Salutem

Chapter 3

Santiago placed himself in the empty bar stool to my right. We sat in silence and watched as the lights in the club dimmed and the spotlight turned to the main stage. The music became louder and the red velvet curtain was pulled back to revel my baby cousin.

She wore a mesh dress with a pair of red underwear underneath. The heels on her feet were at least 7 inches and I was praying that she wouldn't fall. She slowly made her way towards the stripper pole placed in the middle of the stage. I could feel the bile slowly rise knowing what my barely 18 year old cousin was going to do next.

I turned my head away from the stage and towards my empty glass. My mind wandered to memories of Crystal when she was younger.

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I was in a hospital. I was sitting on my dad's lap. He was sitting next to his sister, my aunt Lupe. They were talking in Spanish so I couldn't understand what was going on. A nurse approached us and gave my aunt something that was wrapped in a blanket. Once my aunt was holding it, I could see her little face and the way her eyes fluttered as she slept. "This is your new cousin Cynthia. Her name is crystal." My father informed me.

It was Christmas. I was 7 years old. All of my cousins were sitting around the tree waiting for midnight so we could open gifts. My grandma was handing us each a perfectly wrapped box. Crystal was crying because she didn't get the same gift as me. "We can share mine!" I said with a smile on my face. She smiled and we opened the box together.

We were sitting at my grandma's house playing with dolls. I was about 10 years old and Crystal was 6. We were arguing over who got to use the boy doll that we shared. "Even though its my turn, you can use it" I reasoned just so that she would smile.

I was 14 and I was going on my first date. Crystal was there trying to help me decide what to wear. She said I should go with a pink sequins top and a cheetah print tutu. When I said that the outfit she picked was for little kids and I decided on a black blouse and jeans, she was so angry. "I'm not your cousin anymore." She yelled at me before leaving my room and going to sit with her mom in the dining room.

I was almost 18. We were in a church. Crystal was to my right and my grandpa was sitting to my left. I was trying to drown out all the crying and focus on the nice things my aunt was saying about my mother and father. Crystal was trying to console me. "I'll always be here for you" She assured as she wiped away my tears.

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My thoughts were cut short by someone clearing their throat. Santiago had his hand on my shoulder and he looked concerned. I then realized that I had let the tears fall as I remembered the innocent little girl I grew up with and swore to always protect.

"Are you okay cariño?" Santiago questioned. I tried to shake my head and assure him that I was fine but I couldn't.

I looked into his brown eyes that were filled with concern and worry and I felt that it was okay if I wasn't okay. "No" I answered as I tried to stop the tears from streaming down my face. He looked surprised at first considering I was a complete stranger and I was a crying in front of him.

"Do you want to go some place a little more private?" He questioned pointing to a black door that sat on the wall adjacent to the bar. "I'm sure you don't want to see the rest of Crystal's performance."

My brain was telling me to run as far away from this man but the rest of my body felt completely safe with this stranger standing next to me. I nodded in appreciation and followed him towards the door.

He took a set of keys out of his pocket and slid a silver key into the lock in the door. He turned the key and opened the door to reveal a dimly lit office. The interior office matched the rest of the club in that it was sleek and modern. 

Santiago stepped inside and I followed suit. He shut the door behind me and gestured for me to take a seat on the black leather couch. He poured me a drink from the many bottles that sat on the shelf behind his large desk. 

As soon as the drink hit my lips I could feel the alcohol cloud my judgement. I began to forget about all of the shit going on in my life at the moment. Santiago took a seat beside me. He took the now  empty glass out of my hand and placed it down on the coffee table. 

"What's wrong Cariño?" He asked. I was getting used to the pet name and to be completely honest, I liked it, a lot. "I just have a lot going on right now and I was looking forward to a fun night of clubbing with my cousin. But instead I'm in the office of a strip club with the hottest man I've ever seen." I began. I turned to look at him so that we were facing each other and continued "and all I want to do is kiss him but I know I shouldn't because I barely know him." 

He moved in closer so that we were only centimeters apart. I could feel his breath and the heat radiating off of his body. "What do you want to know?" he questioned as he closed the gap between us and his lips met mine.