Lucia's cell phone was ringing as she unlocked the bedroom door. She kicked the door shut, and reached for the phone.
A girl's voice asked.
"Is this miss Lucia Williams? Mr Manuel Johnson is calling," she added.
She clutched the phone.
"Mr - who?"
"Mr Manuel Johnson." There was a click on the line, then she said: "you're through, Mr Johnson. Miss Lucia is on the line."
A crisp, tense voice demanded, "Lucia?"
"yeah," she said.
"I want to talk to you. Let's meet at the OceanRise bar right away. I'll expect you in an hour."
"REALLY?.... I mean yeah sure Manuel no problem I will find you there." she said excitedly.
"You better hurry up, don't keep me waiting." he said and hung up.
In the next hour, Lucia was all ready and delighted to meet up with Manuel.
*******
Lucia and Manuel occupied the end part of the long chromium and mahogany bar. They sat on high stools, their concentration on each other intense.
Benson, the barman, listened to their conversation with amused tolerance. He leant against the counter, aimlessly polishing a small square of shiny mahogany very slowly with a soft duster.
It was quite in the bar with only these two and three men who sat at the far end of the bar.
She wore a black dress that emphasized her breasts and hips without being tight on her body.
Benson became interested in Lucia. He liked her large deep brown eyes and her beautifully painted mouth. Benson particularly liked her slender, beautifully shaped body. He envied Manuel for being there and wished that he could go away.
They were drinking bar specials and Benson had a large shaker by his side ready to replenish their glasses.
"I must say you are indeed looking very stunning, Manuel." Lucia said and meant it.
"Everytime we meet you tell me that. Is it for something to say or do you feel so strongly about it." he looked at her, his eyes angry.
"Am sorry but I was just trying to pass my compliments." she said apologetically.
"Very well. Let's talk about something else. Something that will stir up the conversation."
"Why do you say that?" she asked, turning her head to look at him. "That sounds so sad and final. Tell me, is there something wrong?"
"Do you feel it too?"
"Then there is something wrong, what is it?"
"Haven't you noticed already?"
"Please tell me don't be mysterious."
He took a nervous sip from his glass and didn't say anything. Benson wondered why he looked so tragic. Benson liked straight talks himself and fancy language gave him a pain.
"Are you still upset about what I tried to do with that woman?" she asked him. "Is that it?"
He shook his head, "No, it's not, you see things are no longer the same between us. Please don't make me say it, you must feel as I feel, don't you?"
She stretched out her hand to take his, but he avoided her. "why do you have to talk in riddles Manuel? If it's not about me struggling that woman, then what is it about, huh?"
He finished his drink. "Am trying hard to be kind," he said. "can't you see that? Okay let's put it this way, things between us don't mean anything to me anymore - there I've told you."
Still she couldn't grasp what he meant, there was a long pause, then she said: "I love you so much Manuel that I would literally do almost anything you wish. Tell me, we'll make plans?"
He faced her. "Can't you understand!" There was an edge on his voice - "I can't bear anymore of this. I've tried and tried to tell you, but you couldn't understand. I can't go on with this any longer."
"Don't get angry. I understand that. I am quite willing to do what you want. Really, you can please yourself."
He said very intensely, "Am breaking up with you."
Those Breathtaking words passed through Lucia's body like a sharp sword, living her life less and sent her heart hamming against her ribs violently.