9
The next morning, I just sat at my vanity mirror brushing my hair slowly. Today was the day my friend would die. I wasn't sure what to think. Maybe I should warn Dieter. But if I do, what if I am accused by the Gestapo or what if the Basterds come after me? I closed my eyes and placed my brush down placing my hands now over my face. I could feel myself ready to cry, when suddenly a knock on the door startled me. I lifted my head and froze wondering who was at my door. I was only in my nightgown, so I moved to my closet and grabbed my robe.
I moved to the front door and opened it. It was Dieter in his Nazi uniform. He had on his black Nazi hat and he looked so… professional.
"Dieter." I replied and he smiled clicking his boots together and saluting me.
"Good morning, Frau Nicholette." he said and I gave a polite smile.
"Good morning." I replied. He motioned his head at me.
"May I enter?" he asked. I swallowed some and nodded.
"Yes, please." I replied opening the door wide for him. He nodded his thanks and entered.
"I must admit I am fairly excited to watch you perform tonight." he said. I smiled warmly and curled my fingers together.
"Thank you. I have heard it will be a full house." I replied and he nodded slowly looking me over. He then took his hat off and smoothened his brunette hair.
"Nicholette, I have come to confess something to you." he said moving over to me and taking my hand. His glove was cool and I looked from it to him.
"What is it?" I asked. He inhaled some and nodded to himself.
"We can no longer be friends." he said. I was somewhat paralyzed wondering what this meant. I was unsure of what this meant.
"Uh… why?" I asked. He sighed and shook his head.
"Because I cannot stand to be near you knowing these feelings in my chest are growing every minute I am with you." he flat out. I swallowed some and looked down for a moment slowly taking a seat on the couch, and because his hand never left mine, he followed my actions.
"You're saying you like me." I concluded and now his hand moved from my hand to my face making me look at him now.
"I think…I think I am falling in love with you." he said. My eyes widened and I leaned back from his hold not expecting those words at all. I stood up slowly and he did the same after a few seconds.
"Love?" I asked. He nodded placing his hat beneath his arm.
"These past few weeks, I must admit, have been wonderful. Despite what I am, what I am capable of, you have not deserted me, you haven't turned your back on me." he said. I let my fingers play with themselves.
"I have been afraid of you ever since I first met you, afraid that you could hurt me or kill me at any time if I didn't do what you said. Now that you admitted that to me, I don't know what you do if I don't say what you want to hear." I replied in panic and now he was shaking his head moving over me.
"Is that how you feel now?" he asked. I moved back a bit from him.
"It's what I know to feel to survive. It's how anyone would feel." I replied and he paused in his movements. He looked down in utter shock.
"Has our times together… been a lie?" he asked looking up at me. I shook my head now.
"No. But you must understand my situation." I replied and he bit his lower lip and looked around for a moment before releasing a heavy sigh.
"Ja. I understand," he answered moving closer to me, and this time I didn't move. "Frau Nicholette, I never wanted you to be afraid of me ever. If there was anything I could do to prove that to you I would prove it right now." I stared up at him for a moment before looking him over. What could I ask of a German soldier? I have heard that many whites were repulsed by Negroes here in France. I knew what to do for the ultimate test. I looked up at him now with a hard stare.
"Kiss me." I replied. He stared at me as if somewhat caught off guard by my words, but in seconds he raised his hands causing his hat to drop as he took hold of my shoulders and he pulled me to his chest, and I felt his lips colliding with mine. His lips were warm in thin. His entire bodily scent washed over me and I felt engulfed in his barrier. His hand rested on my cheek and slowly he pulled back from me. He stared down at me for a moment with a dark gaze and slowly he licked his lips.
"I hope that proves it to you." he said. I was speechless now and he leaned over and picked up his hat and placed it back on his head. Now he looked like a dangerous killer. He stood at attention once more and nodded at me.
"I shall see you tonight at the opera house." he replied. All I could do was nod a bit and he smirked before exiting the house. I just stood there for a moment listening to his footsteps as they trailed off. I slowly moved over to my sofa and sat down curling my fingers together once more. He kissed me. He actually kissed me. What was I to do now? I could have told him about Hugo, but honestly I had forgotten all about him. There was a large bang at my back door causing me to jump. I caught my breath and moved to the door. I opened it and gasped as Hugo looked up at me.
"Not lover huh?" he asked. I tensed some and shrugged.
"It was nothing. What do you want?" I asked. He moved closer to me and looked down at me with a bold gaze.
"We will talk about tonight's assassination." he said and walked past me and of course I had to let him in.
