Sweet Rapture, Chapter 1                                                    - 2 - Arianna scanned the room.  It was decorated in impeccable taste, Oriental antiques among modern furniture.  She particularly admired an old Korean chest and a seventeenth century Edo Period gold leafed Musashino screen depicting the rising sun. ?Odd mixture? she thought to herself, ?But it works well.? Arianna found herself wishing that Alessandra could have been there.  She could have enticed Ms. Petrovna to see various other pieces.  The young archeologist?s passion for her craft was contagious, and Arianna missed her so much since their separation.   Krista returned with two glasses and sat next to her. ?I am having a reception Saturday and I would love you to come.  It will be a formal occasion and I invited various dignitaries who are great admirers of yours.?  Black eyes lingered on the younger woman?s gaze. ?I will be delighted Countess.? ?Please call me Arianna?  A limousine will pick you up at 8:30pm.?  The countess looked at her watch. ?When will it be possible for me to see the artifact?? ?I will make an appointment for you to meet with my assistant Monday afternoon.  She will give you the horse, and will handle the contract.  Her knowledge of eastern Archeology is priceless and I am quite sure that her expertise will be of immense help to you regarding future purchases.?  Krista noticed the sadness briefly flashing though the dark eyes. ~~~~~~ The eyes... it must have been the eyes.  Krista Petrovna could not keep her stare away from the exotic stranger who had joined the party.  Her short hair was the color of the night, her eyes of a rain forest.  An older Asian accompanied her.  Krista felt a certain feeling of jealousy towards him,  such an awkward feeling as she did not even know the striking creature who had just entered her heart. Alessandra Akhtar noticed the stare and attempted to stay inconspicuous about it.  She knew of the great violinist Krista Petrovna, a descendant of the White Russian aristocracy, a world she was brought up to despise since childhood by her Italian mother and Iranian father, both devoted Communists.  That world became her destiny - the ironic circle of existence. She nonchalantly followed Krista?s path as she walked away, covertly observing her height, long curls and the curves of her exquisite feminine figure which was covered in a silk ivory evening gown. Countess Di Montalvi signaled Alessandra who reluctantly followed her into the library.  Arianna opened a cabinet, grabbed a crystal decanter, and poured cognac into two snifters.  She was resplendent in her strapless black evening gown.  Alessandra leaned against the mahogany paneling as her gaze followed her every move. ?To us, Amore Mio.  I feel that I have been away from you for so long.  I wish you would have come with me.  Buzios was so beautiful.?  The Italian woman approached her and gently stroked her shoulder.  ?We have to talk?. ?I need time Love, please understand? Alessandra brushed Arianna?s cheek, but moved away as her lover reached for her lips. ?Cara Mia, It has been over three months, how much more time do you need? I can?t stand it any longer.?  The dark eyes were on fire.  ?But don?t ever forget, you still belong to Artiques,? Arianna ran her fingers through Alessandra?s raven hair and brushed her lips against her neck.  ?I can?t let you go.  You knew when I hired you that you would be with me always.  Artiques is my life.  I need the best and you are it.? Alessandra walked to the window and gazed at the night.  Her heart was pounding so hard, she wanted to scream.  She clenched her fists, her green eyes turning to gold.  She had to control herself. Arianna Di Montalvi would never own her, never again, not like that. ?Answer me...God damn you!?  Arianna stood behind her.  She breathed in the seductive scent of her skin, her hands caressing the small swell of her lover?s stomach.  Alessandra pulled away from her.  Arianna?s hand struck her across the face.  The younger woman grabbed her by the wrists and pushed her against the wall as the countess released a surprised gasp. ?DON?T you EVER touch me again? Alessandra released her and left the room, slamming the door.  Angrily, Arianna reached for her gold cigarette case.  ?Pazza ragazza?  She mumbled with annoyance. Alessandra passed a number of guests and left the townhouse.  She walked to the garage down the block, signaled the parking attendant who brought down her night blue Porsche Carrera cabriolet a few minutes later.  Her escort, Kenji Sakuma, approached the car as she was leaving the garage.  She sighed in frustration and stopped. ?Alechan, where are you going??  He inquired, getting into the car. ?Kenjisan, I can?t bear to be in her presence anymore?  Alessandra replied, her hands visibly shaking. She hit the dashboard with her fist, shook her head and drove away at an alarming speed.  Kenji touched her fingers. ?Let?s go back Anata.  We have many important guests tonight.  I know the two of you have to deal with each other privately.   You still work for her and you must be there.  Don?t let her lose face.?  Their eyes locked. ?I can?t,? she replied.  But her mind knew she had to return to the party.  She made a U-turn and drove back to the garage. Alessandra entered the salon and sat by the door.  Krista was entertaining Arianna?s guests with a Paganini piece.  The quartet the Countess hired managed to follow her superior musicianship.  Alessandra?s eyes remained riveted on Krista Petrovna as the skilled musician allowed her fervor to reign through her performance.  Like an ardent lover, the bow held delicately in her grasp gently caressed the strings of the violin.  With eyes closed, her body moved in a gentle cadence as the musician and violin became one with the music.  Idly, Alessandra wondered if the woman was as passionate with a lover as she was with her violin, and smiled at the image.