The Faggot Hunter: Chapter 2, Double Life

CHAPTER 2: DOUBLE LIFE

The noon sun entered through the large windows of the cafe in Gràcia. Marc arrived five minutes late, with his hair still damp from the shower and a perfect smile drawn on his face. He wore dark jeans, a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves that showed off his muscular forearms, and a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses hanging from his neck.

"Sorry, sorry!" he said as he arrived at the table where three people were waiting for him.

Laura stood up immediately and planted a kiss on his lips. She was beautiful: long, wavy brown hair, almond-shaped eyes, athletic body of a pilates instructor. They had been together for two years.

"You're late, darling," she said with a smile as Marc wrapped his arm around her waist.

"I'm sorry, baby. I fell asleep studying," Marc lied, giving her another kiss, this time on the forehead, and looked at the other two. "Hey, guys."

Sitting at the table were Dani and Marta. Dani was Laura's best friend and the only gay friend Marc had. 26 years old, thin, with black-rimmed glasses and a kind smile. He worked at a publishing house and always carried books under his arm. Marc respected him, although he had to resist the urge to add him to his list of conquests. But he had never made a move on him, never crossed that line. Dani was off-limits.

Marta was blonde, freckled, with a nose piercing and a loud laugh. A freelance graphic designer. Marc had known her for years, even before he met his girlfriend.

"You look like you haven't slept much, kid," Dani said, raising his coffee with milk. "You want to be the first in your class, huh!"

Marc sat down next to Laura and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Until two in the morning, man. Procedural Law is killing me."

"Poor thing, love," Laura caressed his leg under the table. "You should rest more."

"I'll rest when I pass," Marc kissed her hair and ordered a cortado from the waiter who was passing by. "What about you guys? What are your plans for today?"

"Dani and I are going to the Macba this afternoon," Marta said. "There's a contemporary art exhibit that looks good. Are you coming?"

Laura looked at Marc with hopeful eyes.

"I'd love to, but I have practice with my colleagues from the opposition at six," Marc said with a scowl. "It's mandatory."

"Ugh, what a drag," Marta replied. "Practice for what?"

"Police procedures. Simulated arrests, interrogations, that kind of thing. A pain, but it has to be done."

Dani looked at him with curiosity.

"How's it going, being a cop? I mean, doesn't the, uh, repressive part bother you?"

Marc smiled calmly.

"Man, I want to help people. Catch the bad guys, protect the victims. There are a lot of bastards out there who deserve to be behind bars."

The words sounded perfect. Sincere. Marc knew exactly what to say and how to say it. Dani nodded...