On My Side

Chapter 3

"Es hora de hablar con Ricard O.," Estefanía called out and the cameras turned to an older man, wearing a silk robe as he sat in front of a background of stars and moons.

Oh, here we go, thought Paloma ruefully. It was the part of the show in which the resident astrology "expert" would talk about some of the Zodiac signs represented among the contestants. Paloma was not a big believer in star signs. So, this part of the show had always struck her as a meaningless spectacle, not that any of the activities so far had been particularly meaningful.

"Ah, mi querida Estefanía," Ricard O. fawned over the host of the show. "Today, I want to talk about Aries," he said.

Although Eunwoo did not understand Spanish, he did catch that his sign was the one being discussed. Ricard O. took a deep breath to center himself. "Aries is the sign of the ram," he began. "It is considered to be a particularly masculine sign. What does that mean?" he asked rhetorically. "It means that Aries is a man of action. He is an initiator, especially when it comes to sex," the older man said with a sly grin.

"¡Ah, caray!" Estefanía exclaimed. "Who would have thought that our chinito had it in him?" she observed as she passed her hand over Eunwoo's shoulders. He had no clue what was being said. All he knew was that he was the topic of discussion. He squirmed away from the host's touch.

"Now, Ricard O., I have plans for our adorable Piscis," the dark-haired host declared. "Tell us a little bit about her sign," she requested.

"Well, I'm glad you asked," Ricard O. began. "Piscis is a mutable sign. So, they are often receptive to new things and are likely very changeable in nature," he said.

Yeah, not really, Paloma thought. How can everyone born on a certain day have the same characteristics? she groused inwardly.

"Piscis is a very feminine sign," Ricard O. opined. "It is associated with the feet. So, in the area of sexuality, she might be one to have a foot fetish," he said, winking at Paloma.

I'm literally going to puke, she thought ruefully. Foot fetish? Where does he get this stuff? she wondered. Just then, she noticed Estefanía eying her.

"Up until now, our Piscis has gotten away with being quiet and staying out of trouble, but all that is about to change," Estefanía declared as she walked toward Paloma. "Ven, reina," she said, calling for Paloma to come with her to the middle of the platform where there sat an empty chair.

"Ahora, tú, Bruce Lee," the host called out as she motioned for Eunwoo to sit in the chair in front of Paloma. This show is so out-of-pocket, Paloma thought as she looked down at Eunwoo's panicked face.

"¡El juego es Beso o Cachetada! That's Keys or eh-Slap," she said in broken English, which didn't help Eunwoo in the least to understand what was about to take place.

Paloma leaned down to whisper to him, "It's the Kiss or Slap game. I have to do a little dance and then decide if I am going to kiss or slap you."

"Okaaay," Eunwoo said cautiously. The only redeeming factor was that, of all the girls, this one was the only one he found attractive. Still, he wasn't relishing the thought of being kissed by a stranger on international television.

With that, the sexy saxophone music began, signaling Paloma to start her dance. Remembering that she had promised Azul that she wouldn't make waves at the show, she decided to try to do a sexy dance, although it was well out of her wheelhouse.