Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Mr. Martinez made an announcement. So this was it, we would be shutting down the party alright. “Excuse me, ladies and gentleman, he said, but I will have to tell you..” boy he looked serious. “That this party has..” and then he paused for a minute. We all waited in anticipation. I saw some people begin to head out. “Wait don’t leave… he said next “This party will not be ending until 2:00 in the morning or more…” he said. Everyone shouted and the music began to play but not before he stopped it again. The DJ will be setting up his Karaoke machine in ten minutes and we urge all guests to try and give the birthday girl something to remember. Everyone started to shout. I figured that everyone was already drunk. The next visitors to come in were people we didn’t know and didn’t invite, but they had brought more food and a keg of beer. It turned out that it was Mr. Martinez’s friends. My friends and I didn’t care as long as he knew it if anything happened it was going to be on him. True to his word around ten minutes the karaoke began. The first brave soul was Janet. She sang this beautiful ballet song You are so beautiful. The only thing was that the girls kept pushing me forward to go up there when she sang. I didn’t. Something inside me was building and I knew what it was. I was beginning to feel emotional. The next one to go up there was Mr. Martinez. He sucked but everyone cheered. Something inside me woke. I felt a breeze and I kind of knew what it was. I got the courage and I started to walk up the stairs. Melba and the girls froze. Behind me, I heard someone say. “Stop her, she’s drunk. She’ll make a fool of herself.” I knew I wouldn’t. I went up faster. I went to the DJ and asked for the song I wanted to sing. I then took the microphone and before the music began to play. I spoke. “I want to thank all of you for being here today and helping me celebrate my birthday.” I paused for a bit. I took in my friend's faces and yes I even looked at Roger. He was close to the railing. I hadn’t seen Diego and just seeing Roger there had given me the strength to do what I wanted to do. “I just want you to know that this is the first time in five years that I celebrate my birthday. You see..” it was Melba who spoke and interrupted me. “Fio, don’t,” she said. I looked at my long-time friend. “Don’t worry,” I said. “You see five years ago when I was to be twenty one my only nephew was killed. I heard murmurs and feet shifting. I never thought I was killing the party so I retracted. “Please don’t feel sorry for me. I just want you to understand why I am up here and why I chose the song I am about to sing. It has taken me five years to live again and today I know this is what my nephew Marcos would want. I looked at the DJ and he started the music. At that time I saw Diego walk in the gates. I looked down to see him. Something inside me got even stronger and I knew I could do this. The song became to play and the lyrics popped out but I didn’t need the lyrics. I had sung this song ever since it came out. It so much reminded me of him. I chose to sing Over You by Miranda Lambert. At first, my voice began to break a bit at the beginning. And I saw my friends started to approach. I knew they were trying to protect me they didn’t want me to make a fool of myself, but Diego had already walked near to where I could see him, and just like that my voice became solid. My friends all gasped. I saw them talking amongst themselves but I closed my eyes and sang to the lyrics that bleed from my heart and my soul. It was for Marcos.

The song ended and I swear I heard nothing and then everyone began to clap. I looked at my friends and they were all close together and crying. That was not what I wanted them to be. The DJ didn’t put on another music. I guess I had stunned him too. I looked down and saw Diego close to Roger. Roger was not even aware that Diego had arrived and was standing nearby. Roger took a step up but Diego placed a hand on his back and pushed past him and walked up the steps and embraced me. I melted in his arms. He pulled me away from his chest to see my face and gently wiped away my tears. I didn’t know I was even crying. I looked down to see Roger. For a moment he looked at me then he turned and left. I looked back at Diego who watching Roger leave. I didn’t have time to speak to him because my friends came rushing over to me. “When did you learn to sing?” Zulema asked. “Girl you have vocals.” Patty said next. “Fio you sang beautifully you sounded so pro.” Melba said. Sara came up next and looked a bit at Diego and then at me. “Fio, that was great.” She said. The DJ placed dancing music and everyone started to dance. Diego helped me down the stairs. I took hold of him. The buzz in my head hadn’t left me. Some passing guy handed me a beer and I took it. I took a great big gulp. Diego hadn’t noticed that he had given it to me and when he turned he looked at the beer. He began to lead me away from the seeing eyes and out the gates. As he did I looked around and saw that Roger’s friends had also left. I felt a buzz in my pants and realized I had gotten a text message. I didn’t bother to take it out. “My party is that way.” I said pointing to the back. He didn’t say anything and continued as if I hadn’t spoken. He led me to the awaiting stairs. I looked up at my home. He was about to step on the stairs when I said. “Can’t go up there the chef and his assistant is up there.” He looked around and then he opted under the stairs. He was about to push me into the back of the wall but remembered about the scratch instead he placed his hands behind me and leaned into me and kissed me. I opened my mouth to his awaiting mouth. Our tongues did this dance to unsung music. I grabbed him harder and pushed myself into him. I wanted him. I hadn’t thought how aroused I had been until he had me like this. I had forgotten I was holding the beer and all I heard was the sound of the bottle hitting the floor and breaking into pieces. Diego broke away from me and looked at it. “How drunk are you Fio?” he said. I looked at him. “Do you know I’ve been asked that question three times now? So I am going to tell you what I said to those two other individuals. It’s my party and I can get drunk if I want to.” I said to him in a slurred voice. “I won’t allow you to make a fool of yourself.” He said more sternly than I had wished. “Don’t Diego, don’t ruin it for me.” I said to him. He looked at me and placed his head on mine. “I couldn’t ruin it if I try. Fio, do you know how beautiful you looked up there the confidence that you showed, and that voice. God Fio you sounded like an angel. I didn’t know you could sing.” He said. I looked surprised by all he was saying. “Was that what everyone saw?” I asked. “I don’t know about everyone else, but yes Fio that’s what I saw.” He said. “You know Fio you surprise me every time.” He added. I didn’t know what to say anymore and I didn’t have to. Diego made sure of it. He kissed me long and hard but didn’t do much of anything. I was kind of disappointed when he entwined my hand with his and we came out from under the stairs. “What no sex?” I asked. He looked at me from top to bottom. “Prolonged gratification love, you will wait for it.” He said. I hated that he was doing this, so I took the initiative. “Prolonged gratification huh, for me or you Diego.” I asked. “For both of us, it’ll be better, but just so you’ll know I’ll be touching you everywhere and anywhere in your party. So don’t get embarrassed.” He said and led us back to the party but before he could enter the gates. I pulled him back. “Sorry, Diego but where do you think this prolonging is going to take place. My home is being invaded by my friends. Think about that.” I said and pushed past him before he would even try anything else. As I entered the gate I saw that there were more guests than had expected. Everyone started clapping as I walked in. I felt embarrassed at the beginning but stood straight because I knew I had the most handsome guy there. I could tell by the other women eyeing him. Diego was always behind me and never letting go. Fred even tried to speak to me but couldn’t because Diego would always turn me around in the other direction. It was close to one o’clock when they brought out the cake. Everyone gathered around me and sang happy birthday. I saw the love in my friend's eyes and thought to myself I couldn’t have wished for better friends. I had only hoped that Roger was around as well. It was then that I remembered the text. I took out my phone and read. You were beautiful up there! It was from Roger. I didn’t have time to answer it because people began to shout my name. I looked around my friends who shrugged. “Sing!” was the next words coming from their mouth. “Holy shit do they want me to sing?” I asked Melba since she was close to me. “I guess so, can you?” She asked. “I don’t know. I still have a buzz and I haven’t gotten any liquor inside me since Diego came in.” I said. Melba grabbed a beer from nearby and placed it in my hand. I opened it and before I could take a zip. It was being pulled away from my hands and replaced with a water bottle. Diego took a swig of now his beer. I looked at him with fiery eyes. He had already done this before and the hell I was going to let it happen again. I saw Sara and I motioned her to bring me something to drink. Sara came quickly with a shot in her hand. I placed my water down and took the shot. I turned around quickly and doused it before Diego could even snatch it away. I turned to look at him and he gave me the look he wasn’t pleased with what I had done. He came closer to my ear and whispered. “Behave or there will be consequences.” He said. I whispered back. “What do you have in mind?” I said daring him. He got closer and placed his hand in my ass and with one swift swing, he spanked me. I look dumbfounded at him and then around. I had hoped no one had seen what had just transpired. I was aghast with what he did. I looked at him angrily. I didn’t have words. The crowd once again began to call out my name and people were urging me to sing, so I decided to take the initiative and do what they wanted. I didn’t want to be around Diego right now. I let go of his hand and started to walk up the stairs. Someone gave me a beer and I took it. I saluted it to Diego. I saw that he wasn’t happy but I wasn’t happy with what he had done either. I went directly to the D.J. and told him what song I wanted to do. I have another request for you. He said. I looked at the song someone had chosen for me. “Just a kiss” I knew that song was from Antebellum. There is another part to this do you know who will be singing it?” I asked the D. J. He shrugged his shoulder. “I know they wanted to hear you sing it.” He said. I took the microphone and before he put on the music. I announced. “I have a request to sing a song but whoever wanted to do this song better not leave me hanging.” I said. Everyone began to laugh. “I am serious,” I said more sternly. The girls looked at each other and then around, but couldn’t see who looked like they wanted to sing. The D.J. put on the music along with the lyrics. I began to sing. I wasn’t nervous anymore so the words just flew out fluidly. I was all into it. I could see Diego below me looking at me. The anger in his face faded quickly and was replaced with astonishment. I was getting nervous and looking around to see if anyone was going to sing the male part but I had yet to see anyone approaching. “Caught up in your smile…” then I heard the male voice approaching through the left edge. “I’ve never opened up to anyone…” I turned around to see Roger with a microphone of his own and singing. I just got caught up in it and forgot that Diego was below me. Roger was now beside me and he just kept his eyes on me as I did. We sang to it like we meant it at least I knew I did. When the end of the course approached and we both sang. “With a kiss goodnight.” I was wishing that he would kiss me but then I remembered that Diego was down there somewhere looking at us. Roger was a gentleman like I knew he was. In the corner of my eye, I saw Diego move and his leg was now on one of the steps. Roger took my hand bent down and kissed it and then he kissed my cheek. “Happy Birthday, Fio. through the mic. I didn’t have a chance to get you a present and well since you sang so beautifully I thought I’d sing along with you.” He said. Diego paused on the step and didn’t continue. Roger went over to the D.J. and gave him the microphone, he passed me and looked at me, then descended the stairs where Diego was standing. He paused before he passed him. “Take good care of her.” He said to him as he looked up at me once again and left. I knew then that I would never see Roger again. Melba came by my side and told me “Don’t worry Fio, we got it on video.” She said. I knew that Melba was drunk. I was about to get down when someone started to yell “One more.” I looked at the waiting crowd and decided to give them what they wanted. I lifted the microphone and spoke in Spanish. “Quieren otra, vamos a cambiar el ritmo para que todos bailen.” I said to them. Everyone shouted. “Melba rushed over quickly, Fio are you okay.” I placed the microphone down. “Yes! I’ am just having a great time.” I said to her. “You go girl!” she said. “Do you want to help me sing a song?” I asked her. She looked out at the audience. I think I need another drink for that and took off. I knew Diego was looking at me and wanted me to go to him but I was still a bit upset about the spanking so I avoided his stare. He came up instead and sat on one of the tables. He angled his chair so that he could see me. I went over to the D.J. and asked him to play a Spanish song this time. I was a great fan of Elida Reyna. I always thought she had power in her voice so I decided to do one of hers and because Diego was beginning to piss me off. I decided to sing a song for him. I had just hoped that his Spanish was more Tex-Mex so that he could understand the meaning. The music began to play and through the microphone. I announced. “Para todos los que vinieron esta noche.” Everyone shouted and saluted me with their drinks. So I started to sing and looked at Diego the only problem was that he was too aside. So I started to walk along the right edge. I saw Diego get up. I didn’t want him to stop me so I continued walking and singing. I had already seen earlier that the edge ended up near the waterfall and that was where I was heading. I was singing along and looking at him as he followed me along. I knew he was afraid that I would fall or something. Nobody else cared and I saw a bunch of phones out. I was being recorded. I sang my heart out. When I was close to the ending of the chorus. I bent down on the edge and looked at Diego and sang to him. “ Dejate amar, no no esperes mas, Quiero de tu Amor, no me importa lo que digan , Te lo pido hasme tuya, siempre Contigo.” Once the song ended I lowered the microphone, Diego put out his hands for me to jump into them. I looked at him and stood up. He lowered them. “I am not done.” I said to him. “Yes, you are Fio, get down.” He said. I stood up and went over to the flat part of the waterfall. I almost lost my footing but was able to maintain it. I heard some gasp but I threw up my arms to signal I was okay. I looked at the D.J. and signaled him to add the other song I had asked him to play. The other one was called “Fantasia-Fantasy” the same artist. I began to sing it. Everyone had a better view of where I was standing. I looked at Diego but I couldn’t see him. He had moved. I figured he was pissed. I was singing until I reached this pause of the song and I began to dance. I felt someone behind me and realized it was Diego. The crowd got louder and began to whistle and cheer. The moment I began to sing again. I looked toward Diego. He was looking at me. I wanted him to know that he was indeed my fantasy and the sound of his voice did make me sing. I just wish that he would see it that way too. I sang until the song ended. He never let go. Once I was done. He pulled me towards him. “Common I need to get you down from here.” He said. I didn’t hear any resentment in his voice so I knew I was okay. He led me down the stairs. As we rounded out the corner, people began to congratulate me on a wonderful party, how beautiful I sang and how I should do it professionally, and many more. Diego kept a hold of me maneuvering around the people and especially the men. We came face to face with Fred. I stood in front but not for long. Diego pulled me back to him and began to lead me the other way but we didn’t get far because Fred grabbed my arm and made Diego stop when he could not pull me any further. It felt awkward as I was in a tug of war. Diego turned around and faced Fred. “Let her go.” He said. “What’s your problem man, I just want to talk to her.” Fred said to Diego. I could tell that Fred already had too many. I don’t know what happen but my buzz dissipated there and then. “Fred, please let go of my hand,” I said as sweetly as I good. He looked at me. I felt Diego tense behind me. Fred began to close in on me. I knew where he was going and I knew it would mean trouble. “Please don’t,” I said to him. “Let’s go Fio.” Diego said. Fred had yet to let go of my hand. “Fiorella, please let me talk to you.” He said and wouldn’t let go of my hand. “Fred, we don’t have anything to talk about don’t make a scene. You’re a lawyer.” I pleaded. “That’s just it Fio, I can get away with anything what could he possibly do.” He lifted his head to Diego. I felt the heat radiating from Diego. I knew he was upset. I knew he was about to do something so I placed myself in between both men. “Don’t it’s my birthday. I looked at Fred to see if there was any compassion but I saw none. I turned around to see Diego and he was facing Fred and would not look at me. “I’ve told you before back off. She belongs to me.” He told him. I was shocked. I wasn’t a piece of meat they could fight over. I didn’t know whether to feel honored or disgusted. I choose disgusted. I pulled my hand away from Fred and pushed away from Diego. I didn’t care if they got into it. I saw the girls and everyone looking to see if something was going to happen. I looked up and ran into Melba’s awaiting arms. She took me away and the girls came along. We were heading away from the party. For me, the party was already over. What should have been a great day had turned into a crappy one. As we were passing the guest we saw Mr. Martinez. “Mr. Martinez I think we should end the party. It is close to two and well I don’t want any trouble starting to brew and besides I don’t want you to get into trouble” I said to him. He looked at me and agreed. "Patty and Sara were already coming with the presents behind us. “I think we got everything.” Sara said. "Fio!” I heard a stern voice call me. I didn’t have to turn to know whose voice it was. I already knew it by memory. I turned around “Don’t Diego. I can’t do this right now.” I said to him. Diego looked at me and grabbed me by my waist making Melba release her hold on me. He pulled me to him and lifted my head and kissed me hard. I began to melt into him. That was the effect that Diego had on me. “I’ll see you tomorrow and you are mine.” He said before he walked away.