Everybody is all ears, all identifying with the story and wondering whom he’s talking about.

"This friend of mine knew it would be difficult get her out of his mind -maybe he never would, since from the moment he laid eyes on her, he knew she was the one. Then my friend stopped looking for her and calling her. He began to hang out with friends, trying to go back to his old life… but… she had already stolen his heart. One day she appeared at a party. This friend of mine was dancing, having a good time with a beautiful woman. She felt jealous… and something deeper but she didn’t know what. She went up to my friend and said, ‘We need to talk.’ Her words were my friend’s command. She asked my friend for an explanation… and my friend said, ‘Can’t you see I’m crazy about you?’ She felt her heart explode and she finally decided to give my friend a chance."

Everyone applauds. Carmen looks at Christian because she is starting to suspect that she’s the girl in question. Christian’s cell phone vibrates again, and he reads the message. He starts looking towards the bar as if he’s searching for someone.

Carmen says in his ear, "Where’s Sasha?"

Christian turns around and says, "In Hawaii."

"And yesterday this friend of mine called me because he needs my help. Today is his girlfriend’s birthday and unfortunately, he can’t be with her. And the poor thing was feeling so bad…"

Carmen: "Ohhh!! She’ll kill me with so much sweetness!!"

Christian keeps looking at the bar, and Carmen asks him again, quietly, "Where is Sasha?"

"She’s not here. Excuse me, a beautiful girl is waiting at the bar for me."

"And we’re here to dedicate a song to the birthday girl. So I’m going to ask Carmen to approach the stage, please."

All the girls stare at her, amazed. Kit looks at them as if saying, ‘So what do you say now?’

Carmen gets up. The girls react and one by one start to hug her and wish her a happy birthday. They finally let go of her and Carmen comes up in front of the stage. She looks around for Sasha.

The man who was talking sits down behind the drums, and Pacho takes the microphone. "Carmen, this is from someone who loves you a lot and is dying to be here."

Carmen looks around one more time and then asks the singer: "Where is she?"

Pacho: "Oh!! I’m sorry she isn’t here, Carmen. She sent us to sing a song to you and get you to dance a little bit but I can’t do much about that part… We can play very well but we suck at dancing. So if someone here tonight can dance, I would be grateful if you would invite this beautiful woman to dance, and help me fulfill my obligation."

Carmen gestures to him as if saying, ‘Don’t worry.’ People come up around the stage behind Carmen, and the band starts playing. Carmen’s cell phone starts to ring; Sasha has just sent her a message saying ‘Happy birthday!! Dance, my love, and think about me.’

At that very instant, someone behind her whispers, "Do you want to dance?"

Carmen, without turning around, says, "No."

"Please dance with me."

A little more loudly, Carmen repeats, "No thanks."

A hand slides around Carmen’s waist and the same voice whispers in her ear, once more, in Spanish, "Please dance with me."

Carmen is annoyed by the persistence. She takes hold of the hand to remove it, but she discovers that she knows that hand and recognizes that perfume, too. She turns around and when she sees her, she can’t say a word.

"So, shall we dance?"

TBC…..