For Love or Money

by Britney Beck

  "Who are you?" she demanded, forgetting to be polite.

  "Rafael," he replied as he set his load down onto the cart. He wiped his hands on the faded jeans he wore and offered it to her in greeting.

  Anita stared at it, not because it was dirty, but because she wondered whether their skin touching would cause her to betray the intense emotion that was bubbling up inside her chest.

  "I've never seen you around here before," Anita said. She shook his hand in the quickest handshake ever. He quirked a brow at the swiftness of her touch. As hasty as it was, the warmth spreading from the areas of her hand where they touched was undeniable.

  "I'm new to the village," he explained. "I came to help my uncle Luis."

  "Luis?" Anita nodded, as she knew him. He was struggling with failing health and her mother often sent him any extra food they had, which was not much. "It's good you came," she added.

  "Of course," Rafael said. "He is family."

  Anita smiled at his words. It was not often that young men felt that way anymore. Most were in a race to get as far from Cuba as they could, even if it meant leaving their families behind. Her mind reflected on her cousin Miguel. Raphael noticed the difference in her countenance and decided to change the topic.

  "I didn't catch your name," he said gingerly.

  "Anita," she replied, brushing her dark hair back over her shoulders.

  Rafael's eyes flickered for just a moment. She recognized the glare. It was look of admiration men showered on her when they observed her beauty. She had met very few men whose eyes didn’t betray such a look.

  "My uncle has spoken of you," Rafael grinned, as if he knew some secret about her.

  "Oh?" she asked, wondering if his uncle had told him about her beauty and her family's intentions to marry her off.

  "Yes, he did. He said you were a thief!"

  Raphael laughed and moved between her and the crate of avocadoes.

  "It was one avocado!" Anita protested. "I was eight!"

  "Mm hm, it starts with one avocado," he warned, his eyes flashing with mirth.

  She laughed so loudly that she made a very unladylike snort. She gasped and covered her mouth. She was always careful to appear attractive in public, and that snort did not seem endearing to her.

  "He was right about one thing," Rafael said in a softer tone.

  "What?" Anita asked, still blushing.

  "You are the most beautiful woman in Cuba."

  He breathed his words out and then turned back to the small building to retrieve another crate of avocadoes.

  Anita stared at him, shocked over how much of an impact his words had on her. Of course she had been called beautiful by many men, but to her they had always been just words. When Rafael said them, it made her entire body sing, as if she had just been given the greatest praise she could ever receive.

  Before he could return, Anita hurried past the building. She was a little frightened by what she was feeling from being close to him.

  As she hurried down the narrow road, her eyes were locked onto the ground. She hadn't notice the man approaching her.

  "Anita," he called out happily.

  She stopped short and looked up at him.

  "Kevin," she smiled, still feeling flustered. "What are you doing here?" It wasn't often that foreigners would stray so far from Havana.

  "For you," he said. He held out a small box encased in gold wrapping paper.

  Anita blushed at the extravagance. As she accepted the gift, the cart loaded with avocadoes rolled past her. She could feel Rafael's deep chocolate eyes glaring at her, though she didn’t turn to look at him.

  "Thank you," she whispered.

  She opened the present and discovered a brand new, expensive pair of heels.

  "Anything for you," Kevin said quickly, and reached for her hand. When she shifted uncomfortably, he gripped her more firmly.

  "I mean it, Anita. You tell me anything you want and I will make it yours."

  Anita suddenly became apprehensive about accepting the gift. Did Kevin mean it as a generous gesture or as a bribe? Was he trying to subtly inform her that more material things were to come her way if she were to return his affections? She was even more perplexed about how he was able to find her.

  “How did you know that I lived here?” she asked cautiously. Unless he had links to the government, it had to be by coincidence.

  “I asked your sisters,” he replied.

  “When did that happen?”

  “When you had gone to the bathroom.”

  Anita accepted that as a plausible excuse. She had left her sisters for a short while. It was possible that he had spoken to them when she was away. And to think they had never said anything to her, she mused. No wonder they were so confident that he wanted to marry her.

  “Well you’ve found me. Why couldn’t you wait till our date tonight?” she asked with a look of intense concentration in her eyes.

  “I am a man of the moment. When I want something, I don’t believe I should have to wait for it,” he explained.

  “And what do you want? What do you want from me?” she asked.

  “I want you,” he replied.

  She felt a sharp pain in her heart. Was this how love was supposed to feel? Where were the bells, the fireworks, the feeling of great joy? Maybe her mother was right. That kind of love was just meant for fairy tales and not for reality. However, before she was willing to give her heart to him, there was one thing she wanted him know.

  “I am not a jinetera,” she informed him. She was not sure if he understood what the term meant. He did.

  “I didn’t think you were.”

  “So what are you saying then, Kevin?”

  “Anita, I want you to be my wife,” he declared in a matter-of-fact tone.

  Anita wanted to be overjoyed. This was what she and her family had been waiting for, for so long. But when she looked up into Kevin's eyes, her breath still flowed easily.

  "You must be hot," she declared, clearing her throat as she realized the mid morning sun was beating down on him. "Would you like to come home with me?" she offered.

  "Oh, yes, absolutely," Kevin said swiftly.

  Anita realized what he was thinking and laughed. "To meet my family," she added.

  Kevin chuckled at how eager he had been and nodded. "That would be wonderful."

  When they arrived at Anita's modest home, she could tell that Kevin was uncomfortable. He was a man of the world, just not the impoverished world. He kept glancing around the small room. He seemed out-of-place. For the first time in her life, Anita felt ashamed of the shabby furniture and antiquated appliances in the living room.

  "Oh is this him?" Anita' mother squealed when she saw Kevin duck into the house.

  "Yes, Mama," Anita rolled her eyes.

  "It's a pleasure to meet you," Kevin said politely, before being swept up into a tight hug.

  "My daughter told me how handsome you were, but I didn’t believe it until now!" she grinned.

  "Well thank you," Kevin smiled broadly and cast a wink in Anita's direction. Anita tried not to be mortified. She didn’t approve of her mother's boisterous personality.

  "Please, tell me all about yourself," her mother pleaded. She pulled a chair out for him at the small kitchen table. Kevin hesitated. Anita could tell that he was uncertain if it was safe to sit on. Then he caught her watching him and sat down carefully.

  "Rosa, give the man some space," Anita's father called from the doorway of the home. He would always come home around lunch time to share a meal with his wife and other family members. As his eyes settled on Kevin, the curve of his lips indicated that he was pleased. Anita felt a sinking sensation. She sensed that both of her parents were impressed with the man. She knew that by the time lunch was over they would be making marriage plans with him. It wouldn't matter much what she had to say anyway. Still, she also felt an obligation to do as her parents wished. They had sacrificed so much for her, and she felt it was only right to find a
way to take care of them. Kevin was handsome, wealthy and very romantic. So why, when Kevin smiled at her, was she thinking of a certain young man with rich chocolate eyes?

  After lunch, Kevin asked her to return to the hotel with him.

  "I'd like to spend some time with you," he said calmly. "If that's something that you would like."

  Anita nodded. "Of course." She forced a smile. "That would be lovely."

  He walked her to where he had parked his car on the outskirts of the small village. As they strolled together, she could feel the neighbors' eyes peeking out at her through their windows. She knew that everyone would be rushing to her mother, to gossip about the impending wedding. Kevin might not have even formally proposed, but to the people of her village, the marriage was already set in stone. When they reached his car, a rental he was using during his visit, she was once again reminded of his wealth. The BMW was luxurious, far more expensive than most in Cuba would have been able to drive. For that matter, less than one percent of the population would have even been able to afford any type of car. He opened the door for her and she settled herself inside.

  Anita felt a sudden sense of urgency as they drove away from the village. Was this the way she would feel when the time came for her to leave her home for last time?

  "I know this is quite sudden," Kevin said as he drove through the congested streets of Havana.

  The car ambled along at a slow pace, giving Anita time to observe the scenery. Even though it was not quite dark, a group of maricones had already began to assemble around Capitolio. The pulsating rhythms of salsa music permeated the air. Anita felt as if her beloved Cuba was crying out to her. She never knew the struggles of the revolution, only the aftermath. Even though she might have lacked the resources her counterparts in Europe and North America might enjoy, she still felt a kindred spirit with her the land of her birth, her patria. She would be giving up her family and all the things she loved for a future of uncertainty. She would know no one in Italy, apart from Kevin. She didn’t want to have to marry a foreigner just to escape Cuba.

  Kevin sensed her apprehension.

  "I do feel very strongly for you," he added as he pulled into the valet parking of the hotel. "I just want you to know that I meant what I said. When I leave here, I want it to be with you."

  Luckily Anita was saved from replying by the valet, who opened the car door for her. She climbed out of the car, only to find that Kevin had hurried around to meet her.

  "So, let's get to know each other better," he suggested. The leer in his gaze made it pretty clear to Anita what his intentions were. She knew better than to give in to his desires though. If he wanted to be with her, he was going to have to prove himself first. All hope was not lost. It was still possible for her to fall in love with him if they slowed things down a bit and got to know each other better.

  "Tell me about yourself," she said as they rode up together in the elevator to one of the highest floors in the hotel. "What is your family like? What is your life like in Italy?"

  He shrugged casually. "I'm not that close to my family. As for life in Italy, I am not home too often. I have a very large home there, which is fully staffed," he assured her. "But my business keeps me traveling," he explained as the elevator doors opened up. He led her down the hall and to the entrance of his hotel room. When she hesitated to follow him inside, he turned to face her.

  "What's wrong?" he asked, confused as he sought her gaze.

  "I just, well…" Anita frowned. She honestly didn’t know why she felt such a sense of dread to be alone with him in his hotel room. He had been nothing but a gentleman thus far, and his reputation was evident. He had taken the time to be courteous and kind to her family and made his intentions quite clear from the onset.

  "Nothing," she said firmly and reminded herself that she was doing this for her family. It would be a good opportunity for her to see Italy, and perhaps most of the world, if he invited her to travel with him. There was no plausible reason to deny Kevin's affection. Her mind couldn’t find any, but her heart was plunged into turmoil.

  He beamed as he held the door open for her. She stepped inside and let out a grasp of awe. The hotel suite was vast; three of her houses could have easily fit into it. The mini bar was filled with exquisite and pricey liquor. Being there with him gave her an introduction to the kind of life she could expect with Kevin. Most women would have been elated, but Anita could barely keep her stomach from flipping over. She felt very out of place. She didn’t want to leave behind the life she grown accustomed to in her beloved country. It was beautiful to her, more beautiful than any modern convenience.

  "I'll get you a glass of wine," he offered. He gestured for her to take a seat on one of the plush couches. Anita eased herself into it and tried to find a way to be upbeat.

  "This is a very nice room," she said quickly as he handed her a glass of wine.

  "Oh this? It's a dump."

  He waved his hand dismissively.

  "Can't wait to get back to real luxury living," he remarked.

  Kevin settled down beside her. He noticed the anxiety in her expression.

  "Alright, Anita, what is it? Have I upset you somehow?"

  Anita appreciated that he was perceptive.

  "It just seems like so much for one person to have," she admitted reluctantly.

  He arched one brow. "I have earned all of it, Anita. Every penny. I created my business and I made it successful. And I am certainly not ashamed to enjoy the fruits of my labor."

  "Yes, of course."

  Anita nodded, though she suspected that there was more to his acquired wealth than he was sharing.

  "But?" he enquired as he swirled the wine in his glass.

  "I just mean, who really needs so much?" she laughed, trying to lighten her words.

  "You'll get used to it," he retorted with confidence. "It may seem lavish at first, but trust me, soon you would be demanding finer wine and softer sofas."

  He laughed merrily while gulping down his glass of wine.

  Anita hoped that she wouldn’t become like that. She had gone through a few years when she was less than gracious about the way her family had spoiled her. She had bought into the idea that her beauty gave her the right to be demanding. But she had learned quickly that she was not entitled to anything. It didn't matter what any of her neighbors looked like, they all shared the same life. Some tried to escape it by seeking a sponsor, who would help them obtain a passport and visa, the elusive document that they needed in order to leave Cuba. This piece of item, which visitors to the shores regarded so casually, was obtainable only through extremely restrictive means as the revolutionary government sought to prevent citizens from fleeing Cuba. One means of obtaining a visa was through marriage to a foreigner. Some marry for love, but most did it for more practical reasons. Anita was not at all desperate to leave Cuba though.

  "Why is it that you want to be with me so much?" she suddenly asked him.

  "Fishing for compliments are we?" Kevin smirked. "I suspect you don't need to be told how beautiful you are."

  His gaze swept longingly over her body.

  "Is that the only reason?" she asked.

  "Of course it is!”

  He stood up, oblivious to Anita’s dismay.

  "Isn't that enough? I have everything. I just need a beautiful woman on my arm. And I chose you!"

  Anita noticed the gleam in his eye. She was certain that he felt that his words were romantic, as if he was somehow doing her a supreme favor by giving her the slightest bit of attention.

  "And do I get a choice?" she asked in a whisper.

  "Of course you do," he said with a little surprise. "I thought this is what you wanted. If it's not, just tell me," he insisted. "I don’t want to force you into anything."

  Anita shifted on the couch. She felt his hand fall to rest on her knee. She closed her eyes against the confusion his touch was causing her.

  “Anita, I can’t wait forever,” he warned her. She co
uld feel the sweep of his gaze as it passed across her lips, over the bridge of her nose, seeking her eyes. She opened them and smiled at him reluctantly.

  “Of course, I would not expect you to,” she accepted. She knew that a man of his wealth could buy and sell anything at a moment's notice, including a wife.

  “We wouldn’t have to rush to marry,” he explained, as if that might have been her only concern. “I know you would want to plan something very special. Money will be no issue, so you may have the most beautiful day you have ever imagined.”

  Anita smiled. “I was hoping for a wedding on the beach maybe,” she declared.

  “No problem,” he remarked.

  In her mind, Anita had begun to accept Kevin as her prospective husband. He was being quite pleasant and agreeable. She decided to swoop in for the kill.

  “And I want us to live here, in Cuba.”

  She didn’t find it difficult to read his expression after her words were digested into his consciousness. He looked as if someone had slapped him in the face.

  “That is out of the question!”

  “Why? You have enough money. We should be able to live comfortably. The money you are spending on this hotel could be used to purchase a house or even a small apartment,” she reasoned.

  “In Cuba?” he asked with surprise. “Oh no, we can’t live here. Not in this backward, third world country.”

  Anita felt her heart sink again, especially since his remarks insulted her dear homeland. How was it possible for him to understand, wealthy as he was, that the best things in life were for free, such as love and family? He had admitted that he didn’t have a good relationship with his family, but she did. To her, that was worth more than priceless jewels. She was certain that if she decided to marry Kevin, it would be the last voluntary decision she would be making. They spent a few more hours talking about their childhood and their hopes for the future. It became more and more apparent to Anita that Kevin had everything planned out, from how many children he expected to have, to what colleges they would attend. Anita had not thought so much about their future life together. In fact, she didn't even want to think that far ahead. By the time she left that evening, she was fairly certain that if she married Kevin, it would be a great mistake.