The Dancing Torera

43

⚠️Important Author note⚠️

Omg guys!! I am so sorryyyyy
I was editing at 12 am to try and update the last chapter so I didn't write in an important part.

Just pretend Anais hypnotized the bull/made him calm down by doing a really intense but sultry flamenco dance! You will see the aftermath of the match unfold in this chapter.

———

"NOOOO!!" I yelled, shooting up from the covers. A thick film of sweat soaked my delicate skin.  I took a couple of deep breaths before taking in my surroundings. I was in Esteban's apartment, in his bedroom.

But where was Esteban?

I see a pile of empty bedsheets ruffled beside me.
"Esteban?" My voice croaks. It was so dry and I was so parched. I teetered off the side of the bed, stumbling blindly to find something to quench my thirst.

I hear the door open and see Esteban enter in with a brown bag of medicine and a box of hot food.

"Anais." he says running over to where I stood. He held me tight, gently supporting my frail frame as I leaned against him.

"What happened...I mean where —"

"Shh, come on mi amor" He leads me to the brown couch in the middle of his living room, pushing a pillow against my back so that I could relax.
He turns to get me water from his fridge before sitting down beside me.

"What happened? All I remember is the performance and—" I froze as I thought back to his brutal killing and shivered.

"You fainted in my arms after I killed that bull. They took you to the hospital to make sure you were okay. Hector made me stay to talk to the reporters about the cancelled match and then I came straight to the hospital to see you"

"Wait the match was cancelled?" I frowned, feeling worse about the situation.

"We had to cancel. After the bull escaped and I killed it, we had no others. Julio (coach) is launching an investigation on the workers for negligence"

It was quiet as we both processed the news.

"You know that saying? Your life flashes before your eyes before you die?"

Esteban nodded, meeting my eyes.

"I didn't see my life Esteban...."

"No? Why" he asks, scooting closer to grab my hand. He still looked worried.

"Because I knew I wasn't going to die.
Esteban I felt...free
I felt like a burden had finally lifted.
When I danced and the bull stood there,  hypnotized by my moves, I felt like we were speaking his language.
When I placed my hand against its forehead... I felt like? Like one with his spirit"

He looked at me concerned and perplexed, feeling the base of my forehead. "You're burning up Anais"

"Stop it Esteban" I giggled, gently holding his palm within mine. "I'm serious. I didn't faint because of fear.  I fainted because of you and your killing. Your hands.... they were so red.
So stained with the blood of that innocent bull.

"Anais your tired. You haven't ate and you have a fever. Let's get you into bed" he helped me off the couch, leading me to his room.

"No! let go of me!" I yelled realizing and remembering the chaos and the disfunction from last night. Esteban stared at me confused and bothered by my new disposition.

"Esteban...what you're doing to those animals. It's not right. You're murdering them and slaughtering them in cold blood"

"It's a job Anais. My job
You dance and twirl.
I taunt and kill." He defended.