January 22nd, 1982 (Friday)

After Andrea's scare of the first day of the year, Regina's worries all turned to the wedding plans. There were four months left and a lot to do. Church and party room were already booked. She hadn't hired the catering yet, neither the cake baker, nor she picked the invitations and neither hadn't chosen her and Andrea's dresses. Her bridesmaid and her groomsmen would be her friend Louise and her boyfriend, Dr. Lucas Palmer. Robert choose Gill and his wife.

The phone rang and Regina picked up.

─ Hello?

─ Good morning. Can I talk to Regina Smith?

─ It's me. Who's this?

─ My name is David and I'm from the art direction of the club. This year we are going to have two extra days for the Carnival Fest. On Tuesday and on Saturday. We would like to invite to sing for us on these events.

─ I appreciate the invitation, David, but I never sang on a Carnival Fest and I wouldn't know how to do it.

─ Well, your reputation as a singer can open any door for you. It's always to have a challenge in your career. I'll give you two days to think about it and I'll call back for your final decision.

─ I don't believe I'll change my mind.

─ I'll call you back in a couple of days. See you.

─ Who was that, honey?

─ Some crazy man from the club trying to hire me to sing at the Carnival Fest.

─ And what's the matter?

Regina looked shocked at her mother.

─ I never did this, mom. It takes a lot of energy.

─ If you never try, you'll never know. It's an old saying.

Regina left the room and left her mother laughing alone.

At night, she told the story to her father who didn't see any problems with her trying as well. It was only two days, with a break between them.

Regina started to think about the idea and listen to songs she could sing on the event. She wasn't sure yet if she would face the challenge.

A couple of days later, David returned the call and Regina accepted the invitation. He informed the amount of money, which was way bigger than what she used to get on Friday's presentations.

Robert had been busy with appointments and hospital emergencies and they didn't talk about it.

On the next weekend, she told her fiancée that she had a rehearsal at the club, without giving more details. He made no objections and made most of the situation by going to the farm to deal with some urgencies. Regina had a feeling that Robert wouldn't support her on this project.

The rehearsals were better than expected, which left Regina very excited and David very happy for hiring her.

On the following weekends there were more rehearsals. Carnival was only two weeks away. When she told Robert that she would be busy again, he thought it was weird.

Regina decided to tell him about David's proposal. He frowned instantly.

─ Why would you do this? Do you need the money?

─ This is not about money. It's about doing something for myself. It's a challenge for me and I like it. It will be only two performances, on Tuesday and on Saturday. Just four hours a night. Nothing that difficult.

─ But it's a different crowd, Re. On Fridays, you perform to retired men or executives who go there to listen to good music and relax. These parties are all teenagers, very drunk. There's a big chance that something could go wrong.

─ I'll be on top of the stage and there will be securities.

─ You could have discussed this with me before accepting it, don't you think?

─ I didn't have time. I only had two days to think about it. My parents were supportive.

─ Your parents don't count. They approve all your crazy ideas.

─ What? What are you talking about?

─ Never mind, Re. It was just something stupid. Well, if you already accepted it, my vote doesn't count. I'll look at my schedule so I can be free these two days. I don't want anybody touching you.

─ Don't think you're gonna get away with this. I want to know what you meant by "They approve all of your crazy ideas"?

─ I have to go now, I'm late for an appointment. We'll talk later.

Robert gave her a peck. She was static and didn't reciprocated. Her eyes were shining with anger.

─ Goodbye, my little lioness.

At night, Robert called and made up an excuse to avoid confrontation. It was best to keep his distance until her anger went away.

Regina was pissed off and had a devilish idea. On the next day, she went to the store where she used to get Andrea's roller-skating outfits and found exactly what she was looking for. Robert would know what she was capable of.

She rehearsed for a couple of days, which made her very confident. She didn't see much of Robert after their little argument, but she didn't cave.

Tuesday arrived. She spent the afternoon at Louise's house, getting ready for her big night. Her father would meet her at the club. She would drive there with Louise.

When they arrived at the club, they went straight to the dressing room. Regina already had her makeup on, and her hair stuck in a bun. Louise helped her put on the sparkly red leotard, put on white high boots and put an adornment on her head.

─ Wow! It made me taller, indeed. Crazier than this, impossible. Ok, it is not time for regrets. It's time to face the situation.

At 11pm sharp, the band started playing the first chords of a Carnival song. Regina waited around for a little bit before coming on stage. Backstage they could hear the crowd mumbling. It seemed that the club was packed.

─ Lord please, help me. Here I go.

She got on stage singing and the crowd went wild. Robert was with Walter in one of the cabins above the crowd and he look at this father-in-law astonished.

─ Sir, did you approve this?

─ That I didn't approve, but you incited it. It's good for you to learn to keep your mouth shut. Regina is sweet and caring, but if annoyed, she doesn't run from the fight. What crazy ideas of her do you think I approved?

─ Did she tell you that too?

─ Yes. I was also curious.

─ I didn't mean it. I was angry and jealous.

─ Alright. I hope I wasn't wrong by telling you how Andrea was conceived.

─ I love Andrea as she was my own, but it's hard not to think that Regina could have avoided this if she had been more careful.

─ It seems that all that story about our ancestors wasn't enough for you to understand that it would have happened in one way or another. She could have been raped by a thief to bring Andrea to the world.

─ I hadn't thought about that side yet.

Regina was magnificent, a goddess. Her thighs covered by some fishnet tights, the leotard was very small on the back, making her butt appear bigger. Robert watched the crowd and could see all the guys drooling over her.

─ Sir, I'm sorry, but I'm leaving. I can't take this. If she can be stubborn, so can I. I rather leave than lose my mind.

─ It's your choice. I'll be here, supporting my daughter's crazy ideas.

Four hours later, Regina finished her performance getting a standing ovation. No one laid a finger on her neither disrespected her. Everything was perfect.

Louise was waiting for her backstage and soon her father appeared. He hugged her and congratulated her on facing another challenge. Regina didn't see Robert and asked for him.

─ He left as soon as it started. He was filled with anger and jealousy. By the way, I need a ride, because I came with him and now, I don't have a car.

─ Of course, just let me get this thing out of my head and we'll go. I won't even change.

Regina left Louise at home and drove back to hers with her father. When they arrived, they noticed Robert's car was parked in front of the gate with the light on.

Regina parked and got out of the car. She went around Robert's car and found him sitting in the passenger's seat, looking at nowhere. Walter walked up next to her and Regina gave him a sign to enter the house. When Walter was far, she asked:

─ Is everything ok, Bert?

He stared at her with so much pain in his eyes that Regina felt a punch. He looked at her from head to toes.

─ Well, it seems you have arrived safe and sound, I can go home now.

Regina looked down and thought about what she was going to say. They couldn't keep doing this. It was too stressful.

─ May I go with you?

─ I think it's better if you don't. I'm afraid I'll do what's been going on in my mind.

─ Wow! Is it something exciting?

He stared at her and his eyes seem to want to poke her eyes out.

─ No, it's something educational. Something, I believe, your father has never done it to you.

She decided not to be bothered by his anger and tease him.

─ If it's not gonna hurt that much, I can try.

─ Very funny. Keep acting little a little girl. Andrea has more common sense than you.

─ OK, so, I'm going. I've heard enough for today. She walked towards the house.

Robert got out of the car and grabbed her by her arm, making her lose her balance. Before she fell, he held her in his arms, went back to the car and pushed her to the passenger's seat. He got in, locked her seatbelt and started the engine.

Regina was scared and excited. She knew she had crossed a line and was already sorry for making him suffer. Robert drove fast to his apartment, parked the car in the garage, got out and went around to open the passenger's door. He pulled Regina and threw her over his shoulders like she was a potato bag. She thought about screaming, beating him, cursing him, but decided to be quiet.

As soon as they arrived at the apartment, he took his keys out of his pocket, still with Regina on his shoulders. Got in and closed the door. He went straight to his bedroom and threw her on the bed. He laid on top on her, without touching her body and stared deeply into her eyes.

─ And now, little rebel girl, what do you want me to do? What new sensations would you like to try?

Tears started rolling down Regina's eyes.

─ I love you, Bert! I just wanna love you.

He closed his eyes and laid on the bed next to her. Regina continued quiet, while tears continued rolling down her face.

─ Bert I'm sorry. I had no idea you would suffer like this. That doesn't make me happy at all.

He got out of bed and walked straight to the bathroom. Closed the door and turned on the shower. In the bedroom, Regina took off her boots and laid down curved in a ball, asking for help to the heavens to deal with that situation.

She wouldn't know how long she spent there crying alone, waiting for Bert to get out of the shower, but she eventually fell asleep.

Robert, while in the shower, was crying out all his anger and frustration. He wouldn't let her see him this way, he didn't want her pity.

She Is his fiancée and she was half naked, dancing for a bunch of drunk men. Is this correct? Is she right? She wants to be his wife and keep showing herself off to other men? This would be very hard to accept! He was in the shower for over half an hour until he felt that he could face her again.

Once he left the bathroom, he realized she had fallen asleep. Better this way. He grabbed a pillow and went to sleep on the couch.

The next morning, it was already 10am and Regina hadn't woken up yet.

He came near her and noticed that her face was red. He touched her forehead and noticed that it was very hot. He tried to wake her up, but she wasn't reacting. He grabbed a thermometer from his suitcase. She had a fever of almost 104°F.

─ Re, wake up. ─ She wasn't moving.

He decided to give her a shower to decrease her temperature. When he was taking off her leotard, he noticed that the decorations had hurt her skin. That made him furious. He left her naked, took off his own clothes and carried her to the shower. Adjusted the water from warm to cold and got under the shower with her in his arms.

Not even then she woke up. That was very weird. It was almost as she was in a coma. He got out of the shower, wrapped her body in a towel and took her to bed. He was grabbing the phone to call an ambulance when the doorbell rang. 

He answered with only a towel around his hips. When he opened the door, he almost fainted. There, right in front of him, was the same gypsy that had appeared to them at the Christmas party from the hospital.

─ Good morning! I didn't mean to scare you. Can I check on the girl?

Robert walked backwards, making room for her to come in. The gypsy walked to his bedroom. He saw her putting her hands over Regina's head, mumbling some words very quietly. After caressed her face.

Turned to Robert, she warned him.

─ She will be ok. Soon she will regain her consciousness and the fever will disappear. When she wakes up, kiss her passionately and give yourself body and soul to her. Only that can keep her away from the shadows.

Saying that, she passed by Robert towards the living room and disappeared on the hall. Robert didn't even notice how she disappeared. 

Then, he closed the apartment door and came to check on Regina.

He found her awake and her face was fresh, but her eyes seemed lost. He remembered the words the gypsy had said: "kiss her passionately and give yourself body and soul to her".

He held the face of the woman he loved so much and kissed her passionately. He felt that his anger, frustration and jealousy had disappeared from his chest. A peace surrounded him. He needed her. He had to save her. He started caressing her with all his love and devotion e, slowly, felt that she was reacting to his incentives. The moment he saw the desire shining in those blue headlights, he penetrated her slowly. She accepted him. They seemed to float when they achieved climax. It was like something heavy had left their bodies, making them feel light and relieved. When their minds came back to normal and their heartbeats slowed down, he looked at Regina and realized everything was in perfect balance again. 

His Re, beautiful, sweet and in love was there and he hugged her tight. The sound of her laughter made him feel on cloud nine. Yes, now he understood what the gypsy had said on the hospital party about being alert.

On Saturday, Robert went along with Regina to the club and stayed there through the four hours of her performance. She chose some yellow pants, a white tank top and flats. Her performance was great, showing all of her talent. Robert and Walter were in the same cabin and together admired that beautiful woman.