Kidnapped and a Daring Escape Read Online Free Page B

given the age difference
between them. She grew up in a family where this was the norm. She still
is her father’s little girl.
         Franco, to her, has always been a real gentleman, with impeccable
manners, her vision of a true aristocrat. Although she senses that his
manners have changed in subtle ways on this trip, it took her a few days
before she became fully aware of it. He is showing a side of himself she
hasn’t seen before. He is easily impatient, particularly with her. He seems
unaware that his clever cynicism, much appreciated in class when it was
directed at other experts or the world in general, hurts his students when
they become its target. And if they protest, he laughs it off as a joke. She
has wondered more than once what could be behind this change. Maybe
it is simply the responsibility and strain of having to look after two dozen
students, and several have unknowingly or knowingly done stupid things.
He carries the whole responsibility for thinking of all the details that each
excursion, each move to a new place entails. She offered to help, but he
firmly rebuffed her. She resolves to be more loving toward him.
         "Bianca, why do you not answer? I am talking to you."
         His annoyed tone shakes her out of her thoughts. "Sorry, Franco. I was
distracted for a moment. I didn’t hear you."
         "You mean, you did not listen."
         This doesn’t start well. "No, Franco. I didn’t hear you. I was somewhere else. Please, forgive me. What did you say?"
         "Still thinking about that Swiss guy, were you?"
         He is jealous, but she decides to ignore it. "No, I was in fact thinking
about our future together." Why does he make me lie? She feels the heat
rise in her cheeks?
         "Were you?" His tone of voice hints that he does not believe her.
"Anyway, you need not worry about our future. Rest assured, you will be
well looked after by me."
         She reminds herself of her resolution to be more loving toward him
and gives him a warm smile. "Yes, I know … Please, will you now repeat
what I missed."
         "It’s of little importance."
         "Tell me anyway, please, Franco."
         "Paolo just informed me that a fourth person has signed up for
tomorrow’s flight to San Agustin. He even wants to share the excursion
by Jeep. That will make the whole thing quite a bit cheaper for you. So
I instructed Paolo to advise the concierge to let that person join."
         He didn’t even ask me first; he simply decided. She feels ignored,
passed over. And it isn’t of little importance. What if this fourth person
is someone unpleasant or an old man who expects his wishes to get
priority? Saving a few euros hardly matters to her. Her father gave her
ample funds. She suppresses the urge to point that out. Hasn’t she
promised to herself just minutes ago to be more understanding toward
him and less sensitive to minor and unimportant lapses like this,
especially if they are intended for her welfare? So she simply nods.
         "You know, I am relieved that you will not be alone with just a guide
… but I still worry about you going to San Agustin. You recall what I
told the whole group, that the official from the DAS, the Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad , warned me of renewed guerrilla incursions
into the mountains east and south of San Agustin and advised strongly
against taking my study tour into the area. On the strength of this advice,
what could I do but cancel that part of my carefully devised itinerary? It
would be irresponsible to expose my charges to that sort of potential
danger, although, as I said, it is a great pity to miss out on San Agustin.
That is why I left it open for anyone who wanted to go there at their own
risk, insisting only that they fly rather than go by road."
         "Don’t worry, we’ll only be in San Agustin for a few hours, and the
park should be safe."
         "I hope so, but I am really of two minds about you