Days And Nights (Book of Life and Maya and the Three One Shots)

Eyes Off Him

While on their honeymoon, Manolo plays a song, catching the eye of nearby spectators, and Maria isn't having it.

Four months after Manolo and Maria got married, they finally went on their honeymoon to the capital city.

At first, they were reluctant, thinking they waited too long to go (for good reason), but Joaquin convinced them to go in the end.

When they arrived, they checked into a hotel and spent the rest of the day exploring the city. The capital was very different from San Angel: taller buildings, more crowded, and everyone seemed like they had somewhere to be. It was an interesting change of pace from their small town.

Night had just fallen over the city. The young couple was sitting on a bench by a fountain, taking in the long-awaited silence.

"Was it always like that in Spain?" Manolo asked.

"Most of the time." Maria said, "But I was starting to get used to silence again."

Manolo wrapped an arm around his wife as they took a minute to bask in the silence, watching people walk by, and listening to the birds and the fountain. 

After a while, Maria asked, "Why don't you play something?" 

Manolo looked at Maria with a raised brow, "Now? But we're in the middle of the street."

"That didn't stop you back home." Maria stood up and walked behind the bench, leaning on her elbows, "Come on, play something, for me."

Manolo smiled as he pulled out his guitar, "As you wish, mi amor."

After tuning, he paused for a second, thinking about what to play. He began strumming his guitar when the song came to him. 

I don't really give a damn about the way you touch me

When we're alone

You can hold my hand

If no one's home

Do you like it when I'm away?

If I went and hurt my body, baby

Would you love me the same?

I can feel all my bones coming back

And I'm craving motion

Mama never really learns how to live by herself

It's a curse

And it's growing

You're a pond and I'm an ocean

Maria rested her head in her hand as he sang and her smile turned brighter. She was always captivated by her husband's talent. His gentle voice had a way of melting her heart and the way he played his guitar carried her away. 

She could listen to him sing forever.

Oh, all my emotions

Feel like explosions when you are around

And I've found a way to kill the sounds, oh

As Manolo played, a few people stopped to listen, drawing a small crowd. They all seemed to be entranced, some of them swaying along to the music.

Oh, baby, I am a wreck when I'm without you

I need you here to stay

I broke all my bones that day I found you

Crying at the lake

Was it something I said to make you feel like you're a burden?

Oh, and if I could take it all back

I swear that I would pull you from the tide

What Maria saw in the corner of her eye made her do a double take. Among the crowd was a handful of young women. She would've thought nothing of it had it not been for their love-sick smiles.

She knew they were attracted to Manolo.

Darling, when I'm fast asleep

I've seen this person watching me

Saying, "Is it worth it? Is it worth it? Tell me, is it worth it?" Oh

Manolo's performance became more lively, impressing the crowd. 

Maria kept glaring at the women drooling over her husband, not liking the way they were looking at him. She knew Manolo was handsome, so it doesn't surprise her when women look at him, but she wanted to make sure none of them tried anything. It's not that she doesn't trust Manolo, it's that she doesn't trust women who'd try anything. She was his wife and she was going to make sure everyone knew it.

One of the women stepped closer to Manolo, tucking a hair behind her ear. Maria stared daggers into the woman and clenched her jaw. The woman froze when she saw the death glare Maria was giving her, the color draining from her face before she stepped back. It seemed she got the message.

Guess there is something, and there is nothing

There is nothing in between

And in my eyes, there is a tiny dancer

Watching over me, he's singing

"She's a, she's a lady, and I am just a boy"

He's singing, "She's a, she's a lady, and I am just a line without a hook"

Baby, I am a wreck when I'm without you

I need you here to stay

I broke all my bones that day I found you

Crying at the lake

Was it something I said to make you feel like you're a burden, oh

And if I could take it all back

I swear that I would pull you from the tide

As Manolo played the last chord, the crowd erupted into applause. He smiled politely as he stood up from the bench, "Thank you." 

Maria let out a sigh as she smiled. Despite attracting the unwanted attention of city women, she loved his song and she knew it was for her. 

Walking up to him, she grabbed Manolo by his shirt collar and pulled him down for a passionate kiss, catching him off guard for a second. The passive aggressive side of her kissed him as a reminder to the women staring at him, that he was her husband. 

When they pulled away, Manolo said, with a smirk, "I saw that." 

"Saw what?" Maria asked. 

"You were jealous, weren't you?" 

"No, why would you-" 

"Come on, I saw the way you were looking at her. You don't have to worry about anything, Maria." 

"I'm not worried about anything, but thank you." She leaned in closer and spoke more quietly, "I am better than those other girls, you know." 

Manolo let out a chuckle, "Really?" He tucked a stray hair behind her ear, "How so?" 

Maria smirked and said in a seductive tone, "Let's go back to the room and I can show you." 

It didn't take much else for them to go back to the hotel, which was a short distance away. All in all, a good start for a honeymoon.