Chapter 1

Their Last Dance

Javier twirled Katey around on the floor of the La Rosa Negra for the very last time. He lifted her into his arms and spun her around, not wanting to ever let her go. Cheers erupted from the crowd of people around them. Javier slowly let her down for he knew that is was time that the King of the sensual Cuban club would have to let his Queen go home.

"Katey, I'm afraid it's time." Called out her Mother.

As the next song started, all Javier and Katey could do was look at each other. They looked deep into each other's eyes, and silently made a promise. They would see one another again, no matter what. They would find each other. Fate would bring them together again.

"Promise to write?" Katey asked extending her hand to Javier.

"Only if you promise to reply," Javier replied with a grin taking her hand into his. He kissed it gently and took the note that was grasped within her palm. "Tu amo."

"I love you too." Katey replied with a warm smile. Javier let her hand slip away from his gentle grasp.

Katey turned away and started walking toward her family, her midnight blue dress flowing behind her. Tears slowly slid down her face, showing the sorrow she had to endure leaving her true love behind. She walked past her family and out of the La Rosa Negra. Her family looked at her with true understanding and sympathy and followed her out.

Javier ran out to see her go. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled to her "Don't ever forget me."

Katey turned with a tear stained face and yelled back with her voice cracking "I won't." She blew him a final kiss.

Javier found the note Katey had slipped him in his pocket. He unfolded it to find a page of Katey's neat handwriting.

My Dearest Javier,

I love you with all of my heart and I want you to know that I will never forget you. I promise you that all of the memories I have shared with you here in Havana, Cuba will never leave me. I know that I will always be with you in Cuba, while you will be with me in America. Javier, I can't explain the feeling I get when I dance with you. I feel alive, and free. Like anything I want to do, can be done. Like nothing is impossible. I know that memories can't always be something enough to remember by, that is why I left you something, a part of me. Go to the La Rosa Negra, and there you'll find, underneath the table in the very back on the right, something from my heart to yours.

Don't ever forget me,

Love always, Katey Miller.

Javier's eyes had watered over by the time he had finished reading Katey's note. He ran out onto the street and whistled for a taxi.

"Lléveme la Negra de Rosa del la." Javier told the driver, slamming the door shut.

Javier entered the La Rosa Negra. Fast and upbeat Afro-Cuban music blared. Javier forced himself through the dancing bodies to the very back of the club. He found the table at the very back on the right. He crouched down and smiled at what he saw. Taped to the bottom was a collage of pictures from the Latin Ballroom semi-final. Something reflected the light and caught his eye. Also taped to the bottom was a silver ring. Javier pulled it of the bottom. He tried to fit it onto his finger but it turned out to be too small. So instead he unclasped his silver chain and slid the ring onto it. Javier noticed that there was something engraved on the inside of the ring. He squinted his eyes and read: J.S K.M forever. Javier grinned knowing that Katey did love him, and that he loved her in return.

"The plane will be lifting of in five minutes, I repeat five minutes. Please be seated. I hope you enjoy your flight with Cuban Air." The pilot said over the speaker.

"I have to go find him Suzy, I love him too much." Katey said tearing up.

"Javier said he didn't want you to give up your dreams for him right?" replied Suzy.

"Right." answered Katey grasping onto her armrests of the chair.

"Than wouldn't you be disobeying his wishes by going back to him?" Suzy asked.

"Well I suppose-" Katey began.

"Accomplish your dreams first. Then if you come back, there's nothing stopping you. No dreams and definitely no President Batista."

"You're right." Katey said slumping.

Suddenly, Katey felt nauseous. Everything was spinning in her mind. She stood up grabbed her purse and stumbled over to the bathroom. She lifted the seat off of the toilet and regurgitated. She felt better. She turned to the sink and turned the taps. She splashed her face with cold water and rinsed her mouth out. She plopped down on the toilet and went through her purse trying to find some makeup she could put on. There she found a reasonably large white package. A smile spread across her face. She opened the package as excited as a child on Christmas day. There inside were souvenirs from all the places Katey as well as Javier had visited in Havana, Cuba. There was a frilly napkin from the palace, a shell from the beach. Katey turned it around to listen to the Ocean and was shocked to find a note from Javier. You will always be my queen, the empress of the La Rosa Negra. Come back to me one day soon. I miss you already. Love always, your Javier. Katey's eyes began to water at this point, yet she continued. There was a broken glass shred from the time they had first met at the Oceana hotel. There was a vile of water from the sea where Javier had taught Katey how to move freely to the music. There was a shred of the tent where they had given themselves to each other. Finally, there was a red rose, representing the La Rosa Negra. Katey noticed a small box within the package. She opened it to find a beautiful silver ring with a small red stone in the middle of it. She noticed that there was a message engraved on the inside of the ring saying Queen of the La Rosa Negra, and Javier Suarez's heart. Katey smiled and tears rolled down her face another time that day.

There was a knock at the door.

"Katey? Are you alright?" She heard recognizing her Father's voice.

"I'm fine, Dad, I'm just fine." Katey said smiling to herself.