Episode Three

Had you heard correctly?

"As you say? I ask to make sure the brandy didn't mess with my brain.

"It wasn't the product of your imagination," he confirms.

Could it be that I have given the wrong signal to this male stallion specimen?

I think about each of the questions and comments that we have made in the last hour ...

No hint.

The voice of the brandy speaks to me to tell me that it is the opportunity to enjoy without complications.

This man who looks at me expectantly onlywants a night with me. How severe may be consider this offer?

"I propose this: you stay with me in my villa ...

"Stop right there," I interrupt his very elaborate plan.

This man must be crazy if he thinks I'm going to sleep with he just like that. An hour on a plane and you already think you attract me.

Ok yes it does, but it didn't have why know it.

"You won't like it if you don't let me finish." "Touch a lock of my hair."

"I'm not going to like you because I don't like you." "I slap him."

Did I get a stylist?

"Slow down, precious." Life is about enjoying it and living it to the fullest, not about surviving.

"The problem, dear Albert Einstein, is that I decide with whom to enjoy and live life to the fullest. Unfortunately, you are not on the list.

"Auch." So, you are one of the difficult ones. " Approaches.

If it hadn't been for the armrest, it would have been on top of me by now.

"You invade my personal space," I say almost with a growl.

"I make you the last proposal," he whispers close to my face.

I am glued to the window of the plane. I almost flew out if it hadn't been for the closed. In my attempt to escape, I cornered myself further.

"Say it quick so you can go back to your seat with all your teeth in your mouth."

"If you used that mouth for anything other than fighting, dear Maria, I assure you that all men would fall at your feet."

"What makes you think that I don't have an entourage of men waiting for me in Punta Cana?" I raise my eyebrows.

"May your eyes speak before your lips speak the lies. "

And it gets closer. Our lips almost touch.

With my hands clasped in my lap, I am paralyzed.

"If I see you don't like me, I'll keep quiet for the ..." he looks at the watch on his wrist, "twenty minutes we have left on this plane."

"I don't like you one iota." Has no woman ever rejected you? "I know the answer."

"Not. The closest thing to rejection is my wife's infidelity.

"How are you supposed to check if you like me or not?" "I change the subject and contemplate it."

"Like this. "

And he kisses me.

I should have guessed his actions before he got so close to me, but it was not, perhaps because of how spellbound the brandy had me or because I wanted him to kiss me as badly as he I had thought to kiss me.

It is not a light or soft kiss, it is with more pressure than I would have liked. Although at this moment I don't know what I really want, the only thing clear I have is that I need to have more of this exciting and arrogant man. His lips they own mine and it attracts me like a bee to the honeycomb without even touching me except with its expert mouth. I return the kiss without reservation. After all, why deny something that is so obvious? He partes his lips and with his sensual tongue he intertwines mine in a dance of pleasure. Electrify my body completely. I feel a tingle that invades me and makes my heart race.

"I think I already have my answer," he whispers as he pulls his tantalizing mouth away from mine.

I study him angrily at a time where all I have is the urge to quickly strip off my clothes and tear up his stupid blue linen shirt.

"Don't bother denying it, it's a waste of time." You would kill the concept of intelligent woman that I begin to have of you.

It bothers me that he has an answer as predicted. However, what bothers me the most is knowing that I succumbed to her charm and sex appeal. I must admit that if he had asked me to possess me in the bathroom of the plane, I would have accepted without question as I kissed him and caressed his brown hair with veins blondes. They are almost imperceptible reflections, but there they are.

"Ladies and gentlemen passengers, in a few minutes we will land at the Punta Cana International Airport. Make sure that the back of your seat is in an upright position, the seat belt is fastened and your table is secured. The captain and the entire crew hope you had a pleasant flight and hope to see you on board again. "

The stewardess's voice makes me even more upset if it is possible to be, although I know that my anger is irrational, because if I had not wanted that carnal kiss, I would have taken it off in one go, accusing him of any outrage. However, that was not the case. And he knows it. That's why he wears that silly smile on his face in the meantime he doesn't take his eyes off me. I check my belt and my seat, which is still in the same position as when I started this trip.

"Can you get that stupid smile off your face? You seem retarded or worse.

"I feel happy when things go the way I want.” He emphasizes the word “want ” and awaits my response to his hint that I have accepted his offer.

I will not give him that pleasure.

I turn around, look at the seat, and completely ignore my mocking companion.

I'm twenty-seven years old, with a thriving job and savings that I haven't touched in years other than to put more money into the account. Years ago, I built a two-story house for my mother and grandmother. They both live alone there. Two or three times a year, I travel to Santo Domingo to see them and be with them for one or two weeks, no more. Being there brings back memories of my loving life, the one that I could have had at all if I had stayed in the Dominican Republic. Of course I would not have fulfilled my dreams if I had not left. The house has five rooms well placed end to end painted in pastel colors different from each other. My mother and grandmother are staying downstairs because of my mother's recent arthritis. I did not want them living so far away in Jimaní, my town, that despite technological and economic advances, it has not managed to reach a stable level of education and progress. It is not the place where I wanted, nor do I want my pillars to be, the two women who have made me the woman I am today. They deserve more than that; They deserve that they more than repay their sacrifice and every penny spent on my college career in the United States. I got them a young woman to help them with the cleaning and care of the house, even if they did not allow themselves to be helped. Carina has a basic nursing course and can put any medication through an IV. She is trained to provide first aid. She has a strong temperament to bear two women, one forty-five years old and the other sixty-nine years old. It is not the place where I wanted, nor do I want my pillars to be, the two women who have made me the woman I am today. They deserve more than that; They deserve that they more than repay their sacrifice and every penny spent on my college career in the United States. I got them a young woman to help them with the cleaning and care of the house, even if they did not allow themselves to be helped.

I love them, but they are a real hit in the ass.

I had spent five hours mired in depression from the disappointment infused by Reed. As much as I kept telling myself over and over that his betrayal didn't matter to me in the least, I knew I was lying to myself. It was not the kind of unconditional and expected love, the kind that wreaks havoc when it happens, but is the greatest happiness we can ever feel in our life. I knew he didn't love Reed, but I thought we understood and valued each other enough not to play dirty.

I see that I was wrong.

"Hey, Einstein! We're here.” I hear Julio's sharp tone. He unbuckles his belt and begins to get up from his seat.

I remove my belt and stand up.

Big mistake.

Brandy takes its toll as an agent of light, punctual and merciless.

"Easy, Maria, don't get up so fast.

"I can alone, ”I gasp when I see him grab my arm.

"Yes, I see how much you can. He helps me out of between the seats and ignores my reluctance.

I release his grip and walk with my wallet hooked to my arm. The shawl hangs gracelessly over it. Every step I take is a true journey. My head is heavy and I feel the nausea coming to damage the floor of the plane. The presence of Julio behind me, like a hawk caring for its prey, is more than a reminder, a torture. Knowing that I am in such a pathetic condition only makes my self-esteem worse. I need to get home and stop being embarrassed and foolish. I need to be under the care of those who will not judge me.

Maybe not with bad intentions.

I set out on a journey without luggage, other than the clothes I'm wearing and a spare lace boxer in case of emergency. When I set foot on Dominican soil, I will buy some pieces. I can afford three or four changes of new clothes. So much work should give gratification and luxury. I manage to get off the plane with the grace of a dog in heels and make my way to the food court hoping to eat a pizza or something greasy. I intentionally forget the man who pursues me in silence and I take my time with everything. I know that Julio is waiting for me. I don't want to look back to make room for his already altered self-centeredness. I know it's somewhere between food establishments and awkward green seats. In one of the bars you can hear a salsa that has not been heard for years. The song is loud enough for all who pass the front to hear and be encouraged to have one or more drinks. I prick my ears as the young lady from Pizza Hut hands me my calorie-packed, yet delicious-tasting order. Just what my stomach was asking for. I walk without haste and pass through each place. I look at my watch; it's already a quarter past nine at night. I will arrive in Santo Domingo at dawn. I will have to spend the night in a hotel in Punta Cana, which gives me a chance for another drink, no matter how bad my brain thinks it is. I sit on one of the leather and metal stools in the bar that attracted me with its music. I can't quite understand the name, so I imagine it's worse than it felt after the brandy I had on the plane.

"A drink of XV, please, ”I hear the voice of the devil. It already made its appearance.

"Have you decided to stop observing me from a distance? Or did you want to come precisely to this bar? As far as I know, you preferred an espresso.

"I never said I couldn't drink alcohol or that I didn't like it," he replied.

Run a hand through her dreamy brown hair.

I clear my throat, uncomfortable. I decide that I can't have any more alcohol.

"And the Lady? Asks the bartender behind the bar with a towel slung over his shoulder. He looks handsome, in his twenties, black hair and dark eyes.

"Nothing at the moment, ”I reply.

I place my purse between my legs and cover myself with the shawl.

I start to feel thecold of the night hugging me and bristling the skin.

"I'll be right back with your drink, sir, ”the bartender tells him, turning and looking for the bottle of Brugal XV in the glass case behind him.

"I thought we had an agreement, ”Julio says with his hot eyes on me.

"I… Uhm… I'm not sure I'm sure. "I play with the metal strap of my watch."

"When you kissed me back, you seemed pretty confident, Maria."

"And It's because coffee made you hallucinate. Besides, I didn't kiss you back. "My words sound as empty as a lie."

"Yes, of course, and I don't want you at all.

"You don't have to be so obtuse. I place my right hand on his shoulder.

Another small but concise electric shock goes through my body.

I withdraw my hand ipso facto.

"If you deny that you want me again, I will drag you into the public bathroom and make you mine without thinking about the consequences.

His statement paralyzes my blood.

Heblinks, confused. It seems that he himself does not believe what he just said.

"What a gentleman you were for me.

"I didn't say it was either. You are imagining things, dear Maria.

The bartender puts the crystal glass on the gray cup holder. It combines with the decoration of the place.

"The bartender will think I'm somebody, ”I murmur.

I turn my head to hide it and get closer to Julio.

"Come closer, I didn't hear you." He gets closer to me. " Just as I'm going to repeat it, I hear him say, “I don't want the bartender to hear that I want to possess you in any way possible and be inside you until I'm dry inside and sweat soaks us through. It's the plain truth, Maria.

His words confuse me, but they penetrate the depths of my being. Instead of making me uncomfortable, it turns me on even more. Ultimately, depression, plus disappointment in Reed and mindlessly ingested brandy, weren't the best combination of the night. I haven't done anything that I can regret as I get older, but also nothing that I can remember and laugh at. Everything always calculated, except for the bad times of my childhood and the uncertainty of getting food when I was still living at my grandparents' house.

Romeo's song, Indecent Proposal, begins to play.

That is what Julio does with me, a completely indecent, dangerous and attractive proposal.

It makes me want to shake my head and put down my purse and dance. That's the problem after brandy, a jet lag, a breakup, and a self-confident specimen and the effect it causes on me, adding the catchy and infectious rhythm of bachata. It is, to put it simply, the second national rhythm, or it should be.

He takes a drink of his rum and looks at me waiting for an answer.

I know that tomorrow I will regret accepting this proposal, but, after all, how bad can it turn out?

"Okay. I accept, Julio.