Game-plan I

"Fuck, no. I can't."

Elma hurled the sheets aside, unveiling how topsy-turvy her hair had got. She instantly flew out of bed. Her predicament was every inch her fault, to begin with. If she'd just slept peaceably like she was supposed to… If she hadn't snuck out of bed to go see Riccardo in his Study where she was forbidden to go… If she'd just been obedient, it would have spared her this much suffering. Confusion might be a better word. Elma had not felt this much disoriented in a while. And it was all because of her encounter with Riccardo…

Thinking back on how he'd pulled close to hold her hands, his very supple fingers creasing her own gently while his curious black eyes bore into hers, birthed goosebumps all over her skin. It was really hard to fall asleep after that. The little world inside her head was busy working out the intentions behind Riccardo's behavior. Going to bed was not even a small possibility.