La Mujer de Lalo (Lalo's Woman)

Martini

Lalo had been stalking Werner's widow for the past two days. He wanted to study her before making direct contact. He learnt where she would be that night. He was going to bring on his cunning charm and wit into play. He had to woo her and make her spill all the tea. After all, there wasn't another man in Mexico more suited for this task.

As he got ready, he felt slightly worried. And no, it was not about his capability to make people talk or connect with them. But something heavy had landed on his chest. Ever since he saw Ana, he was damn sure that there wouldn't be another woman in this universe who could replace her. It was then that he had taken a conscious decision to not indulge in any sort of flirtatious acts with anyone else.

But tonight he had no choice in the matter. It was him against Gus. His family's name and fame was at stake. The lives of everyone was at stake. "This is the last time. Just do it. For her." He consoled himself.

He wore a crisp white shirt with a dark black suit. As usual he undid a couple of buttons to reveal his muscular and shaved chest. He dropped his usual oiled slickback hairstyle and went for a casual side parted hair that highlighted the thick streaks of grays.

As he finished, he looked in the mirror, wondering what Ana would say if she were here. He chuckled lightly at the thought of Ana's reaction. She would have probably jumped into his arms and kissed him as she played with those gray curls. Gods he missed her too much.

He rested his hands on the dresser as he closed his eyes. None of this was fair. Loosing the home he had built for his family. Loosing all those good folks who took care of everything at his hacienda. The thought of not going to be able to start his life with Ana in the most precious of all places. He wanted to scream and break all the bones in Gus' body. He knew he shouldn't be getting too emotional, especially on a night like this where he had to be in his A game. He let out couple of deep breaths as he looked in the mirror.

Lalo was at the bar, calmly going over every bottled drink that was arranged in the shelf behind the barkeeper. Seated a couple of places away was Margarethe Zeigler, sipping away some wine as she flipped through the pages of a magazine.

"What can I get you?" The barkeeper aimed at Lalo in German.

"Eh... a martini bitte (please)." Lalo replied using his limited knowledge of the German language.

"Vodka or gin"

Lalo decided to bring his American accent into play as he replied "Give me whatever you like."

"You're American?" the barkeeper spoke as he tried to keep the conversation with his client going on.

"Heh, I guess you could spot us a mile away. Yeah... I'm here on business."

"From California?"

"No, from New Mexico actually. It's another state. It's like California. Just, less traffic."

The barkeeper placed the cocktail glass I'm front of Lalo. Lalo was hoping the barkeeper would keep the conversation going, but few seconds later, he realized that he had to throw the rope now to catch the fish.

"Little town called Hemis." Lalo casually dropped the net.

"Hemis?" Came out the words from Margarethe's mouth as she turned her head to look at the man next to her. His striking features caught her unprepared. "I almost visited there once." She spoke before Turing to her books.

"Almost?" An intrigued Lalo asked her.

"This close." She replied without looking at him, trying to get the image of this ravishingly handsome man out of her head.

"I'm sorry you didn't make it. It's a beautiful place, the hot springs." Lalo spoke with a cool undertone.

"Yeah, that's what I was wanting. Umm, the... what do you say... mineralium."

"Minerals?"

"Mm.. yeah."

"Well, maybe you'd get to fo there another time."

"Haa... yeah no, I don't think so. But it's a nice idea." She replied. "Maybe a trip to Carlo Vivari. The baths there are wonderful."

Lalo knew that her guard was now slowly coming down. All he had to do was play dumb and let her think she is leading him on. "To... Carlo....Vi...."

"Vivari." They both finished together and a laugh escaped her.

"Not far from Prague." Mrs. Zeigler added.

"Oh, Prague! I've always wanted to visit there!... I'm Ben." Lalo introduced himself.

Margarethe introduced herself too. As the conversation got deeper, they moved away from the bar to a table. Lalo seemed to show a genuine interest in the sad demise of Margarethe's husband, Werner. Asking questions in a seemingly harmless way, all of which Margarethe answered.

At the end, it was clear that the lady Werner knew very little about the secret construction work her late husband had undertaken. What bothered the woman was the fact that no one had spoken up about the accident that befell Werner. Not even seine jungs (his boys).

As Lalo expressed his disbelief, he was genuinely sorry for what the woman had to undergo. A few months ago, he wouldn't have given a second thought to all that the old bird was yapping about. But now, he had someone. Just the way Werner had Margarethe. Seeing her in this plight, he promised himself never to let Ana go through what Margarethe had to undergo.

"Let's speak about something else." Margarethe added, wanting to change the grim subject. "Tell me about New Mexico."

They spoke for quite sometime before heading out the bar. Lalo walked the woman home and was at her gates. He secretly wished that he didn't have to walk her back home just to get inside and have a glimpse. Ana's face kept eating the back of his head. To his relief, Lady Werner didn't invite him inside for it was not upto him to refuse the Lady's offer, should she put forth any.