Chapter 9 - Beware... dangerous man - mduno
Lorena kept talking while I looked in the direction of the man who danced like a god. But I managed to catch her last comment.
"I didn't know he danced so well..." I interrupted Lorena.
"So well? Lorena, he's perfect on the dance floor!" My expression was overly enthusiastic.
"Oh, girl! I was in his bed once, just one day, and it was the best day of my life. It was an amazing experience; he pushes you to your limits. His problem is that he never repeats with a woman."
I rubbed my arms, knowing that if I fell for his virile charm, I'd be just another name in his endless list of women.
"Something's going on with you." We looked at each other. "My Vero, I don't know if what I'm about to say will help, but I'll trust your good sense."
"Tell me." I wanted to know everything about his life.
"No woman has ever been in his private quarters. Never. He never dances at his social gatherings. They say he never goes to clubs because he could be killed, and tonight there are more than fifty men from his security detail, along with his select group of trusted men. I swear, they won't let anyone else in because it would get out of control for the Rat."
"I'm lost, I don't follow you, Lorena. Where are you going with this?"
"Something's up with the boss when it comes to you." Her eyes drilled into mine. "And I've known you since you were born. I've never seen that sparkle in your eyes. But remember, he's a dangerous man, very, very dangerous, and you don't know to what extent."
"Remember, he's a drug lord! You know or can imagine what he's done to get to the position he enjoys now. If you want to get an idea, he has the same empire as Pablo Escobar decades ago. He exudes power, radiates power, nothing escapes him, he controls everything, and even though he looks so young, he's a genius, his mind is privileged, and he's surrounded himself with very good people who make him even more powerful."
"He acts with a lot of apathy... Do you think he likes me?"
The emerging feeling in my heart surprised me. Veronica, get off that cloud for heaven's sake. He's a dangerous man.
"With him, you never know. He always gets what he wants. If he likes something, he takes it and leaves it after a few hours. He goes through life using whatever he fancies. The only thing I can tell you is that it's up to you whether you become just another one. If you decide to fall for a few hours of the best sex in the world, I will never judge you because he's the king of sex, of S&M, and he knows what a woman likes."
"And you, my Vero." She got lost in her thoughts, then sighed. "You're a sweet angel to those who know you. I don't want to see you cry or suffer because of someone like him."
Those were the first wise words with deep meaning from my friend. The crux was to determine if I was still in time to change what was stirring from my core just by being near him. Raúl invited me to dance again.
I didn't confirm it, but I felt his eyes on my movements, and for some reason, I wanted to give him a great show. When it ended, I had to use the bathroom again. I looked at the bathroom, knowing I'd have to pass close to Roland.
"Lorena, come with me to the bathroom again, please. I don't want to go alone."
We passed as far from the bar as possible; I didn't want to talk to him. When we came out, Roland was talking to a stunning brunette, smiling and offering her a drink. I felt a rage from my core; it was absurd how the anger flared up, without reason.
It was evident what his strategy was. Offer drinks to women, dance one song, then leave her and pick the next one. He saw me out of the corner of his eye; I pretended and crossed quickly, maintaining an indifference that was hard to control.
"I'm tired, Raúl. Lorena, are we leaving, or are you staying?"
"I'm continuing the party."
El Flaco had stood up, offered me his hand, and we walked to the exit, but an unexpected hand made us stop abruptly. Turning around, Roland was so close... he smelled delicious. He scrutinized me with that particular look of his. How I wished to disdain his gaze.
"I'll take you home."
My heart and reason collided. Sooner or later, I knew this would happen. I was just a spectator to this internal struggle, and being close to his body blocked my reasoning. Where did my willpower go?
"She came with me," Raúl objected.
"Do yourself a favor, man, don't intervene, or I can mess you up."
"I came with him, and I'll leave with him. You've already found company, by the way, she's waiting for you."
He analyzed what I said, stifling the urge to laugh in my face. In that moment, as he walked away, I realized... I looked like a jealous woman. How stupid! He made a gesture with his mouth indicating he didn't like something.
"Yeah... It's better if you take her. Apparently, she made up some weird story in her head."
I turned my back quickly, avoiding him seeing the color of my face, which I felt hot with embarrassment. How stupid, how idiotic! Ever since I met him, I've had strange sensations in my chest, stomach, and lower abdomen, and I couldn't control them.
I have internal forces pulling in opposite directions. A situation too embarrassing for my ego. Even my eyes stung. The ride to the apartment was silent. El Flaco took out his motorcycle when we arrived, kissed my forehead, and left.
I hope he goes straight home. Alone, my thoughts revolved around Roland Sandoval. I went into the bathroom, took a shower, which felt good, and I wanted to get rid of the cigarette smell from my body.
It didn't help to relax me; I got rid of the smell, but my thoughts were encapsulated and went into a repetitive process. I don't understand myself. I know he's a dark man, not a catch, he embodies the concept of masculinity I've always criticized...
I have always objected to and ridiculed what people say about overwhelming feelings, and look at me now. I have relived every second spent with a man who, if I put it in a rational context, is not suitable for me in the least.
It was a sign of IMMINENT DANGER. My brain had the warning light flickering red, yet my body opposed it and was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Today, without a doubt, I played the role of a yearning woman, a desperate idiot, with nothing to refute. I had to admit it, I looked like an obsessive lunatic to myself.
The days at the university passed quickly. Since we had postponed classes due to internal issues at the institution, the assignments piled up for two weeks, and to finish by the dates set at the beginning of the semester, we had to put in extra effort if we wanted to earn a degree that would certify our entry into society as professionals. I left my last class, and my phone rang.
"Hey, Skinny, how are you?"
I heard a shout of excitement on the other end of the line. I kept walking, eager to get home, I was very hungry, my stomach was growling.
"Guess what!"
I smiled, imagining him putting his hand on his forehead to deliver extraordinary news.
"I'm not good at that, so just tell me."
"I have two VIP tickets for the Marc Anthony concert next week." I smiled hearing how happy he was, he must be jumping— "I'm going with Carlos."
"And who is Carlos now? Raúl, please behave because I don't want you to turn into a jerk or catch a disease. I've told you many times!"
"Stop being paranoid, I'm dating him, I'll be with him for the rest of my life."
I rolled my eyes, left the university, and reached the bus stop. I hope it doesn't take long to arrive.
"Just like it was with Oscar?" The bus came quickly, I got on.
"I see I can't talk to you. I just wanted to tell you that I'm going to the concert."
"I don't want to know how you managed to get those tickets."
"And they're VIP!" He ended the call, and I put my phone in my bag.
Raúl and four other friends decided to celebrate our last semester at the club where we always met. Finally, we would finish six years of studies against all odds. I danced with Andrés and Skinny, who were the best to dance with on the floor. After several songs, I decided to take a break. I needed to drink something to hydrate.
"Andrés, do you mind if we get something to drink?"
He smiled, tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, which made me a bit uncomfortable.
"You know if I let you go, you won't come back to dance with me, and that's not nice. Raúl or Mañe will ask you, and out of courtesy, you'll say yes and leave me aside."
I tried to smile at him, the song ended, and I left the dance floor. When I got to the table, Raúl handed me a glass of soda. I had just sat down when Roland arrived at our table, just looking at me, I was at his will.
"Shall we dance?" Dance? God, it would be a sacrilege not to. I got up, walked beside him— "I see you don't waste time."
What is he doing here? We reached the dance floor, and he hugged me again to start dancing a merengue. I followed his lead, he danced with such mastery, I kept up with his rhythm. His fragrance evoked in me the desire to take off his clothes. Control yourself, Veronica! The song ended, and I pulled away before he could leave me hanging.
"Where are you going?"
He stayed on the dance floor, extending his hand to continue dancing… And so we did. Feeling his breath in my ear, the times he held me tighter than necessary during some songs. This was heaven! We had been dancing for an hour when the bubble of this strange world we decided to create was interrupted by his right-hand man.
I sensed something more, he might feign indifference and spew sarcastic words, but he couldn't hide the chemistry between us.
"Veronica, please, give me a few minutes. I need to do something, I was informed the person I need to talk to has arrived. Please, sit at your table and don't dance until I get back."
"Excuse me?"
And when did he become my father, to boss me around like that? The bubble completely burst, who does he think he's dealing with?
"You heard me. Don't dance with anyone else, wait for me to return. Keep in mind, I hate repeating orders, I think I've mentioned that."
He left the dance floor, and I was left irritated for not being able to respond. I felt anger for not being able to vent in the face of such a petty act. I got to the table, took Raúl's drink, and downed it in one gulp.
I reflected inwardly. If I stayed, it would mean I would obey him, becoming completely submissive, an idiot, and many other names… Never!
I said goodbye to my friends and left the club. Raúl insisted on taking me, to which I said it wasn't necessary. I hailed a taxi when I heard my name.
"Veronica!" Roland approached, looking in all directions, his face reflecting his anger— "Can you tell me what the hell you're doing?"
"Excuse me?" I said again, smiling— "I'm tired and want to go home."
"I'll take you." He crossed his arms, looking at me with uncertainty.
"I don't want to go with you, besides, you're busy." I replied.
"I only asked for a minute." He explained— "I don't know… I don't owe you any explanation."
"I didn't ask for one, besides, you don't get to boss me around or demand anything from me!" He raised his hands.
"Let's be clear, Veronica. I'll give you ten million for one night."