VILLA PARAISO - Available 2017

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                                                                  CHAPTER ONE

          A gentle tropical breeze carries jasmine's scent across the serene landscape as an owl's       high-pitched screech pierces the silence. 

          Hector detects movement in the murky pre-dawn darkness. He scuttles across damp grass until he reaches a narrow opening in the neatly manicured hedge.His eyes dart back and forth in search of a nocturnal creature or stray pet. He wipes his sweaty palms on the front of his shirt.

          A lone parked car rocks to the rhythm of an invisible orchestra, slowly at first, before it settles into a steady beat, du-dum du-dum du-dum.

          Hector creeps closer. Pounding blood surges in his veins. 

          Car doors open and slam shut, followed by the sound of passionate kisses and soulful moans.

           Hector strains to hear the couple's conversation. He doesn't recognize the women's voice, but her companion sounds like Villa Paraiso's dance instructor, Charles.
          "Tomorrow?" asks the man.
         
          "Uh-uh, Not tomorrow."
         
          "Then when? You know I'm disappointed whenI don't see you." 
         
          "Please,don't pressure me. I love to be with you too, but I can't be pinned down."
         
          The couple kisses before sneakers kick up gravel and the woman bounds across the parking lot.
         
​          The man spits on the ground.  "Boca bitch!" He enters his car and speeds away.

           Hector stands and brushes off blades of grass as dawn's first light appears on the horizon. He hurries off in the direction of the corrugated metal maintenance shack, nicknamed "The Equator."