Federico
He rang the fifth floor bell. After a while Anabelle's voice answered.
“I´ll be right down.” Replied the girl.
She came down wearing a strange dress in bright colors, certainly homely.
“Excuse me, but was cleaning my room.”
“What a cute robe. It looks like an African design.”
“It´s Cristelle´s present.”
After the kiss on the cheek their eyes momentarily met; the girl immediately lowered hers with a wave of blush. Federico realized that his presence had an impact on the young.
Arriving at the apartment Cristelle fleetingly crossed a narrow path surely between the bathroom and her bedroom; she was wearing her white panties and her torso was bare. Federico could not prevent the erection that the vision of the black flesh produced him. He sat in a chair to wait knowing that Cristelle always took some time getting dressed. After a while she appeared in a blouse and a wide skirt.
“Forgive me if I arrived too early.” Said the man.
“It's not early. We were asleep.”
The conversation turned to more mundane issues until she suddenly slapped her forehead evidencing that she had remembered something.
“I was forgetting the most important thing! I went to visit a company next to my work in Parque Patricios. A Sudanese girl with whom I have always lunch told me that they are looking for a graphic designer. I talked to the head of human resources myself and told him about you. I have his phone number and he awaits your call.”
“What kind of company is it?”
“It's a medium-sized software company and they are installed in the Technological Pole of Parque Patricios. It is fairly new and they are presently completing their staff, and as it´s a family business they prefer to do the old way, by personal references. The Sudanese girl tells me that they are good people and that the business is growing.”
“I appreciate your concern.” Then he thought for a moment and asked.” You never do anything without a reason, tell me what is your purpose now.”
Cristelle took him by the hand and led him to the triple armchair; she then sat on his legs. In doing so her skirt rolled to one side showing her legs. His hand immediately fell on her thighs.
“Well, well. Let´s see what you up to.” Said Federico .
“The first thing I want is you to work close to me. Seeing each other only during the weekends is not enough. But that is only the beginning.”
“What else are you planning?”
“I want you to move in with us.”
“What? But there are the girls.”
“I've talked to them. We need a man in this house. The apartment is spacious and my bed is king size, or queen size rather. Winter is already coming and this country is cold for an Equatorial African girl. I need someone to keep me warm at night.”
“But... do you need a man or a heater?”
“Both. Do not forget that I come from a hot country ... in every sense.”
“So you have talked to the girls before talking to me?”
“Yes. I had to be sure they would not object my idea before offering you to move with us.”
“And what was their attitude to the question?”
“Enthusiastic. Overzealous for my taste, both by Anabelle as Chantal.”
“But I see you are not worried about competition.”
“I do not think there´ll be anything that I cannot control.”
“Including me?”
“Including you. Is moving with us a problem for you?”
“Depends on whether I change jobs or not.”
“What will the relatives with whom you live say?”
“ No doubt they will be relieved. They like me but I guess they´d prefer to be alone.”
“And what will your girlfriend, Viviana?”
“Vanesa.” Corrected him.” I guess she will be sad for a while but she will overcome it. She must surely suspect that I'm seeing another woman.”
“'And are you going to talk to her?”
“It's something I must do. You would not want me to just disappear from your life.”
“ I would merely castrate you or behead you or both. We Bamilekes are warriors.
“ That sounds like a conjugal threat. What do Bamileke women do for adultery?”
“You do not want to know. But tell me, will you ultimately talk with Vanessa?”
“Yes, I will tell her that I´ll meet her when she leaves her job. She works in a downtown bank branch..”
“I want to be present.”
“For what? Are you going to skin her alive or something? Or to protect me? No need. I do not think Vanesa will take it so seriously.”
“I just want to be there.”
The girl left the bank building and headed for the corner where they had arranged to meet. When he saw her Federico muttered weakly.
“Here she comes. Will you accompany me?”
“I think it will be easier for you to say what you have to say being alone with her. But make sure she sees me. Does she know I'm black?”
“No. In this case the color of your skin makes no difference.”
Federico approached the girl. Cristelle watched carefully. Blonde, slim, slender legs, well dressed and made up. The contrast with her could not be bigger. She saw that Federico turned and discreetly pointed at her. The girl took a tissue from her purse and wiped her tears; then just turned and left.
Federico headed for Cristelle with a somewhat puzzled face.
“Well. How did it go? Too many recriminations?”
“There was no time. She cut me off in the middle of my explanation and left. Are you satisfied what you have seen?”
“Very satisfied.”
“You know, I cannot understand why it pleases you to witness a stormy scene. Sheer sadism?
“I wanted to see the reaction of a blonde when a black girl robs her white boyfriend.”
Federico was hired in the computer company and notified his relatives he was moving. A Saturday morning the man gathered his meager belongings and traveled by car led by a friend to the apartment in the neighborhood of Congreso. He was greeted with a beautiful smile by Chantal and with excitement by Anabelle and Lourdy. Cristelle had made space for him in her closet but five hangers and a shelf were enough to store his clothes. The woman was obviously happy to have him in the house, locked with him in the bedroom and they only came out at nine in the evening to go out to dinner.
“ You must get your strength back. I'll squeeze the most of you.” Stated Cristelle.
“Just in case I asked my relatives to keep my bed at home ready. You never know whether I will come back.”
“Coward.”