Chapter 4: Idiot

Tara

This morning, I caught my mother talking to herself—she does that when a problem worries her and she hasn't found a solution yet. I wonder what's bothering her this time. All night, my thoughts were occupied by my dear fiancé. He's so handsome, with that killer look he often gives me… I'm going to tame this beast. I'm going to conquer him.

I go down to get my sister from her room, but her suitors apparently had the same idea as me: they're standing guard outside her door like two security guards. Hmm… these men aren't bad at all. Delicious, even. But I prefer my grumpy fiancé; I like challenges, and he is one. He'll be mine soon.

I greet my sister's fiancés and push open the door. She's already ready, sitting on her bed; she looks like she's waiting for something.

— Good morning, darling. If you're already ready, why are you still here?

— As soon as I opened the door, they were there waiting for me. Except I don't want to see them.

— You should be glad to have two handsome men under your spell. If you keep running away from them, someone else will come circling around them while you hide. You follow me? Do you want to see them looking at other women while you play the scaredy-cat?

— No… but they're too invasive.

— That might be better for you: you're shy. Let them take care of you. Remember that you deserve these two men. They're yours, only yours. Make of them what you want.

She smiles at me. Good sign. I hope I haven't created a monster.

I go knock on my fiancé's suite door. Yesterday, I asked my sister to help me locate his room via the security cameras—he doesn't like crowds; either he's in his room, or he's hanging out alone in the garden with his phone.

I knock and announce cheerfully:

— Room service!

No sound. I repeat, and finally he opens. He looks surprised to see me. I push past him to enter and come across a scene that chills me: two naked women, deeply asleep in his bed. Obviously, they haven't slept a wink all night.

I turn to him, seething with anger:

— Can you explain what these… prostitutes are doing here?

— You want me to draw you a picture? he replies, smug.

I approach the bed, pull one of the women by the hair and shake her:

— Idiots! Didn't you know he's engaged? Get out of this suite!

— Leave them, Mike says calmly. We're not done yet; I paid for three days and we've barely enjoyed it.

He paid for three days? With two women? He's mocking me.

I take my gun from my bag, pointing it furiously. My hand trembles, but my voice is cold:

— You have one minute to get out of this suite, or I'll put a bullet in your head.

At the sight of the gun, they scramble up in panic and dress hastily. Naked, they flee into the hallway, ashamed and frightened. I can't help a fierce laugh.

Then I turn to him. Without much thought, I shoot him in the thigh.

— Let this be the last time you cheat on me. Next time, the bullet might go higher; and believe me, the loser will be you. Once you're incapacitated, I won't care; I'll go fuck whoever I want.

He cries out, hand clutching his thigh, blood flowing. Furious, he lunges at me and grabs my neck. Damn. He's choking me. I struggle, but the more I fight, the tighter his grip gets. Through clenched teeth, he hisses:

— Never point a gun at me again. Never.

The room spins around me; I feel the air leaving. Thoughts rush through my mind. This marriage promises to be explosive… and dangerous.