A gun between your thighs

Opera

It all started when I attended an opera that was debuting in New York. My husband, Josh Nadal, and I were specially invited by his sister who owns the theater. Due to Josh's reputation, there was going to be a crowd. I wore my luxurious clothes, a black long dress with a lot of glamour, it was sparkling. I wanted all eyes on and if course, I would succeed. The soft fabric slid luxurious over my skin. Yeah, I feel like a queen! I'm going to steal the spotlight now.

As expected, I stepped out of my husband's appointed limousine and found myself in a throng of cameras flashes. Of course, who doesn't want a photo of Miss Nadal, it will be the front page. On second thought, maybe my outfit is a bit of an overkill.
Whispers of gossip buzzed loudly amongst the gleaming crowd. And then a reporter noticed me and all the lights and attention fell on me.

- Look! That's her, the queen of Mr. Nadal's empire, Sally Nadal. She is gorgeous.
- I heard her life's super luxurious, she makes every woman around green and envious. Another reporter said.

I pretended I didn't hear a thing about what reporters said, but i heard everything they said, and I can admit that I liked it. I looked this way and that, trying to smile into the crowd. But the constant flashes blurred my vision. I'm starting to feel a bit dizzy seeing all these flashing lights jn front of me. Even if I liked all the attention, it was a bit annoying.

- Just look at her! Taking the spotlight likw she owns Manhattan.
- Oh, no. I'm not.

That was too much for me. I blushed. Reporters and photographers were shouting at me to get my attention.

- Mrs. Nadal! Please answer for us! What's your taste in men?
- I don't think that's appropriate right now. I'm married, I shouldn't be looking at other men.

The reporters always were rude and indistinguishable.

- But isn't your husband always seen with another woman? How do you feel about that?
- Shouldn't you be asking about something else? I don't want to comment on my husband's affairs.
- So, you are confirming your husband's having affairs!
- I, what? No, I mean...
- Question, Mrs. Nadal! What's your opinion of your husband's new business deal?
- What new business deal?
- How many mistresses does your husband have?
- I don't have to answer that...
- Smile here, Mrs. Nadal!

I tried hard to make myself smile. All the voices started to spin in my head. Sour remarks were coming from the audience.

- I don't want that at all. I muttered.

I sighed deeply and I got lost in my thoughts. No one understands what it means ti be the wife of Mr. Nadal, the man on the top of New York's crime world. Having reached the theater's gate, I looked around, but I didn't see my prominent husband anywhere. Instead, I found my husband security's manager who follows him everywhere. I approached him.

- Neal, I thought Josh was supposed to meet me here at the gate. Where he is?
- Mr. Nadal is waiting for you inside, Mrs. Nadal.

I took a step forward, however, found myself blocked by Neal. He looked down nervously.

- But I suggest you wait ten minutes before you get into the box.

I quirked an eyebrow suspiciously. That was strange.

- And why is that? Is he accompanied?
- I'd rather not say.
- Ugh! Never mind. I'm going in anyway.
- Wait miss, you can't go inside yet!
- Step aside. I'm Mrs. Nadal remember? I'll go wherever I want. Or do you prefer to lose your job?

He stepped away, and I moved forward into the theater gate, as I walked up to the opera box, I heard moans of pleasure from within. Just as I figured. I heard the voice of a young woman.

- Oh yes! Baby, yes! Don't stop Josh! Just like that.

I turned to look at Neal who lowered his head.

- You, filthy scum. Get out of my sight, Neal.

Inside the box, I saw a young woman who was messily undressed, straddling my husband, his head busy being buried between her breasts. This wasn't first time he cheated on me.

- Ahem

I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes. Startled, the young woman looked up from her disarray and noticed me. Josh, on the other hand, barely lifted his head. Although he noticed me all the time.

- Jeez, who are you?
- I am his wife.
- Are you kidding me?
- Oh, leave us alone, wife. Go take a seat.
- Wait seriously? Mrs. Nadal?

Scowling, I sat down in the box behind him as Josh ordered. Ignored me like usual, Josh gave a final thrust and grunted as he finished up his affair with the young woman. As the girl gathered her scattered clothes and fumbled to get dressed, I noticed a name card by her feet. So, her name is Martha, and she is a reporter.

- Here is a little something for your time, babe.

I saw Josh give a small brooch to the young woman.

- Oh Josh, it's beautiful! I love it!

Isn't that from my father's collection? That's my family's heraldry on it! But I can't say anything. She is a reporter. What if the gossip spreads? I should still give her a piece of my mind though. The young woman gave a glance at me and left without a word. Again, with pity and jealousy, just like with all those women from before. Josh finally turned my way and looked me over with a hint of desire.

- You look great, my dear wife, just like ten years ago. Hmm.... Yes, just like the day we met

I felt a shiver running down my spine. I didn't know how i felt then Disgusted and ashamed at the same time. He strolled forward and towered over me. He brushed his fingers along my shoulder and arm, before reaching upward to my neck. I turned my head to the other side.

- Josh, I don't think this is the time.

I stood still, trying to hold back my shiver.

- Hmph. Time is lost between us.

The lights turned off and the opera began. While I watched thw opera I muttered under my breath.

- Ugh. Seriously? You knew we were meeting tonight.
- No need to be like that. After all, you are the only Mrs. Nadal in the world.
- And what with that? I scoffed. Is that all you can say? Oh, Josh, you think that's an honor.
- You should be proud to carry the name, Nadal.
- There's nothing honorable about a crime boss' wife, no matter how much money and influence you may have. What a fool I was?

I remembered ten years ago when my father's jewelry studio went bankrupt to the debt he owed. I was so moved when Josh swooped in like a knight in shining armor to save my family. And then he wooed me, I married him. I thought my marriage would be happy, but the past decade has been nothing but hell.

- You shouldn't have given that girl the brooch, that's from my father's collection.
- Not anymore, my dear wife. Since the moment you married me ten years ago, they all belong to me now.

He leaned in close, his hot breath against my ear.

- Even YOU belong to me now. Don't forget, I paid.

I was so angry, I wanted to hit him. I clenched my fist, and my nails were cutting deeply inside my palm. Yeah, like a vase, an empty pretty thing for you to show off. But this won't last long. A waiter came in and brought a bottle and he poured me some wine. Not long after he left, I noticed something on the floor. I reached my long fingers to the ground to graso the object. It was a card of some sort. I thought it could be Martha's name badge. As I bent down, i heard a gunshot. BANG! I was so scared. The hair on the back of my neck raised as something hot rushed by my head.

- There's a shooter in the building!

The lights immediately turned on. Panic screams and ruffles of people scrambling clatter around me. Shakily, I slowly turned around to see a small hole smoking in the back of my chair. Lying beside the shattered wine bottle was a card. When I picked it up, I read: This is revenge, Mr. Nadal. We'll start with your beloved wife.