Gabriella flashed a look of concern to Maximus who was now on his feet and fixing his suit as the crowd applauded for the money having been offered for her. Giving a kind smile, she quickly moved back to sit before being pulled by Maximus's unkind hand until he had her away from the prying eyes of the entire banquet hall. When he was certain they were unseen, he drew his hands to her waist and forced her into a small alcove that was a simple design of the now abandoned corridor.
"What are you-"
"You cannot go with him." He spoke sternly in plain English, his accent of Italian nearly fading entirely due to his level of sincerity.
"It is for charity..." Gabriella reminded him as his jaw clenched with annoyance for her having stated the obvious.
"I will pay the difference." He explain
