How Awkward can a person be?

Chapter 11

C É C I L E G A R N I E R

6: 30 am.

my alarm shrieked for the third time but I hit the snooze, craving a few moments of escape. The birds outside my window chirped melodies. If only I could be free as they are. I envied their carefree existence. What do they know about worry and stress? I feel less motivated today.

My thoughts drifted to Luca . this is my third day of mannerisms lessons with Madame Dupont, my coach and Maria since my arrival at the ville. And I’d yet to meet Luca. My supposed host. The silence was deafening.

Madame DuPont’s Mannerism lessons weighed heavily on my mind. Sophie’s poise, grace, charm were all I needed to master to meet Luca business associates. But I feel like I’m loosing myself in the process. My body ached from the endless etiquette drills and my spirit rebelled against the strict schedule.

For how long was I going to do this. It just about time and I won’t be able to do the things I loved. when would I be able to return home?

“ Three days of torture “ I mutter under my breath.

The first day had been a blur of “ stand up straight, Cecile” and “Smile, but not too much”. Madame DuPont’s sharp tongue had left me questioning my every move.

Yesterday hadn’t been much better. “ Don’t gesture with your hands Cecile. Sophie would never be so…. Common” Madame Dupont would say and her words would sting every part of my chest and make my toes curl.

But today was supposed to be different, Today we are practicing dinner conversation.

The birdsong grew louder their joyous out-of-sync melodies jarring me back to reality. I tossed off my covers and reluctantly swung my legs over to the side of the bed, resigned to face another day unsure of why I’m pretending to be someone I wasn’t.

After getting ready, I joined Madame Dupont and Maria in the dinning room where they sat waiting for my arrival.

“Good morning Cecile, you are late again” she said glancing at her wristwatch with her signature stern expression.

I nodded acknowledging her remark

“For Pete’s sake and for the 105th time , I’m not a prisoner ” I mumbled to my self

But she continued paying no attention to me “ I trust you’ve reviewed the material?”

I nodded again. The next few hours will determine if I’d mastered Sophie’s charm.

“ Today” Madame Tupont began “we will focus on polished conversations. No more fidgeting, no more awkward silence”

“ Lets begin , shall we? “

We took our positions at the elegantly set table

“you are currently at a dinner with Mr Luca and his associates.” Madame Dupont handed me a scenario card .

“ welcome his guest, let’s say “Mr z” to the ville and engage him in a conversation, using Sophie’s charm.then afterwards you’ll speak only when you are spoken to” she instructed

I took a deep breathe and began:

“Good evening ‘Mr Z’ it is an honor to have you join us tonight” I said trying to mimic Sophie’s effortless elegance.

Madame Dupont played “Mr Z” as she asked me questions while I launched into polished response recalling what she had taught me.

The dinner progressed, Maria stood there barely saying a word while Madame Dupont would interrupt occasionally, her narrow eyes scrutinized every detail.

“smile, but not to wide”

“use your napkin dear”

“ keep your posture straight Cecile! ” she would yell.

It was fun to see her yell once or twice in a role but despite the nerves, I felt more confident with each passing minute.

“Your performance was ….adequate” Madame DuPont said finally “you’ve shown improvement but there is still much to refine, you stuttered a lot in the conversation, you’ll have to fix that”

The corners of my lips lifted, this was the first time she had said something slightly positive about my performance Despite the criticism that followed. well, I expected as much.

“We’ll focus on advanced etiquette in the next few days, be prepared “

I exchanged glances with maria who offered me a assuring smile.

After dismissing myself from the lessons.

Three days and I’m still struggling with my way around the ville.

Every thing about here still fascinates me. The hallways seemed endless and I haven’t gone beyond the dinning hall, my room and the training hall. Other doors are either locked or they are off limits.

But today, I stumbled upon a door slightly ajar which caught my attention.curiousity got the best of me and With no body on sight, I quietly pushed it open and slipped in.

A library!

Or maybe a study. I just was too dazzled to care. The floor-to ceiling custom designed bookshelves lined the walls with myriads of books. I could hear a soft jazz playing in the background at the far end of the room as I wandered through the aisle.

Running my fingers over the books worn spine while inhaling the musty scents of the old books that probably had been there for centuries.

I wondered what type of books Luca read. A man of his stature must have devoured countless books or perhaps, none at all . Yet, the library certainly doesn’t look abandoned. It looked functional and very much in use.

And I was right. I heard footsteps approaching.

I quickly ducked behind the shelf holding my breathe, trying to stay of sight.

If it was a guard, I’d rather remain unseen.

But the thought of being locked in here was a daunting prospect. No one could possibly search for me here. Maybe by the time they would, i would already have turned into a cavader.

I wrestled my thoughts. But all came to a halt when a shirtless figure came to view with his back to my direction as he walked past. He searched for a book oblivious of my presence.

It wasn’t until he turned to moved to another shelf that I realized it was Luca!

I recall being told by Maria he was away on business.

He looked more like someone who was lounging than someone who just got back from a business. Nothing about him showed signs of being in a hectic schedule.

If he had been in the ville then it must be very rude of him not to check on my activities instead of just becoming ghost. His absence from my activities seemed thoughtless.

I glared at him in annoyance yet I couldn’t help but notice The contours on his chest and arms down to his abs and his broad shoulders. the way his muscle flexed with each move made my jaw drop.

Why is Luca’s bare chest making me feel awkward and breathless?

I felt like a trespasser but I couldn’t tear my gaze away.

“Not here to admire the view are you?” He asked, still not looking away from the book in his hand.

I was startled ,Did he know I was here all along and allowed me to stare myself to stupidity.

I stepped out, lowering my head in embarrassment my cheeks burned “I- I’m sorry, I- I was just looking at the books” I stuttered

I mean I was until I started looking at something else.

Luca lifted his face, his gaze roamed all over me.

He had this little smirk on his face.

“you are blushing. I didn’t know you where capable of it”

My face grew hotter “ I should go” I managed to say

“Stay” Luca said I couldn’t tell if that was a command or a suggestion. “ let’s get to know each other “

get to know each other, I thought , I was unsure of how to respond to why Luca suddenly wants to get to know me. I bit my lips.

“Tell me” he said placing back the book on the shelf where he had picked it or rather flexing his muscle again as if he had an intention of seducing me. Maybe it’s all in my head.

“What have you figured ? You’ve been curious and reading about me rather? So tell me” I heard him say.

My breath caught. The knowing smile on his face made it obvious he knew I had spent my first and second night researching about him.

“I-I can’t say for sure” I stammered my gaze drifting briefly to his chest, I tried to look away but my eyes betrayed me and it was obvious that I had stared before dropping my gaze.

Luca chuckled “do you think I’m complicated?”

He took a step closer I looked away again until I felt him close to my face. The scent of this cologne filled my nostrils that it made every nerve on my body tingle. I backed away .

“There is nothing complicated here” I trailed off

“I’m not the one staring behind a shelf, Cecile Garnier”

My face reddened and my brows shot up in unison

This was the first time I’ve heard Luca call my name in full.