Chapter 3 Chapter 3

"Mary, answer him. I'm leaving."

I whispered that to Mary, afraid Bruno would see me interacting with that man. When I looked toward my husband, he was glaring at me.

I started walking toward him, leaving Mary alone. Bruno kept staring at me as if he were saying, "We'll settle this at home."

I was panicking. Mary's husband was more liberal, so she wouldn't have a problem talking to that man. As I walked toward Bruno, I heard the sound of the motorcycle starting.

Without looking back, I realized that the conversation between the two of them had ended before I even reached Bruno. When I got to him, I was already expecting a reprimand.

"What was that man doing there with you?"

"He wasn't with me, my love."

"He was. The three of you were talking."

"I'm sorry, Bruno. But I didn't say anything and walked away toward you. I already know what you're like."

"And you think a married woman can just talk to any man she wants?"

"Of course not, my love. Stop this. We're here to compete and make money. Focus on your performance."

Whenever I talked about the competition, I reminded Bruno that he had to save his energy for his performance. He was extremely competitive and could never accept losing.

Bruno almost always won the competitions he entered. If he didn't win, he at least finished among the top three. I had seen him finish outside those positions fewer than five times.

"What did that man say to you? Tell me!"

"I don't know. I think he asked where the bathroom was. Didn't you see me walk away?"

"I don't want you talking to him, Cristina."

"I promise, my love. I don't even know who that man is."

After that, Bruno kissed me. But I knew that kiss was merely a sign that punishment was coming.

"We'll settle this at home."

The moment he said that, I was terrified. I started trembling, and tears began running down my face.

"Stop that right now, Cristina. Everyone is looking."

"I know. But you said, 'We'll settle this at home.' I know what that means. You're going to hit me."

"I'm not. Stop crying now."

"I can't control my tears."

"If you don't stop now, I'll make you swallow every tear."

Bruno grabbed my arm, right over the mark he had made before. I felt the pain spread through my entire body.

My husband made me feel guilty because a man had tried to talk to me. I had no choice. Even after walking away, I was still sentenced.

The argument only ended when Mary approached us.

"Hi, dear. Everything okay?"

Bruno let go of my arm.

"Hey, Bruno. Nervous about the results?"

"Very, Mary. Do you think I'll take this one?"

"I hope so. Let's root for that. But there's also that fluorescent-green motorcycle rider. He did really well in his performance."

After Mary said that, Bruno's expression hardened. He hated losing, and she was clearly getting under his skin.

"I don't think he was that good. His motorcycle is new, and the paint is exclusive, but he doesn't have the experience I do. Maybe he'll finish second."

Bruno's confidence whenever the subject was two wheels was enormous. Before him, his father and grandfather had already shared that passion for motorcycles.

"I'm rooting for you, Bruno. I want to see you on the podium in first place. And I already know that money is going to become a trip to the beach. Am I right?"

"We'll see, Mary. We'll see. What did that man want with you?"

I looked at her apprehensively. I hadn't expected Bruno to ask that question. With my eyes, I tried to show Mary that the answer was the bathroom. But she didn't understand.

"He asked where he could find something to eat. He said he was hungry, that's all."

"Wait! Didn't you say he asked about the bathroom, Cristina? Are you lying to me?"

My husband turned into that monster who terrified me whenever we were alone at home. From his expression, I could see the anger being directed at both me and Mary.

"I'm not lying, Bruno. I thought I heard him ask about the bathroom. But I ran off and didn't hear the whole sentence. You saw me."

"I don't know. It sounds like you're lying to me. Cristina, you know what I'm capable of."

"Stop this. If I had paid attention to that man, I would know what he was talking about. This should show you that I know what it was about. Now, forget about him and remember your competition."

Bruno walked away from us, visibly upset after Mary said that rider could win the competition in the beauty category.

"Friend, I'm screwed. When we get home, Bruno is going to destroy me."

"Cristina, I've already told you to leave that man. Who knows? Maybe Ferdinand can help you with that."

"What do you mean, friend? You think that man wants me?"

"He does. He asked your name."

"But I'm married. Did you tell him that?"

"Yes, of course. But he's still interested in you. Can you believe that, Cristina? It's like you won the lottery."

"Since when does winning the lottery mean having a lover, Mary? Have you gone crazy?"

"Who's talking about a lover, sweetheart? He could be the love of your life."

"Wow, friend. You've been reading too many cheap romance novels on the internet."

"You don't believe that?"

"No, Mary. My life is going to remain the mess it is, with Bruno controlling even my breathing."

"You know you can get out of this, Cristina. I can help you."

"It's not that simple, friend. I need to find a job. I need to have financial independence before leaving Bruno. If he doesn't want me anymore tomorrow, I'll be out on the street."

"That will never happen to you, my friend. If Bruno throws you out, you know you have somewhere to stay, for as long as you need."

"Thank you so much, my friend. I love you for that."

The announcement of the winners in the beauty category interrupted our conversation.

"And now, let's move on to the announcement of the motorcycle beauty category. We will announce the top five contestants."

The announcer called out the names and numbers of the fifth- and fourth-place finishers, but I wasn't paying attention. He built suspense before revealing the third name. It wasn't Bruno or Ferdinand. The tension among everyone grew even stronger.

I moved closer to Bruno and the boys, along with their wives. Everyone gathered for the reveal of the last two names.

"In second place, we have... Guess who? Nicholas Vicent, number 009."

The second-place winner went up onstage, collected his prize, and went to the podium.

"Now let's move on to first place."

I looked at Bruno. He was confident. I stood beside him, rooting for his name to be announced. After a long moment of suspense, the judge began announcing the result.

Bruno threw his helmet onto the ground and walked away through the crowd.