WHICH MAN STAYS?
She looked like a hostess greeting late arrivals.
“An early evening,” she observed, her voice smooth as the marble under our feet. Her gaze swept over Maya, taking in the designer blouse, the smudged mascara under her eyes. Then it landed on me, my own desperation no doubt written plainly on my face. “I trust it was illuminating.”
I moved without thinking, stepping slightly in front of Maya, a feeble attempt at a shield. “It’s over.”
“On the contrary.” Clara took a slow sip, her eyes glinting with a cold, intellectual interest. “It’s just become far more interesting.” She shifted her focus back to Maya, dismissing me. “Maya, you may go. Leo is asleep. Uninterrupted.”