Chapter 877: The Busty Teacher Blackmailed
Seeing so many people in front of her, Audrey couldn't help but think of Kevin. "What a beautiful place. If only Kevin were here to see this with me," she thought. "There are too many people here. It's making me anxious. Let's find a quiet place to relax later," she said.
"Alright. It's almost noon anyway. Let's find a place to eat," Lucas suggested. Spotting a nearby western restaurant, they entered. The decor inside was fresh and elegant with one-way transparent floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the street without being observed by passersby. Each table was surrounded by green plants, ensuring privacy. In the background, a young woman was playing the piano.
The soothing music gradually calmed Audrey's emotions. Sipping her slightly bitter coffee, she listened absentmindedly as Lucas enthusiastically introduced the restaurant's menu. However, her mind was elsewhere.
"Darling, are you feeling unwell?" Lucas noticed Audrey's distracted look and asked, concerned. "Could it be something you ate outside?"
"No, it's probably just a cold from last night when I went downstairs and talked to Kevin on the phone for a long time. I was only wearing a nightgown and a coat, and it was quite chilly at night. I might have caught a cold," Audrey replied, sniffing.
"What should we do then?" Lucas panicked. "Maybe we should skip the performance this afternoon and head home."
"I'll be fine. I'll get some cold medicine from the pharmacy later. It shouldn't be a big issue. You bought the tickets, they cost over two thousand. How can we not go? If you don't care for me, who will?" Audrey insisted.
"What's money compared to your well-being? I'm concerned about you." Lucas said, worried. "Darling, please don't force yourself. If you're uncomfortable, you must tell me."
"Okay, I got it," Audrey impatiently replied. Although she said this, she was frustrated inside. Not resolving the matter with Herbert for a day was like a time bomb, ready to shatter her at any moment.
After finishing their meal, they went to a nearby pharmacy to buy a box of cold medicine. Audrey took it, broke into a slight sweat, feeling better. They then walked to the ballet theater. Many people were already queuing at the entrance. The attendees seemed like social elites, well-dressed in suits. In contrast, Lucas was in a T-shirt and shorts, looking somewhat out of place, attracting curious glances.
"Lucas, maybe you should change into something else," Audrey frowned, noting the formal attire of the other men.
"What's the big deal? I don't see any rules at the entrance forbidding shorts," Lucas replied nonchalantly. "Besides, I don't have any other clothes to change into. I can't just buy a new outfit at the last minute."
Audrey refrained from saying more. As the time to enter approached, they made their way to the entrance. The ticket checker eyed Lucas's attire, but eventually said nothing, gesturing them in. Lucas, feeling triumphant, turned to Audrey and boasted, "See, I told you. If he didn't let me in, I would have complained."
However, Audrey noticed the surrounding audience giving her husband curious looks, their faces bearing mocking smiles. She felt embarrassed and quickly ushered Lucas into the ballet hall.
The grand theater interior was magnificent and luxurious, with a vast dome resembling a starry sky, surrounded by solemn white Roman columns exuding exotic flair. The well-dressed audience poured in, filling the theater of over a thousand people.
Excitedly, Lucas said to Audrey, "Darling, isn't Starhaven better? Look at this magnificent theater. If this were back in our hometown, we would only go see opera performances. When you come to Starhaven in the future, we can watch ballet performances every day."
"Alright, please stop talking. The show is about to start," Audrey interjected, her brow furrowed, silently signaling her husband to keep quiet.
Today's performance was an adaptation of Shakespeare's most famous tragedy, "Romeo and Juliet," detailing the tragic love story of Juliet, the daughter of an Italian noble, and Romeo, a noble heir. Their love is thwarted by their families' enmity, with the main characters fighting against societal prejudice and ignorance with their deaths.
As the theater lights dimmed, the curtain rose, and the actors took the stage. Audrey watched attentively, captivated by the performers' emotional acting. Each actor was deeply committed, alternating between humor, playfulness, solemnity, and charm, guiding the audience through a rollercoaster of emotions towards the climax.
Back in college, Audrey had read Shakespeare's original works, including this poignant love story. The series of unfortunate events leading to the unraveling of what could have been a perfect romance struck a chord with her. The choices one makes in life, often seemingly spontaneous, can lead to unforeseen consequences.
Contemplating these thoughts, Audrey couldn't help but reflect on her own choices and the uncertainties that stemmed from them. She had chosen Lucas over numerous suitors in school, but whether it was the right decision remained a question mark. Marriage, to a woman, felt like a second chance at life, a decision with potential for boundless joy or endless torment.
As the actor on stage proclaimed, "Do not swear by the moon, for she changes constantly; every month there is waxing and waning. If you swear by it, your love may become as fickle." Audrey felt her heart swell with emotion, relating the universal truths embedded in the Italian tale to her own life experiences. Couples often make promises in the heat of the moment, but these pledges can crumble in the face of the stark realities of marriage.
The climax of the play approached with Romeo unknowing of Juliet's feigned death. Overwhelmed with grief, he took poison, declaring, "Juliet, this is our new chamber. Your beauty has transformed this cave into a radiant palace. Oh, my love, my wife, though death has taken your life, it has not robbed you of your beauty. You are my most beautiful bride. I would rather breathe in your fragrant essence lingering in the air, lightly kiss your lips, caress your hands, and forsake eternity. I will forever be by your side, never leaving this new chamber. I will rest eternally here, shedding the shackles of fate that have haunted my mortal shell. I'm willing to wander beside you as a specter for seven days, to follow you. Even if we dwell in the darkest abyss, my love, you shall not be a perennial wanderer!"
Each tearful and heartfelt declaration seemed to emanate from the actors' souls, resonating with the audience's emotions. Under the spell of the performance, Audrey was moved to tears, grieving not only for the ill-fated Romeo and Juliet but also for her own inner turmoil.
After nearly three hours, the performance concluded. The actors took their bows, and applause filled the theater. Lights illuminated the hall again. Wiping away tears, Audrey felt as if she had just awakened from a dream. She turned to look at Lucas, who was resting his head against the back of his seat, fast asleep. She sighed softly, gently nudging him awake.
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