Just a Kiss (11 page)

Celina shook her head and raised her shoulders. She whispered back in her ear, “I don't know, but I'm going to think about it. He did tell me that he wanted me and for me to just say the word, and Ana Laura would be history.”

“Oh my God!” exclaimed Valeria, with pure happiness.

Celina smiled, looking around the restaurant as people were leaving, and others were coming.

Valeria looked at Rebecca, not knowing what to say and said, “She’s going to Victoria’s Secret, and yes, I’m jealous. I wish that I could pack all of these beautiful, voluptuous curves of mine in some of those sexy lacy nightgowns, but I can’t. I have to settle for what they sell at Lane Bryant or at Big and Tall.” She moved her hand over her sides. “But, I can tell you, that I do use their lotions and perfumes. See, this one here is one of their new fragrances, called Pink.” She put her wrist to Rebecca’s nose, so she could smell it.

Celina shook her head, rolled her eyes and got up. “Alright, I’ll see you later at the salon. And Rebecca, I’ll see you sometime soon. Maybe you can come to the salon and hang out there. We like when friends stop by and visit.”

“Thank you, Celina.” She flashed her a warm smile.

“Get that purse out of my face. I hate when you swing that thing around so carelessly. You know I’m scared of your purse,” she said, angrily pushing the purse away with her fingertips.

“You two are so funny. Why would you be scared of her purse?”

“Because, she’s got
Hey Joe
in there, that’s why. I’ll tell you in a minute girlfriend.”

“Celina, I'm so happy.” Valeria looked at Celina and waved her goodbye.

“I'm
just
thinking about it Valeria. I haven't decided anything yet.”

Chapter
14

Is it for sale?
 

Celina walked out to her car, thinking about what Xavier had told her. She did one more lap around her brain, searching for anything that led her to believe she'd given into temptation. She shook her head and smiled, realizing that she had.
Shit
,
that wasn't a dream
last night,
it was for real
. That's why I woke up with no underwear
. He was in my room feeling me out
. S
hit
,
I think he even licked my pussy.
Damn it, he did! Everything was in slow motion, but I remembered enjoying it so much. I remember wanting him to make love to me. But did I just enjoy it, or did I want Xavier? Damn it, should I be pissed because he abused me? Is it considered abuse or not if I had asked him to fuck me the day before? Oh man, I'm so confused!
She
looked at her cell phone, trying to concentrate on reading the incoming text messages.

When she approached her car, she looked up, startled, when she heard someone talking.

“Yes, excuse me. Is this your car?” asked a man.

She looked up to see the same man who was staring at her inside the restaurant, the one wearing the black shirt. Except for now, she could see how tall and thin he was.

Celina didn’t smile, because this guy made her nervous. He was obviously a lowlife. “Yes, it is,” she answered, putting her oversized black Chanel sunglasses with thick
acetate rims on
.

“Is this a ‘68?” he ran his fingers along the hood of the car.

“Yes.” She removed her sunglasses. Her eyes tightened, and her right eyebrow arched slightly. “Please don't touch my car.” She said, with a disapproving glare that was downright daunting. She did not like the fact that he was touching her car.

“So sorry. I was just wondering if it was for sale?” he walked around, looking at the body of the car.

“No, I’m sorry. I would never think of selling this car.” She held on tight to her purse.

“Not even if the price was right?” he smiled, exposing golden grills on his teeth.

She cringed when she saw them. This creep made her feel very uncomfortable. “No, not even for a million dollars. It was my father's car, you see.”

“Oh, I get it. It has a lot of sentimental value.” He stared at her for a few seconds. “Okay, well, thank you, Miss,” he spoke with a heavy Mexican accent, then walked away.

Celina then looked up, and sure enough, there was Valeria looking out the window, like the mother hen she was to her. Celina smiled and waved to her and got in her car.

Chapter
15

Lost and found

The man got into a black Cadillac Escalade, and motioned the driver with his finger to get moving, while he got his cell phone and frantically dialed.

“
Rafa
,
habla
Flaco. Boss, you’re not going to believe who I found here in Laredo?” there was excitement in his voice.

“Tell me quick,” he demanded, “because I have
El
Veinte
,
on the other line. He says he’s ready for you to stop by.”

“Boss, I found the girl from the club. The one that drives that black ‘68 Camaro.”

There was silence for a brief moment. “
Veinte
, I’m going to have to call you back, just wait for me.” He then got back on the other phone with Flaco
.
“Is she in front of you, Flaco?” his voice was mysterious.

“Yes, we are following her right now.”

“Good, don’t lose her. And don’t follow her too close, because you might scare her. Stay with her.” His tone was aggressive. “But are you
sure
it’s her?”

“Yes, because I have a copy of the picture with me.” He patted his front pocket
where the picture was with three fingers. “It is her, I know it. I even saw her cubby girlfriend with her, too.”

“So, you didn't ask her if she was in McAllen a few days ago?” There was disappointment in his voice.

“No boss. I'll ask her when we take her, just to make sure, but I have a gut feeling that it is her. You'll see when you see her.”

“Okay Flaco, if it is her… I will pay you the reward.
But
she must be unharmed, and you need to bring her to me… nobody else,
only to me
. Get her first, then make the money pickup and don’t stop for nothing, just come on in. Don’t speed or call attention to yourself.”

“I know, boss.” He interjected.

“
Flaco,
”
he yelled. “Listen to what I'm saying. I don't want any fuckups,
pendejo
.”

“Sorry boss,” he apologized quickly.

“That’s right, I’m the boss. And when you come to the bridge, don’t forget to get in lane
five and make sure she’s knocked out but sitting down, with the seatbelt on.” He insisted.

“Yes sir, boss, I know the routine.” He reassured.

The men followed Celina to the mall and parked next to her car after she walked away.

An hour later, Celina exited the mall
with a big smile. She was holding a big pink striped bag with pink tissue paper extending from the top, with gold letters that read, Victoria's Secret.

Still on cloud nine, she texted Valeria, telling her of all the lingerie and panties that she had bought at the semi-annual sale. She laughed with Valeria's reply, reading aloud. “Don't want to hear your sex stories.”

Deep in concentration, thinking of maybe going to get her cards read, about her situation with Xavier. She wondered if she should plunge into a relationship with him or trust another stranger instead.
I’d like to get back to dating and enjoy having sex again. I miss it, but I’m so scared of attracting another psycho.
Her mind was occupied with texting Rosa, the tarot card reader, for an appointment, that she didn’t see the black SUV parked right next to her car. Her guard was completely down, because she was so deep in her thoughts, until it was too late.

Celina thought their intentions were to drive by and take her purse, since stealing women's purses at the mall had become a common thing lately.
You assholes are not taking my purse.
There was no time to pull out her gun, so she threw her purse in her car and it hit with a thump on the floorboard. She never in a million years thought that they would take her instead. If she had known that, she would have kept her purse and pulled out Hey Joe instead.

The tall guy with gold chains around his neck grabbed her and threw her in the back seat. Celina hit her head against the window but still held her cell phone and her Victoria's Secret bag.

The guy closed the door shut, looked at her, and pointed a gun to her face. “Look, we're not going to hurt you, but you must come with us.” He nodded his head.

“What's this about? Is it about my car? Because I didn't want to sell it to you?” She didn't fear for her life, because she thought it was all about her car now.

“No, that's not why.” He gave her a cold stare.

I don't understand
. Not about my purse and not about my car, then what else could it be. Do they know Homer? Did Homer tell them to take me?

“Wait a minute! I can't leave my car here. Someone might steal it. Where are you taking me? What do you want?” The intimidating scowl from the man didn't seem to affect Celina.

“Where we are taking you… well, you'll find out when we get there,” he snapped.

Her question remained unanswered. “Wait, I think you have me confused with someone else? I'm no one. I'm just a hair stylist. Do you know what this is about?” Celina pleaded with him. Her heart pounded in her chest, now realizing that this was serious.

“Okay,
uno
momento
,
you're right, let's make sure
.
Let me ask you this.”
He looked at her with a hard stare. “Were you in the valley last week?”

What does this have to do with the hair show?
This is crazy!
She stared with a blank look.

“Answer the question,
yes or no,
”
he yelled, spitting some saliva on her face. “Answer the question.” he insisted again.
             

“
Okay,
”
she screamed back. “Yes, I was there.” Her voice was strong.

“Okay, very good. Were you at the Blue Rock Club?” he waited for her to answer.

She took a deep breath and thought,
what does that have to do with any of
this
?
I
don’t even remember seeing this guy there.
She narrowed her eyes, looking at him, and nodded her head.

“Okay, that's all I need to know. And just to let you know, you are the woman we are looking for.” He then turned to the other man and said, “
Vamonos
,
Chuy
.”

“
WAIT
.
Please
, what have I done?” His freaky grin was starting to terrify her
now
.

When he didn't answer, she continued, “Please sir, can you lock my car? Please, at least do me that favor.” Her eyes were tearing.

“
Chuy
, watch her,” said the man, sitting in the backseat with Celina. “I'm going to lock her car.”

Chuy
quickly pulled out a gun with a silencer on it, and aimed it at her forehead while the other guy got out and locked Celina's car.

When Flaco got back in the SUV, she asked him, “Please, one more favor. I told you earlier at the restaurant how much this car means to me. Please,
please
sir, can you please text my friend to come and pick up my car?” She handed him her cell phone. Tears rolled down her cheeks, not knowing what they wanted or what they were going to do with her, because now she was more confused than ever.

He took a deep breath, nodded, and reached for her phone. The only reason he was being nice to her, was because she was of great interest to the boss.

“You can just put, please pick up my car at the mall and at the end text, Hey Joe.”

He gave her a weird look.

“That will tell her where the spare keys are hidden at.”  Celina was lying and was hoping that Valeria would notice the distress code,
H
ey Joe
for pull out the gun, there's something wrong.
             

Chapter
16

Celina's running late

Valeria walked into the salon, “Hey,
corazón
,
how are things?” She plopped her big classic Coach purse on the counter. “Is Celina in yet? I didn't see her car outside.”

“No, she isn’t. I thought she was with you?” Marivel stopped popping her gum. “Hey Valeria, your phone is ringing.”

Valeria took a deep breath. “Yes, I hear it now.”