Part IV First Kiss

For José, this was a one of a lifetime experience. He'd never been in such an elegant party before or interacted with so many important people... In fact he hadn't attended to feasts of any class neither had lots of friends. His life was reduced to hard work and humiliation since both his parents died. But tonight it was a dream like event and thanks to Don Armando's invitation he was hanging out with wealthy kids his age, who despite of having so much money and social status, treated him as an equal.

In couples, José's recently made friends left to the dance floor, leaving Amanda and him in the VIP section. Like silly kids, the beautiful brunette and him stared at each other and giggled. "Would you like to dance with me?" Cindirillo took a deep breath before asking.

"Oh, well, yes... But I'm afraid I'm not a good salsa dancer", Amanda's cheeks flushed while extending her hand to José.

"I can show you how. My father taught me. Besides, it comes in our PuertoRican blood."

"Alright! Let's go!" she gladly accepted and both walked holding hands to the dance floor.

Amidst laughter and spins, Amanda and Cindirillo danced piece after piece; from salsa to merengue to soft music... The band played a sweet tune and they moved, their bodies close to each other, in a slow rhythm, their eyes locked flickering with a kind of happiness and confidence never experienced before. Around them, the world seemed to stop and every noise, every silhouette was a blur, a fading distant sound reduced only to their spot on the marbled floor.

José held gently onto Amanda's thin waist, his hand barely touching the exposed skin on her back, while the girl wrapped her arms around his neck. Cindirillo's green eyes scanned every single feature on the young ladies face with delight and Amanda curved a smile with innocent coquettish staring up to a most handsome man. There was a spark of something, something new to both of them growing as they danced.

Finally, the music stopped and for a moment they were back again to reality. "My father will take the stand soon and I must be by his side. I'm sure my make up and hair needs to be tidied a bit now... Can you walk me to the rest room?" Amanda smirked, her cheeks flushed by the candor of the moment.

"Sure", Cindirillo replied and arms intertwined, they walked together to the restrooms area.

The boy sat on a bench in front of the bathrooms when Doña Carmiña arrived. "It's almost midnight and you have to work tomorrow", she uttered with a hint of sardonicism in her voice.

"I'm taking the day off... After all, those fishmongers are mine." Cindirillo was firm, beaming a stern look to his stepmother.

"Oh really... It's still all about to be seen when the testament is read. As I see it now, I'm the widower and own the rights over all your father's properties, including the house you live at. Don't forget that, please."

"Lawyers can fix that."

"Do you have money for lawyers? Or do you think that this charming and wealthy lady is taking you so seriously to pay for them? Let's see what she thinks of you when she finds out you dirt your hands in fish guts to survive."

Cindirillo clenched his fists and his jaw tensed. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Tease me... This ain't no fairytale my dear Cindirillo. You have until midnight or I'll unmask you with the lady", an evil grin grew wider on the woman's blood red lips.

In that precise moment Amanda stepped out the ladies restrooms. José immediately stood up and grabbing the girls arm, he hauled her back to the main hall.

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It took a little time to Cindirillo to calm down. His hands sweated cold as he managed to fake a smile and pay attention to what Don Armando was saying on the stage. He addressed the guests, thanking him to be there... But the rest turned to be a babbling. In his mind echoed his stepmother's words, threatening him to leave the ball at midnight and worst of all to take possession of everything that rightfully belonged to him as the only heir of Don Miguel Cindirillo. If he only had the money to hire a lawyer, things would be different.

People clapped frantically announcing that Don Armando's intervention was over. "Hey! I'm back!" Amanda patted Cindirillo on his shoulder."You look somehow distracted... Music will play on soon, do you like to dance or we go outside? I can tour you to the recently built swimming pool, it looks astonishing at night!"

"That's a great idea, I need some fresh air", the fisher boy replied and both headed to the hotel's back yards and pool area.

If the interiors were impressive, the outdoors of Villa Del Mar where simply breathtaking. Perfectly trimmed flower blooming bushes, beach grapes and palms trees bordered and crowned the glittering stoned pathways. There was a huge terrace and in the middle, the pool like a gleaming turquoise lake, changed colors as the lights below and above the water surface reflected.

With excessive pride, Amanda described every feature on the pool terrace, from the plants to the materials used to built it. Cindirillo was impressed by her knowledge on construction and the industry. Certainly she was a very smart girl.

In that way they reached the rear end of the balustrade. Beyond, the vastness of the sea extended to where it was nothing... Only stars. A full moon glistened silvery to mirror itself on the placid and dark surface. The waves, gently broke on the reefs few meters below their feet making a soothing noise, a sound that quieted their conversation and pulled them closer to each other.

Cindirillo embraced Amanda's shivering body but in the same way he was nervously shaking too. Both of them smiled, staring at each other with tenderness. And without saying a word, with the full moon as the only witness, José leaned closer and kissed the girl. Their lips fused to produce the sweetest kiss of them all. With eyes closed, they shared a magical moment having in the background the spell-bounding chant of the Caribbean Sea  and the music played by the orchestra inside the hotel.

For José it was his first kiss, and it came so natural, as if it was meant to be that way, with the lady in front of him. Amanda slowly opened her eyes, her cheeks acquired a light shade of peach to see the way Cindirillo looked at her, glowing so many beautiful things and thoughts through his emerald eyes she could read.

But the instant of ephemeral joy was broken with the screeching sound of the voice José knew very well. It was the voice of his stepsister Ana Clementina that had arrived along with Maria Lourdes. Standing in front of the couple, the wicked girls looked at their brother with disdain while a mischievous smile curved on their faces. Poor José's world had just crumbled to his feet knowing that nothing good would come out of these two.

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***Oh no, the evil sisters have come to ruin everything? What do you think will happen now?!