As the clock struck past seven, Marianna drove into town, her Porsche slicing through the morning air. Amongst the bustling streets, she found the baker shop. Cutting the engine, she stepped out of the car and went in. Inside. Mrs. Madeleine, the town's renowned baker with a hearty face and a pallid complexion, greeted Marianna warmly. Inside a vast glass counter top lay an array of pastries, each tempting in its own right. Marianna handed over her list, and Mrs. Madeleine, recognizing her loyal customer, disappeared into the depths of the bakery.
Few minutes later, she came back to Marianna. In her hands were two big paper bags filled with pastries. She gave the bags to Marianna. She collected it and paid in cash. She turned to go. As her hand reached the door handle, the door swung open and Marianna stiffened as her face came in contact with Selena. The two women regarded each other for a long moment. Then Marianna broke the silence.
“Well, well, look who we have here,” she said scornfully. “You ditched my brother yesterday and you came this morning for some sweet nice pastries to kill off your fucking hunger. Must be nice.” she leered.
“I don’t have anything to say to you, Marianna,” Selena said curtly. “Just get the hell outta my way or you won’t know what hits you.”
Marianna snorted.
“Of course I would. Who wants to fool around with a lousy mouth like you anyways? But watch your back, girl. Caesar’s coming for you, honey.” she winked wickedly.
“Is that a threat?” Selena said looking directly into the eyes of Marianna, her violet eyes glittering.
Marianna shrugged her shoulders.
“See it as whatever you like, Selena. But you know my brother. You know what he can do and what he will do. You shamed him and you will pay for it. No one does something bad to Caesar and goes free.” the expression on her face was deadpan.
Selena was livid. She pointed a finger at her.
“I don’t care what you or your brother feel. Tell Caesar to nurse himself. I’m pretty sure he would be sick by now. Now get the hell out of my way before I ruin that makeup on your face with a good slap.” and saying this, she brushed past Marianna and walked into the shop.
Marianna stared dumbfounded at Selena's stiff back. Then she smiled wickedly and left the shop.
Now, it so happened that, while Selena had been talking to Marianna, her mind had been busy with thoughts. She had recognized Marianna’s Porsche - everyone in the town knows her to drive a red Porsche - across the street and lots of questions had run around her head. Why was Marianna in town? What was she doing in the baker’s shop this early? Had she come to buy pastries for her and Caesar or someone else. From the shop, she watched as Marianna entered her car, fired the engine, expertly whipped the car around and began to drive away.
Selena stared curiously at the vanishing car. The hunger in her for pastries was forgotten. Then a sudden wild thought hits her and she dashed out of the store into the streets and headed towards the bicycle she had brought to the shop. She mounted it and began to pedal hard and fast behind the disappearing tail light of Marianna’s Porsche.
Selena was really good with her bicycle and she soon caught up with Marianna’s car. She quickly eased the speed of the bicycle, and was now pedaling at a normal speed, making sure she kept a good distance between her and the red car.
Few moments later, they got to a forked road. One of the roads led to Caesar’s cliff side mansion. One led into the woods. While the other led to the other neighboring towns. Marianna took the road that led into the woods.
Selena frowned. Why the hell was Marianna going into the woods, especially at this time of the day? And with all those pastries? Her instinct told her something was going on and she intended to find out what was. Stealthily, she pedaled after Marianna’s car.
………………………….
From the Davenport's beach hut window, Victor watched the thickets, big trees, and the vast expanse of golden sand under the scorching sun. Inside, the cabin was sweltering, the electric fan whirring futilely, blowing hot air on his sweaty face. Seated with rolled-up sleeves, Victor rested his muscular arms on the table, a cigarette between his fingers. A cold beer sat beside him, which he occasionally pressed against his face to cool off. Pouring himself a shot of whiskey, he rolled it in his mouth then he checked his watch—it was twenty minutes to eight. Closing his eyes, he thought about Marianna. She was bringing him groceries. Then his mind went back to the previous night and he winced.
Everything that happened at the church had happened so fast. There was no way he or anyone could have for-told it. He shook his head and grimaced. He remembered how he had lay inside the gutter, pretending to be knocked into it. Whereas, he had been quietly healing, the wounds on his face disappearing, the pains of the punches snuffing out. He had heard Caesar cursing and raging before getting into his car and driving away. And yet he lay there in the gutter. Some of the town folks had gathered around him, saying pitiful words, while some had said derogatory words. And yet he had lay there, not getting up.
Then he heard Marianna’s voice.
She helped him up from the gutter, guiding him away from the crowd and into her car. Inside, she noticed his face had miraculously healed, all the wounds gone. Overjoyed, she hugged and kissed him, relieved to see him unharmed. Not wanting to attract attention at Dvorak’s house, he asked if she knew a place he could stay. She mentioned the Davenport family cabin hut, long abandoned but still in good shape. Victor agreed, and she drove them there. She wanted to stay the night, but Victor insisted she go home to avoid suspicion from Caesar. She promised to return the next day with food and essentials.
Now as he sat there, his thought went to Selena and he felt his heartbeat quicken. I did not even stand a chance, he thought. I mean, I can’t even explain why I behaved that way inside the church. This woman was getting married to another man. And yet, I was looking at her as if she belonged to me. It was as if Caesar was taking what’s mine. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful women. I mean, Marianna is very beautiful. So why Selena? Why her? What made her different from these other women? He shook his head and grimaced. At that moment, no good answer was coming to his head. But she had wanted you too. Yes, she wanted him. He was sure of that. He has been around long enough with women to know what that look she was giving him meant. It was there in her eyes, the way her face had softened, and in the way blood hammered in her throat. He had seen it. She wanted him. And yes, he wanted her too.
A red Porsche came rattling along from the white curvy road.
Victor heard and saw it coming, and knowing who was in it, his handsome face twisted into a frown. Stupid girl! Hadn’t she had any sense to be careful. He crushed out the cigarette and got to his feet. He opened the cane door of the hut. He stepped out. The hot sunshine ray slanted across his face. He squinted his eyes and stepped away from it. Then he waited. The car came up to the front of the hut and stood still. The humming engine died and Marianna stepped out. She beamed at him.
“Darling! How are you feeling?” She was smiling ruefully. “Had a good night's rest?” Her voice was high pitched.
“You bet.” Victor said and not waiting for her, he went into the hut.
She came in a few minutes later, her hands full of different bags. She dumped them on the floor. And came over to where he sat. She jumped on his lap and cradled his face in her hand. It felt hot and moist.
“My poor wolfman.” she cooed and tilted her face forward to kiss him.
Victor turned his face away and felt her stiffened.
“You are slipping, Anna,” He said, ignoring the look of pain on her face. “I don’t like that.”
“What? What did I do?” She gasped.
He pointed at the Porsche which was gleaming in the hot sun.
“You brought that! That’s a flashy car right there. Everyone’s bound to see it and anyone who is curious enough would begin to wonder where you are heading. Some folks might have seen you come along this way. Questions would be asked and suspicions raised. Not that I’m scared, but I don’t want any heat for now.”
Marianna bit her inner lips.
“I’m sorry I didn’t think of all that. But is that why you didn’t kiss me?” She sulked.
“No.” Victor lied easily. How could he tell her that now that he had seen Selena, she seemed too boring, hyperactive and over pleasing. Fine! She had really helped him. She had been there for him in that godforsaken town when no one had, but he couldn’t help the way he was feeling about her now. “Let’s talk about your brother.” He said, trying to divert her mind.
She pulled away from him and went to sit on the bed.
“What about him?” She glared at him “What is he up to?” Victor asked. “He's definitely not happy with what happened yesterday. So I believe he’s up to something.”
“Up to something? Like what?” She was looking at him stupidly.
“Think Marianna! Right now, Caesar is not happy. And I have a feeling that the fight we had at the church wasn’t the end. It only marked the beginning. I hurt his ego. He’s never going to forgive me for that,” He saw a look of realization on her face. “You get the drift right? Good! I know you’ve got some sense in that head of yours.“
“You know, he had a feeling something was wrong with you.” Marianna declared.
Victor narrowed his eyes on her.
“What do you mean?”
Then she told him about the conversation she had had with Caesar the previous night and about all his suspicions. By the time she was done, Victor’s face was hard and tense.
“I’m not surprised. You see what I’m saying. I’ve got to be careful more than ever. Caesar is not stupid. Even though I tried not to come off as too strong for him, he must have sensed the resistance from me. He must have sensed I was deliberating holding back. Your brother is good. I will give him that. I have to be careful now. At least, until things straighten out in the town and everyone moves on. No one must know a werewolf has been living in the town for months. If I’m not careful, that secret could leak,”
Marianna nodded her head “Victor.” she said her voice was soft. Too soft. He stared at her. Something was bothering her.
“What is it?” He said gently.
She was quiet for some time, nibbling at her inner lips. Then she opened her mouth.
“Do you feel something for Selena?” Her green eyes were watching his face closely.
Victor stiffened to attention. If he showed any sign that what she had said had hit him, she would call him out. Make no mistake about that. Marianna might be acting dumb or behaving stupid and that’s because she loved him. Her feelings for him had blinded her. Her love for him is the main reason why she had kept his secrets and protected him from her werewolf hunter brother. If not for the love she had for him, she would easily sniff out any lies or pretense on his part. She could even rat on him to her brother if he hurts her. And Victor knew all these.
“What? Are you crazy? How could you think of that?” He gasped.
“I don’t know……I’m just confused that’s all.” She said feverishly. “You know I’ve got this girl’s intuition thing………..I’ve got a feeling……..that you don’t.” but Victor, knowing where the conversation was headed, quickly came over to where she was. He put his arms around her and brought her close.
“Don’t think of anything, Anna. I’m crazy about you, sweetheart. Why worry yourself?” and he took her face in his hands and brought his lips down on her. He felt her lips cold and hard against his, then it yielded, and he deepened the kiss taking the sweetness from her mouth, knowing in his mind that he would have given anything for them to just sit and talk.
Both of them would have been astonished if they had known that right outside the cabin hut, inside the thickets, beside her bicycle which was lying beside her, Selena lay crouched, her violet eyes watching the hut interestingly.