by TorreS, Pet
- He said this. Tell your friend I'll put another woman in our bed. Emily made her choice and now I need to make mine.
Unconsciously I abandon my purse, she falls to the ground. My arms seek Mari's body and I start to cry sobbing. That phrase is too strong for my emotions. Another woman in our bed. That hurts me so much, I feel the flesh from my body tear in half.
My beautiful relationship with Larsson Tiger has come to this. Now I'm being warned of the danger of another woman taking my place in the bed of the man I love.
***
Eleven PM
- Bitch!
Larsson murmurs, laying in bed. His left arm hugs my pillow next to him, he pulls it to him, imagining that I'm there in his arms. He feels angry at me, but it to him does not fulfill his promise to bring another woman into our bed.
Larsson still doesn't feel psychologically prepared to do this. Because his thoughts only cogitate my image, the good times we spent together as husband and wife. My moans and whispers to his ear, saying that I loved him more than anything.
In the most difficult moment of his life I was always by his side. Giving him all the support for him to walk again.
His hand holds his tiger pendant below his neck and he returns to his past again.
- I brought a gift...for...you...
I look to one side. My cheeks blush of shame, fear and insecurity.
Larsson raises his head and stares at me in the face. He realizes that I hastily take a small black box from my purse.
- A gift?
His voice utters weakly as he watches my every move.
- Please. - I insist raising my hand towards him, holding the black box. - Accept it, it's from the heart.
Larsson stays voiceless, as I approach slowly and stop in front of him, still keeping my outstretched arm for him. He looks down at the black box and holds it slowly. Mr. Tiger doesn't seems like he wants that little souvenir, even without knowing what it might be.
And what is the real value of the present.
Moments later, he manages to open the little black box and his eyes round to the golden object inside the box. He raises his green eyes and they get stuck in my direction, more precisely in the direction of my pale and nervous face.
- I can't accept this!
He says, removing the object from the box and perfectly seeing a gold chain with a tiger pendant in the palm of his hand.
Then he insists looking at the object.
- This must have cost all of your savings, I imagine.
He shakes his head.
- I appreciate it, but I cannot accept this gift.
I almost interrupt him.
- Please Larsson, accept it. I felt good buying this chain with a tiger pendant for you. I realize that you no longer use your Tiger chain. I believe that you should have lost it in the crash.
- Yes, I lost it. After many years with me.
He stares at me again.
- I was going to buy another, as soon as I started to walk.
There's a brief silence in the room. Larsson lowers his head and looks at the golden chain between his fingers. He admires it silently.
- I beg...
I insist with my sweet voice.
- Accept this gift.
Larsson raises his head and his eyes collide with mine. He realizes that inside of me there is a much more valuable gift than that gold chain with a tiger pendant.
- Well, alright then...
He lowers his head and speaks with a soft voice.
- I accept it.
After that, Larsson awakens from his past thoughts. He looks at the ceiling and closes his eyes. He can't concentrate on anything. However, he turns to one side and opens his eyes.
- Emily, if you knew how much it hurts to live without you!
He pauses.
- You ruined my life, bitch!
Chapter 13
Months later...
After a tub bath, Larsson leaves his bathroom wrapped in his black robe. He walks toward his bed and gets rid of his long bath coat. Completely naked, he wears his imported underwear, then his dark jeans. Sits on the bed and puts on his shoes. Finally he takes his 'black coat' and wears it slowly. Then he walks to the mirror and looks for a while, combs his hair with his hands and looks again. Admiring his own sensuality as a highly irresistible man.
A smile of satisfaction points on his lips.
- I waited so long for this moment!
He says to himself in the mirror, after all Larsson Tiger is now walking normally without his blessed crutches.
Minutes later, Balzak drives the black opala, Larsson is sitting in the back seat, with the window open. He looks at the city lights, there is a cigarette in his lips. He smokes it patiently.
Just moments later, the dark car stops in front of the L.TIGER nightclub.
Larsson gets out knowing that the car is stationary. He walks ahead and discontinuous before the nightclub's garden. His arms raise up, from side to side, he looks to the illuminated sign with the name:
L. TIGER NIGHTCLUB.
His eyes shine with happiness. He's back to his place, to the owner's position in the L. Tiger nightclub networks.
Thrilled, he raises his arms again and shouts to the sky.
- I'M FUCKING LARSSON TIGER!
Without stopping, his body starts to spin. While he absorbs his conquest again. He really feels accomplished before his empire.
Some raindrops begin to fall and he remains turning slowly. The rain increases and wets his face, his hair and finally his whole body. However he is still there, enjoying everything, even if the rain is wetting him completely.
Minutes later, he finally enters the nightclub.
Two bodyguards accompany him as he walks through the crowd of people. The nightclub lights change color. White smoke appears and many female dancers dance sensually by the nightclub corners. As soon as Larsson puts his foot there, an engaging melody starts playing, a song called (Sail, AWOLNATION).
Some call girls surround him. Larsson seems considerate with all of them. His smile arrives at his lips. He blinks fascinatingly at them and moves on.
In the hallway, he meets Constância coming his way.
- Mr. Larsson, finally you showed up at the nightclub.
Larsson smiles and shakes his hair wet from the rain.
- I'm back Constância! Larsson Tiger is back to his empire!
The host walks forward and stops at a door in the hallway. He opens it with familiarity and finally enters his office. Larsson sits in his chair, puts his feet on top of the table and lights a cigarette. His gaze runs around and he realizes that the place is intact. Months passed and everything is the same.
Minutes locked in his office, he wants to leave. So Larsson Tiger returns to the hall and takes a glass with pineapple liqueur. He heads to his black leather armchair in the nightclub's background and throws himself on it. His arms open and he relaxes with the pineapple liquor invading his taste buds.
Some girls at the nightclub surround him, sitting around him. Larsson looks at them and smiles with his sexy smile. They love it. His green eyes stop in the shape of a beautiful woman breasts with light brown hair.
- Are you new here?
- Yes.
She replies.
- Sit here on my lap!
Larsson orders. A young woman in her provocative burgundy dress stands up and sits her round ass in Larsson's lap. His hands slide down the woman's body and she looks at him with great interest.
- You're perfect!
He says and drinks the rest of the pineapple liqueur. He throws the cup away and orders another prostitute.
- Go get more pineapple liqueur for me!
The other red-haired young woman gets up and goes to the bar inside the nightclub.
Larsson surrounds the young woman's ribs in her lap and she starts to move in his lap dancing a melody, rubbing against his legs. Slowly she approaches her face to him and tries to kiss him on the lips, but Larsson throws h
is head back and firmly holds the neck of the prostitute.
- You still don't know the rules?
He questions her.
- What rules?
She looks confused.
- No one kisses Larsson Tiger's lips without his permission.
He says rigidly and releases the throat of the woman.
- Now get out of my lap!
She keeps watching him. Larsson rubs his hands in his wet hair and throws it back.
- Get out of my lap, slut!
He screams and she gets up and walks hurriedly away from there. The other prostitute returns and delivers another glass full of pineapple liqueur. Larsson holds it, stands up and walks to the dance floor. A strong melody vibrates inside the hall. He starts dancing, full of sensuality. Some women surround him and begin to rub their bodies against his. They dance glued and then separate. Larsson Tiger stays in this atmosphere of drinking and fun for hours.
***
Four AM
Finally Larsson walks out the nightclub completely drunk. His right hand holds a bottle of whiskey almost empty. His legs seem weak and shaky. Feeling weak, he surrenders to the ground. Even completely drunk he tries to get up, it still rains a little on the outside. With great difficulty he crawls like a four-legged animal across the lawn and finally gets to the black opala.
Balzak hastily leaves the car and goes toward his boss;
- Mr. Larsson!
He exclaims and tries to lift Larsson. However the owner of the Tiger nightclub pushes him.
- Leave me alone! Dammit!
Larsson leans his back against the car bodywork and eliminates the rest of the whiskey from the bottle. Then he throws the bottle to the middle of the lawn. He begins to smile, to laugh and then slides the back of his hand through his lips. However, he continues laughing for no reason. Balzak frowns in his direction. Larsson seems highly intoxicated and uncompromising.
- That - bitch - ru - ined - my - life!
Finally Larsson murmurs. And Balzak realizes that his boss is referring to me.
- And - I - gave her - everything! Everything! Every fucking - thing! And look what she - gave me - Balzak! A - fucking - kick - in - the ass!
Larsson says stumbling on his words. He looks down and sees the tiger tattoo on his ribs. His 'black coat' is wet and filthy with water and some wet grass residues.
The owner of the Tiger nightclub networks bows his head and mutes upon his suffering. He can no longer see himself away from me. I still make a huge hole of pain and longing in his chest.
Emily Fontana will never cease to be Mrs. Tiger in his daydreams.
Chapter 14
The following morning
- Thank you.
I smile, after thanking the clerk in a bakery a few corners from the building where I live with my girl friend Mari. The day is sunny after the rain the night before. My arms surround the bag of bread and I keep walking quietly down the sidewalk.
But unexpectedly I cease my steps and look ahead. My lips compress and I look at the floor.
- Emily!
A male voice exclaims before me.
- Hello Armando.
Now I look to the side.
- How are you?
- I'm fine.
Armando's eyes check my body in some faded blue jeans and white shirt. He realizes that I lost weight and do not look happy.
- I heard you broke up with your wheelchair user patient.
His voice echoes with irony.
- He's not my patient and now he is no longer a wheelchair user. Now he walks with his own legs.
I face him. Armando realizes that I didn't like his bad taste joke.
He insists.
- That must be why he kicked your ass! Now he no longer needs the care of a nurse! In other words, your care!
I close my eyes and count to three in my mind. I don't want to escape my control and say barbarities to my damn ex-boyfriend. At this point I thank Larsson for the second time for helping me to get rid of this jerk, which was cheating on me with his best friend.
- Say hello to your best friend and lover!
I say and move on.
Armando remains stopped, looking at my back and asks me, looking very confused.
- What are you talking about?
I say walking forward without looking back at him.
- That you and your best friend are lovers! Be careful! She has a very jealous husband! One day, you can find a bullet stuck in the middle of your forehead!
Chapter 15
Mari and Rodolfo Marriage
Mari decided to do a little on-site reception to celebrate her civil union with Rodolfo.
After a few years together, they finally decided to share their lives together as husband and wife.
The reception is simple. A few guests outdoors. In the center of the garden there is a huge table with snacks, drinks and a three-story cake. Through the garden there are also scattered tables and some guests are seated around them.
The bride and groom don't stop one second and give attention to all the guests present there.
However hours later.
- Emily, I know you will not forgive me...
My face wrinkles in front of Mari. What's this forgiveness thing precisely in your wedding party?
She gives me an awkward smile and shrugs.
- But I invited a person who has just arrived...
At this very moment I feel I should look back over my right shoulder and that's exactly what I do. However, I freeze, shiver, shudder looking again after many months to the image of flesh and blood of the majestic Larsson Tiger.
His black opala car is parked a few meters in the garden. He is standing outside of the vehicle, paralyzed in front of one of the vehicle's back doors.
Larsson looks at me and moves his shoulders, looking awkward within his wedding outfit. His white shirt cuffs are unbuttoned. He sticks his hands into the pockets of his navy blue slacks. Above his white shirt, he carries a navy blue blazer and at his waist there's a white strip.
He remains watching me, completely mesmerized by my image dressed in a long dress in red blood color. There's a huge V-neck shape on my back that goes from the neck height to below the waist line.
My hair is hold with a custom bun on top of my head with some loose strands on the sides of my face. My lipstick is completely red blood.
I stand back and whisper to my friend.
- I can't stay here anymore...
I say a little lost.
- I have to go...
Hastily I walk in the other direction, trying to get out of the wedding party. The garden is large and I look for a safe place to try to leave the place without me having to face Larsson.
Ahead I see a giant fountain in a bowl format. Water drops all the time. I cease my steps next to it and my hands touch a concrete wall.
I remain looking forward. With the thought that I cannot forgive Mari for this. She couldn't invite Larsson for her party without consulting me. Months had passed and I was living very well without him, without seeing him, not realizing that he exists.
Now Mari blew it. Simply because I feel terrible. My heart hurts, bleeds and becomes weak when I'm in front of Larsson. The man to whom I donated myself. To whom I gave my heart.
I hear noises of steps and they discontinue behind me, a little distant. I keep looking forward. A chill runs down my spine. I fear that this is it.
However, someone is still observing my back. The V-neckline in my red dress.
- Wow Emily! How beautiful you look in that red dress!
His voice makes me close my eyes for a few seconds. He is there, right behind me. What should I do my God? Run? Try hiding again?
Slowly I open my eyes and turn to face him. Larsson is standing a little apart. He removes his hands from the pockets of his pants and tries to take a few steps forward.
- I missed you so much Emily! I need you.
He confesses, stopping before me. His green eyes sparkle. He seem
s happy to see me again.
- I'm fine without you.
I look to one side.
Larsson smiles and shrugs.
- That's not what your friend told me yesterday.
I face him, my semblant becomes hard and inflexible.
- What did Mari told you?
Larsson's lips are swift in his response.
- That you are not happy without me. Your life sucks! As well as mine.
My head shakes. I try not to consider those words.
- You put another woman in our bed.
He realizes the angry tone in my voice.
- I swear to you that during those months I never put another woman in our bed. I had the desire, but I lacked the courage. Emily I think about you all the time. Shit, believe me!
However Larsson goes on to say.
- I'm just here for you, to see you and take you back home.
My eyes rise above, they find Larsson's serious semblant. He keeps watching me with a sweet and dazzled look.
Larsson looks around and says.
- Even the tigers are missing you.
Automatically I lower my head and smile.
Seconds later, Larsson extends his palm for me. I look at it and it takes me a while to decide. However, Larsson's palm remains open under my eyes.
My lips compress and a tear falls from my right eye. I'm crying again. This is the third time that I cry that day. In the morning I cried imagining that my marriage with Larsson might have worked and we were not so far apart. Restricted to share our days with each other. Then I cried during Mari's wedding ceremony. I was her maid of honor.
And now I'm crying because Larsson is before me. Bringing along all our time together, whether good or bad. However, they are all going through my mind at that time.
And once again I feel a hostage of this love that only deceives, destroys and disrupts all my emotional.
Stifling a sob, my hand slowly rises and it fits perfectly on Larsson's palm.