Bachata

Mateo awoke with a start. He looked around and saw he was still in the study. He must have slept off, but he couldn't remember what happened. Then he remembered that he had stayed up late Working.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, The sun was already coming up and it was already bright out. He had no recollection of what happened last night, but he felt like he was in a bad dream.

Mateo walked briskly to the window to check the time and sure enough it was almost 9am. He then went out of the study and down to the dining hall to see if anyone else was there. As he walked through the hallways, he heard some noise from the kitchen. He hurriedly pushed open the door, and found the cooks preparing breakfast.

"Buenos días señor!" They echoed in unison.

He nodded as a response and closed the door making his way to the bedroom. He needed to shower and prepare for the day.

He met his wife, getting dressed as if she were going out. She turned to him with a hocked expression on her face. "Mi amor! Why aren't you-Youre still wearing your clothes from yesterday? Don't tell me slept in the study again." She queried.

"I had to. There were some issues I had to fix."

"Oh! my love. you work so hard." She said walking close to him. But instead of a loving look, one of disgust appeared on his face. He took a step back to avoid her.

"It's still so early. where are you going?" He asked.

"Did you forget?"

A confused look clouded his face.

"You forgot. didn't you? Alma's school event is today. ¡Dios mío!"

He placed his hand over his forehead. "¡Ay!"

"Not to worry. We still have about an hour left. Go shower, get dressed and join us for breakfast."

As he stepped into the bathroom, he turned on the water. He slowly undressed and placed his clothes in the hamper. He walked over to the mirror and looked at himself before turning off the light and stepping into the shower. He turned on the water and slowly washed up before getting out. He then dried himself off with a towel and walked back into the bedroom to get dressed.

In about forty five minutes, they were set to go. The drive there was a quiet one. Maria's phone rang. it was her father calling.

"Hola Padre." She said then listened calmly. "Alright father. we'll be there."

"That was father." she said when the call ended. "He says to come over, he's having a meeting with senator Suarez and he wants us to be there." She ai as she retouched her makeup.

"I can't. I'm already missing a meeting to attend this event. I rescheduled for later this evening." He said while staring out the window, blankly.

"Come on Mateo. Father has helped you so far, the least you can do is indulge him. Besides, toucan use this to gains footing in the legislature."

He shook his head and sighed. "bien entonces."

"He did to bring Alma along."

"Why? you know she doesn't like going there."

She stopped applying her lipstick and turned to face him. "Are you being serious right now? He's her grandfather. He has every right to see her when he wants to. stop indulging her bad attitude."

When they arrived, the principal was waiting to receive them herself.

"Welcome Mr and Mrs Cruz. it's such an honor to have you Grace our event." She said bowing slightly.

Maria smiled widely. Our child goes here so it's only right we come. I hope we're not late."

"Oh no! we've only just began. Please, come in."

***

"We have now come to the end of the first session of this event, now let's begin with the second part which has been out together for the parents. Before we begin, Let's welcome the principal to give her opening speech."

There was a clapping ovation as the principal took the stage.

She was clad in black, the colour of mourning. There was no shuffling of chairs as the chairs were "filled" with parents.

"With the purpose of educating children to become global leaders, our school provides numerous programs in the area of technology to foster a global perspective and to assist in the successful development of students, while also enhancing their emotional and physical development. There is also a call admission system, three-language classes and an art curriculum for gifted children who are so vital to a community. Our goal is to bring the best educational experiences possible to children of our community and nurture their talents so that we can grow their minds and bring them to life. When they graduate, our goal is to set them up for success and to show them what is possible in this world. This does not happen by chance; it happens by community cooperation. That is why we organize this event alongside a fundraiser ; we need the money to keep our doors open, and we need the support from our parents and community to continue to provide for all these children."

The next hour was spent hearing some inspiring and humorous stories from the students.

"Now for the highlight of the event, We have invited one of the top dancers in the land. A lady that has been around the scene since the 90s.

"Her name is Li-lah and I would like to say one thing about her: she is an honourable dancer. In any and every space she has been in, she has maintained high standards. The world will soon be watching her. Let's welcome her to the stage, as she does the bachata with her partner."

Mateo who had been bored since the inception of the event suddenly found himself being interested in this part. He had been a lover of the bachata dance from as early as 1998 and his loyalty was for real. There were different types of the bachata dance and he was curious as to whxh if them was to be performed.

Once Li-lah and her partner entered the ring, the atmosphere changed dramatically. It was different from the energetic bachata dance witnessed in previous days. It was about what was said between the two, who was more masculine and who was more feminine and the way in which they responded to each other. It was that bachata sensual dance that made Mateo sit up and pay attention. His eyes suddenly locking with hers. He couldn't help but let his gaze move round her body as her moves spoke volumes about her sensuality.

Maria couldn't explain it, but the moment the dancer stepped into the stage, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.

Mateo on the other hand could not peel his eyes away. The woman possessed such grace and seductive moves. As she moved with her partner, Mateo couldn't take his eyes off her. He followed her every move, her every body contortion and her every walk and talk. It was a thing of beauty. He felt like he was in a trance.

He watched the two dance the bachata and felt his own body getting warm. He shook his head to clear the thoughts, trying to shake off the feelings and images in his mind.

Eventually the dancing came to an end and the crowd stood up and started to clap in appreciation.

As she concluded the performance, and the curtains were pulled back, he was once again reminded how much the bachata dancer he just saw felt like a woman he had known his entire life. A feeling of excitement filled his heart.

He couldn't help but overhear the discussion between two other parents seated behind him.

"What a dancer. And her style is impeccable."

"It sure is. I hear she has a child here too. A daughter."

"Are you sure?"

"Estoy muy seguro. I am very sure."

Maria who had also been listening scoffed when she heard this. "Fuego elementary must have become a joke. This school is for the high and mighty. How can an ordinary dancer's child attend here?"

Mateo igonred whatever he heard and focused on trying to get his composure back.

The curtain opened again, and she entered the stage. It took his breath away when she appeared in a black dress.

The thumping of the music filled the room, and the gallery fell silent, expectantly watching her. She twirled elegantly, her movements getting more graceful with each step. The music grew louder.

As her eyes locked with his, he couldn't help but notice the gleam of delight that sparkled within them. It almost seemed like she had a gleam of knowing in her eyes as they fixed on his.

She stood tall and had a confident smile on her face as her eyes gave him a wink and moved away.

His heart started to beat faster. Her smile had a hypnotic quality to it and it couldn't help but send him into a trance.

Maria watched her leave the stage. She was starting to feel a little uncomfortable again. This was getting out of hand.

"Would you kindly stop spying on her! It isn't polite!"

Mateo wasn't sure what she meant by spying, but as soon as she said it he came out of his trance.

"Excuse me? Spying?"

"You heard me! We are in public. She is a performer and it is against school rules to spy on her. She has no idea that we are here. There are too many people in the room. You need to stop."

Mateo looked her in the eyes, trying to understand what was going on.

She gave him a look that made him feel he was a small child, not to mention a misbehaving one.

"You need to grow up. You are no longer a high school student. Behave like the mature adult you are supposed to be."

"You should be the one to grow up. I'm just watching a performance just like everyone else. It's your insecurities speaking." He said with a hint of humor in his voice.

Maria was getting annoyed. She glared at him with a look that promised he'd better not say a word more.