Chapter 4 Chapter 4: The Sabotage

The silence lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity.

The judge finally approached the microphone and announced the result.

"First place, claiming the title of champion in the motorcycle beauty category, goes to competitor number 016... Ferdinand Barbosa!"

The crowd erupted in applause.

I immediately looked toward Bruno. His expression had changed completely. The confidence had vanished, replaced by an anger I knew all too well.

Ferdinand climbed onto the stage, raised his trophy, and thanked the organizers. His fluorescent green motorcycle continued to attract everyone's attention.

Bruno, on the other hand, didn't stay to watch the celebration. He picked up the helmet he had thrown to the ground and disappeared into the crowd.

"Did you see that, Cristina? He won!"

"I saw, Mary."

"Your husband doesn't look very happy with the result."

"Don't say that. You know how he gets when he loses."

I looked around, searching for Bruno. I couldn't find him. For a moment, I felt relieved that I wasn't standing beside him, but that relief quickly gave way to worry about what would happen when he returned.

"Shall we get something to drink?" Mary asked. "I'm dying of thirst."

I immediately agreed. The heat was unbearable, and I needed a few minutes away from all the commotion.

We walked toward the bar set up near the spectators' area. There was quite a long line, but we managed to order two beers.

"You need to stop living in fear of him," Mary commented as we waited.

"It's easy to say that when you're not the one who has to go home with Bruno."

"I know, girl. But I can't pretend I don't see what he does to you."

"I don't want to ruin your day."

"You're not ruining anything. He's the only one responsible for that."

I received my beer and tried to change the subject. Mary was still talking when a male voice sounded behind us.

"Good afternoon, ladies."

I recognized that voice before I even turned around.

Ferdinand.

My heart raced. He wasn't wearing his helmet, his hair was slightly messy, and he had a subtle smile on his face. Up close, he was even more handsome.

"Congratulations on your victory!" Mary said enthusiastically.

"Thank you. It was a good competition."

"You deserved it. Your performance was incredible."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

He glanced at me.

"I hope you enjoyed it too, Cristina."

I felt uncomfortable hearing him say my name. I didn't know how Mary had told him, but I didn't want to prolong the conversation.

"Congratulations," I replied, trying to sound polite.

"Thank you."

His smile grew a little, but he didn't insist. Instead, he took a small piece of paper from his pocket and wrote something on it.

"Mary, could you do me a favor?"

"Of course!"

He held out the paper to her.

"Give this to Cristina later. It's my number."

My face immediately grew hot.

"Ferdinand, I'm married," I said, trying to make that perfectly clear.

"I know. Mary already told me."

"Then..."

"I'm not asking you to do anything now. I just want you to have a way to contact me, in case you ever want to."

He didn't seem intimidated by my wedding ring or the situation. He also made no attempt to move closer.

"Thanks for passing it along, Mary."

"Leave it to me," she replied, holding the note as if she'd just received a prize.

Ferdinand said goodbye with a nod and walked toward the competitors' area.

"Did you see that?" Mary asked as soon as he was out of earshot.

"I did. And you shouldn't have accepted it."

"Why not? He asked me to give it to you, not throw it away."

"Mary!"

"All right, all right. I'll give it to you. But you don't have to pretend you weren't affected."

I didn't answer. I picked up my beer and took a long sip.

We needed to get back before Bruno showed up and found my absence as yet another reason to punish me.

When we returned to the front of the stage, I found my husband near a few members of the Black Smile group. His arms were crossed, and his jaw was so tense that he looked ready to grind his teeth to pieces.

As soon as he saw me, he walked toward us.

"Where were you?"

"We went to get something to drink, honey."

"Can't you go five minutes without disappearing?"

"Bruno, we were at the bar. We didn't do anything."

He looked at Mary and then turned his eyes back to me.

"I didn't ask you to explain yourself."

I lowered my head. Mary stepped closer, but I made a small gesture asking her not to interfere.

"You embarrassed me today," he continued.

"I didn't do anything, Bruno."

"You were staring at that guy right in front of me. Then he shows up to talk to you two. Do you think I'm an idiot?"

"I didn't talk to him. You know I walked away when he approached."

"Enough!"

He grabbed my arm tightly. Pain shot through the exact spot that was already bruised.

"Bruno, let her go," Mary pleaded.

My husband slowly turned his face toward my friend.

"You're getting involved in a conversation that has nothing to do with you."

"I'm just saying you don't need to squeeze her arm."

"Mind your own business, Mary."

"I am. She's my friend."

For a few seconds, I thought Bruno might take his anger out on her too. But he released me and stepped back.

"You still have a lot of explaining to do, Cristina."

I swallowed hard.

"Now we have another category," he added, looking toward the stage. "And I'm going to win this one."

The confidence in his voice frightened me. Bruno wasn't simply trying to convince himself that he was better than Ferdinand. He seemed certain that something was about to happen.

"I hope you win, darling," I replied.

He smiled without showing the slightest hint of happiness.

"You can count on it."

The presenter returned to the microphone, drawing everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for our second category! Skills and stunts!"

The crowd began to cheer. The competitors were getting ready to take the stage.

Mary leaned close to my ear.

"He's acting strange."

"Bruno always gets like this when he loses."

"It's not just that. Something is wrong."

Before I could answer, the presenter explained the rules.

"Ten contestants will perform on their motorcycles. Only five will be selected for the final round. And get ready, because this challenge is going to be even more exciting!"

The lights focused on the center of the structure built for the competition.

"The five finalists will have to ride through the Globe of Death!"

A murmur swept through the audience.

I looked at Mary in surprise. I'd seen that kind of performance in circuses, but I'd never imagined it would be used in a motorcycle competition.

A huge metal structure shaped like a sphere stood beside the stage. Its surface was made of steel bars, leaving the inside completely visible.

The competitors would have to ride inside it, performing stunts while defying gravity.

"That's dangerous," I murmured.

"That's why people are so excited," Mary replied.

The first contestants were called.

One after another, all ten riders performed. Some earned applause with their jumps and precise movements. Others nearly lost their balance, drawing startled screams from the crowd.

I tried to follow everything, but my eyes kept searching for Bruno.

He was focused, talking to one of the group members. When he noticed me watching him, he raised his chin, as if to show that nothing could go wrong.

Ferdinand was called too. His fluorescent green motorcycle entered the stage to enthusiastic applause.

He performed a series of impressive stunts, maintaining control of his bike even during the riskiest maneuvers.

"He's really good," Mary commented.

"He is."

This time, I was careful not to show too much enthusiasm. I didn't want to give Bruno another reason to hurt me.

Competitor number 009, Nicholas Vicent, also delivered an excellent performance.

When all ten riders had finished, the presenter began announcing the finalists.

My heart was pounding.

"Competitor number 007, Bruno Miller!"

The men from the Black Smile group celebrated.

"Competitor number 016, Ferdinand Barbosa!"

The audience responded with another round of applause.

A few more names were announced until the last finalist stepped onto the stage.

"Competitor number 009, Nicholas Vicent!"

The five finalists had been decided.

Bruno, Ferdinand, and Nicholas were among them.

The presenter explained that the final round would begin in a few minutes. The riders needed to prepare to enter the Globe of Death.

I was watching the activity when Mary suddenly disappeared.

I looked around, searching for her. It didn't take long to spot her hurrying back, her face completely pale.

"Mary? What happened?"

She grabbed my arm and leaned closer, speaking so quietly that I had to bend down to hear her.

"We need to do something, Cristina."

"Do what?"

Mary looked toward Bruno, then at Ferdinand, who was talking to the other competitors.

"Your husband sabotaged that handsome competitor's motorcycle. We need to warn him. His life is in danger inside the Globe of Death!"