The Dancing Torera

62

Anais

"Torerra
Torerra 🎶
Torerra 🎶"

The boisterous masses clap and cheer as they wait for my anticipated arrival.

"Come on Torerra!! *kissy noises*
Come out to play! We're waiting!!!"

The vulgar taunts of the crowd hit my ear, making my stomach flip into spirals.

"Ignore them amiga" Mariela curses, resting both palms against my shoulders.  I look to the distance of the open arena and try to smile. Despite the taunts, the cheers and excitement was music to my ears.
This is what I had been waiting for?
So why was I so nervous?

"You nervous?" She asked, reading my mind. I force the lump down my throat and nod.
I warned Mariela that I didn't want to see anyone.
No press.
No reporters or photographers.

"Yes" I gulp

"Good. It makes you human"
She comes in front of me, pressing both palms around my neck. "Hey, you got this? Okay?
Everything we worked and trained for was for this moment. You are ready. Okay?"

"Okay!" I nodded, trying to force a smile.

"Mariela!!" A man calls her name just beyond the distance.

"I gotta go! You got this!" She says, hugging me quickly before running to the arena gates.

"I am thé dancing Torerra. I am thé dancing Torerra." I repeat the mantra again and again, clutching my cross necklace to soothe my restless spirit.

"Lord, please be with me and guide me through my match." I whisper, closing my eyes in prayer.
Saying the prayer calmed me and for that, I was thankful.

——

Rio

The thick smoke from lighted cigars paints the familiar air of men and d'ébauche as I lounge in the top wing of the arena. It was the private booth where the President and his entourage were housed.

I didn't care to chit chat with him or even be in the same vicinity as him, but my uncle had sold him a couple rings so he insisted we relax here and watch the match.

"Rio, you made it" I hear his deep voice and roll my eyes.

"I thought Presidents were supposed to be good listeners because I thought I told you to call me Ronaldo"

"Ronaldo?" He furrows his brows, "So informal!"

"We're not friends President" I smirk, taking a sip from my drink.

"Aww" he pretends to frown, "Acquaintances?"

"Business associates." I correct him.

"I'll cheers to that" He laughs, clinking his drink against the one in my hand. "Enjoy the show. It'll be one to remember"

I didn't like the way he said the phrase; it was as if he was reciting an omen. I take another sip of my drink and walk towards the window to observe the crowd and arena.

I thought of Anais and smiled as I remembered the fire in her eyes as she told me about her dream to be a Torerra. "Protect her" I whisper, clutching the wooden beads in my pocket.  I would never show anyone the rosary in my pocket that I was clutching, praying for a safe match.

Although I had faith in Anais, something about today's March disrupted my spirits. It was sort of like a premonition.

"Ronaldo." I hear a voice behind me. I turn around and sigh as I met his eyes.

"Esteban de la Renta. Long time"

He nods but is silent. The air was thick with tension. I knew he wanted to say.

"I came to support.
I thought I should. She's been dreaming about this forever." He says, leaning against the wall and taking a sip of his drink. "But what I want to know, is why are you here?" He asks, glaring at me:

"For the Same reason as you" I shrug, not meeting his eyes. I continue staring out the window as the crowd stands to their feet. Esteban lets out a lazy chuckle and takes another sip.
Now it was his turn and look at the crowd.

"I'm not a man who threatens others. You know that Rio"

"Since private school days Esteban"I say.

"Anais is free.
Wild.
Beautiful.
Unexpected but kind. She's formal in the sense.
That's what I love about her. No matter the distractions she focuses on what's important."

"Are you giving me your blessing?" I teased.

He stares at me with rage.

"You will never emotionally satisfy her.
She's confused.
Lost.
Don't get her involved in a life like yours"

"A life like mine?" I frown, turning to face him.

He looks down to my pocket and frowns. "You're clutching a rosary in one hand and a gun in the other.
With a life like yours, you won't have to worry about her getting hurt in the ring.
You will kill her yourself." He says. "And if you kill her? Or harm her in any way? Well, I'll have to return the action Rio" he says, standing closer to invade my space.

"Enjoy the show Ronaldo." He pats my shoulder and pushes past me, making the drink in my hand fall to the ground.

I didn't have time to fight him today.
Esteban was always sharp with his words and always got what he wanted.

We went to an elite boarding school where we trained as matadors and although we used to be thick as thieves, I dropped out for a life of crime. The story was a tale as old as time.
Esteban became famous for his matador skills and I? Infamous for my crime and debauchery.

Now? There was only one problem. Our paths were never meant to cross.
Anais was the reason they had.

Author Note:

Hmmm
There's gonna be a an action scene in the next chapter where someone 👀 will need to be saved.
Esteban or Rio could work
Who to put
Who to put
Hmmmm