Translation of Love

by Alice Montalvo-Tribue

  “I know that, sweetie,” she says sympathetically. “I just wanted you to know what’s out there.” My phone vibrates to alert me that there’s a phone call before I can respond to Jacinda. I glance down and see that it’s Victor calling. “Is that him?”

  “Um, yeah.”

  “Answer it.” She sounds like a silly school girl. I giggle at her and answer my phone.

  “Hi, Babe,” I say softly.

  “Hi, Love.” I can hear in his voice that he’s smiling. “Whatcha doin?”

  “I’m sitting in Jacinda’s office. You remember I told you about her?” I look up and Jacinda is beaming at the fact that I’ve spoken to Victor about her.

  “The girl who came to the autograph signing?”

  “Yes, she just showed me something that’s kind of upsetting.”

  “What?”

  “There are pictures of you and I at dinner the other night and Christina confronting us. The website makes it seem like I’m some home wrecker that broke the two of you up.”

  “Aww, Baby, don’t read that stuff. Please, it will only drive you crazy. They make up stories, and call it news. If it starts to get out of control, I’ll have my publicist release a statement. I don’t want you worrying about the stupid shit that people write about.”

  “I’ll try not to read it.”

  “That’s my girl. I’ll let you get back to work. Call me later?”

  “Alright, Baby.” He disconnects. I lift my head to see Jacinda grinning at me.

  “Oh wow. You guys are so cute.”

  I giggle. “Can I go back to work now?”

  “Sure. Wanna grab lunch later?”

  “Sounds good,” I say as I leave her office. It was strange to see myself on those websites with Victor. Not because we didn’t look good together but because he’s a celebrity. If I’m being honest about it, he’s so out of my league and yet I managed to get him. Can I really deal with people taking our picture all the time? Then again, we’ve spent every weekend together for weeks and it only happened when we were in New York. I remember him telling me that the beauty of singing Latin music for him is that he still gets to lead a normal life. I decide that it doesn’t really matter whether my pictures end up on a blog on some random Internet site. It doesn’t change how I feel about Victor and I’m just not willing to give him up.

  The next several weeks pass by in a blur. Most of my free time is spent with Victor, either at his penthouse in New York, or at my house. We’ve spent every weekend together, enjoying the beach, catching movies, going out to dinners and making love. We’ve become a real couple. This is the first normal relationship that I’ve ever had. Victor has managed to form bonds with everyone that is important in my life. I love knowing that my family and friends approve of my boyfriend and I don’t have to sneak around behind their backs or alienate myself from them. My relationships with his family remains complicated. Alex has become like an older brother to me, his mother on the other hand is still against our relationship. Victor has finished working on his new album and is debuting the first single so he is doing a string of promotional interviews on a few Spanish language television shows based in Miami. He’s been gone for three days. I couldn’t take much time off of work but I promised that I would fly down there and spend a few days with him. The only downside is that his mom will be on this trip so there’s no doubt I will have to spend time with her.

  I make it down to baggage claim and immediately spot Rob waiting for me by the baggage carousel. Rob has really become a good friend, always making sure that I’m taken care of and that Victor is protected. I make it to him and give him a quick hug. “Hey, Rob. Thanks for picking me up.”

  “Of course, I’m glad you made it.” He smiles down at me. “Your boy is missing you.”

  It makes me happy to know that Victor misses me as much as I miss him. “I can’t wait to see him. Is he at the hotel?”

  “Yup, he’s got the rest of the night off and tomorrow, he made sure of it.” We grab my bag from the carousel and make our way to short term parking. Once we’re on the road, my excitement level goes through the roof. I know that I’m that much closer to being with Victor again.

  “Rob, how has it been between Victor and his mom?” I feel like I need to prepare myself for the worst.

  “It’s been tough. She refuses to believe this is the last time he’s gonna be doing all of this. I don’t wanna scare you, Elle, but she’s not happy that you’re coming.”

  “Yeah,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I figured as much.” My phone vibrates, alerting me to an incoming call. I notice that it’s an unlisted number and I ignore it. I’ve been getting more and more calls from unlisted numbers lately and whoever it is always hangs up when I pick up. I’ve actually considered changing my number, thinking that it might be one of Victor’s fans that has gotten a hold of my number somehow.

  We arrive at the hotel situated right on Ocean Drive. The sun is setting right over the beach, the sight of the water gives me a sense of tranquility. When the car comes to a halt, excitement starts to take over. I know Victor is just an elevator ride away and I can’t wait to be in his arms. As I exit the car, Rob looks at me and laughs. He pulls a key card out of his pocket and hands it over to me. “Room 1504, go, I’ll take care of the bags.”

  “I love you,” I say, standing on my tippy toes and kissing him on the cheek. I turn toward the hotel and bolt through the lobby. I press the call button outside of the elevators and wait. Moments later, elevator doors open up in front of me. I enter quickly and press the button for the fifteenth floor. The butterflies are forming in my stomach. You would think we haven’t seen each other for months even though it’s only been a few days but every time Victor and I come together, it feels like we’re meeting for the first time. I can’t get enough of him. It’s both wonderful and scary.

  The elevator doors slide open and I make my way down the hallway to our room. I slide the card in the slot and the light turns green, alerting me that the door is unlocked. I enter the room and catch my breath. Victor’s back is to me. He’s leaning against the window, arms crossed and staring at the view, perhaps the sunset. Whatever scene he’s staring at, I know that he’s lost in it because he didn’t hear me come in. I walk to him, put my hands around his waist and bring my forehead down to his back. He jumps slightly then realizes it’s me and turns in my arms until we’re face to face. I blink up at him, and he looks down at me, a hint of a smile on his face. No words are spoken but he gives me the kiss that I’ve been craving since I opened my eyes this morning.

  I’m breathless when we finally break apart. Victor cups my face in his hands, his eyes hungry for more. He kisses the tip of my nose. “I missed you,” he says softly.

  “I missed you too. I didn’t even wait for Rob. He gave me the key and I just ran up here,” I say giggling.

  He smiles. “Why does it feel like I haven’t seen you in forever?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t know, but I feel the same way. I couldn’t wait to see you.”

  He gives me a wicked grin. “I can’t wait to see you naked.”

  I slap his chest. “Is that all you think about?”

  “Fuck yes, Baby!” he says, grazing my lips with his. “I’m kidding, I think about lots of things, but right now, I’m just thinking about you naked.”

  “I guess I wouldn’t mind seeing you naked either,” I say, pulling myself out of his arms and grabbing the hem of his shirt. He raises his hands so that I can pull it off. He reciprocates by helping me remove my shirt.

  “You’re so beautiful, Ellie.” The words make my heart swell with love for this man. When most guys would have walked away thinking that I wasn’t worth the effort, Victor showed nothing but patience and understanding. I reach out for his jeans, undoing the button and lowering the zipper. I tug them down until they fall around his ankles. He steps out of them, then helps me out of my pants. His hands find their place on my hips and he starts walking me backwards until we hit the b
ed. He reaches around and unhooks my bra, letting it slide down my arms to the floor. My panties are next to go.

  I stand there naked, illuminated only by the light of the moon flooding through the windows. It hits me that, for the first time in such a long time, I feel beautiful. It’s a feeling that Victor has given back to me. A piece of myself that I lost in a much uglier time of my life. Now, with him in my life, I’m surrounded by nothing but beauty. It’s a precious gift, and receiving it makes my heart fill with love. I can’t find the words to tell him. All I can do is show him. I pull at his boxers, dragging them down his legs until they’re gone. Standing on the balls of my feet, I kiss him. I kiss him with everything that I am. With all of the emotion that I have and pray that it conveys what I’m trying to express.

  I sit on the edge of the bed and push myself up as far as I can go. Victor follows until he’s hovering over me, our lips just inches apart. He strokes my hair and grazes his lips on mine. He looks down at me, and I swear I can see a bit of hesitation in his eyes. He opens his mouth, then closes it, I can tell he wants to say something but what I don’t know. He places a kiss on my forehead then finally he speaks. “Te amo mi amor,” he whispers in my ear.

  I blink up at him and smile. “What does that mean?” I whisper back. He’s never really spoken to me in Spanish before.

  He hesitates, but only for a moment. “It’s the translation of love.”

  My breath catches. I can feel the muscles in my chest expanding and the tears pooling in my eyes. “What?” I ask, barely above a whisper.

  “I wanted to say the words in a way that I thought you’d be okay hearing them.”

  I hear what he’s saying, but I can barely believe it. He loves me. It’s a declaration. Victor’s telling me that he loves me in a way that only he can, in a way that he knows will protect me from my own fears. Suddenly, I don’t care about my past, my fears, or the walls I’ve built around my heart. I only care about him, about how much I need him, about how much I love him. I’ve known that I’ve loved him for weeks now but was too afraid to take the leap of faith and tell him. Now I just wanna hear him say the words. “Say it.”

  He smiles at me and I can hear my heart pounding in my chest. “I love you, Ellie.”

  The tears that I was trying to hold back break free, streaming mercilessly down my face. “I love you too,” I say through my sobs. “I love you so much. I’ve known it for a while but I was afraid to say it.”

  “Oh, Baby,” he wipes away my tears using his thumbs. “I’ve wanted to tell you for weeks now, but I thought that it might scare you.”

  I can’t help but giggle. “God, we’re both so stupid. We’ve been feeling this way for weeks and we’ve both held back.”

  He chuckles. “We’re saying it now, that’s all that matters, right?”

  I nod. “Baby.” I wrap my arms around his neck. “Make love to me,” I say, wanting nothing more than to feel him everywhere. I whimper as he slides inside of me, filling me with love. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Victor makes love to me slowly, savoring every moment, making the most of our precious moments together, solidifying the words that have just been spoken between us. This is what it feels like when two people really share a love. There are no false hopes and promises, no anger or resentment, it’s just pure love. Tonight when I fall asleep, enveloped in Victor’s arms, there is no restlessness, no haunting memories. I’m filled with peace and I know I owe it all to him.

  I can feel the warmth of the morning light shining through the window on my cheek. I was awoken by the feeling of light kisses on my forehead, nose, lips, neck. A quiet whimper escapes from my lips, alerting him to the fact that I am no longer asleep. I hear him chuckle as he touches his lips to mine again. “Hola, mi amor,” he whispers. I can’t help but to smile at that. “That’s my girl,” he whispers. “Show me those pretty eyes.” My eyes flutter open as I take the sight of him in. My breath hitches when I look him in the eyes, remembering his words from last night. His eyes turn to liquid, which in turn makes my whole body melt with desire. “Victor.” I move my hands to cup his face, wanting to make sure that he’s real. He grabs my hands and links his fingers through mine as he moves to pin them over my head. He brings his mouth down to my ear and whispers, “Are you mine?” I want to scream out yes, that I am his, more so than I have ever belonged to anyone. I want to tell him that he has penetrated my wall in such a way that I know that I will never be able to repair it. I want to say it but I can’t find my voice because if I don’t verbalize it, then I can still hold on to at least some of my defenses. Instead, I bite my lower lip, look him in the eye and nod my head.

  He smiles down at me. “Show me you’re mine, Love.”

  “How?” I ask so softly I’m not sure if he hears me.

  He brings his head up so that his mouth is now inches away from mine. I swear that he looks right through me in a way that leaves me exposed and vulnerable. It doesn’t need to be verbalized but we both know that he has succeeded in stripping away yet another layer of my defenses. He kisses me gently on the lips, sending a shiver of excitement through me. “Give me what’s mine. Open your legs for me, Babe.” The last piece of self-control I have slips away and I do what I’m told because in that moment there is nothing that I want more than to be his in every way that matters. In whatever way he wants me. He lets out a low growl, releases my hands and grabs my legs to position them around his waist as he slowly slides inside of me, filling me completely and sending little electric currents all over my body. I bring my hands to his shoulders, gripping him as he starts to move slowly. Every thrust, every swirl of his hips is deliberate. He knows exactly what to do to bring me to the brink. I run my hands down his back, grabbing his ass and holding on for dear life.

  “I love you,” he whispers in my ear, thrusting deeper and making me feel him everywhere.

  “I love you too,” I respond, my breathing getting heavier with every passing moment. He trails a string of kisses down my lips, my neck, and finally my breasts. He takes a taut nipple into his mouth and sucks deep, eliciting a moan from my lips. He moves up, kissing me on the mouth again. His hands cup my face and tangle in my hair. I deepen the kiss and run my hands up and down his back. He quickens the pace and my moaning increases with each thrust. The familiar shockwaves take hold of me as an orgasm rips through me. I can feel Victor stiffen his upper body. “Oh Fuck, Baby,” he mutters as he comes inside of me.

  “This is how I wanna wake up every morning,” Victor says, burying his head in my neck.

  I giggle. “I wouldn’t mind that.”

  He repositions us so that we’re on our sides, facing each other. “How did I get so lucky, huh?”

  “I’m the lucky one. Sometimes I still can’t believe that I found you. I never thought it would happen for me, and then you came along and changed everything. I love you so much.”

  “For a while there, I never thought I’d hear you say those words, but I’m so fucking glad you did,” he says, kissing my forehead.

  “Me too,” I say, feeling happier than ever.

  He smiles at me. “You want breakfast?”

  Breakfast sounds good, but I know that I’m too tired and exhausted to leave this room without at least having a shower. “Room service?”

  “Sure. What do you want?”

  “Pancakes and bacon.”

  “Okay, I’ll call it in.”

  “I’m gonna take a shower while you do that,” I say, giving him a final kiss on the lips. I see that somehow Rob delivered my bag last night because it’s sitting by the door. I open it up, grab my toiletries, toothbrush and makeup bag, then make my way into the bathroom.

  The warm water raining down on my body feels amazing. Everything feels brand new to me, like I’m experiencing things with heightened senses. Making love to Victor last night and this morning was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. It’s always been amazing between us but it was even better and I know it’s because I allowed the co
nnection to really penetrate me in a way that I hadn’t before. I never would have believed that I would get here, to a place within myself where I would actually want to feel the kinds of emotions that I feel when I’m with Victor. This is love, and it’s so different from anything I’ve ever had before. I understand that now that I have this love, I have no choice but to accept it. It consumes me and I know that with the acceptance comes risk. I realize now that if this relationship doesn’t work out, the outcome will be catastrophic for my heart. There will be no way to protect myself from that kind of devastation. I’ll never be able to recover if I lose him. It’s a hard pill to swallow but there is no other option. Having Victor in my life outweighs whatever risk might be involved. I turn off the shower and grab a towel, pushing the scary thoughts out of my mind. “I can’t let my fears control me anymore,” I say to myself as I run a brush through my wet hair and pull on the fluffy hotel bathrobe.

  I come out of the bathroom and see Victor staring out the windows wearing a pair of jeans and t-shirt. I walk over to him, put my arms around his waist, stand on my tiptoes and place my chin on his shoulder. “Breakfast is over there,” he says, motioning to the table with a jut of his chin. “How was your shower, Love?” I’ll never get enough of him calling me that.

  “It was good. Exactly what I needed to start this day.” He turns around to face me, pulling me in closer and wrapping his arms around my waist. I tilt my head back so that I can look at him as he smiles down at me. “Mmmm, I’m pretty sure we already started this day, and if I recall it was pretty phenomenal.” I like the direction that this conversation is going.

  “Really?” I tease, squinting my eyes. “I’m not sure I remember what you’re talking about?”

  He pulls his hands around to the flimsy sash holding my bathrobe in place and grins. “You don’t remember, huh? Maybe I can refresh your memory.” He brings his lips down to my neck and kisses me there. Will I ever get enough of this man? We made love less than an hour ago and now I’m ready for round two. I lift up my arms and place them around his neck just as we hear a knock on the door.