The Dancing Torera

51

Anais

"Anais! Anais!! Hey! Wait up!"

I pushed past the crowded room of drunk men and cigar smoke, deliberately ignoring Hector's calls behind me.

"Anais!" Hector finally caught up and grabbed my arm, halting my departure. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine Hector" I snatch my arm away, "I'm fine" I cursed beneath a tired breath, smoothing the wrinkles he had just created in the sleeve of my dress.

"Anais, if Esteban ever found out about this meeting..., he will—-"

"Esteban will NEVER find out if you don't tell him, Hector. Isn't that a wonderful concept?" I clue him in, turning on my heel to look for Mariela.
I needed to grab her so we could head out. She had to be around here someone?

"What did you discuss?" Hector pries, still attentive to my heel.

"None of your business you rat" I looked past him searching the room for my friend. I see her in the distance, conversing with a few men who looked up to no good.

"Come on Mariela, let's go. The match is over" I interrupt her little circle of friendship, glaring at the suspicious-looking men that surrounded her.

She nodded and smiled at each man before standing to leave.
"Adios Mariela. Adios El Jefe" one man smirked. I ignore him of course, looking around the cloud of smoke to find the exit.

"Don't look so happy" I say sarcastically. A little smile eventually forms on Mariela's perfectly glossed lips.

"Oh...sorry. Those men were just, never mind" she mumbles, trying her hardest to change the subject. "So what did the presidente say?"

"What didn't he say" I sighed, pushing through the crowd of men. We come to the exit and are escorted out by two guards until we reach the top of the stairs of the stadium.

She looked into my eyes, waiting for me to spill. 

"He propositioned me"

"For sex!" She gasped.

"No...with a business venture. Thé Dancing Torerra.." My words faltered as I tried to explain the rest. 

"Explain" she pried, pushing me to spill; so, I told her everything.

"Anais! That's amazing? It's what you've been dreaming of since you were 5!"

"I know... I know but it's the Presidente. I doubt he would let me live my dream without expecting something in return. If it was anyone else but him..."

Mariela hummed, grabbing the railing of the stairs before shrugging.  "So what now? You live your life as the dancing Torerra by day and Esteban's cheerleader by night?"

"No..I have no interest in taking the offer."

"You don't?" She asked, skeptical of my decision.

"No....Not if it's from the Presidente" I sit on a lone step, looking to the distance of the arena. The Ninos were still rounding the stadium and collecting the flowers that were tossed to the ground.

"We'll just know. If you ever need a manager---"

"Call Hector" I interrupted her. Mariela pushed my arm jokingly before we both laughed.

—

The next day

The day of the last match finally arrives.
I was in a different section of the stadium, away from the sun this time. My fingers twirl against the fabric of my lace dress as I look to the bulls in the back of the stadium. They looked more furious today.

Today was the last day at Esteban's attempt for redemption. If the Presidente didn't give him his approval to cut the tail of the bull...we'll, I didn't want to think about it.

"He will approve. Today he will" Mariela whispered, grabbing my palm. I squeezed it carefully and nodded, trying to convince myself to believe in her words.

The clock tower bell rang six times, signaling the start of the match.

"AYREEEEEE!!!! ARIBAAAAAS!"
The crowds were hysterical. Today was the last day of bullfighting so I could understand the hype. Esteban emerges from the lower gates and the crowd goes wild. James and Julio follow behind him. I stood, clapping along with the crowds and smiling at the boys.

Esteban came over to where I sat for the exchange of affection. In his hand was a vibrant red rose. I didn't care to bring anything special so I took my handkerchief and tucked it into his pocket. He pretended to swoon before grabbing my chin and tucking the rose behind my ear.

He pulled me into his lips and kissed me tenderly.
"Wish me luck"

"You don't need it" I answer. He smirked before nodding at my more than accurate statement.

"Do you get tired of always being right mi amor" he teased kissing my lips again? I giggled before shaking my head no. "I figured" He took one final look at me before being pulled away but James.

"Sorry, Anais! We need him" James winks before pulling him to the middle of the field.

And the match begins!