Carnem Levare Read Online Free Page A

for
love?”
    “ What choice do I have? They have
made me—”
    “ Are they making you visit his bed
likewise?”
    She began backing away. Stifled noises traveled from
her lips. Her head tossed.
    “ Then come away with me. Let us
begin life together, the way it was meant to be from
birth.”
    Her hand rested at the exposed area above her
bosoms. “My family would disown me.”
    “ Anastasia, this is your life . . .
our lives. Did the promises you made mean nothing?”
    He caressed her fingers, delicately propositioning
her urges. For surely, Stefano believed, Anastasia only needed a
reminder of how special he had always been. His action accomplished
what he planned. Her fingers reciprocated. Their palms aligned,
hands clasped. First the left, then the right. Facing one another,
they freely exchanged breath. Stefano was content in just remaining
in the dimly lit alleyway, permanently lost in the fixture of his
forever love. He didn’t need anyone or anything beyond the exit,
all that mattered to his existence was the woman in front of him.
Then, in a single regrettable moment, reality corrupted his
plans.
    “ Anastasia!” The call was closer
than before . . . much closer. First there was a male voice, the
same as before. Stefano growled at the reminder. Next a woman
repeated the escapee’s name. Stefano recognized it as Anastasia’s
mother’s.
    When his love attempted to flee, he refused to let
go. Anastasia pulled against his will, fiercely trying to break the
hold he had so determinedly set. The more she struggled, the
greater the pain of rejection. When she finally settled, his grip
loosened.
    “ Please, Stefano,” she
begged.
    “ You are going to him?”
    “ My mother awaits me
too.”
    “ It is all for him.
You—”
    “ I promise to return to
you.”
    “ But you’ll leave
again.”
    “ Stefano? How can I show that I
love you?”
    “ Let us leave.” At his words,
Stefano released her hands. He stood back, waiting silently for an
affirmation.
    “ Leave our home? Leave our
families?”
    “ Yes!”
    “ I need time to think.”
    “ Can you meet me
tomorrow?”
    “ I can’t be expected to make a
life-changing decision now, Stefano.” Her hands spread across her
forehead. “Why can’t we just be patient? Why not plan?”
    “ While we wait and plan, you will
be given to another man. My life will no longer be worth
living.”
    Anastasia softened. She relaxed her pull, allowing
her body to carelessly drift against his. And so they stood,
transported to another location, perhaps the mainland. Where others
did not hold control over their futures.
    Stefano felt a tingly sensation as her hair brushed
against his face. Each time he inhaled he savored her sweetness.
Her thin frame nestled against his chest. The heaving, as breath
flowed in and out of her body, reassured him that their love would
live on. It reminded him that life held promise and purpose.
    Anastasia promised to meet Stefano a week from that
day. They planned an excursion away from this world. For Stefano,
he considered it as more than an interlude.
    *****
    For the following week, the bewitched lover revived.
Stefano praised everyone and everything. He openly adored his
mother as she pranced around, her wide hips swaying like drapes
blowing in the wind. He remarked on her beauty, although he thought
her plain. His brother was in the process of taking on a wife.
Stefano studied the couple. His sister, who was also spoken for,
was spoiled like never before. In them he saw hope, a future quite
similar to what he planned for himself. And as he organized to
leave for his fated get away, he clenched to his household.
    “ I love you, Mama . . . Papi.”
Stefano found it difficult to maintain eye contact.
    “ Will you come with us to the
theater?” His mother looped her arm around him, proudly swaying
alongside her youngest son.
    “ I will meet you there. The night
is splendid, I’d rather enjoy walking.”
    They parted ways. He was left