The Long Flight Home
      Chapter 2
 

Madrid International Airport- First Class Departure Lounge

From the window of the departure lounge Nino watched the DC-10 lift off into heavy clouds and fog. The misty rain of earlier had become an earnest downpour. It seemed to suit his mood. He'd always hated good-byes, and this one had been no exception. Pilar had been a very willing and generous lover. It hadn't taken much to get her into his bed. He chuckled at her naiveté. He'd had many willing women in the past, but she had been the most precious of gifts. She had given herself for the first time to him. It had stroked his ego to know that he had snagged the prize before any other man. The best thing about it was that he would be the only man she ever had. By putting her on that plane this afternoon he had made sure of that. Damn, but he would miss her, the way her hair splayed out on his pillow, how her body responded to his touch, how malleable she had been in his arms. Just thinking about it made him hard with longing.

Taking his cell phone out of his suit coat pocket he punched in a familiar number and waited as the phone rang . He would always remember Pilar's generous spirit, and he sighed just a little at the thought of never seeing her again. "What's done, is done", he said half to himself, half to the universe at large.

Villavicencio Merchant Bank- Madrid

He sat behind the large intricately carved Mahogany desk looking out over the city skyline towards the airport. His hands were folded in the shape of a steeple and rested between his eyes. His piercing gaze never wavered nor changed. His focus was directed solely to the airport and the flight's that were landing and taking off with fair regularity. The sky had turned dark and malevolent. The rain was pouring from the heavens in thick sheets. He had a fleeting thought that perhaps her flight had been canceled, but he willed the thought from his mind. He had waited too long, and had planned too carefully for anything or anyone to disrupt this well laid revenge. He was positive that she would be winging her way home by now. A full on storm could not contend with what he would feel if his vengeance did not fall into place. A small tic developed in his left eye. He angrily brushed it away with his right hand. He must remain in control of the giddy hysteria that was threatening to bubble out of him. He must center, go to that place where feeling and emotion no longer held power over him, where he could manipulate them to his will. The only emotion he would allow himself was hatred. He could live with hate and pain as long as the end goal was justice and righteousness. This debt was long overdue, and Carmen's daughter, Pilar was to be his messenger.

The ringing of his private line broke his concentration. With measured and unhurried movements he reached for the phone, flexing his fingers at the same time. He had not realized how tense his muscles had become. He must find time for a massage this evening before he retired for the night, he thought. As he picked up the phone, his thoughts were validated. Yes, she had boarded the plane. No, he had made sure that her attention was solely on him as they waited in the first class lounge. Yes, his contacts had been notified. Yes, he would return to his families Finca in Andalusia that evening. Yes, he would have no further contact with him until it was finished.

As he hung up the phone, he allowed a small leer to cross his face. It was only a matter of time. Soon his vengeance would be complete.

As Nino pressed the end button, his call was disconnected. It was a shame really that he had to leave for the families Finca in Andalusia this evening. He was going to miss having a warm and willing body in his bed tonight. Perhaps, if he had some extra time he would go to a Tapas Bar before facing the long, lonely drive home. He was sure to find plenty of putas there willing to trade their bodies for a handsome face, and some extra cash to make them feel worthwhile. Most women were whores in his eyes. Experience had taught him this harsh lesson. So, he used them and discarded them at will. The only woman he might regret using, would be Pilar. She had never wanted anything but his love. If only he had been able to give her a small piece of himself. He would remember her smile, and her softness. Shaking himself from his thoughts, he strode through the lounge, and out into the chill winds that had arisen from the storm. As lightning flashed and thunder cracked overhead, he allowed himself one last thought of her. Perhaps, deep down, there was some humanity left within him. Maybe she did take a piece of him with her. He would never know, and as he hurried to his waiting car, he convinced himself that he didn't really care.