The Awakening Read Online Free PDF

him either.
    Victor was waiting for them in his car with chilled champagne. He seemed somehow younger and more energetic this evening. He was immaculately dressed in Armani, not a hair out of place and he smelt of pine forests and snow, some sort of Scandinavian aftershave. Carmen noticed his nails were long and his hands were quite brown. She smiled as she recognised hands like hers, large and powerful, out of proportion with the rest of his body. She glanced at his feet, looking for long shoes. Yes, there they were in their black polished leather. He seemed to have less grey in his hair. Strange, she thought, she hadn’t taken him for a vain man. He took her hand and kissed it, but did not hold it for as long as last time. Carmen felt a quiver of disappointment as he passed her hand to Andrew. She had wanted that physical connection with him again – the simplest and purest touch of holding hands. She hadn’t realised how much she’d actually been looking forward to being with Victor again. Victor was obviously aware of Andrew’s sensitivities as he turned his attentions quickly to the younger man. He shook Andrew’s hand warmly and kissed him in the way of a father.
    “This is wonderful,” Victor said pouring the champagne. “I expect a great evening. I am taking you to the best restaurant in town. Well, it is my favourite. Beautiful fresh fish and vegetables. The food is guaranteed and the company is all ready fine, how can we fail?”
    Andrew had quickly positioned himself between Victor and Carmen in the back of the limousine and kept his hand on her thigh throughout the ride to the restaurant. Carmen felt uncomfortable with such an obvious gesture of “ownership” and thought the less of Andrew for it. She hoped Victor wasn’t offended by it and wanted him not to think she was happy to be seen so clearly as property. She tried to move Andrew’s hand but he was not about to co-operate with her gently nudging. Clearly Andrew was far more upset by Victor’s strange words and close attention the other day than she had initially believed. She would need to make every effort to keep the evening light and pleasant and Andrew distracted from focussing on her and Victor’s every interchange and smile.
    As they ordered coffee Carmen relaxed: it had been a most enjoyable evening. The food, as promised was sensational, the service better than anything Carmen had encountered before. Victor ordered expensive and exquisite wines and was in charge of the entire evening. Carmen felt he was showing off for her, but he was so understated she wasn’t sure and how well did she know him? Perhaps he was always like this? Gracious, generous, expansive. He’d managed to make Andrew laugh a few times and had encouraged Carmen to share her vision for the new imprint. It wasn’t just Andrew’s baby anymore, Victor rightly pointed out. She would be empowered to make many decisions, so what was her vision? Andrew had never asked her this. He’d just assumed she wanted what he did, that she saw the project in the same light. Well, she almost did. Andrew looked at her quizzically but allowed her to speak without interruption and when she’d stopped, he was still smiling. Both men were smiling and nodding at her.
    “Excellent,” Victor said. “It is important to keep that humble edge, not to have stars that will alienate our public. I agree, this can be a spiritual awakening too. Not just another “if I can do these things so can you.” It should be about the journey. Not the destination.” He covered her hand with his. It was the contact she had been waiting for all evening. She tried not to smile too warmly as his hand held hers and she felt a strong connection to him. Something deep and forgotten was stirring within her. She felt a heat move through her, a sort of humming in her soul. Who was Victor Bernhard? Why did she feel she knew him so well so soon? He lingered for a moment quietly looking at her before turning to