“Why would he stiffen?” I ask her.
“I was wondering the same thing. You think he knows her?”
“Vio, he knows everyone, obviously.” She looks at me in realization and then gives me a shrug. I think she really is over him, and I’m grateful. Any mention of León with a girl would make her frustrated, but she doesn’t even seem to care anymore.
Twenty minutes later, León comes back with his suit jacket in his hands and his sleeves rolled up. That means either one of two things. One, he just had sex—something I would not like to know about.Two, he told his men totalkto someone—more like beat the life out of them.
I don’t see any blood or sign of force; it could be neither of the two. The lights dim again as the curtain rises for a second time. An angry Amelie walks out. This woman is an amazing performer.
Act two finishes.
León walks out again. Twenty minutes later, he comes back even more irritated than earlier. I give him a look; he returns it with malice. I ignore him just as I always do when he’s like this. León usually treats me with warmth, but he can be cold at times.
Amelie walks out in a wedding dress covered in blood. On the edge of my seat, she starts using the actor who is playing dead. Imagining him as her lover who no longer loves her. She’s mad, completely lost in her grief.
Chills.
A tear runs down my face, I’m in awe. She brings out the abuse of the character, all of her anger transforming into something more. I’ve never seen a mad scene like this ever. She’s glorious as the light shines down on her.
The lights die down and I jump up. Clapping in amazement, having seen over forty operas in my lifetime this is truly the best. Everyone joins me below as we see the whole cast of the national Mexican opera bow. The curtains close and it’s all over. I sigh, rubbing my hand around my mouth.
“I have never seen anything like her,” I blurt out. “She was phenomenal,” Violetta agrees. “She’s a liability,” León says before he walks out, and I look over at Violetta in bewilderment.
There is definitely something going on there.
ChapterThirty-Two
Maria Alejandra
The crowd is insane. Mexican pride is dripping off the stands. It feels so good to be at my first home race in my career. I have signed probably hundreds of caps and I may have cried once or twice at the same sign.
My whole family is with me today, which obviously includes Violetta. After my night out at the opera, I went to practice to find a non-present Luca. The day after qualifying, he was there but avoided my presence entirely, and today I watched an interviewer mention me in one of her questions.
He didn’t even answer, he just stood there and said, “it really is cool to be in Mexico, I think the fans are very excited.” Why doesn’t someone just erase me from his memory while they’re at it.
It’s cool to be in Mexico, my ass.
I get it, he’s pissed, but he knows how important this race is to me. At least communicate somewhat. I know he must hate me, but that should not affect the team because, quite frankly, his behavior is childish.
Meanwhile, in the back of my head one phrase keeps replaying.
What if he’s already said something?
Both my father and his heir are in the same room, not even breaking a sweat, thinking they’re fine. What if they’re not and the federales are going to handcuff them and take them into custody?
This isn’t something my family has ever had to worry about, and I don’t want to be the reason they spend the rest of their lives in jail.
“This is the paddock.” I walk them around, letting them take everything in. “I can’t believe this is what you do every day,” Violetta exclaims. I turn around and smile genuinely at her. “Me either.” I exhale and everyone looks at me.
“I am so happy for you,princessa. This has always been your path,” my dad whispers and kisses the top of my forehead.“Gracias Pa.”
“So, this is the rookie’s family.” The familiar voice comes creeping up behind me, pushing me aside. He’s now in full view of my guests.
“Xavier, this is my family.” I introduce them as he reaches out to shake hands with my father and brother. “Now I see where the attractive genes come from.” My head literally snaps towards him. “Did you just call me attractive?” I throw my hand over my heart.
“Of course, I did. Ale, it’s common knowledge.” I laugh. He looks over at Violetta and stops to stare.
Way to be obvious.