Monday, May 14, 2012

End Chapter 27

     So their discourse began over a fine meal, and even finer bottles of highly prized wines, in the top-floor restaurant in one of the newly built, premiere, luxury hotels in the Porto district of the city. The thirty story building provided an expansive, magnificent view of the city and the deep blue ocean, as cargo ships and cruise liners could be seen out on the vast South Atlantic, coming and going from far off on the horizon, the sky was the color of Persian turquoise and white wisps of clouds blew in from the east. The view, the meal, the company, was quite pleasing to all as they sat together, laughing, talking, joking, getting to know one another a little better. Even Lexa, who was quite apprehensive about the chemistry building between Leah and Camacho, eventually, after her fourth glass of Burgundy, warmed to the two Latin gentlemens charm. For it was Phillipe himself, being a good manager, began the conversation by extolling the virtues, and fame and wealth of his client, and long time friend. To this Leah and Lexa were indeed impressed, though they had absolutely no idea about the sport of boxing, and had little knowledge to go by, but they knew a successful, intelligent man when they saw one, and Camacho was happy to discuss his storied career. Now after the first course of hearts of palms salad was served and consumed, Camacho changed the subject from himself to the beautiful, foreign women. "So, ladies.., enough about me, I.., we.., Phillipe.., want to know all about you." Camacho smiled giving Leah a wink of his amber eyes.
     Here Leah felt the need to brag about her sister's exploits in the professional sports world, but no sooner had Leah begun to open up her mouth Lexa gave her sister a dead serious look as if to say, 'let's not talk about me today'.
     Lexa spoke up saying "Well, we are both from San Diego."
     "Where, what part?" Phillipe asked for he knew the city well.
     "La Jolla." Leah replied.
     "Beautiful area, I love the views of the Pacific from the cliffs." Phillipe said with a gentle smile of fond remembrance on his face.
      "Yes.., well, I am here visiting my sister..," Lexa paused directing her next remark to Camacho "Leah lives on a grand estate on the Rio Negro.., with her husband.., and six month old baby."
      Camacho smiled and asked Leah sweetly "Then tell me, where is your husband now., here in the hotel with you?"
     Leah laughed at the very idea, and then a somber look filled her eyes then she said in small voice "No.., he is not even in the country." now there was just enough of a moment of silence that Leah at once felt she had to justify her marital situation with a brief explanation "My husband has just recently moved the headquarters of his business from Buenos Aires to Dallas."
     "Tejas?" Camacho said delighted to know her husband, whom neither women would name, was so very far away, then he realized the great sadness which filled Leah's delicate little heart.
     "Yes.., Texas." she responded with a heavy sigh.
     "When was the last time you saw him.., your husband?" Camacho inquired with true concern, for he knew a woman's love was like a well tended garden, lush and sweet, not full of thorns, choking vines, and weeds.
      "In the last three months he has come to see me, only twice." Leah spoke in all honesty then she closed her eyes, took in a deep breath and said "But that is enough about me, I must stop speaking of such things, lest I loose my appetite altogether, and this all looks so delicious." Leah said as she began eating the fresh grilled swordfish entree.
      "So you have a newborn baby? How is that possible!? Your body is exquisite, how did you get back into such great shape so quickly?" Camacho asked amazed this stunning creature had a six month old baby back at home, and neither could Phillipe believe it, for his wife still had not lost any of the weight she gained during her pregnancies, 15 years ago.
      "Thank you! What a kind thing to say." Lexa beamed as she said "I swim every morning, horseback ride, yoga, tennis, and sometimes a few rounds of golf."
      "Well, Lexa..?" Camacho turned his attention to Leah's twin sister, asking "do you like to play golf as well?"
      Lexa gave a wry smile and said in Spanish "Maso Minos.., more or less." she laughed glad to know the men had no Idea who she was.
       Then Camacho said "I do not see a ring on your finger, Lexa, does that mean you yourself are not married?"
      "No!" Leah laughed, for the thought of marriage was like using a broken pencil.., pointless "No sir, I am sane and single!" she retorted emphatically. Now here is when the wine began to soak into her brain and Lexa felt very enlivened and flirtatious again, so she turned to Philippe, she was only just 30 years of age and he was nearing 50, but Phillipe was in great shape, tall, handsome and distinguished, and had made quite a good impression on Miss Lexa, so she asked the good looking, older male the dreaded question "And you Phillipe.., are you a single man?"
     Phillipe was flattered to have such a young and vibrant woman ask about his situation so he gave a boyish, bashful smile, blushing as he spoke telling her "In.., a way."
     "Oh, no..," Lexa responded "Well, sounds like there is a story there if you ask me." Lexa laughed a little disappointed, for it was not that she wouldn't sleep with a married man, Lexa just preferred not to.
     "I would rather talk about it later.., needles to say, I have moved out of the house and have been staying at this hotel for the past 3 weeks." Phillipe paused then added "Though I really feel the marriage is over between us, just not legally."
     "I see..," Lexa replied then another brief silence came over the table as they all took a few quiet moments to savor their expertly prepared, sumptuous meal. Lexa noticed Camacho was not wearing a wedding ring, but neither was Phillipe, but that didn't mean a God damn thing, so she asked "Tell me, Camacho, I assume a handsome and talented man, such as yourself, must also have a family.., and your wife.., where is she?"
     Camacho turned and with a straight face said "Oh, who can say? But she is probably somewhere.., down on her knees." Camacho gave a serious look then burst out laughing.
     This set the table in an uproarious laugh together as the other patrons gave a few disappointing looks. So after a nice long lunch was had between them, after much delightful conversation and repartee, Leah and Lexa were shocked to learn they had just spent the last four hours with the men and it was now nearly five in the p.m and they were in no condition to drive back out to the country. As Camacho insisted on paying the bill, Leah and Lexa were quite full of food, and way too much wine, so Phillipe suggested they all go up to the roof top pool to relax in one of the cabanas to get some fresh air and order some coffee. However when the group headed towards the elevator Lexa mentioned she was having a stomach ache.
     "Oh, I have just the thing, an 'herbal' remedy." Phillipe gave her a nudge and a wink.
     "What do yo mean?" Lexa looked a little confused in her inebriated state.
     "I am asking if you want to go down to my suite and smoke a joint with me?" Camacho said blatantly.
     Here Lexa's green eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and she had a grin from ear to ear and she exclaimed "Oh that is just the thing I need!" then she took Phillipe by the hand as they went on the elevator going down and Leah and Camacho went up the other elevator together, finally alone, uncertain of what the night would bring.
      

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