Beware The Fury

by C. I. Lopez

  “Hi, Cici. Hi, George.” Federico greeted his friends, the owners of the hostel, where he’d brought Yasmin the day before. “Will you please save me a private table when I come down with Yasmin?”

  “Of course,” Cici said. “We haven’t heard a peep out of her. She is probably resting.”

  With his heart at his throat, and his breath heavy with anticipation, Federico knocked on the door of the room of the girl he couldn’t shake from his constant thoughts. There was no answer. He tried again, and still no response. The door wasn’t locked, so Federico carefully opened it to find the security chain on, but the young man was able to peek in. He saw Yasmin still in her bed, fast asleep.

  “Yasmin, let me in. It’s me, Federico.”

  Yasmin awoke with a start, and she looked at him through the crack in the door with frightened eyes. Quickly, she got up, wearing only her pajamas, and began searching for her robe, while Federico waited by the door. Not able to find the robe, she hurried to let him in and lock the door behind him. Wearing her silky pajamas, Yasmin crossed her arms in front of her chest for modesty and asked him to wait a while.

  He nodded and tried to avert his gaze.

  “I’ll be ready in ten minutes.” She directed him to sit on the only chair in the room.

  Federico watched her look for her gown, making a note of her mussed hair and clean face without makeup. She looked more vulnerable and prettier than ever. She looked like the frightened, haughty girl who defied the world when she was fifteen years old. He spotted the robe hanging on a hook in the bathroom and went to get it for her.

  Helping her put it on, he caught a glimpse of pink nipples that had the same effect as they’d had on him when he was seventeen. Gently, the new president of the bank, lifted Yasmin’s hair over the robe, pausing in the delicious moment to marvel at the beautiful view. He lingered, with his fingers on her neck for only a second too long. She didn’t resist. Then he turned her around and covered her mouth with his. When he touched his lips to hers, measuring her slow, uncoiling response, he knew that he wasn’t dreaming.

  A shared fire was re-kindled between them. Federico’s infatuation, attraction, or perhaps just a memory of repressed feelings, was now firmly in place. He found himself backing her toward the bed until her legs touched the mattress, then he lowered her gently, his breathing short and ragged. His hands were already sliding off her robe, pushing the straps of her silky top over her shoulders. Visions of them sitting by a riverbed years ago fueling his desire. Delicate pink rosebuds sharpened his gaze as he watched them harden before his eyes.

  “Yasmin, my love.” He lowered his mouth to one nipple, his hand cupping her breast as he tasted the sweet flesh. With senses charged by unabated yearning, his need drove him like a runaway vehicle. His kisses deepened, his hand moved to places that prompted a need to know every infinite detail of Yasmin’s body.

  Her response awakened his senses, leading him down a road that beckoned with heated longing. Her robe and pajamas sliding easily over her hips, down her legs until the only thing between them was his cumbersome clothing. He began loosening his belt and the front of his pants, his hands moving with lightning speed.

  Then she began to tremble. It started in her shoulders, flowing like ripples down her entire body. At first, Federico wanted to believe she was overcome with passion. Then he saw her face. Her eyes stretched wide like a frightened young child’s, tears running from the corners. Although she made no move to stop what he was doing, he knew she was no longer enjoying this. Some dark shadow formed a cloud over her desire. His need shut down as quickly as a key turning off a car engine and he rolled to her side, propping himself on an elbow to look at her.

  “It’s okay,” he whispered, brushing her damp tear-stained hair from her cheeks. She turned her head away so he couldn’t see the expression on her face. He had already seen it. Federico knew something deeply-rooted had disrupted the flow of the white-hot passion witnessed in those first fiery embraces and smoldering caresses.

  “I am sorry, Federico,” she whispered several minutes later, staring up at the ceiling with the sheet covering her. “It has nothing to do with you. It’s about me. I can’t. I just can’t.” After experiencing so much sexual abuse, it created an automatic physical response, as if she was a burn victim and the touch brought on a traumatic psychological reaction to her injuries. New desires would come with the healing of time.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked, his fingers gently caressing the nape of her neck, his thumb nuzzling the soft, creamy smoothness of her throat.

  “No,” she said, shaking her head, ashamed to tell him of her horrible ordeals with Tomas. Many of the experiences had flooded her brain the instant before preparing to give herself to Federico.

  “Then, I’ll tell you what, why don’t you put on your clothes, and we’ll go have breakfast right here at the inn. Cici is already saving us a quiet table. After that, we’ll go to town and see about getting your money from the bank, and getting a car for you.”

  He raised her to a sitting position, and she wiped her eyes with her fingers.

  While she was grabbing for her robe to cover herself, Federico gained a delightful eyeful that warmed him instantly to pure sensual delight. He gorged himself with the sight of the most magnificent round breasts ever, the pink rosebud nipples as enticing as any he had seen. Her skin felt like cream begging for the taste of his tongue and lips. He shuddered with longing.

  Yasmin crawled off the bed, quickly donning her robe but not before Federico’s eyes mentally photographed every inch of her. She possessed a notable figure, and the curves, dips, and peaks were wonderfully tempting. With his gaze glued to her, he watched her stand up.

  “Federico, I can’t afford to buy a car. I have always used public transportation, and that is what I intend to do. Besides, a car can be traced, and I’d need a driver’s license. None of that makes sense for someone who needs to remain invisible.” She walked sensuously to where her clothes hung on a hanger. She took the garments, rack, and all into the bathroom with her. While she dressed, Federico made a phone call to the bank.

  “Hey Ron, I am going to be busy most of the day. How about opening the bank for me and keeping an eye on things?”

  His colleague asked if there were a problem.

  “No, just some personal business I need to attend to.” Federico hung up, pondering what had just happened between Yasmin and him. She was so passionate and responsive, and then, in the blink of an eye, she shut down. He shook his head, crediting her reaction to the fact they had been separated for years. He knew how she was brought up to cling to her morals, disavowing any desire for casual sex. Still, that had not seemed to be Yasmin’s problem; neither did he feel she was teasing him. She was passionate one moment, icy the next. As she expressed last night, there was much he didn’t know or understand about her.

  When Yasmin stepped from the bathroom, her control restored, she smiled timidly at Federico. The tight little jeans outlined her lithe figure like a glove, and although dressed casually, she looked breathtakingly beautiful.

  Federico’s heart did a backflip in his chest as he recalled how he’d kissed her earlier, and touched every inch of her. The feeling of familiarity had him pulling her against him. “I do like holding you.”

  “I like it too,” Yasmin whispered, draping her arms around his neck and leaning her cheek against his hard, broad shoulder.

  “Are you afraid of me, Yasmin?” Federico asked cautiously.

  She winced noticeably and stiffened in his arms. “No, Federico. I feel very safe with you. I’m just not ready for involvement.”

  Although Federico wasn’t prepared to let it drop, he knew it was best to leave it alone for now. He was also skeptical of the reason she claimed for her earlier reaction.

  “Shall we go to breakfast?” Federico asked, catching a glimpse of doubt in her eyes as the girl slid her hands from his neck down his chest.

  She backed away, her feature
s taking on an expression of silent pondering. “I don’t know, Federico, I don’t think I can.” She paused and was thoughtful. “I’m not sure what you are expecting from me. I’m on the run, remember?”

  “Really? So soon? I am not going to ask you to do anything you are not comfortable doing, Yasmin. Is that why you want to leave because I want you to be with me?”

  Yasmin regarded him through deep introspection. “Intimacy frightens me for many reasons. Importantly, I think I need to learn how to stand on my own two feet before I become involved in any dependent relationship. You’ve been helping me since I first saw you, and I don’t want to become reliant upon anyone at this point. Believe me, Federico, I wish things were different, but I am going to have to go away for a while.”

  A deep frown formed on Federico’s forehead as he tried to decipher everything he’d just heard. She can’t go away again, he thought, refusing to accept it. “Now stop worrying, and let’s go have breakfast.” Federico reached out his hand to her and marveled at the delicate fingers that intertwined with his. Smiling a bit tensely, her mood changing by degrees, Federico recalled a science reel he’d watched, with the time-release action of a flower’s petals unfurling.

  *

  Violeta invaded his pleasant images. Federico noticed her car parked along the street as he and Yasmin were walking down the steps to the dining room. He’d hoped the phone call last evening would have ended their relationship. He didn’t want to hurt her, but nothing between them was worth continuing. With her hot temper, she was capable of causing unsettling problems. But he was sadly mistaken if he thought things would end that quickly between him and Violeta.

  He and Yasmin had barely sat down and given their order when Violeta came hurling through the door. She was dressed in a two-piece suit for her switchboard job at the police station, looking extremely smart in her heels, her hair twirled into a neat twist on the back of her head. The speed, however, with which she moved, destroyed the effect of her nicely clad figure. Her expression in a twisted sneer looked more like a mad dog, ready to attack. Violeta saw Federico’s car outside, not to mention that she’d gotten wind that Yasmin was in town.

  Federico saw her coming, as did everyone else in the diner, except for Yasmin, whose back was turned. Abruptly, Federico came to his feet, wanting to head Violeta off before she reached their table.

  “Excuse me, Yasmin,” he said quickly, his face losing its composure while he hurried toward a charging Violeta who was hot for a confrontation.

  With no time to answer, Yasmin shot him a surprised glance and watched him rush past her.

  “Damn you, Federico.” It was a woman’s voice.

  Yasmin turned just in time to see Federico grab the woman’s arm and usher her out the door. After the shock passed, Yasmin’s face turned a dozen shades of red while people watched her reaction. Temporarily glued to her seat, she attempted to make sense of what was occurring. An old flame, she decided, since he told her last night he wasn’t married or attached—unless it was a lie. She sat there, stiffly, undetermined as to what to do. From where she sat, she could see Federico and the woman standing by his car. Although their words were not audible, it was blatantly apparent the woman was yelling at Federico. She was shaking her fist at him, even trying to strike his face at one point until he grabbed her wrist.

  With an embarrassed glance at the diners, Yasmin saw they were looking at her. Ashamed of their attention, Yasmin couldn’t decipher what was more entertaining for them; her discomfort or the spectacle the woman was causing outside. She heard low voices, whispers, and knew she was part of their discussion. The girl who needed to remain invisible couldn’t stand the scrutiny any longer and stood up, grabbing her purse just as the server hurried over to her.

  “Don’t go,” Cici said quietly. “He’ll be back in a minute. That woman means nothing to him. She only wishes she did.”

  Yasmin acknowledged Cici with a glance, a heated flush of red warming her face. Embarrassment and tears battled with her self-control. They were quickly winning against her attempt to appear unaffected by the ordeal.

  “No,” she said, pushing past Cici. “Thank you, but I do have to leave.” Her voice was breaking up in the last couple of words, as she hurried out the door, blindly racing across the street to the first place she found. It was Mabel’s shop, where Federico had taken her the day before to purchase some items. All the while, hoping that Federico and the angry woman had not noticed her. She needed a place to hide for a while.

  Federico had his back to the restaurant door and didn’t see Yasmin leave, but Violeta did. Yasmin was no sooner inside Mabel’s shop, leaning breathlessly against the door, her eyes pooling with tears than Violeta rushed in after her.

  Federico thought Violeta had rushed off back to work, and he went back inside the restaurant to find Yasmin.

  “What’s the matter, Sweetpea?” Mabel asked—she always had a nickname for everyone. She was addressing a distraught Yasmin who was standing with her back to the door.

  Suddenly the door bursts open with enough force to send Yasmin flying forward, where she managed to grab a rack of clothing to keep from falling on her face.

  Mabel knew immediately what was wrong. She quickly placed her ample body between Violeta and Yasmin.

  “Your filthy bitch!” Violeta screeched at Yasmin, her arms and fists flailing as she tried to move past Mabel. “Why don’t you go find your own man and leave mine alone?” Violeta shook her fist violently at Yasmin, trying to reach the girl around Mable to get in a punch or scratch her eyes out.

  Mable kept the bulk of her body as a shield between them, warding off Violeta’s attack. “That’s enough, Violeta. Get out of here!” Mabel shouted, backing her toward the door.

  That was when Federico came rushing in, his face pale and chiseled like a solid granite mask of anger.

  “It’s okay, Federico, Violeta was just leaving,” Mabel’s eyes shooting daggers through her.

  Violeta knew she couldn’t bully Mabel and backed off in retreat, but she wasn’t finished with Yasmin. She raised both fists and shook them at her, while yelling obscenities.

  “You’re nothing but a common whore! When I get the chance, I’ll tear your eyes out.” Violeta threatened, turned, and purposely rammed her shoulder into Federico, nearly unbalancing him before going out the door.

  The only person not upset was Mabel. “Come here, Sweetpea,” she said, going to Yasmin and wrapping her large arms about her. Her buxom body offering a soft and comforting cushion for a tearful young woman’s head.

  Federico held a rigid pose, feeling completely helpless and looking the part. Violeta had warned him yesterday evening. He should have seen it coming. God, he was stupid to have continued with her so long. He could not ignore Violeta’s threat to Yasmin. Her temper was ripe enough to provoke her to just about anything. What a circus, he thought, realizing how the grapevine was probably dancing to the tune of gossipers. If that wasn’t bad enough, Violeta was targeting Yasmin with her jealous ravings, just when Yasmin needed to remain ‘invisible’.

  Mabel gently moved Yasmin from her comforting bosom, turning the girl toward the back of her store to the bathroom. “Go in there, Sweetpea, and wash that pretty face of yours. It’ll make you feel better.”

  Yasmin shook her head with her face stained with tears. She told Mabel she had to leave, walking past Federico, who attempted to grab her by the arm before she left. She shook him off and went directly to the hostel to pick up her belongings.

  “Federico, you’re not using good judgment, are you?” Mabel suggested, and she was probably the only person who dared to express direct honesty with Federico.

  “Damn it, Mabel, I knew Violeta would be trouble, but what was I supposed to do?” He ran his fingers across his chin and shook his head glumly, a frown winding tightly on his face. “I swear I’ve always been forthright about how things stood between us.”

  “You don’t have to convince me of that, Freddy, but you mi
ght need a little help convincing Sweetpea,” Mabel glanced across the street to where the girl had entered the hostel with determined steps.

  Federico wasn’t fond of being called, Freddy, but he accepted it only from Mabel.

  “Everybody in town has been telling you to drop Violeta. She is just not right for you, Federico. She has no class, no style, and when her parents were passing out graciousness and good manners, they skipped her altogether. That one there, though, little Sweetpea, she is a real lady. She is also a fragile little thing who needs lots of protection. You sure you’re cut out for her kind, Freddy?”

  “Damn, Mabel. That girl’s been in town two nights, and you already have me married to her.”

  “Well, Freddy, it’s not like I don’t know that when she disappeared nearly three years ago, you were engaged to marry her.”

  “I bet all the telephone lines have been busy spreading the word. If they only knew what harm they could be doing to Yasmin. She should have never come back here.”

  “Well, Freddy, it looks like you won’t have to worry about her any longer,” Mabel said as she nodded towards Yasmin walking in the direction of the bus depot carrying her full duffel bag and her purse.

  “No!” Federico screamed as he turned to go after Yasmin, but not before speaking to the store owner. “Mabel, can you help squash the gossip, just a little? The situation is a bit more complicated than what meets the eye.”

  Mabel’s brows shot up. “Oh, does that mean she’s married?” Jumping to the correct conclusion, as was her nature.

  “I didn’t say that, Mabel, and for God’s sake, don’t get that one started. If Violeta has her way, I’ll never live it down.”