La Mujer de Lalo (Lalo's Woman)

Juan Bolsa

It was 2 days since Ana had come back from the hospital. All She could manage to do was eat, sleep and feel sad. Nacho had informed her colleagues and the firm granted her few days of medical leave. She sat in front of the TV and flipped through some telenovelas. Her mind was never there, it was wandering off some place, a secret haven where her baby had gone to.

The doorbell rang and she opened it. It was an older bald man with a stern face and rigid features. He was dresses in a casual suit, but that said a lot about him. He had few men, who were staying in the driveway. There was no doubt, he definitely belongs to the cartel. Even Lalo's men were standing aside for these new guys. Was he Lalo's boss? Why was he here? Trouble? Chicken man trouble? A lot of controversy went in her mind.

"May I come in, Señorita?" He asked in a polite tone.

"Si" She replied in a soft tone and smiled as she welcomed him in.

"Dónde está el hombre de la casa?" (Where is the man of this house?)

"Lalo has gone to work."

"El restaurante? Cómo se llama?" (The restaurant? What's it called?)

"El Michoacáno." Ana replied like a toddler answering her father's questions.

"Ah, si si. Ahora recuerdo." (Yes, I remember now)

"Please have a seat." She guided him to the big couch.

"Y quién eres?" (And who are you?) He asked her, half expecting her to be Lalo's little plaything. But he had never known Lalo to bring a woman to his place and keep her there. It was new.

"I'm Ana, Lalo's girlfriend."

The man raised a single eyebrow in surprise. And a smile appeared on his face.

"Ah, novia! Muy bueno para Lalo." (Girlfriend! Very good for Lalo)

Ana had no idea what he was trying to hint. Did he think she was just another one of those girls the old Lalo would have fucked for a night? Seeing the expression on Ana's face change, he slightly leaned forward and introduced himself.

"Soy Juan Bolsa. I am an associate of Lalo."

"Mucho gusto, Señor Bolsa." (Nice to meet you, Mr. Bolsa)

"Señor? Jajaja... Es Don Juan." (Mister? Hahaha.... it's Don Juan.)

"Lo siento, yo..." (I'm sorry, I...)

"Ah, no problema." (No problem.)

A few minutes passed in silence as neither of them knew what to talk to the other.

"Would you like to have a coffee or something?" Ana asked as though she had no other choice.

"No. I will wait for Eduardo. Don't mind me being here." He said with a thick spanish accent and went about examining some of the decorative artifacts.

Almost 20 minutes later, Lalo's car arrived in the driveway. Ana ran to the front door. Lalo noticed the men standing outside and recognized their boss. He saw Ana at the door, waving at him. He went in and quickly glanced around to find Bolsa.

"Ah, here you are. At last." Came Bolsa's voice.

"Don Juan, I'm so glad to have you here at my uncle's residence. I believe you got my message." Lalo casually spoke.

Ana felt awkward to be standing there in their midst, listening to confidential cartel information.

"Mi amore, why don't you bring us a couple of glasses and a good tequila." Lalo winked at her.

"Your lady love is not going to join us, Lalo?" Bolsa questioned Lalo.

"Nah. She doesn't drink."

"Is the world coming to an end, Eduardo? You're falling for a woman who doesn't drink and probably doesn't smoke or do drugs either." Bolsa laughed at his own remark.