Because Of Her

Chapter 9

I could feel her eyes on me, I knew she was looking at me, the intensity of her gaze gave me goosebumps all over and every time I locked eyes with hers, she didn't even flinch, no, she wanted me to I knew she was watching me, all me ... and I liked it.

Having her attention was what I liked the most, knowing that she couldn't resist me, every time I called her, she was there to answer, every time I asked for something, she was there to give it to me. I knew I was playing with fire, I knew that I could easily be burned, because even in our distance the only thing I wanted was to break our deal, deal that she promised to respect and she did.

Right now we are sitting on the floor, facing each other, barefoot, in her giant penthouse, she called me and asked me to come to dinner and maybe watch a movie, we have been doing this for a few weeks, we just hang out, we have dinner, we watch movies and we talk, boy, do we talk. We talk about everything, there is not a single subject that I feel I can't talk to her about... Oh yea, her wife, that's one.

But right now, we're in game mode and no, it's not that kind of game, get your minds out of the gutter. When I got to her place, I went to her bedroom to clean myself a little, after all I had just left work, my curiosity was awakened when something caught my attention on her bed.

"There you are, what are you doing?" She said leaning over the door, a mischievous smile on her lips.

"Your bedroom is very beautiful." I said simply without getting up from her bed. Then she came up stopping right in front of me. I remember feeling my skin crawl and my heart pounding, "What are you doing?" I gave her a nervous giggle, she looked so imposing and I felt so submissive and rarely enough I did like that. She was just there, standing in front of me... Now that I come to think about it, this just remind me of the first time we made love.

"I'm going to take the game board; do you want to play some?" The fire was burning inside and I didn't know how much more I could keep resisting ... oh yeah, I just had to remember that she has a wife and it would do.

Clearing my throat and mind, I asked, "Is that really a game board? What kind of game is it? I haven't seen it before."

Callie smiled, she clearly noticed my change in tone and mood and I was relieved when she didn't mention it. "I'm going to explain it to you after dinner, come on, I want you to try a traditional Colombian food, I know you'll like it." She took my hand in hers and we walked out to the living room.

And yes I did like it, it was different, but I liked it, so now we're playing this game she calls 'Parqués' a traditional game own by Colombian culture also, where the ultimate goal is to get four chips to the finish line, but as any board game, it has its tricks, like safe boxes and double shots, you only need a couple of dice and four chips of the same color, according to Callie this game can be played by four to six people, so it's great to play with family and friends as well.

I'm not sure I play it right, Callie keeps going one step ahead of me and every time I try to move forward she kills one of my chips so I have to start over, I feel like I'm playing some kind of chess and let me tell you, I'm not good in neither of the two games.

"Stop staring at me." I finally said something about her deep gaze on me. "It's distracting." I added as I plan my next move, I throw the dices giving me eight points, which allows me to lock myself in one of the safe boxes so Callie can't kill me.

"It's called intimidating the opponent." She said taking her turn to throw, "I'm surrounded by lawyers all the time, I know how to intimidate even if it's just a board game." She mentioned with a giggle.

"Well your little game that you got going on is not going to work, I'm going to win you this time." Yeah, I said that the last three games we play.

"Ha! So funny, nobody has ever won me in this game before." Callie laughed heartily as she threw the dices again after my turn.

"I find that hard to believe, someone has had to beat you before." I said as I counted my points after throwing while creating a strategy all at the same time. Callie shook her head. "Not even ... Sarah?" I didn't even know why I mentioned the woman; I clearly didn't want to talk about her, but the mere memory that she has a wife helped me not to cloud my judgment.

Callie looked at me warily before answering, "No, she's never wanted to play with me, she says it's dumb." She said with a shrug. "I always tell her it's because she's very competitive and is afraid of losing." She simply said.

"You're so full of it." My comment gained a deep laugh on her part, as I moved one of my last chips closer to the goal.

"Is that why I just killed you again?" She asked arrogantly as I just stared in shock.

"What? But how?" I seriously sucked in this game.

"You, pretty lady, you made a rookie mistake." She said, "You left your other chip behind unprotected as you moved with just one chip to the finish line. You see, the thing with this game is that it's not just about getting there as fast as possible, but rather how you get there in the first place, that's why it requires time and method." She said as she threw her dice, the number obtained allowed her to take her third chip to the finish line.

"Whatever, I'm done, I don't want to play anymore." I said discouraged at my defeat with a pout and everything.

Callie laughed at my words, saying then, "You're so cute."

Almost offended I replied, "I'm not cute, I'm hot!"

"That too and I want to kiss you so much right now." Her comment left me speechless, not because it was a surprise, because it was not, but it was because I didn't know how to react to it.

"Callie ..." I said almost in warning, though it was too late, my cheeks were already flushed.

"What? Doesn't mean I'm going to do it, but I believe I can express how I feel or is that also forbidden because of the deal?" She asked raising her eyebrow.

"No, it is not." I simply said, unable to look her in the eye.

"Good." Callie then leaned her back on the couch. "I have to ask you something." She said suddenly serious. "The real reason why I invited you here today, not that any time you come to my place is not important, it's just that today I have a particular reason to it and maybe it's too much too soon for you and if it is, there's no problem at all, It will be completely fine if you say no - "

"Callie, you're rambling," I had to stop her putting my hand on her knee, "Just ask me, what is it?"

"I was wondering if you would like to come to a trip with me in Colombia?" I had to ask twice that night, because was she seriously asking to go with her to another country? "I know it's soon and out of nowhere, but I really have to go and Cartagena is not a city that you enjoy all by yourself, so I thought, why not? Think about it, we're going to be at my hotel near the beach and it's just the weekend." She was really nervous that night and I remember thinking how adorable she looked when she thought I might say no ... How fool was I, she already had the tickets bought.

"Is that the reason you've been trying to get me to know more about Colombian culture tonight?" She nodded with a big smile.

The next thing I knew, I was facing one of the most beautiful sea views I could imagine. That trip with Callie was lovely, refreshing, life changing ... and it was also the way I met Nicolas for the first time ever.

"Back at it?" My friend's voice, Jo, got me out of my memories, we're in the groceries store, she made me come with her because according to her, I need to get out of my apartment more and think less… well let me tell you something, it's easier say than done.

"What are you talking about?" I knew what she was talking about, I just didn't want to talk about it.

"You know exactly what I mean, stop thinking about Callie and her marital drama, that's not your problem," she said as she tossed boxes of cereal into her cart.

"How many boxes of cereal do you need?" I was trying to change the subject.

"I'm being serious, Arizona." Jo shook my arm hard. "Stop it or you'll go as crazy as one of our patients." She even giggled at the latter.

"That's not even funny, Josefine." I said weakly.

"Whatever, the point is that this is not your business anymore, you have to let it go." She counseled.

"I already did!" I answered exasperated, she just gave me a knowing look, "Fine! I'm doing it, it's a work in progress." I reconsidered my response. "It's just that I feel like I should tell Callie before her career is ruined by that crazy woman she calls wife."

"Again, it's not your business, so don't get into it." Jo once again advised and I know she's right.

"I'm not going to." I said quickly when an idea came to my head. "But I know someone who can help, I will not be included and Callie doesn't have to know that it was me in the first place."

"And who is that?" Jo asked curiously.

"Well it's easy, the fourth wheel involved in this mess." I hope I'm not making things worse.

"Are you sure it's the right thing to do? You'll get more involved." Jo is the voice of reason ironically.

"I told you, I'm not part of this anymore, that's why I'm going to call him, he'll talk to Callie and I won't be in the picture as she asked and this time, I'd be done for good."

I said I was done and I meant it ... the thing is, there are things in life that are easier said than done and I'm afraid that soon rather than later I'll found out just how hard it can be, trying to be done with the person that marked you for life.