In the weeks since Juan Paulo became Emilia’s morning escort to work, it quickly became one of the biggest highlights of his day. Granted, she didn’t give away all of the secrets behind the scenes, but her enthusiasm was as invigorating as a strong cup of coffee. Their conversations were often one-sided, and he didn’t mind. On the days when Talia’s tears and the knowledge he had of her past weighed heavily on his mind, hearing Emilia’s admiration of her had him falling for her all over again.
But in recent days, a strange role reversal occurred. Juan Paulo’s level of production wasn’t slowing, and he would rave about his latest creations. When he finally came up for air, he’d look over to see her smiling and nodding, but offering no further comment. He’d ask if something was wrong and she always gave the same answer. After letting out a big yawn, she insisted they had a long night and she was still waking up. Of course he knew this wasn’t true; Emilia was the dictionary definition of a “morning person.”
After a few mornings of awkward silence, he tried a different approach. “You know, Emilia, we are friends. If something’s bothering you, you can tell me. Maybe I can help.”
She bit her lip, trying not to smile but she lost the fight. Something about his company put her at ease and it’s been difficult lying to him. “You’re so sweet. But I don’t know if you can. It’s sort of a work thing.”
“Like what, specifically?”
“Talia’s thing lately is exposing to me as many of the twins’ routines as she can. Just in case Scarlet gives it all up for Javi.”
He smiled broadly, assuring her, “I’ve been hearing that rumor too. As far as I can tell, she still enjoys spending time with us and with the rest of you.”
“That’s good.” She exhaled and pressed forward. “The thing is—I’m really happy that I’m finally being included in these routines and I’ll gladly substitute if someone isn’t feeling well. But I also have my own ideas. I just don’t want Talia to be disappointed in me because I want to do more than what she’s giving me.”
“Hey,” he massaged her shoulder, “Talia loves you. Disappointment isn’t in her vocabulary when it comes to you. And she’d want you to be happy. If this means that much to you, you gotta fight for it. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with all the what if’s years from now and only have yourself to blame.”
In an instant, the ache of defeat that’d been weighing her down the past few days vanished and renewed hope took its place. A light blush returned to her cheeks as she beamed, “You’re right. Thanks, JP. I’ll give a try.”
With Talia’s current mindset, however, this was easier said than done. The high she experienced with Juan Paulo was so contagious, the other sirens were compelled by example to work tirelessly on her itinerary, leaving little energy left for idle chitchat. The twins took turns asking Emilia about the other day. Initially, she was so afraid of ruining Talia’s good time that she denied her true feelings about it every time. After Juan Paulo gave his advice, she finally told them when the three of them were able to meet alone, “I’ll handle it on my own time, okay? Please, can we just focus on getting this right?”
Her only real opportunity to broach the subject was accompanying Talia to get lunch. There was no upbeat music to distract her. But each time she thought of where to begin, a voice in the back of her head talked her out of it. They’d return and the twins looked at her expectedly. The moment Talia’s attention was elsewhere, Emilia shook her head in their direction and their sagging shoulders echoed the sentiment.
Scarlet spent much of her free time turning over ideas in her head about how she could help, but an answer that would make everyone happy proved elusive. It eventually got to the point where it detracted from her time with Javier. Even as she experimented with dance moves that would complement the band’s music, he could see she wasn’t present in the moment. She’d described the latest rehearsals as chaotic so he chalked it up to exhaustion at first. Yet there was something else he couldn’t quite place. Plus, their two-month anniversary was coming up and he really wanted to do something special for her. It has since become more about finding the perfect distraction from whatever burden she was carrying on her shoulders. Time flew by and he was running out of time for inspiration to strike. The night before, everything came together as if by magic.
* * *
Almost every night during this time ended in a similar fashion. Ruby was Emilia’s escort home while Talia and Scarlet met their lovers at La Scala after their set. But it was rare for them to arrive at the same time. More often than not, Scarlet performed for two numbers and, with Talia’s permission, she took an early leave to assume her second role as band spectator. Scarlet went inside and took the seat left empty for her in the front row. Then she and Javier resumed their own series of rehearsals. Talia, meanwhile, skulked in the alley by the back door. Juan Paulo became so familiar with this reoccurrence he made sure his guitar wasn’t resting against his body so it wouldn’t be caught in Talia’s line of fire.
One night, it worked out that the two of them took the journey together. Scarlet found herself in the same position as Emilia, spending much of the trip contemplating how to remedy the current situation. When the building came into view, spotlights and all, she had an epiphany. “Talia, you know I appreciate all the flexibility you’ve given me. But I think you might be overestimating me and Javi.”
“Why? Don’t you like him?” She cocked an eyebrow.
“Of course I do. I think we’re great together and we can have a great future. But I’m not ready to retire as a siren just yet. And Emilia’s resume can’t be based around being my replacement if I do. You chose her because you thought she had a fresh take on our routines. She’d exceeded all of your expectations and I think she’s ready to find her own individual direction.”
Talia nodded thoughtfully, taking it all in one sentence at a time. “You’re right. Emilia has so much to give. I feel her drive and determination.” Then she frowned, “but she has yet to begin this dialogue with me. We walk half an hour every day to bring back lunch, but that precious time is wasted in silence. I can see the reason for her accompanying me is to talk, but lacking confidence is holding her back.” Spying Scarlet’s disappointment from the corner of her eye, she offered reassurance. “When she is ready to show me her life’s story through dance, I’ll do all I can to bring her vision into reality. That is my promise.”
Scarlet wanted desperately to believe her but the pit that took up much of her stomach these days said otherwise. She still managed a smile, knowing Talia’s heart was in the right place.
Upon arriving at their destination, they discovered a sign taped to the door. It read: Closed for a Private Function
“That’s strange,” Scarlet mused. She put her ear to the door. “I don’t hear any music.”
Talia pat her on the shoulder. “Only one way to find out.” She promptly excused herself and ducked into the back alley. Wearing a furtive smirk, Juan Paulo was already there waiting for her. “Have any idea of another place we can go tonight?”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“Nothing that has anything to do with us.” With the slightest neck bend and shift of his pupils, he nodded back to the building and winked.
She immediately understood and accepted the sudden change of plans. “Yes, I know the perfect place we can go.”
* * *
Scarlet slipped inside and pushed the doors closed behind her. After turning around, she gaped at the mystifying sight awaiting her. All of the house lights were off, but the small stage was brilliantly lit with dozens of tea candles. Soft acoustic guitar started playing from the speakers, but nobody appeared to be home.
“Hello?” Scarlet called out, receiving no response in return. “Javi?”
On cue, her boyfriend came onto the stage. “Good evening, Scarlet. You look ravishing as always.”
“What’s going on? What is all this?” As she approached and got a closer look, she added, “that’s a new look for you. What’s the special occasion?” Instead of his collared shirt and blue jeans, he sported a red silk shirt and black dress pants.
“Our two-month anniversary, remember?” She immediately braced her forehead. “Oh my god, I can’t believe I completely forgot. It’s been so crazy lately.”
“I suspected as much. That’s why I wanted to set all of this up. Make you forget all your troubles for a while.” He climbed down from the stage and took her hands in his. “May I have this dance?”
“Oh, oh yeah, sure.” As she followed him up the steps, she gasped upon recognizing the voice on the recording, “is that your song on the stereo?”
“Yeah, we recorded it the other day. I know how much you love dancing and I wanted to join you. I couldn’t quite do that with a guitar hanging from my shoulders.” He rushed over to reset it from the beginning. Back at her side, he held her hand in one hand and braced her arm with the other.
He adjusted his eyebrows to soften his expression. “Just follow my lead. Then when you feel comfortable, move into your own steps. If it helps, think of my waist as the pole you practice with.” Too stunned for speech, she nodded and they began.
The verses featured a smooth, sensual Argentine tango where they occupied a small space at center stage. Occasionally, he flicked his ankle on either side of hers and she mirrored the gesture on the proper beat. At the pre chorus bridge, he spread their arms out. She understood the signal and proceeded with her Rumba choreography. She did multiple crossovers in front of him before dropped into a squat. Grabbing his waist, she swayed her hips and torso as she stood back up. Next, a smooth waltz across the floor for the chorus, Javier occasionally breaking hold to spin her around. As more time passed, the steps became less important. Scarlet rested her head on his shoulder and they swayed back and forth like a slow dance at a wedding or prom. He whispered in her ear, “You wanna get out of here? My home will be only ours for the night.”
Without hesitation, she agreed.
As quickly as she and Javier fell into bed together, Scarlet felt the passage of time slow to a crawl and she reveled in every second. Her father stole her virginity long ago, but her first time making love was everything she hoped it would be. Each kiss was deeper and more passionate as they melted into each other. His thrusts elicited moans of pleasure she never knew she was capable of. Waves of ecstasy crashed over her like ripples in a pond, steadily increasing in size and intensity until everything came together all at once. After catching their breath and untangling themselves, Scarlet nestled back into Javier’s arms where she fell asleep, leaving all of her worries far behind.
***
Dance: Argentine Tango/Waltz/Slow Dance
Music: "Shameless" by The Weeknd
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