he could with the barracuda next to him trying to make body contact.
The music began softly and Davide watched Zoe's mastery of her instrument. Near the end of the evening's performance, she stood and took center stage. The spotlight focused on her alone as the room darkened. Her dark blond curls glowed under the light and he lifted his theater glasses to watch his dearest friend.
Zoe closed her eyes and played her Stradivarius and the haunting melody captured Davide's spirit. He couldn't take his eyes off of her as his heart rate accelerated. In Zoe's music he heard the sounds from his dream: wind, rain, birds, insects. When she rested and the music rose in a crescendo, he heard turmoil. Then she lifted her violin again and the first note calmed the turmoil, bringing peace and resolution. Davide's breathing quickened at the sight of his childhood friend becoming one with her song. He longed to…
The irritating woman spoke close to his ear. "Do you know her? You seem enraptured."
Suddenly, Davide had the answer as to how to get Magdalena to leave him alone. "Yes, I know her. She's my wife." Magdalena sucked a breath and leaned back in her seat.
The last note of the violin rang out, which ended the performance, and when accolades broke out, Magdalena stood and stepped in front of him, not joining in the enthusiastic response. Leaning down so that he had a distinct view of her perfect breasts, she touched her lips to his ear. "Too bad you're married. We could have made incredible music together." She trailed her lips to the corner of his mouth and when he didn't respond, she chuckled and moved past him with Raoul following.