Chapter 16
2092 Words
Ines
“Ma you can’t keep me in here!” I said, trying to get past the back door but my mother blocked it.
“Ines you can’t go out there!” She said sternly.
“Why not??”
“What were you two doing? So close to one another like that?”
I threw my hands up in the air. “Ma we told you nothing happened!”
“And how are we supposed to believe that?”
“I thought you liked Vicente!” I said crossing my arms. “I thought you trusted him.”
Ma sighed and leaned against the door. “I do Ines. But you are my daughter.. and he’s older..”
I laughed. “Pa and you are a couple of years apart.”
“And I know the difficulties and pain that have come from loving him.”
We were both quiet and could only hear the muffled voices of Vicente and my father outside.
Ma walked to me and held my hands. “You’ve heard how some speak of us Ines. You know how many of them think.”
“You taught me not to care. You and Pa taught me that they’re wrong.”
“And they are, they very much are. But that doesn’t mean they’ll change. You’ve heard of what is happening back home because of men who look like your father and Vicente…to people who look like you and I.”
I shivered, remembering the horrid stories of men who were “discovering” or “spreading the word of God” in Ma’s home. They were painful to hear.
“Pa and Vicente aren’t like that.” I said in a softer tone.
“I know Ines. But for some reason, the world does not easily accept a love like ours.”
My heart wanted to break but I refused to let it.
Pa loved my mother deeply, he loved her for her soul and heart; she was the most beautiful woman in the world to him. And I trusted Vicente-I trusted him when he said he’d come back to me.
The back door opened and Pa walked in, a serious look on his face.
All three of us stood in silence and I only spoke when I heard a horse ride off in the distance.
“What did you tell him?” I asked, my voice rising and my eyes welling with tears. “Pa what did you do?”
“I told him the truth.” He said.
“Which was what?? Do you not believe a man could care for me??”
“Of course I do Ines! But as your father it is my job to assure that the man who pursues you is worth it!”
“And Vicente is not?”
Pa rubbed his face and Ma went to his side, trying to calm him.
“Ines, we’ve seen the way you looked at him since you were a child. You’ve loved him for years, we’ve seen you love him and the passion it has caused you to keep it hidden.”
My stomach dropped.
They knew?
“And when did he ever notice you? Why did he wait until now?”
I gulped, not knowing what to say. I was asking myself the same things.
“I can’t trust him with your heart and safety yet Ines. And I forbid you to see him.”
At that my mouth dropped and I felt my heart beat loudly in my ears.
“You can’t do that! You can’t force me to stay away from him!”
“Ines.. do not test me.” Pa warned.
“Ines, my sweet, please we’re doing what’s best for you. Let Vicente prove himself to you,” my Mother said. “If he cares for you like he says, he will wait and he will earn your love.”
“But-“ I started, but not before my father yelled.
“I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM HIM INES. DO NOT ARGUE WITH YOUR MOTHER AND I!”
I felt my lip quiver.
My father had never spoken to me like that, and the horrified look on his face showed his instant regret.
Mother stood next to him, shocked as well, but when Pa reached out to me I ran. I ran to my room and locked the door; I felt like my dream of being with Vicente was ending right before my eyes.
I had been so close.
And now it was being taken away.
But I wouldn’t let that happen.
Vicente cared for me.
I knew he did.
I would fight for us; I wouldn’t give up so quickly.
————-
Vicente
I walked into the first bar I found.
It was loud, dirty and full.
I headed towards the nearest empty table that was near the door and next to an open window letting fresh air in. I sat and put my head down; it hurt and my chest hurt.
Señor Hector had asked me to leave without saying goodbye to Ines. He said he wanted to talk to his daughter and discuss matters with his wife before he let me continue on any further.
As a man and friend he trusted me, but as a father there was still doubt.
How could I convince and prove to him and Señora Benita that my intentions were pure? That I cared for Ines deeply, I always had. I had just never realized how deeply and strongly those feelings were.
“May I but you a drink amigo?” A deep voice said.
I looked up and a man, around my age, was looking down at me.
He was so drunk his eyes were half closed and body swaying; he had a young girl under his arm that was half dressed and giggling. She was touching his dark hair that had silver streaks in it and he wore a large ruby ring that sparkled from his fingers which clutched to his drink tightly.
I had seen men like this too many times and they were irritating but I couldn’t turn away drink with the way I felt.
“Yes, a beer please.” I said rubbing my eyes.
The man snapped his fingers and pointed at us before sitting down in front me. I held back a groan; I really didn’t want to talk to anyone.
“What’s troubling you my friend?” He asked as he adjusted the girl on his lap so that her rear was right on his groin. She squirmed a little and giggled so I looked down at my hands.
“Just some things I have to figure out.” I said dryly.
“What is it? Business? Money?”
“No not at all.”
The beers came and the man drank half of his before I could take a drink of mine.
“A wife? Is she nagging you?”
“I don’t have a wife.”
“Good for you. You don’t need one. And even if you did have one, you could always come enjoy the company and skills of real beauties,” he said as he slapped the girl’s thigh.
I looked out the window, very uncomfortable with the scene before me. I believed the man capable of having s*x with the young lady right in front of me.
But also, I couldn’t imagine myself ever wanting anyone other than Ines. And if she were mine, there was no chance in the heavens I’d ever be unfaithful. I wasn’t that kind of man.
“Come on amigo! Don’t look so down! Don’t ruin my only night in this dirty old town!”
I glanced at the man again and saw that he was dressed nicely; not as regal as Enrique but nicer than everyone else. Even me.
I rolled my eyes and looked out the window again. He was abrasive and loud, his ring looked expensive and he was clearly arrogant.
“Señor Alvaro is here for a good time,” the young lady said. “And he’s had fun so far that’s for sure.”
“Alvaro? As in Alvaro Reyes?” I asked, quickly turning back to him.
“The one and only!” He said grinning.
My body stiffened knowing who he was. I had heard about him; he was entitled, had no manners and a pirate. A pirate who got away with his crimes because of his family’s wealth and name. Enrique had told me all about him.
He told me to never go into business with him; and to stay away. He was a dangerous man.
As if seeing me clearly for the first time, Alvaro smiled and leaned forward.
“Are you from here?”
I nodded.
“I have a question for you.”
I didn’t say anything, I just wanted to leave.
“Do you know of a young lady? Beautiful, exotic, curly hair and dark skin?”
I had been scanning the room looking for a way out but I froze.
Ines?
“She has these breasts that looked so soft but firm, and I’m sure those nice lips of hers can be put to good use,” he said as he touched the girl on his lap. “I saw her this morning, and I can’t imagine how good she must be in bed.”
I gritted my teeth and felt my face getting red. I wanted to punch him in the gut and kicking his jaw out of place for speaking so crudely about Ines.
She was a person, not an object.
“No..” I said through my teeth. “I don’t know her.”
“Her name is Ines Diaz!” The girl squealed when Alvaro put his hands up her skirt.
I glared at her.
“Ines Diaz? Where does she live?” Alvaro asked.
“Not here.” I said quickly. “She lives far from the town, only comes down so often.”
I glared at the girl again, daring her to say more but her eyes were closed and she was moaning. Alvaro was doing something to her right in front of me.
“So you do know her?” He asked, narrowing his eyes.
There was movement and a shuffling noise outside the window. We both looked out but saw nothing.
“No. I’ve only seen her.”
“She’s a rare creature.”
I clenched my jaw but shrugged. “She’s mediocre.”
Ines was anything but, yet I had to sway him off the path he was on. He couldn’t pursue her, I needed to keep him away from her.
“Didn’t look like that to me from where I stood.”
I scoffed. “If you got closer you’d change your mind. She’s not much to look at.”
Alvaro laughed. “Trust me i won’t be looking at her face when I bend her over.”
At that I slammed my fist on the table and stood.
Alvaro and the girl, who had been moaning loudly, looked at me in shock.
“What’s the matter friend?” Alvaro asked. “Don’t tell me you want the exotic beauty to yourself.”
“Never.”
“Because if you do, we can share. We can take turns,” he said grinning.
I felt like I wanted to vomit, and scream and k*ll him all at once.
But I couldn’t defend Ines, I couldn’t speak of how amazing and beautiful she was. I couldn’t praise her the way I would to any other man who dared disrespect her because I knew that Alvaro would only use that as an excuse to find her.
He’d want to know why I was so enamored with her. She’d be in danger.
And I couldn’t let that happen.
I had told Señor Hector that I would do anything to keep her safe; that I’d ward off anyone who dare harm her.
But Alvaro Reyes was a dangerous man who got away with his crimes; he was lethal.
I had to fight him a different way.
So I just laughed dryly and shrugged. The words I was about to say were sour and heavy in my mouth.
“I’m sure she’s not worth it. We wouldn’t enjoy her, any other wh*r would be better than her.”
And I walked out the bar quickly, not allowing myself to breath until I rode away on my horse.
- Writer
