I couldn't sleep, I thought about him all night, when I finally fell asleep I jumped out of bed afraid of missing the schedule, the anxiety inside me was so much that I even thought about going to his room, maybe waking him up for make everything flow faster.
The clock said five o'clock in the morning when I got up, I went straight to the shower, I would have taken a cold shower to ward off the heat that was rising between my legs, but that was if it weren't winter. I stalled as long as I could so that the appointment time arrived faster. I felt like a kid on a school day.
I sat on the edge of the bed, lay down, got up again, decided that the outfit wasn't good enough, even if it was my best piece, I changed it for another one, I also decided that it wasn't good enough... But my options were sparse, so I went back to the first outfit. I styled my hair several different ways and none of them seemed to draw his attention the way I'd like.
But I had to settle...
The clock said seven o'clock, and the time just never arrived. I watched the clock move, seconds turning into minutes, eager for it to knock on my door. I imagined how amusing it would be for him to watch my desperation to see him.
With five minutes to go now, my heart was jumping through my mouth, a feeling so unfamiliar to me... I just never felt like this, not even as a teenager, not even when I was asked to marry David, I remember feeling only that it was the right thing to do, and even when he put the ring on my finger it didn't feel anything special at all. Later that night David didn't touch me, he just posted the photos of our engagement on the damn facebook and instagram, to add color to that perfect life theater we played on the networks. He was the right guy, with the right job, the right looks, he always said the right thing, he wanted me to be smart but not enough to bother him, he wanted me to be pretty and fit, not talk too much at events social. And I was that girl... I tried really hard to be that girl.
When I gave the exact time he knocked on my door, the polite attitude did not suit him at all.
I waited a bit, not wanting to sound so desperate.
But I didn't wait that long, because if I waited any longer I might pass out there.
- Good morning Vicenzo...- I said trying to breathe again in the right way.
- Good morning Lauren, I thought you would still be sleeping.
- It's because? Didn't we arrange a time?
- Yes, but you love to challenge me! I thought that would be the case.
Little did he know that I was desperate to see him! Totally desperate to look him in the eye again, and that there was no way I could still be sleeping if I woke up at five in the morning!
- Alright let's go, lots to do, little time. The jet will be waiting for us at the airport in the afternoon. We need to hurry.
- Aren't we going on a domestic flight? - I said in surprise.
- You're kidding, aren't you? - He looked at me without smiling, did I offend him in any way? Well, I didn't think of that. Just how handsome he looked in those jeans, a blue sweater that somehow made his eyes stand out.
As we walked to the garage, he placed his hand lightly on my lower back, and that touch alone was enough to make me shiver all over.
We got into a car that looked like it had been taken from some movie, I was acting out some clichéd movie I was sure. But I didn't say anything, he was sizing me up, waiting for what clueless comment I would make next.
- So, what are the plans? - I asked moving everything, even the glove compartment, I opened it without even asking. He didn't say anything, just watched me.
- Are you hoping to find some merchandise? Relax, if the police stop they won't find anything out front, they're in the trunk. - He said smiling.
- You're kidding, right? - I said that in the most scared tone I could, I couldn't be arrested, even more so for drug trafficking.
- Of course I am, do you think I would carry that in my car? You watch too many movies Lauren! - He said almost laughing in my face.
- You haven't answered me yet Vicenzo, what are your plans? - I said interrupting the cycle of jokes with my face.
- Let's buy you some clothes, a decent suitcase, and a dress. You will accompany me to an event.
I imagined the kind of event I would attend, out in the country, full of dangerous thugs. I was afraid, but curiosity was much greater! My imagination ran to yellowed Hollywood movies.
- What event is this? - I asked staring at him, seeming at ease with the situation.
- An important one, lots of people to impress. -He didn't look at me once, I don't know if it was because he avoided telling me what it was all about, or if he was focused on the direction.
- Okay, is it like a very formal thing? Or like a bacchanal? - I did the placement exactly to provoke him.
- Bacchanal? Do you really think I would take you to such a place? - His look is now somber, he seemed to get angry at the same moment. Wow, not a joke? - I would never take you to a fucking bacchanalia, write it down for your story... I don't like sharing what's mine at all.
I was speechless in the same moment, Was I his? I would jot down one more fact, he was arrogant and had superhuman confidence! I glared at him with an expression, trying to make it look angry, but without me noticing a smirk appeared, and I got a goofy face looking at him.
- I'm yours then? I've never heard anything so stupid Vicenzo! - - I laughed.
- You may not be yet, but it's just a matter of time for me!
We stopped on a street I never used, the most expensive street in town. For a person like me, who only bought sneakers in department stores and some in supermarkets, being there was surreal. I could see that the kind of woman who frequented that kind of place would never wear the rags I was wearing.
Vicenzo's cell phone rang the moment he stopped.
- Lauren, go into the store... No jokes! I'll come in right behind you.
I obeyed, I don't know why the "no jokes" I didn't have the slightest intention of running away.
When I walked into the store, wearing ~as I said before~ my usual rags, a tall blonde saleswoman approached, I felt like a flea dog at the same moment. She measured me up and down. Embarrassment rose through my body, taking over my face and it turned red, I was sure. I felt like running out of that place at the same moment, how audacious of me! That place was not made for me.
- Hi Miss, did you come to deliver a resume? - She said that without massage, I felt like she had stuck a knife in my throat.
- N...na..no - O didn't take long to leave, the shop's customers were equally haughty looking at me, some even whispering.
So I gave up, turned towards the exit.
And there he was looking at me again, did he keep up with all that? Did he see what happened? I didn't know... But his angry look was something I had faced once, at least that's what I thought. But today's was much... much worse!
- Ladies, good afternoon. - He started.
- Hi, what are you looking for? -She opened a smile so beautiful, wide and bright that I didn't even know that motherfucker had so many teeth in her mouth by the way she acted with me.
- I'm looking for another girl to attend my wife - My wife, my wife, my wife, that sounded a thousand times in my mind.
- S..your wife? - She said in disbelief, I'm not even fucking ugly, I'm just poorly dressed! There's a difference!
- Yes my wife, I'll pay everything in cash. I want her to try on every outfit in the store, I don't care what the price is. - He spoke with a confidence I would never have.
- Yes sir, I will help her.
- No you do not! You're commissioned, aren't you? Weren't you the one who mistreated her a few minutes ago? - He looked deep into her eyes, and took my hand. I didn't need anything else.
- So, please, another attendant, did I speak Greek?
All the movement in the store was now focused on me, they ran like drunken turkeys around the store trying to satisfy me in any way they could. We were served champagne and everything. Vicenzo sat in the armchair in front of the dressing room, seeming indifferent to those women who looked at him and devoured him with their gaze.
- Lauren I need to answer, do you manage alone there? - He said smiling
- Yes, I look around....
He came very close to me and kissed me on the mouth, bit my lips and that feeling of vulnerability invaded me again, and before I could say anything - See if you buy some lingerie for me to take off later. - He said with a smirk on his lips.
It left once again leaving me completely breathless.