Chapter 6 – Face to Face.

As he appeared at the edge of the café's seating, Daphne was momentarily frozen, just staring at the profile of the blond who craned his neck around the café patrons, looking for her. No, not looking for her, she sharply corrected herself, trying to control her breathing. He was looking for Luciana.

He looked around in confusion when it seemed nobody was there for him, and in a heart-stopping moment it looked like he was actually going to turn around and leave. Daphne remained staring at him as if in a trance until she heard Esposito hiss urgently in her ear, "Daphne!"

She stood up quickly, making swift and deliberate eye contact with Mario, as she waved a hand in the air towards him to signal her presence. He smiled in relief and headed towards her table as Daphne desperately tried to appear calm and composed as she hastily sat back down in her seat. She could feel Fred watching her intently.

"Miss Peregino?" Suddenly, he was right by her side as he towered over her, looking down at her with an obviously practised earnest smile. The blond hair looked even more distinct in the sunlight and with it being such a stark change to his previous look, she could understand why nobody else had made the connection. He was wearing dark sunglasses and a casual t-shirt, shorts and sandals combo, and it took everything Daphne had not to visibly shudder as he stood close enough to feel his breath on her again after all this time. Instead, she shot up from her chair to meet his now outstretched hand.

"Alonzo Nicoli, it is an honour to meet you Miss Peregino," He greeted her with a slight bow and then a little grasp of her hand first before gently bringing it to his lips, kissing the top of her fingers softly.

Externally, Daphne kept her cool but inside, her inner voice was already screaming at her. Bad idea, bad idea, what the hell was I thinking?! Just that briefest of skin-to-skin contact had her fighting not to run away immediately. She pushed down her overwhelming sensation of revulsion to smile at him in return.

"Alonzo," she said warmly, hoping her flustered appearance just seemed like she was overwhelmed by his presence. "It's lovely to meet you too."

"You speak good English," he commented, impressed and she caught his subtle but very present appraisal of her whole body as he took off his sunglasses and placed them on the table; the creepy stare he then maintained sent a chill throughout her body. Absolute predator, she thought in repulsion but she forced herself to concentrate on the job at hand and play her role accordingly.

"Ah, I did a couple of semesters at Cambridge University and then lived in London for a while," she said breezily, smiling at him confidently. "I hope you don't mind if we conduct this interview in English?" She had done her best to disguise her native accent and was quite pleased by the results.

"Fine by me," Mario grinned widely at her as he walked to her side of the table and pulled the chair out for her; Daphne elegantly sat down and he pushed her and the chair under the table. He then walked around to his side and took a seat.

The positioning was that he was sitting with his back to Fred's table but not enough to completely block Daphne's view of Fred thankfully, just the opposite empty chair at his table. To the side of Daphne, on the opposite side of the row of tables, sat Esposito who had a fine view of their table. Despite her building nerves, Daphne felt completely reassured by the presence of both of them so close.

She complimented Mario on his exemplary manners which took a lot of acting on her part, and then the same attentive barista was back chatting away to them, which Daphne was grateful for as it gave her more time to will away her nerves and for her to get fully into character. She ordered a spritz cocktail which seemed to impress Mario, who promptly asked for two.

"My, I do like a lady who knows how to drink. An absolute Italian classic," he commented. With their drinks ordered, Daphne began to settle into her role but was immediately unnerved by how much Mario was continuing to stare at her. She had much preferred him when he had the sunglasses on, but now she could see those cold, cruel eyes again, (he too was definitely wearing coloured lenses to disguise his distinctive green irises) she struggled to avoid looking into them. He had always had such a commanding presence, a man who was very sure of himself. The way he sat in the chair now, belayed his sense of superiority with his legs slightly splayed apart as he lounged back. He was so arrogant, more than that, she knew exactly where his eyes had fixated. It was the reason why she had chosen this particular sheer, fitted blouse. She fought the growing urge to knee him in the crotch under the table and crossed her bare legs demurely.

"Miss Peregino," he said, leaning forward now with what could only be described as a practised charm offensive as he looked her deeply in the eye. "May I just call you Luciana instead? Such a beautiful name. She of the light, you certainly illuminate the sky today," he said with a goofy grin on his face, without even a hint of irony.

She forced the sick that had promptly risen in her mouth back down and giggled shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear self-consciously. Did this sort of dreadful insincere spiel actually work on women? The thought was horrifying to her, and already she was beginning to regret this whole idea, but she was here with him now, she had to see this through. She had to get what she needed.

"What a charmer," she heard Esposito comment in a sarcastic low voice in her ear, obviously equally unimpressed at Alonzo's attempts to woo, and she tried not to react to it, suppressing the smirk she was dying to let out by resting her chin on her hand.

"Yes, you can call me Luciana," she confirmed, opening her notebook purposefully as the barista brought their drinks over, which were bright and decadently served with fruit. It was a delicious, colourful cocktail. Not once did Alonzo/Mario take his gaze from her as she took a sip of her drink. It didn't seem like Fred had taken his gaze away either as she briefly caught his eye. She hoped he was OK; she knew he hated the plan with a passion and was probably fighting the desperate urge to just come over and pummel Mario into the ground.

"So, where should we begin?" Alonzo asked her with a charming smile. "I have to say, I just didn't quite believe it when Daniele said someone wanted to do an interview with me!"

Daphne silently noted how he was still willing to use Daniele's real name and then smiled back with vigour and charm of her own. Sell it Daphne! "You know how it is with the internet these days! Just one video has the power to make you go viral. Our blog viewers were somewhat...smitten with your talents."

Alonzo/Mario smiled smugly showing off a set of perfect teeth. "That is very flattering to hear Luciana. Why haven't you started your recorder yet?"

Daphne glanced at the phone recorder she had yet to start and mentally cursed in her head. Because I don't need it asshole, it's just a prop! "Ah silly me!" she said to him instead with an apologetic smile. "I guess I was already somewhat distracted."

"I don't mind you being a little distracted Luciana," Alonzo/Mario said unmistakably flirtatiously, which although it nauseated her, had her silently cheering on the inside. Yes, you bastard, try it on with 'Luciana,' it will be the worst mistake of your life!

Daphne pressed 'play' on the recorder and then took a subtle glance over Mario's shoulder again to clock Fred with his eyes now attentively fixed on his book but still angled subtly towards her table. She was glad only Esposito would hear their conversation and Fred wouldn't hear the outrageous flirting. Mario was sat up attentively now, leaning forward with elbows on the table, his eyes fixed on Daphne as if she was the only person in the packed outdoor café terrace.

"Let's start with the busking Alonzo," she said, sounding interested. "How long have you done it? Have you always known you could sing?"

Although Daphne was going to have to feign a lot of interest for this fake interview, this was one thing she wouldn't have to try too hard to enthuse. When Daphne had first heard Esposito's theory that this young busker who had popped up in cities across Italy was really Mario, she had treated it with the derision the theory deserved. He was an art student, not a singer! Even when Esposito had first shown that video, she was still convinced it must have been an elaborate act of deception, similar to the trickery he had used to pull off his initial art thefts. But then she had found video after video, each where he had managed to draw an admiring crowd. Not only had she been forced to accept he could sing, but like Fred, had to admit, he was actually pretty good. He had a lovely soft tone to his voice and he could obviously play the guitar well too, it wasn't hard to see how he had become popular and had fans already. She was definitely interested in hearing what the inspiration was for this elaborate cover.

"I actually dabbled a little at college," Alonzo/Mario admitted. "People told me I was good but I was too focused on my major."

"What did you major in?" Daphne asked, curious to see whether he would be truthful or not.

"History," he replied. "I just find it fascinating!"

Hmm, so a grain of truth there then! She thought wryly. They all knew exactly what history Mario had found 'fascinating.'

"Interesting," she replied. "So, what made you switch from history to performing, that's quite a leap!"

"Well, I never took music seriously until just this year actually. I left my job and just decided to go for it!"

Daphne admired how easily the lies rolled off his tongue, it was impressively effortless. She could see how others might have been drawn in by him; this 'Alonzo Nicoli' persona he had crafted for himself was quite convincing. It was like he had fully become the singer now, shedding Mario completely. There was obviously one aspect of himself he was unable to shed no matter what and it was this abomination which is what hardened her to continue.

"Oh?" She said with a curious voice. "That's quite late to start a new career, do you mind me asking how old you are?"

"I'm 26," Alonzo/Mario replied smoothly. "All I will say is it is never too late to explore your true passions in life, Luciana."

He was intently scrutinising her again, and Daphne found it hard not to be affected. He was so terrifyingly intense; she felt her black glasses slide down the bridge of her nose and she pushed them up again nervously. Right now, she felt every inch the naïve and nervous young blogger she was portraying. She felt herself run her hands nervously through her short and unfamiliar wig and then stopped herself furiously. Get it together Daph! She screamed at herself internally, but she knew then the whole thing was proving even harder than she thought. She had thought she could handle seeing him in a controlled environment on her own terms, but no doubt about it she was struggling. Having him across the table from her; all she wanted to do in truth was launch herself across the table and shake him and scream at him to tell her what he did to her but she couldn't. She instead had to suck up his unwanted attention and play along with his game. You are a strong woman, she told herself confidently. You can do this, you survived worse at the hands of Devon Blake! You are not going to back down now when you're so close!

Feeling a new wave of confidence sweep over her, she forced herself to be his equal and sat up confidently and held eye contact with him as she tapped her pen thoughtfully on the notebook as she asked him her next question.

"Well Alonzo, you surely couldn't have expected the reaction you've had. What made you become a 'touring' busker? It's quite unusual."

"I never want to stick around one place too long," he drawled. "Got to share the love, right?" he said with a wink and she forced herself to smile back at him.

I bet you don't want to stick around too long! She thought scornfully, Too risky in case someone recognises you and blows your carefully constructed cover!

"Once I had been videoed in one place and it went, what was that word again?" he smiled widely at her.

"Viral," she supplied.

"Viral. I decided to conduct my own little mini tour. It seems this gathered me a little attention."

"Yes, this is when you came to the attention of the blogosphere. You seem to have amassed an impressive following already Alonzo. How do you feel about your fans?"

"Seeing the same faces appear in a few different cities already has been so flattering," he said. "It has really taken me by surprise. It has made me regret not doing it sooner in truth."

"Mmm hmm," Daphne replied. "So, what is the plan next Alonzo. How many cities can we expect to see you pop up in?"

"Oh! As many as possible," he said enthusiastically. "I LOVE my country! And this is a beautiful way of touring it. I don't have any plans to stop doing this anytime soon."

But we do, she thought smugly of the sting in operation. While these questions were needed to get Mario engaged and bought into the interview, they weren't going to be of any interest to Esposito or the police. Slowly, slowly catchy monkey... It needed a careful build up, she couldn't just go straight in for the kill. She decided the safest route to that was to stroke his considerable ego first.

"That's great Alonzo, it really is, but what about the future, how are you going to get yourself heard? You know," she said thoughtfully, thinking fast about the intriguing TV show they had stumbled across on Italian TV last night in their room. "You should audition for X Factor Italia! Have you heard of it?"

Mario/Alonzo gave a soft chuckle and she feared she had slipped up for a second. "My dear, it's the biggest show on television, of course I have," he said, his eyes dancing in amusement.

"Right, well, I think you have what it takes," she ploughed on enthusiastically. "People would love you Alonzo!" she said to him warmly and she knew he was fully engaged with her now.

"Really, Luciana?" he said with a wickedly cocked eyebrow at her. "And what is it I have that makes you think that I have got what it takes for X Factor Italia?" he asked her suggestively, shifting his whole weight forward.

Suck it Mario, I'm not giving you what you want, Daphne thought defiantly. "Well, your voice," she said, trying to sound sincere. "Your voice is beautiful."

"Just my voice Luciana?"

"I think you have the whole package," she lied through her teeth to his pure delight.

"Really, tell me more," he said, clasping his hands together on the table and giving her his full undivided attention. They were talking about his favourite subject after all, his ego. She had thought when she met him that night at the student party that he was just full of himself, she didn't know how truly disturbing he was. But she knew if she was going to trip him up and get him to open up more, then she knew she was going to have to steer the conversation in a much more risqué direction, and to do that she had to be bold and flirtatious herself. Please forgive me Fred, she thought.

"Well," she said a little huskily, twirling the little stick with the fruit in her cocktail, round and round in her drink, without breaking eye contact with him. "I can see how you would be popular with the girls. Who doesn't love someone who can play the guitar, it's very swoonsome." She knew she had him now, and she dived breathlessly into where she really needed to take this interview now. She picked up the stick now and slowly and deliberately brought the fruit to her mouth. "So, tell me Alonzo, I need to know have you had any..." His eyes were out on stalks now and she reeled him in. "Groupies?" she asked batting her eyes at him innocently.

The smooth, polished act momentarily disappeared as Alonzo/Mario reacted in surprise to her question, spluttering as he had taken a long sip of his own cocktail. "Groupies?"

"Sure," Daphne replied with a grin of her own. "You might not know the phrase but you know exactly what I mean. They hang around the band or star. And then, if they're lucky, they get to have a little 'fun', you catch my drift?" She sat back in triumph and made sure her cleavage was on full display.

Alonzo/Mario looked at her with piqued interest now as it seemed she was finally returning his flirting in earnest. He licked his lips and then suddenly reached one hand across the table and deftly hit 'pause' on the phone recording, holding her in his gaze. "Strictly off the record time Luciana," he said, and Daphne shuddered in fear and anticipation.

"Go on," she managed to squeak as he maintained an intense stare.

"Having 'fans' I can say it is the best feeling in the world. Some of them are a little more...dedicated." He grinned that same lecherous smile he had given the young girls last night and Daphne now felt sick to her stomach. Was he actually going to brag about his conquests to her?

"I understand," she said but decided to press forward anyway. "Your fans though, aren't they all quite young?"

His eyes flickered briefly with unmistakable annoyance but the fake grin was soon back as he smiled at her coquettishly.

"My dear Luciana, I do hope you are not suggesting that I would take advantage of anyone? I can assure you I am the perfect gentleman..."

No, you are not! You are anything but, you're a monster! She thought a mixture of tears and anger threatening to come over her now. She didn't know what else to say to that and she was already struggling to hold it together when she completely blanched. She had suddenly felt him move his leg under the table to caress her own bare leg with his foot, slowly ghosting it up to her knee.

Forgetting who she was supposed to be, she shot up in complete alarm, jolting the table over and spilling the remains of her orange-based cocktail right over her skirt. Several people turned around to stare as she had made quite the scene and her stained white skirt was quite the sight. Both Fred and Esposito had looked up with immediate concern. Fred was ready to go straight towards her, having been unable to stand a single minute of the half an hour or so she had spent in the scum's company so far. She looked absolutely stricken.

Alonzo/Mario was quickly on his feet too, displaying a sudden harsher side to his new personality as he angrily snapped at their barista to get Daphne a new drink immediately. Alonzo apologised to Daphne who was still standing there in her wet skirt, looking shaken and the truth was that she really was. The moment he had touched her like that had been like triggering an awful memory switch for Daphne, and suddenly she had been unable to picture anything but the previously dark-haired version of him on top of her, sweating all over her partially naked body, his cool lips on hers as she had succumbed to darkness.

She went pale, muttering 'excuse me,' towards him and raced towards the inside of the café; she was heading to the toilets in a desperate attempt to compose herself in private. On the way in, she passed right by Fred's table and she had to plead with her eyes to him to 'stay' seeing him ready to jump up and follow her. She didn't know if Mario was still watching her or not, but she knew their cover would definitely be blown if Mario saw her with Fred. I'm okay, she tried to say without saying a word as she hurried past him, her heartbeat still thumping frenetically. She hurtled into the restroom, grabbing blindly for some toilet paper and dabbed frantically at the blatant orange stain that had blossomed so grotesquely on her white skirt. The bathroom was empty but the door opened rapidly again and Daphne tensed, fearing it was Fred; her shoulders sagged in relief when she saw an older lady who had followed her in sympathy.

"Oh, my darling, no! What a disaster!" She cried, staring at the ruined skirt before fumbling in her purse. "Here, take this, he is best drycleaner in all of Italy!"

Daphne accepted the card the woman had offered her with a grateful smile. The woman laid a friendly hand on her shoulder and then she was gone again, leaving Daphne alone in the restroom staring at her panicked unfamiliar reflection in the full-length mirror. She took off the glasses temporarily and took deep breaths as she gripped the sink edge tightly. Come on, you can do this. Keep it together Daphne!

"Daphne?" came a small concerned voice in her ear and she almost jumped in surprise having temporarily forgotten all about Esposito and the recording. She hastily patted her waistband, checking the device strapped there hadn't got wet.

"Oh god Esposito, is the recording still okay?"

"It is OK. Are you OK my dear? I am worried and I can tell you that Frederick is mighty concerned right now."

"I'm OK," she assured him. "I know, I saw his face. I couldn't risk drawing any attention to him though so I had to ignore him."

"You are doing such a fine job. You will have the bastard soon; I have no doubt. He wants to talk about it I can tell," he said with disgust. "So long as you're OK to continue?"

"I can do this," she said to him loudly and was then startled by what sounded like Esposito cursing strongly in Italian.

"Stronzo del cazzo!" He said loudly, sounding truly outraged.

"Esposito?" Daphne asked in alarm, immediately fearing something had happened with Fred. "Esposito what is it? Is it Freddy?"

"No, it is Mario. I am watching him close. He has just put something in your new drink," he confirmed to her grimly, sending shockwaves through Daphne.

"Oh my god," she murmured, feeling truly appalled and fearful. "In public?!"

"He was oh very subtle about it. Don't drink it, Daphne. It could be anything."

Daphne thanked him and was feeling deeply unsettled as she made her way back to the table; she didn't want to even think about what could have happened if Esposito hadn't spotted that sleight of hand. When she set her eyes on the arrogant Mario again, he was sat there casually chatting to someone on his phone and her hatred for him immediately crept up a few more notches. How dare he try and drug her again! He was so dangerous.

When Mario/Alonzo turned around and spotted her approaching the table, he immediately pocketed the phone and went straight to her. "Il mio bellissimo tesoro!" he said fragrantly and then grabbed her hand to kiss her knuckles again. "I am so sorry! Your beautiful skirt!"

"It's fine," Daphne brushed off, pulling her hand away quickly. "It was my fault anyway. I'm so clumsy."

"I got you a new drink," he said, pushing it towards her, and Daphne stiffened with the knowledge it was spiked. Of course, it made sense that a rapist casually carried around his little date-rape drug with him. She was wholly repulsed by him all over again and she was struggling not to let it show now.

"Thank you," she acknowledged without touching it and she sat stiffly back at the table with Mario following suit. She didn't give him chance to seat her this time and he eyed her sudden newly hostile stance curiously.

"I'm sorry, I feel I might have misread the signals," he said to her wolfishly. "But if you don't mind me saying, you are sending VERY mixed signals Luciana. Why would you flirt and ask me those outrageous questions? And why would you wear such an outfit if it wasn't for me," he added pointedly, staring at her chest again.

Daphne truly felt nothing but disgust for the rapist now. Any charm he had tried to bestow using his fake personality was fully gone now, he was in full sleaze mode and it was Mario who was in evidence once again not Alonzo. It was always so typical of those who exploited women for their own gains to have the mistaken belief that women dressed solely for the pleasure of men. Like a woman's outfit choice gave men a free pass to carry out their unwanted ogling and worse. Daphne hated this despicable game of victim blaming and she was no longer willing to play along with his game. She noticeably bristled and spoke to him defiantly now. "Well, I must be mistaken too, because I assumed you liked them much younger than me anyway."

The accusation was absolutely biting in tone and Alonzo/Mario seemed to completely lose his charm offensive instantly and sneered a little nastily at her.

"Well, this took a dark turn pretty quickly, didn't it? What exactly is it you are trying to accuse me of here Luciana?"

Daphne wilted a little under his intense gaze but bravely continued. "Oh, I think you know Alonzo."

Mario continued to look offended but then he suddenly smiled sinisterly at her, his entire demeanour changing in an instant again. "So that's what this is about. Bravo Miss Peregino...or should I actually say...Miss Blake?"

A.N. - Yep, if you thought the last chapter ending was a cliff-hanger... Sorry. These endings just pick themselves though, I'm afraid! You will not want to miss the next chapter, see you next Sunday.