The Dancing Torera

48

Anais

I wake up in the middle of the night and hear Esteban talking with someone. It sounded like Gloria?

"He knew what he was doing that bastardo" He cursed beneath a tired breath.

I take my blanket and tiptoe downstairs to asses the scene. I am greeted by a frantic Esteban. He was pacing the length of the kitchen while Gloria sipped her tea at the kitchen island.

"You won the match mijo. There is no use being upset at irreverent things. The presidente will allow you at the match tomorrow and if not tomorrow the next day. You still have a week of matches left"

"Ma, you know the reason! He's only doing this because I punched him! And because he has some hard on for my girlfriend"

"Ahh! So Anais is still your girlfriend?" Gloria chuckled before standing to put her cup in the sink.

"Maaaaa not this again" Esteban groaned. Gloria lifted her eyes to where I stood.

"Anais" She smiled, walking over to hug me. She rubbed my arms affectionally, looking into my eyes. "Did we wake you?"

"No...no...I woke up myself" I whispered, allowing a lazy smile to part my lips. I looked over at Esteban as he leaned against the cabinet, watching me carefully.

"Well I am so glad your awake. He's been talking my ear off since 2am" she smirked.

"What time is it now?" I yawned.

"4am" she sighs, still holding her tea cup before walking over and putting it in the sink. "I am off to bed. Goodnight mijo. Goodnight mija" she kissed my cheek before heading up stairs.

I waited for her footsteps to fade before dropping my blanket and moving over to the sink. I started the water, making sure to wash Gloria's cup.

Of course, Esteban comes behind me, pushing his arms in front of my stomach before kissing my shoulders. It was so on brand for him, I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

We stand in silence with Esteban slowly showering me with kisses while I continued to wash. I try to separate from him but he pulled me into his arms, lifting me up to sit on the counter.

"Anais"

"Esteban I don't want to talk about it"

"Then I'll talk." His voice was firm. I was silent, but continued looking into his eyes.

"Anais. I know I'm not the best with words but I love you.
I've never loved a girl as much as I do you. I am the famous playboy but... I've never known what it meant to love a girl the way I do you"

I nodded, encouraging him to continue.

"I am bad at this." He smiled awkwardly.

"Go on" I snapped.

"I don't know what to say and when I do say something, I say the wrong thing. I know you don't like Hector. But he is my manager. He has gotten me to where I am today. I am torn between my true love and ...the love of my sport"

He bent low to kiss the top of my thigh before looking up to me.

"Mi amor...tell me what to do...I don't know what to do."

"Esteban" I start...

"I am not pressuring you mi amor. I was on my way out actually. I'm sleeping in my apartment. I'm trying to give you space because I know you need it"

I nodded. Surprised at his abundance of maturity given the situation.

"Seeing you at my match tonight? God Anais, You don't understand what that did to me." He hurried his head in my lap, gently pulling the ends of my nightdress. "You are my lifeline. My pulse. I need you mi amor" he looked up to meet my gaze with tears pooling in his ducts.

"Esteban..."

"Just come to my match...every match this week. Please" He pressed his head against my forehead, curling a strand of hair behind my ear.

"The Presidente." I whispered, staring into his eyes.

"Fu*ck him" he pulled my jaw into his palms, kissing my lips before breaking away and taking his keys to depart.

——-

Thursday
3 matches have come and gone

And every day, the matches went on. I was in the front row for every one of Esteban's shows. It's not like I could dance anymore so I figured what better way than to busy myself. Half my dance team refused to dance anyway. They were too scarred by the fight.

Two matches came on went, and the President still denied Esteban and the Ninos their approval to dismember the bull.
I knew he was doing it in spite of me. He hated Esteban and loathed the fact that I was still in love with him.
Every kiss that lingered, he sneered
Every hug that formed, he fumed. It wasn't a surprise, especially watching his actions from his exclusive box.

Thursday is when I decided I had enough. It was the last day of calm before I snapped.

"Booooo!"
Boooo!"
"Let them do it!!"
Boooo"

The crowd was in uproar as the presidente put another thumb down, barring them finishing their performance. He looked at me from his viewing platform and smiled, staring into my very core.

"I can't take it anymore!" I fumed shooting up from my seat. I knew the presidente was doing this on purpose. It was one thing to hate me, but he knew better not to interfere with Esteban's career.

"Anais!" Mariela stood, running after me as I pushed through the crowds. "Where are you going!"

"To see that stupid cerda(pig)"