Summary:
ACT I: BRUNO
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Bruno ends up falling in love at first sight when his eyes meet the mysterious goddess dancing in sky-high, blood-red heels.
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The theme song for this chapter: Hipnotízame by Wisin & Yandel
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Bruno shoved his hands deep into his pockets. The weather had been a little chilly lately, but thankfully, no rain. Sounds of laughter echoed everywhere as he strolled the streets, taking in the vibrant nightlife of the city. While there was much to love about the starry nights in Encanto, there was nothing quite like the vibrancy of Bogotá and seeing this many people still out and about. The night was young and magical, and felt like it held some secret waiting to be discovered.
He found himself at a local bar moments later, silently sipping on a Carajillo. He didn't expect a small bar to even have his favorite, let alone an expert who knew how to make one. The bartender eyed him as he nursed his drink, unmoved by the vibe around him. The loud music didn't put Bruno in a party mood, but it was better than nothing. He would be lying if he didn't feel a little bit better after getting himself out of his apartment. At least he wasn't sulking in silence.
It was then when he noticed from the corner of his eye a few women checking him out. Bruno winked at them, and they immediately giggled and nudged each other.
Nice to see that I still got it even if I feel like complete and utter shit right now.
Bruno wasn't thinking about anything in particular when the music changed into a lively reggaetón. The sound of hollers coming from the dance floor caught his attention, making him turn his head in intrigue.
And it was like time stopped.
If cartoon reactions worked the same way in real life, he would be picking his jaw off the floor.
The first thing he saw was her heels. Blood red and sky-high. Bruno felt his throat go dry when he noticed the way she spun to the music, mesmerizing him as her hips moved to the beat. She danced like someone who knew what it meant to be free.
His heart started to beat faster, or was it the music thumping in his ears? If Cupid was real, then he must have shot an arrow straight into his heart, because Bruno was sure he was well and truly floored. He never expected to fall in love at first sight, let alone at a bar. It sounded cliché, like a terrible decision, but this was fate. Meant to be. Maybe he'll get lucky.
"Bartender," Bruno waved a hand to call the man polishing the glasses. "Do you have aguardiente? Amarillo. I'll take the whole bottle."
The bartender smirked. It wasn't usual for customers to ask for the house bottle, but who was he to complain when the customer in front of him slid a few hefty bills? In one swift move, he pocketed the money and placed the bottle in front of Bruno, along with a shot glass. Bruno immediately poured himself a glass and downed it in one gulp. If he was going to have any chance of asking this goddess out, he would need all the liquid courage he can get. He hadn't tried picking up ladies since the last time and prayed to the heavens that he would at least be able to psyche himself up. Bruno chased his bravado, shot after shot, hitting the moment the alcohol kicked in.
The DJ then decided to play something a little bit more sensual. In his inebriated state, Bruno started to imagine something else.
…
She moved towards him, slowly, running her hands over her body. His breath hitched when she did a little head swing, her hair flipping behind her as she spread his legs open.
"Pretty boy," She breathed. "You want me, don't you?"
Bruno reached out to touch her, but she slapped his hands away.
"Ah, ah. No touching. You can only look…for now, baby."
The anticipation turned him on as she caressed a hand along his thigh. She twirled behind him to touch his chest. He started to become vaguely aware of the places her hands lay on him.
His body was on fire.
"Oh, I'll make you feel so good." She murmured. "So good…"
Dios mio.
Bruno gasped when she placed her red heel on the small gap in his seat, a little too close to his…thing. His eyes took in every curve and line hungrily as she continued to tease him, pulling away when he tried to get nearer.
"Pretty boy. Let's kick this up a notch, shall we?"
She pushed him down by the shoulders and she climbed up on the chair, hips swaying as she slowly lowered herself onto his lap. She straddled her legs behind him to keep herself from falling before taking his hands and letting them rest on her waist. He felt himself to sweat when her chest brushed up against his shoulder. The goosebumps rose from his arms when her fingers find their way into his hair, toying with his curls. Her eyes had a mischievous twinkle in them. Bruno's mouth parted when she grinded herself on him, moving in hypnotizing circles. He fought the hunger in him, the urge to bury his face in her breasts.
"Take me to bed, baby." Her voice by his ear is tempting, seductive. There was no doubt that all the blood on his face had rushed somewhere else. "I'm yours."
He was about to lean forward to kiss her when another voice called out to him, breaking his reverie. "Hey."
…
Bruno blinked. One of the girls who he noticed checking him out earlier that evening is standing in front of him, calling his attention. He cocked an eyebrow at the woman, the flush on his cheeks returning. He scanned the top of her head to the tips of her stilettos. Her dress was a little too tight and her face was heavily made up. She flashed a grin at him when he lingered a bit longer than needed on her cleavage.
"Are you all alone?" She asked, all coy. "My friends and I have been watching and waiting for you to come over to talk to us all night. Do you want to come and…have some fun with us?"
Her voice held a hint of allure in it, but Bruno's mind was somewhere else. His eyes darted back and forth, searching. The goddess in red heels was nowhere to be found. Such wrong timing. The illusion has been broken, though the feeling coursing through him wasn't.
"I can make it worth your while."
Bruno gulped thickly when she suggestively licked her lips. The lady in front of him was serving herself up, more than willing to be his for the night. If he had never encountered his match, his destiny, he would have taken the easy opportunity.
But it wasn't what he wanted right now.
"Um, I'm sorry, but I have somewhere to be. Thank you for the offer though. Excuse me." Bruno ran a hand through his hair and awkwardly pushed past her. He ignored the offending gasp as he walked himself out.
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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):
Carajillo - a hot coffee drink to which hard liquor is added. It is usually made with brandy in Colombia. The version Bruno is drinking is chilled.
Aguardiente - a generic term for alcoholic beverages that contain 29% to 60% alcohol by volume. In Colombia, aguardiente is an anise-flavored liquor derived from sugarcane.
Amarillo - a brand of aguardiente made in Colombia. The full name of this brandy is Aguardiente Amarillo de Manzanares.
