Chapter 3
A Concert Under the Stars

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong with you? You have that long face since you've got here?" Claribel closed the door behind her to then stick in front of my desk, prying eyes darting at me over her eyeglasses.

"Me? Nothing. Why?"

"Don't tell me it's nothing, you've been sitting there, chewing that stirring straw for hours, pretending to do some work... come on." Arching an eyebrow, arms crossed, she neared.

"Really, there's nothing wrong." Avoiding looking at her, I pretended to google something. The cursor blinked on the empty search bar.

"For the little I've known you, I can tell you two things. The first one, something is bothering you and the second, you're such a terrible liar. What's going on?"

I had to make something up because the barista tragicomedy was something I wanted keep only to myself. "Right. It's the dress. I'm not sure if it's the adequate one. I'm sorry Claribel, I know you helped me choosing it... do you think black is the right color? You know, it's a Christmas concert." I tried to sound convincing.

"Of course it's the right color and you look stunning on it... I know, maybe you're nervous. The press, speaking in front of an audience, more than a thousand people and broadcasted live on national TV..." I looked at her in that moment. It wasn't the true reason I felt like crap but this wasn't helping me either. A thousand people staring at me, speaking on behalf of the government, sponsors, the tourist company. She kept talking. "... there's nothing to worry about. Yeah, you'll do fine Marilyn. Besides, Roberto is a pro and he will back you up all the time."

"Yes, guess you're right. Thank you. That made me feel better." I faked a smile when I really wanted to bang my head against the wall.

"Anytime. Let's do something. I'll go down and bring you the script so you can get familiarized with it. Then I'll order lunch for the two of us and I'll help you practice. What do you think?"

"I think it's a great idea. Thank you Claribel."

"What would you do without me?" She laughed her way out the office.

I still wanted to bang my head against the wall only to get rid off the mortifying image of the blonde goddess leaping over the handsome guy. A lump formed in my throat feeling disgusting first, then stupid. Why it was bothering me in first place? I barely knew the guy. Marcos was a dream of a man, yes... so, it was such a naive assumption to believe him single.

The man had left a good impression on me without doubts, but in the end he was only a barista, a too gorgeous barista with great biceps and legs, nice round butt, sleek clean hands and sweet honey eyes, who happened to make the best coffee I've ever tasted. And when I meant to ask him to go with me to the ball, a fiancée came out of nowhere. Damned! There it was again, and I even heard the sound of crystal shattering of a world crumbling to me feet.

☕️️

The next morning came without the obnoxious rite of the ringing alarm clock. It was 9 am Friday and I had the day off to go to the salon and get my hair done for the concert taking place in the evening. After showering and getting dressed, a pair of comfy jeans, loose top and sandals were just perfect to spend a few hours in gossip-land. So I tied my boring black and thin hair low in a ponytail, grabbed my keys, iPhone, my fave big brown leather bag and left.

A few hours later I was back home, my hair looking awesome and believing true that going to a salon was even better than therapy. Not only I had a cascading wavy mane flowing sleek and shiny mid-back, but it dazzled with bright red tips on it giving it so much character and texture. I got done manicure and pedicure and felt like a diva. It was only a matter of getting dressed, makeup and voila! The best of all, every trace left in my brain of Marcos was rinsed off down the drainage along with foaming shampoo.

I wasn't even nervous anymore, in fact I was so excited and proud of myself after being given such a responsibility an honor to host the Christmas Concert at Ballajá. It wasn't only because of the National School of Fine Arts performance, they would be presenting accompanied by the Symphonic Orchestra and it would be epic, a concert under the stars.

Knowing parking would be a headache with near or more than a thousand visitors to Old San Juan, I called a cab and after giving a few spins and striking a couple of totally failed model poses in front of the mirror, I looked at my dress, hair and shoes. The black silk and lace cocktail dress was definitely the best choice and contrasted so well with my red heels and purse. Finally, I crossed my fingers wishing myself luck and walked out the apartment.

Like a princess, I was escorted by a pair of tall, bulky guards neatly dressed in navy blue suits to the cocktail area in the VIP room in the left aisle of the four hundred years old building, once the headquarters of the Spanish guard in the Island. There Roberto and I reviewed the script and some lines, the names of special guests and the repertoire. Anxiety caused my heart to throttle and adrenaline mixed in the rapid-pumping blood stream making my hands cold and sweaty.

"You'll do fine Marilyn. You just need to flow. The hardest word to pronounce is the first one. Don't worry, I won't let you fail." The man held my hands in a most reassuring gesture. I can't deny he looked so elegant in his black tuxedo. He wore a burgundy bow tie that made his blue eyes stand out and gleam like sapphires. I was a lucky girl, having as a co-host on stage such an appealing and so professional young man. "Let's go girl, it's show time!" He winked and smiled to me, and arm in arm we climbed up the stage.

From up there it was a tantalizing view. The light show on Ballaja's interior walls never ceased to impress the visitor. A display of red and green beams reflected over the arched terraces and dancing couples holograms (prepared by my department) moved graciously to the rhythm of la Danza Puertorriqueña. Above, a clear starry sky crowned the tropical night in one of the most beautiful and iconic structures of the Capital of Puerto Rico.

Nervously I grabbed my handsome' partner's hand a bit tighter than he expected, I'm sure, what made him chuckle while staring down at me, mimicking a funny-painful expression. "Sorry." I whispered.

"Did I tell you how bedazzling you look tonight", he spoke to my ear.

"Yes, this is the third time." My red lips curved up coquettishly.

"Because it's true Marilyn. You're stunning tonight." His deep blue fixated on me.

"Thank you." I replied and lowered my gaze as my cheeks burned rosy.

The Orquesta Nacional opened the spectacle playing a well known Christmas allegro melody. The audience reacted, receiving them with a standing ovation and so the concert began.