KRISTY The shit also happens to the stars

The barmaid

I arrive at the house and see Frederique and Joana waiting for me on the steps.  Seeing them, my muscles relax slowly.  They come down to help me unload the trunk.  As they walked through the door, they couldn't help but utter a cry of admiration.  I suggest they visit.

The villa is in a contemporary style, mounted on two floors.  The walls and stairs are white with occasional yellow or pastel blue sections.  The rooms are spacious, open to the outside thanks to gigantic bay windows.  The sun enters through the berries inside the house throughout the day.  The cuisine is gargantuan!  Perfect for simmering good traditional dishes that I love.  The house has five bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, all with a bath, a shower and a double sink.  The living room, the dining room and the library have a sea view. On each floor, a balcony invites you to relax with its garden furniture.
I end the visit by the private path which gives direct access to the beach.  The girls' eyes widen and sparkle, I feel like I'm looking at two kids in front of Santa Claus.

The girls start decorating while I take a bath to relax.  With all the emotions I went through today, I deserved it!

I dive completely underwater.  The warm water on my skin brings me invigorating pleasure.  As I get my head out of the water, I hear a knock on the door.  It's my mother who has just arrived!  I ask him to be patient while I dry off and put on a bathrobe.

- Your house is really beautiful, my dear!

She kisses me on the forehead.

- Did you take a walk?
- I inspected it from top to bottom.  It's huge here.  Aren't you afraid of getting lost all alone here?
- If you think you can convince me to come back and live at home, it's a failure!  Today I have known worse than losing myself at home.

The concern can be read on my mother's face.

- What happened to you?

I tell him about the harassment I suffered all afternoon from the paparazzi.  My urge to cry resurfaces when I arrive at the moment of the photo of my buttocks.  My mother is ulcerated.  She does not understand the reactions of these men or of people who can read such tea towels.  In my profession, people say it's the price of fame.  Rubbish!  It's a poison that slowly destroys you from the inside!  I show him the video I took of the paparazzi.  She seems satisfied.

- As long as they are calm for a while!

Yes, let's hope!

- Try to forget and take advantage of your loved ones, they are the essentials of your existence!

My mother hugs me and cradles me tenderly.
She comes back downstairs to help the girls while I get ready.  Choosing my outfit, I can't help but wonder if Thelma will find me attractive.  Again, why Thelma but not Elliot?

Everything is ready !  Even the caterer came in to deliver the order.  My relatives are arriving one after the other.  I welcome them with a broad, natural smile.  I haven't seen some of them for months.  They are all captivated by the villa.  I am the first in the family to be able to afford such a home.  Elliot also arrives a little late.  I had asked him to arrive before the others and finally he arrives in the last.  He mumbles an incomprehensible excuse!
I look at him dumbfounded!

- What's that look?
- Yeah, sorry I didn't have time to change!
- Or to shower you apparently!  The bathroom is upstairs, you better go!

I find his attitude strange and his smell too.  Looks like he smells like sex!  I still have to get some ideas!

Christopher tells the story of the paparazzi to whoever wants to hear it, since our mother gave him the story.  So everyone wants to see the video!  The stars of this evening are them!

The evening is in full swing when the doorbell rings.  When I open the door, I find myself face to face in front of Thelma.  The moment of truth has arrived!
I invite her to come in and present her to the assembly.  I hold my breath as I introduce Elliot.  As long as he doesn't realize anything!

I no longer see her and her eyes so intense, a deep green darker than mine.  When she smiles at me my heart capsizes!  I offer her a drink which she accepts with pleasure.  It monopolizes all my intention.  Elliot notices it but makes no remark.  She has no guilt about flirting with me in front of my boyfriend.
She observes the cocktails and decides to approach the bar that we have set up just for tonight.  She watches me out of the corner of her eye with a pout on her lips.  I crack !
She begins a millimeter choreography.  She juggles a cocktail shaker that she puts on the counter.  Then does the same with different bottles that she has carefully chosen.  She mixes the alcohol in the shaker while continuing to juggle the bottles.  She finishes filling the shaker with the ice that she crushed using tongs.  And continues his ballet by swirling the shaker in his hands.
Everyone is gathered in front of the bar.  I stayed away behind the others to see better.  Throughout her performance, she looks me straight in the eye with a slight smile.  Elliot observes us in turn but I don't even notice him.  I understand that she is trying to impress me.  It works even more than she guesses!
She opens the shaker and pours its contents into a glass.  This one is nicely decorated with sugar and syrup on the drink and a straw.  Magnificent !  She amazes me!  She curtsies to Slavic applause.  The public is asking for more!

- Thelma ...!  Thelma ...!  Thelma!

They clap their hands and feet.  Christopher whistles, I think he's in awe, too.  The next cocktail is for him.  The ballet mistress resumes her choreography.  Everyone now has their own cocktail.  It only remains for me to be served.  Even Elliot accepted his although he didn't seem thrilled.  Thelma stares at me and addresses her audience.

- The turn of the one who without her, the party would not take place!

I have the right to a special cocktail!  An exclusive cocktail that Thelma created to participate in the competition: The Barmen Society International which took place last year in Los Angeles.  This time, it is not the spectator who comes to get his drink at the counter.  But the barmaid who comes in person to bring me the Tumbler.  She comes so close to me that our breasts brush against each other.  I am confused by the contact of his body and drown in his eyes!  She hands me the glass without taking her eyes off me.  Our hands touch for a fraction of a second when I grab the glass.  Something tells me that this woman has plenty of other hidden talents!
The guests disperse, the show is over!  Thelma and her agility are the center of the conversation.  We remain frozen in this posture.

- You don't taste your cocktail?

I slowly bring the glass to my lips.  The cocktail is delicious, delicate and powerful at the same time.

- Yeah, not bad!  I'm sure you can do better.
- Mocking!

We burst out laughing!
Thelma watches the guests to make sure no one is watching us.  She suggests that I sneak away.  I'm looking for Elliot to make sure I don't get spotted.  He's on the other side of the living room chatting with my cousins.  I take this opportunity to stealthily disappear, Thelma on my heels!