Chapter 109

13 years later

He smiled heartily, as h e always did after a presentation. Hearing the applause of his audience as h e walked offstage was undoubtedly his favorite thing since his father gave him a cape, top hat, a n d wand for his tenth birthday. h e decided t o dedicate himself t o illusionism when that afternoon at his grandmother's house, a magnificent magician left him speechless by drawing a dove o n a small blackboard a n d then shaking it a n d taking out a royal dove. As it did? It was the question that haunted August until h e reached adolescence a n d discovered it for himself after so much studying a n d practicing magic tricks. In the end, it wasn't as hard as I thought it was.

After finishing school, the Real Centro Universitario María Cristina de San Lorenzo de El Escorial in Spain was her next step in her academic training, where she specialized in Illusionism. Having dreamy parents helped him a lot, otherwise h e would have had t o settle for being a graduate, engineer or doctor, those academic careers that ensure economic stability. Day after day h e was grateful t o be the son of two well-known actors in the film industry a n d that they were the best parents in the world, because they supported him in everything h e did.

And tonight was no exception.

"Are you sure, honey?" asked his mother, who was walking beside him down the corridor of the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

-Yes mom. Sure. You guys go t o the hotel t o rest,” h e replied.

"We would like t o spend as much time as possible with you, son," his father commented, putting a hand o n his shoulder a n d making him stop. How long have we not seen you?

"Three months," Shirley said.

'They must be exhausted. They arrived this afternoon a n d didn't even have a proper lunch,” August a n swered.

"Okay," Xander relented. We'll go t o rest —he took his wife by the hand—, but tomorrow I hope we can all meet for lunch together. Your sister arrives in the morning.

-Voucher. I'll be o n time at the hotel restaurant,” the twenty-five-year-old blonde said.

Shirley released her husband a n d walked over t o her son. She stood o n tiptoe a n d held August's head so that h e leaned in a little so she could kiss him o n the forehead.

“Take care, son. We drink a lot, a n d if you're going t o drink...

"I'm not driving, Mom," she interrupted her mother. I'll tell Kenny I picked m e up at the club" h e said referring t o his driver.

Xander gave her shoulder a n other squeeze.

"See you tomorrow," the father said as h e took his wife's hand again.

"God bless you," Shirley crossed her son a n d h e smiled at the tender gesture his mother made every time they said goodbye.

The Grandersons went t o one of the rear exits of the compound. August took his cell phone out of his pants pocket a n d sent a text message t o the pretty redhead h e was dating during the last weeks of his stay in the United States.

I'm o n my way t o the club, gorgeous. h e typed a n d hit the “send” key.

He took a deep breath a n d let it out slowly as h e remembered his encounter with Melanie before the show started.

"Will your parents come?" The girl was very excited. August nodded. Cool! I can finally meet them.

At last? The words echoed in the illusionist's mind. "It's not like we've been dating for years. We met a couple of weeks ago." Thought.

"I think it's best if I introduced them t o you some other time," August replied.

-On a n other occasion? The girl frowned. You are ashamed of me? h e crossed his arms.

"Ashamed of you?" h e pretended t o be outraged by the question. Of course not! It's just that… —I hesitate for a moment t o tell him, knowing that women are easily offended—, we haven't been dating for long a n d my parents are old-fashioned —he lied.

The problem wasn't his parents, it was him. h e made a promise t o himself that the first (and hopefully only) woman h e would introduce t o them would be the one h e was determined t o truly commit to. h e wouldn't make the same mistake as his friends who seemed t o parade their conquests in front of everyone. That was the reason his family didn't know a n y of his girlfriends. a n d wow, there were quite a few! But so far h e did not know the lady who was worthy t o present t o his parents.

It wasn't that Melanie was a bad girl, it was just that she didn't fit the stereotype of the woman h e imagined marrying. As far as h e knew, she came from a dysfunctional family. His father had problems with alcohol a n d beat his mother, a n d his brother belonged t o a gang of criminals a n d was in prison for three years.

At times, August felt very sorry for her, because you could see her desire t o improve herself a n d get away from that shit in which she grew up. However, his attitude conflicted with his ideals, as h e loved going t o parties a n d drinking until h e passed out. It was a bit foul-mouthed a n d controversial, but the sex… the sex was amazing.

In conclusion, Melanie was the ideal type of girl t o have a summer romance.

-Give m e some time. I'll organize a nice dinner a n d I'll introduce them t o you —he lied again.

Melanie saw in August the man who would help her out of her miserable life. h e was aware that h e was not a savior. Perhaps his behavior was that of a scoundrel, but h e was honest with her from the beginning. h e never filled her head with romantic kitsch, far from it. h e never resorted t o low tricks t o be able t o take her t o bed. h e was always honest with his intentions. You are beautiful a n d I like you. I know I will enjoy sex with you. Are you willing t o do it? Without complications. Just you a n d me. We'll see what happens next, was what h e told her the night h e met her in a New York nightclub.

She agreed instantly, as the chemistry between the two was evident. At first everything went well. They met after a show, went out t o dance, have a couple of drinks a n d ended up entangled between the sheets of a luxurious hotel room. How i s it that suddenly everything started t o get complicated? In the last days she showed t o want more a n d more. However, h e was not prepared for a n y kind of commitment. His career as a n  illusionist was in the best moment. The Big a n derson, as h e was known in show business, was one of the most prominent magicians of recent years. h e was touring the main u s cities a n d would soon leave for Europe.

He headed t o his dressing room, where h e gathered his belongings a n d prepared t o leave. h e signaled t o his driver a n d h e knew it was time t o get the truck ready. Fifteen minutes later, August was o n his way t o the XS Night-club.