The Dancing Torera

34

Esteban

Anais held my hand the whole car ride as we drove to my mansion in the country side of Espana. I figured since we were already near the outskirts of the city, we could stay at my mother's house and go to the apartment in the morning.

"Are you sure your mother won't mind?" Anais frowns, looking over at me as I drove down the street.

"It's 2am. She'll probably be sleeping by now but I'll leave her a note just in case so she's not scared when she hears a noise"

Anais nodded and continued looking to the distance.

——

We finished a quick dinner at the last open cafe near the house and headed to bed but before I knew it, we were showering together. I was treating her body with care, massaging her shoulders before placing soft kisses against it. But even as we spent our time together, I knew Anais wasn't enjoying our time together. She couldn't stop thinking about what Mariela said.

"You still thinking about her?" I asked, caressing her cheek with care. I hated seeing Anais so sad.

It made me sad.

"Mariela is...was my only friend. She was the only one who decided to talk to me when I first came to Spain ."

"Really?" I said, looking into her eyes. She nodded silently, looking to the floor. "Since my skin tone...I was bullied and teased a lot by the kids at the school. Abuela had to put me in 3 different schools... I never truly felt like I belonged here but Mariela changed that. She was my only friend when I first started my new school and we've been inseparable ever since"

I listen to her, trying my best to be there for her support. I guess I really never saw Anais past her beauty and brains. She was a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. Her skin tone was a plus for me but it didn't really have an impact on my love for her.

"I doubt you two will remain enemies for long. You'll patch things up. Just give it some time mi amor." I advise her, kissing the warmth of her cheek. She nodded at my words and fell into the sheets, kissing my lips goodnight before dozing off to sleep.

——-

I wake up the next morning and see Anais still sleeping in my arms. Carefully, I sneak away and pull on a loose shirt to go downstairs.

I hear the vibrant sounds of salsa music blasting through the doors and chuckled as I see my mother dancing and singing along with the tunes. She looked so beautiful and youthful. It reminded me of how happy she was when my father was alive.

I go behind her to join her dancing, gently sipping her to the side. She jumped a little out of fright but turned back and beamed, chuckling as she saw my face.

"So my son has decided to visit me?" She teased, running to the stereo to lower the music. She comes back to kiss my cheek before hitting my shoulder.
"You scared me Esteban!"

"I left you a note on your bedside so I wouldn't!" I say, defending my honor. She sighs but hugged me again, taking my chin into her palm. "You look like you've been enjoying life mi amor" she teased.

"I try mother. I try." I say sitting down at the island table. She takes out a carton of eggs and toast and begins a breakfast for me.