Thank you all for the feedback below the first part of La Vida Loca! I'm glad that you got intrigued by the story, thanks for giving it a chance.
The same as earlier - big thanks for Bunkerhill and Arontrask78 for help with editing that story!
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Not gonna lie, I was pissed at Vida for almost the entire Tuesday. Can anyone blame me? Not giving your number to a guy with whom you already met several times, had hot sex with twice and overall spent a good time, was a really harsh way of saying...
Yeah, of saying... what exactly? That one thing just kept eating at me because Vida didn't say that we should stop hanging out. Evidently, she was willing to do that, but on her terms. For whatever reasons. Like I said, on Tuesday I didn't care much about Vida's point of view. My exasperation didn't let me. I wasn't even very eager to go to the gym to see her, but eventually went there with a rather confrontational attitude. However, Vida was absent on Tuesday. Perhaps, it was for the best, as I might have said something I would regret later.
But on Wednesday, my annoyance settled down. Icelandic impassiveness came back. It still was confusing, but I began to think differently about Vida's possible reasons. More... leniently. She declined giving me her number, but I could see that it wasn't the easiest decision for her. And whatever reason stood behind that, it didn't seem to be something insignificant or petty. I saw an emotional struggle on her face, when she stood on that sidewalk, looking so defeated. At the same time, she still wanted to date me, if what we were doing could be called dating. My attempts to understand her resembled a game of hunting the thimble, the only difference that I was hearing 'cold' almost all the time.
Vida was a puzzle, and I was no Holmes, no Poirot, not even Miss Marple. I couldn't solve her mystery, not with the insufficient clues I had at the moment. But I wanted to do that. Indisputably, there was something in that girl that was dragging me toward her. And it wasn't only intense, hot sex. I felt great being close to her, just talking with her.
Therefore, on Wednesday I went to the gym in a much different mood than the day before. I wanted to see her, but again, she wasn't there that day. And she didn't come on Thursday either. And on Friday as well. I began to feel weird, one time worrying that something might have happened to her, another time being bothered by perhaps an absurd thought that Vida decided to change the gym to another one, not wanting to see me anymore.
So, on Friday, after a lackluster workout, I left the gym and headed to my car, pretty much lost in thought. The night was warm, as each one in Florida was for a lonely Icelander.
"Gunnar!" I heard a familiar, melodious voice behind me.
I turned around and there was Vida. Standing a few feet away from me and smiling timidly.
"Oh, hey! How did you approach me so sneakily?" I answered, smiling warmly. The moment I saw her, I forgot all the mental hassle I had during the last few days, at least for a while.
Vida looked different, comparing her clothes choices today with previous days. She was dressed elegantly and stylishly. Beautiful and sexy.
For the first time I saw her with more makeup than only eyeliner - she had red lipstick and smokey eyes. Her fingernails and toes were also painted red. That was making an alluring contrast to white, airy dress with floral motifs, tightened at her waist with a thin black scarf. Other accessories were also black - a little leather purse, sandals, which I believe, are called gladiators. But the most captivating detail was a black choker on her neck. Nothing too complicated, just a thin strap of fabric, but for some unknown reason it made my blood rush south. So tempting...
"I have my methods," she said with a delicate smile.
"Oh, yeah, you're elusive like a mist," I answered, a bit sarcastic, but without hard feelings. "But when did you do your workout? I didn't see you in the gym."
"Because I wasn't at the gym at all. I'm sorry, I know that we were supposed to meet here on Tuesday, but I couldn't," she said quietly, but as I didn't answer, she added "I had to take care of some family issues..."
The tone with which she said that had a tangible gravity. I felt that she was honest.
"It's okay." My short answer was supposed to cut the topic painlessly, but Vida had a guilty expression.
"You're still mad at me, Gunnar? Because of that phone number..." She looked at me with these dark and glossy eyes. I could sink in them. And I think that I already did, at least partially.
"No, I'm not mad, Vida. Maybe I'm just confused, but it's fine, seriously. I'm sure you've had your reasons." I didn't want her to feel that way. I know, I know, I must be a sucker for pretty girls. For her, certainly.
Vida nodded slowly and said "I wish I could tell you about that..." She made a gesture around her head, as if it could explain what she meant.
"You can tell me anytime you want. I truly can listen, and I will not judge you," I said, trying to sound trustworthy, if this is even possible. But I really wanted her to know that.
Vida nodded again, but unconfidently. I was aware that she wouldn't want to talk about it, but I was still glad that I left her the opening. Whether she would use that or not, was her decision.
I felt tired with this topic, so I stepped closer to her and touched her forearm. "You look so beautiful today, Vida! What's the occasion?"
Her long lashes fluttered adorably, and her smile beamed, making her look even more beautiful. She also got closer to me.
"Thank you,
bello
! Yes, there is an occasion. A party! And I wanted you to go too! Actually, I came here in hope to meet you and take you with me!" Vida started to talk rapidly, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.
I restrained myself from saying sarcastically that having my phone number would be a much easier way to invite me to that party. But that small, petty satisfaction wouldn't be worth killing her excitement. Vida brightened up and explained to me that there was a festival celebrating Latino culture, with disco, food and of course the whole variety of beverages. She held my hand while we talked.
"So? Will you go with me? It'll be fun, I promise!
Β‘Vamos a rumbiar!
" Vida asked, looking at me hopefully.
"I would love to go!" I answered quicker than I probably should, realizing that I did that several times already - agreeing to her ideas without thinking. Was I really so heads over heels already?
***
I decided to leave my car in front of the gym, in case I would like to try some of those fine liquors from all around South and Central America, and we called for an Uber.
Sitting in the back seat and listening to Vida's stories about delicious food she wanted me to try was joyful. Her enthusiasm was contagious. We were sitting really close to each other and I decided to wrap my arm around her shoulders. Vida glanced at me and I could swear that she looked relieved. Maybe she thought that I was still mad at her? Well, I wasn't angry, however also not entirely sure what to feel about Vida, but embracing her wouldn't do harm. Vida snuggled to me more tightly and placed her head on my shoulder.