The following is a character interview. It is between the author (ME!!!) and my three main characters: Jason Straiz, Selene Mendez, and Lucio Cardoso. Enjoy.
I finish putting the last bowl on the patio table when I hear a tapping noise behind me. I turn to see what it was as Jason opens the glass patio doors and walks up to greet me with a bear hug, picking me up in the process. As he sets me back down, he looks over at the table.
Jason: “Are we having company?”
I raise my eyebrows.
Maria: “You know we are.”
Pointing toward a chair, Jason sits down as I find my seat next to him. He looks relaxed in jeans and a t-shirt. I noticed he hadn’t shaved and was sporting a bit of face scruff. I leaned over and rubbed his beard.
M: “What’s the deal with this?”
He laughs.
J: “I’m trying something new. I take it you’re not a fan?”
M: “Hell no.”
Jason reaches for a beer and hands me a Mountain Dew.
J: “So what’s this interview we have to do?”
Grabbing my notebook and pen, I set them on the table in front of me.
M: “I’m going to ask you some questions so everyone can get to know you better.”
He leans back and stares at me, making me forget why I was there.
M: “OK. How do you feel about Love Lost and your story being told?”
J: “Well, I don’t think that anyone could have done it as well as you did.”
A blush creeps up my cheeks at the compliment.
J: “I think that it’s kinda cool that someone wants to read about me.”
M: “Do you see yourself as the hero type?”
J: “Oh God no! I’m just a guy who does my job. There are plenty of officers out there doing their job and taking down bad guys. The officers and soldiers that don’t come home, those are the heroes in this world.”
M: “Your biggest accomplishment?”
Jason smiles and I know what he is thinking right away.
M: “No spoilers, Jay.”
J: “Even if it is my greatest accomplishment?”
M: “Fine, we’ll skip that question. Describe Selene and what she means to you.”
He looks distant all of a sudden.
J: “She’s my world. Selene’s the love of my life.”
M: “Can you picture yourself with anyone else?”
Jason leans in, deep in thought.
M: “Did I stump you?”
J: “No. I don’t want to be with anyone else except for Selene. I just don’t know what the future brings. I would like to spend the rest of my life with her. I guess it depends on what you decide to write for us.”
M: “I guess you’re going to have to wait and see.”
His phone chirps and Jason excuses himself to answer it. After a few minutes, he hangs up and I see the familiar look on his face.
M: “Duty calls, huh?”
J: “Story of my life, right?”
Jason hugs me before he leaves, leaving me to wonder on his relationship with Selene and where it will lead. My phone rings and the caller id shows that it is Lucio. I almost let it go to voicemail when I realize that I need to interview him. So reluctantly, I hit the accept button.
M: “Can I help you?”
Lucio: “Yes, you can, Ms. DeSouza.”
M: “It’s Mrs actually. Where are you?”
L: “I’m outside waiting in the car. Would you mind taking a drive with me?”
I cringe at the thought of being in the car alone with him.
M: Whatever. I’ll be right out.
I head outside through side entrance, where a long limo is parked in front of the house. Lucio is leaning against the extravagant vehicle as I walk toward him. He is in a designer suit and as much as I hated to admit it, he looks good. The driver opens the door and I climb inside with Lucio close behind me. He grabs two glasses and offers me a drink.
M: “No thank you. Let’s get down to business, shall we?”
L: “A woman who knows what she wants. Not something I am used to.”
M: “You’ll get over it, I’m sure.”
Lucio inches closer to me as I open my notebook. Pulling my hair to the side, he whispers in my ear.
L: “I can always teach you how to be obedient.”
Turning to face him, I smile.
M: “So can I. It’s called shoving a hot curling iron up your-”
L: “OK. Truce. Ask your questions.”
M: “Why do you feel that Selene belongs to you?”
L: “I knew I wanted her from the moment I saw her and she felt the same way. I just need to remind her of that.”
M: “That sounds like a threat.”
L: “It’s not a threat. It’s a promise.”
I roll my eyes and continue.
M: “Do you consider yourself a villain or just misunderstood?”
L: “Definitely a villain. There is no misunderstanding with me. I will kill. I will torture. I will do what I need to do in order to get what I want. Good guys are boring.”
M: “But they usually win at the end. They also get the girl.”
Lucio’s jaw twitches at my words. I was provoking him and a part of me wondered what he would do if I continued to push him.
L: “Not always, Mrs. DeSouza.”
M: “We’ll see. What is your biggest flaw?”
L: “I have none. You made me perfect, remember?”
M: “Vanity, check. Any regrets?”
L: “Not killing a certain detective when I had the chance.”
M: “I’m sure he feels the same way.”
L: “So quick to defend your detective. He is not as perfect as you may think.”
M: “I never claimed he was perfect, but he has one thing that you don’t.”
L: “And that is?”
M: “Character. Oh, and Selene’s love.”
Lucio leans in and tries to grab me before rethinking his actions. He sat back and put on his sunglasses.
L: “I’m done with this interview.”
He signals for the driver to drive me home.
M: “I’m crushed.”
L: “We could always go back to my place and continue this interview there.”
M: “Do you have a curling iron?”
He narrows his eyes and the limo comes to a stop.
L: “This was…delightful. We should do it again. Soon.”
M: “Sure. Wait for my call.”
I practically fly out of the car before Lucio has a chance to respond. I shake off the bad vibes and walk back into the backyard. My guests had arrived and my husband along with his good friend, Kevin are manning the grill. I start to walk toward them when I hear my name being called. I look toward the glass doors and Selene is standing there. A long sundress hugged her curvy figure, leaving me to plan the start yet another diet. We hug each other and I walk inside to shut out the noise.
M: “I’m happy you made it. Did you have a hard time finding parking?”
S: “I’m used to valet or off street parking, so this was a change.”
M: “So, tell me. How are you and Jason?”
She laces her hands together and bites her lip.
S: “We are working through it.”
M: “I’m glad. Describe Jason in one word.”
S: “One word? Perfect. Loyal. Sexy.”
M: “TMI, Selene.”
We both laugh and she watches the kids playing outside.
S: “He’s a great guy and I’m lucky to have him.”
M: “Describe Lucio.”
S: “Maniac, Monster, Dire need of a strait jacket.”
M: “Yes he does. What is your biggest accomplishment?”
S: “Spilling coffee on a detective.”
I laugh remembering how they met.
M: “Any regrets?”
S: “Not telling Daphne everything.”
M: “It might not have made a difference, Selene.”
S: “Maybe it wouldn’t but I’ll guess we’ll never know.”
M: “What do you think about people asking to read Love Lost?”
S: “It’s so surreal. I hope they will enjoy the love story between Jason and I.”
Jason comes in and Selene runs to hug him. They kiss and I walk back outside to give them their privacy. As I enjoy the time with my family and friends, I think about Love Lost and the journey that Jason and Selene have to endure.
If you want to know more, pick up your copy of Love Lost. You didn’t think I would give any spoilers, did ya?
Bella Jewel is an Aussie girl through and through. She spent her life in Western Australia, growing up in many different areas of the state. She now currently lives in Perth with her husband, children and mass amounts of pets. She's crazy, fun, outgoing and friendly. Writing is her passion, she started at the young age of 18 but finally got the courage up to publish, and her first novel Hell's Knights was released in August 2013.
