Chapter 4 Misunderstandings and Evening Strolls


Chapter 4
Misunderstandings and Evening Strolls

To the last notes of Noche de Paz, the concert met its end. In the interior court of Cuartel de Ballajá a very enthusiastic audience applauded, more than pleased with both the orchestra and the choir's performance.

"On behalf of the Arts, Culture and Tourism department, we have only left to say thank you very much for being part of this marvelous event tonight", I addressed the public still regaling an standing ovation to the musicians.

"We hope you'd had enjoyed this concert the same way we did. Thank you and good night." Roberto spoke closing the show.

A new display of lights and colors played figures on the walls to the rhythm of aguinaldos and trovas and finally I was able to breathe, feeling satisfied with the job done on stage. Amidst cheers and congratulations from the organizers and producers, Roberto, and I climbed down the stage. There we had the chance to meet all the musicians and choir members and the press.

"Excuse me", someone padded my shoulder and I turned around. "Hi, you're Marilyn, right?" Cello in hands, sleek low chignon, chandelier earring and dressed in a sober black dressed, a so pretty blonde lady, big blue eyes shook hands with me. It took me a second to recognize her, and I felt the sky crumbling on my head. "I'm Bianca. We met yesterday." Her beautiful smile beamed the world around us only making me feel more miserable.

"Oh, oh yes", words hardly formed coherently into speech. "Of course I remember you. Bianca, oh my. I'm sorry, I was so distracted I didn't see you playing... that and only seeing your back from where I was." Eloquence had never being my best side when there was a lump knotted in my throat.

"No worries. Once we're performing we never get the chance to see each other's members. I caught it was you only during the interlude, great job there...by the way I love your dress. You look stunning!"

"Oh, why, thank you. Likewise Bianca, your performance was superb and you do look bedazzling tonight! Congratulations." I smiled at her, sincerity stuck somewhere beneath my rear molars, while I prayed not to see Marcos anytime soon.

"Bianca," Hell opened underneath my feet when I heard his voice. My knees weakened to see Marcos approaching, rose bouquet in hands.

"Marcos!" They embraced each other , proper kisses on the cheeks when he gave her the flowers.

"I'm so proud of you! Luv ya!" He told her and my stomach twitched. An overwhelming urge to disappear from the Earth's surface hit me and soon I tried to squeeze out when half about-face, Marcos spoke. "Good Evening Marilyn."

"Good evening Marcos", there was me, forcing my lips to curve up.

"With all respects, you look stunning tonight."

"Thank you", I meant that but soon it felt inadequate having Bianca staring at us with that angelical face.

"There you are!" Roberto arrived and grabbed my hand. "People's been asking for you inside."

"Oh yes, there's a get-together at the lobby. Come with us Marcos." A cheerful Bianca also grabbed the man's hand.

The barista hesitated at first. "No, please. I'm not even properly dressed Bianca."

"That's not a problem my friend. Here", a too friendly Roberto handed his jacket to Marcos.

"Awesome! Thanks. Come on, put it on!" All excited, the blonde lady helped Marcos putting on the jacket before he could even refuse.

I only wanted to run away!

"All right, let's go then." Roberto walked me, arm in arm followed by Marcos and Bianca. Great, just when I thought things couldn't get any worst there we were, looking like happy couples lilting to a double date!

☕️️

The hardest I tried, I found myself more than once staring at Marcos. Jeans, casual shoes, black polo shirt and a tailored jacket and still he was the hottest guy in that place. And he, oh God, he wasn't making it easier for me because every time and then our eyes met, smiled at each other to then gaze away. I felt so bad for Bianca, such a charming and sweet girl, me playing this flirting game with her fiancé because I could have sworn it was not only me. Marcos was also playing my game and it was wrong, so wrong.

"What's up with the barista?" Roberto stood blocking my sight, his mouth sided half ways mischievously.

"What? Why? Nothing?"

"Don't say it's nothing 'cuz I've been watching you. He's been staring at you all night... so have you... I'm getting a bit jealous here. This is me, trying to get better acquainted with you and you have only eyes for this Marcos." In a very dramatic and funny tone he placed his hand over chest, acting a pout.

"Ha, ha, ha, you and that overacting imagination. Besides, he's with his fiancée. Isn't she lovely."

"Certainly she is... but I don't think she's his girlfriend or nothing like that... come, let's find out", he dragged me by the hand, like teenagers who are about to prank on someone.

"No... no, I don't..." before I finished my words we got where both Bianca and Marcos were. I felt like dying!

"Hey, Marcos, me and my colleague here would like to invite you and your fiancée to come with us, have some drinks in the bar at the corner. What do you think?" Roberto padded the guy on the shoulder.

Marcos and Bianca stared at each other, giggling.

"That will be awesome. But we're not... ha, ha. We're brother and sister." He replied, wrapping his arm around the young lady in the most playful manner.

I bit my tongue not to grin, widely, selflessly as I craved after this glorious revelation. I felt myself returning to the real world, I even heard the angels singing. Speechless, yet with a thousand words on the tip of my tongue, I did nothing, said nothing... I wasn't able to. It was an elating and so relaxing indescribable emotion. Bianca was not his girlfriend... they were not engaged. And I did it, all in my head: the 'yes!' shouting thing and the happy dance.

"Great... so we can change mates now. It will be fun!" Roberto did the craziest thing and intertwined arms with Bianca, both of them giving a few steps forwards. "And I think those two deserve some time to clarify a few things", cocking his head asides he gave Bianca a conspiratorial look.

"Did you see it? Yes, I think they do too!" She threw her head back and winked at him. Both of them shaking in laughter, left ahead of us.

"Do we?" He ask me, his hazel eyes gleamed with tenderness, waiting for a reassuring reply... reply that he received.

"I think so." I smiled at him. He offered me his arm and we strolled, angling a bit towards each other while conversing amusedly, most of it nonsensical until we reached the bar across the street.

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