Marriage is Murder

Robert was glad to see Cassidy starting to get herself under control again. It was about time. He sat quietly and sipped on the champagne as the film festival started to run trailers of films that would be shown through the rest of the week. Robert didn't plan on them staying through more than the next day or so. It wasn't their sort of entertainment. A bit of a change, just for fun, was alright. But to do it for longer wasn't going to be comfortable for anyone.

The servers brought everyone's dinner selections to them before the start of the main film. The tables were lit by very lamps in the center of every table. The overhead lights dimmed and the film started. It was lovely to be able to sit at a formal dinner with family, all at one table, and to be able to enjoy a bit of badly needed entertainment at the same time.

Robert and Michael had chosen the lobster tail. Khaat and Kate had chosen the fish. Brian chose the prime rib. It was incredible. Some of the best food they'd ever had. Michael knew it was because it was so very fresh. That made all the difference.

"It is excellent lobster," Michael agreed. "And its not a bad film either."

For dessert, Robert chose the 'family movie mix." It was a very large crystal bowl with a mix of caramel popcorn, candy coated chocolates, mixed nuts,white chocolate covered pretzel bits, bits of chocolate drizzled dried fruits, and gummy candies. It was served with everyone's choice of muggle soda or hot tea or hot coffee.

Khaat and Brian had chosen coffee, and Kate and Robert and Michael had chosen tea. It was nice to be able to sit and just eat something sweet as much as one desired. They understood why popcorn was so attractive at a movie, but this 'family mix' was a bit of tradition that was made gourmet. Michael decided he needed to remember the mix. It was a nice touch.

When the film was over, the crowd broke up. the limosines came tto get them, and Michael ordered them to the most expensive casino in Monte Carlo.

"You will be filmed by muggle security cameras every second you are here so behave yourselves," Michael warned them. "I'll get your some cash to have some fun with. It has to be changed to chips. I'll get them. Why don't you go into the bar. They have a live orchestra. You can go dancing for a litle bit."

"Do you remember how to dance?" Brian asked Khaat.

"I do. I'm more worried about you," she smiled.

"I think I can manage," he said, deciding that Michael had a good idea. He took Khaat into the casino's bar where the music was wonderful. He took her to join the dancers on the dancefloor. They hadn't had a chance to dance in much too long. And it felt wonderful to be able to hold her close and dance with her again.

Robert and Kate followed over to the bar and bean to dance. Brian and Khaat took their place on the dance floor to enjoy a dance. They presumed Jim would at least keep Cassidy company while they danced. Brian and Khaat shared one dance and were just starting to recapture the passion they hadn't had the time to get, when Brian felt a man tap his shoulder. Someone wanted to cut in on his dance.

They looked to see a tall, very handsome latin man there. He was dressed in the most expensive suit Khaat had ever seen with a gold tie tack with a large dark red ruby set. The cufflinks matched the tie tack. And he had a large ruby ring on the index finger of his right hand with a stone so large it nearly filled the entire space between his second and third knuckle on his hand.

"My apologies for interrupting, Sir," he said in a formal, gentlemanly tone. "But might I have a dance with your beautiful lady?" Brian looked at Khaat. She nodded. Brian touched her hand softly to let her know he wouldn't be far. He placed her hand in the stranger's hand and stepped away. The man took her gently into his arms like a very poised dancer. Brian went over to the bar and ordered a scotch and leaned back against the bar, watching.

"Nah," he laughed. "I'm not worried about her. Only that I don't know that guy, that's all. I don't trust anyone around her that I don't trust. I'm not worried about her in the least." He sipped on his scotch.

The man who was dancing with Khaat was suave and sophisticated. He commented on how stunningly beautiful she was. He noticed everything. He noticed how the light hit her hair, how he saw not just the blonde but also the natural chestnut highlights. He noticed her eyes. He noticed the brown with the green flecks and remarked how amazing they were. He noticed her emerald necklace and the huge cluster of emeralds and diamonds on her hand. He didn't miss a thing. He mentioned how fortunate he believed her husband was. He was charming, and he was debonair, and there was something about him that Khaat found captivating. Almost completely irresistable.

The dance ended and the orchestra began a slow, romantic waltz. He stepped right into it, and Khaat was surprised that she had not resisted in order to return to Brian.

Robert noticed. He said nothing. Not yet, but he noticed. Kate was equally noticed and was especially watchful. Robert noticed Kate was not her comfortable self. She was, for some reason, on alert.

Michael came back with a great many chips and passed out some to those who were not dancing, keeping the ones for the ones who were, to give them to them when they returned.