“If you don’t hurry up, we’re going to be late,” Chelsea fired, trying to hasten her friend’s speed in getting ready but Ximena paid her no mind and continued to leisurely put on her ruby earrings. She moved her straightened hair around to make it fall into place.

It was the night before wedding. The past two weeks had been nothing but hectic with all the plans and preparations. Dolores, with the help of Andrea, Samara, Chelsea and a whole lot of experts had managed to organize a modest yet somehow extravagant plan for how everything was supposed to go. Ximena, and Adriano, did not have much of an input but when they were needed, they helped.

To be honest, the only reason why she was relatively calm was because she had gotten to interact with Adriano more over the past few days, and even shared a few kisses with him. Their bond was growing and she felt so happy about it. She wasn’t as nervous anymore about getting married to him.

Emilio had been busy with work, trying to prepare the entire company for the shift in power, which would take place once she’d come back from her honeymoon in Ibiza; which had been Adriano’s idea to go there for a week. Salvador was here and there, but nowhere in particular. It’s like he had faded into oblivion that almost everybody forgot he was around.

“I don’t understand why I can’t go with you guys,” Andrea pouted and plopped onto Ximena’s bed face first. “You’re going to have so much fun without me.”

Ximena stood and slipped into her silver Balenciaga strappy heels which complimented her silver Prada off the shoulder metallic dress. “Must I remind you that you are still a minor, hermana. Your time will come too and you’ll go to every party and club you desire. For now, just be 17,” she said as she walked over to her little sister and ruffled her hair, to which Andrea swatted her hand away.

A knock came to the door and Salvador popped his head in. “Mum told me to tell you that your ride is at the gate. Should I send it in?” he asked casually.

“Yeah, let it in,” she replied and then turned to her best friend. “I still don’t know why we couldn’t just take my car.”

Chelsea stood by the mirror striking different poses. She looked gorgeous in a cream lace dress and matching white Prada heels. Her light brown hair was curled to perfection and it sparkled in the light. Her make-up was composed of neutral colors, adding to her model looks. “Because we’re probably gonna be drunk by the end of the night and DUI isn’t my jam,” she sang and then went to retrieve her clutch from the dressing table. “Let’s get going.”

Just then, Ximena’s phone started to ring. She took it off the charger by her night stand and answered it without checking the caller’s ID. “Hello?”

“Good evening, beautiful.”

Her heart beat spiked. It was now the norm whenever she heard Adriano’s voice. She couldn’t help the fish-eating grin that wiped across her lips. “How are you doing Adriano?” she inquired, trying to hide the excitement in her voice but failed miserably. Chelsea and Andrea both started to making kissing noises at her, but she just shot them an unamused look.

“Much better now that I’ve heard your voice. Have you left yet for you party?”

“Not yet but we’re about to. My ride just got here. And you, have you left yet?”

He sighed and she heard things shuffling in the background. “Just about to. Santiago is picking me up anytime from now. Just wanted to call and check up on you. Are you nervous?” he asked her and she smiled at his concern.

“Well, not that much. I think everything will be alright, since you’ll be by my side,” she added shyly and he laughed deliciously. If only he had been right in front of her…

“I’ll be by your side always. I’ll let you go now. Please do not have too much fun. I honestly hope you didn’t wear something too sexy,” he teased, his voice going down a note. She instantly blushed.

Chelsea abruptly grabbed the phone from her and began to speak into it. “Your fiancee and I have to go now, Mr. Lover Boy…yes I’ll take good care of her…of course she’s looking smoking hot, I picked her outfit…you also be safe…okay, bye.” And then she ended the call. “You have this man wrapped around your finger it’s insane,” she commented with a smirk, handing her back her phone. Ximena took it back and avoided all eye contact.

“L-ets just go now,” she stuttered pathetically and Chelsea laughed. They both grabbed their belongings and left the room to go to their night out.

***

“Of all the places you could have taken me, you chose this dump?” Adriano tsked, scoping out his surroundings with his hands tucked into his denim jeans pocket. He was not at all amused.

Santiago patted his back animatedly. “Shut up. This is the best club in Miami right now, and I just happen to own it,” he bragged haughtily, earning an eye roll from his best friend. “Besides, I rented out the entire space just for you! Can you at least look happy?”

“Woah,” he responded in a flat tone. “I am so excited for tonight.”

Omar came up to them and hugged them both. “Gentlemen, shall we?” he said whilst wiggling his eyebrows and then led them further into the building.

Santiago had decorated his club, Los Momentos, just for the occasion. It had a retro vibe to it and every single socialite male he knew was in attendance. There were waitresses and female dancers littered everywhere, serving drinks and dancing for the guests. Going up the stairs, they entered the VIP section, where it was essentially just the three of them, save for the bartender.

They took a seat by the bar. “Give us six shots of vodka,” Omar ordered and the bartended turned to prepare their drinks. Adriano frowned.

“I see you’re still a vodka man,” he commented in derision. Omar just offered him a smirk.

“Old habits don’t go away overnight. Which surprises me as to how you’re the one who’s getting married first out of the three of us. You were always quite the Casanova back in the day.”

Santiago snorted. “You should see him around Ximena these days. He’s like a lost puppy, clingy and all. You’re on the road to being whipped!” he chortled boisterously, and Omar joined in.

“I’m not clingy,” he defended himself. The bartender came and placed their drinks in front of them. Omar grabbed a shot glass and then raised it to the other two.

“To finding love. Hopefully by the time this year ends, we will all be whipped,” he toasted and then downed his in one go. Santiago and Adriano also downed their shots.

“Love? Wow, the great and royal Omar Pedrad is in the market I see. So, you’ve met someone haven’t you?” Santiago teased, going for his second glass.

Omar shrugged and then threw his second drink into his mouth. He bared his teeth at the pungent taste and then looked at his two companions. “Yes, I started seeing someone.”

“Who is it?” Adriano asked.

Omar looked away, and gulped softly. “It’s complicated. She’s younger though and fun to be around. I just don’t know if things will work out. I think we were not supposed to happen,” he remarked sadly and Santiago patted his back. “What about you Santi? I saw the way you were acting around Ximena’s friend. What’s that about?”

Adriano snorted. “And he calls me clingy. Did you see the way he was acting around her? You’re already in too deep before anything has started!” They all began to laugh.

“Well, she’s quite literally the girl of my dreams but she just won’t give me the time of day. I’m going to have to chase this one it seems,” Santiago sighed.

After that they ordered more drinks and continued to converse with one another. When the alcohol was beginning to take full effect, Santiago and Omar headed downstairs to enjoy the party that was already in full swing whilst Adriano remained upstairs, having promised to join them a bit later. Looking down at his hands on the bar top, his vision was hazy and unclear. He couldn’t quite focus on anything, immediately regretting why he had drunk so much. He hadn’t had this much alcohol since his college days.

Standing to his feet, he made his way to the restroom that was at the back of the room with much effort. He entered one of the stalls, did his business and then went out to the sink. Leaning down into it, he splashed his face with ice cold water which made him become a little bit more alert. When he finished washing his hands, he looked into the mirror and nearly doubled back in fright.

“Amanda, what are you doing here?” he almost screamed as he turned back to look at her. She was barely clothed in a scanty red dress which barely went past her thighs. Her lips were blood red and her hair had been dyed black?

She walked closer to him until she only stood a foot away. Her face, though a bit blurry, held a seductive expression and he could have sworn her eyes were blue. Since when were her eyes blue? “Don’t be like that Adri. Aren’t you happy to see me?” she purred as she shuffled closer until her arms were around his neck.

“Clearly, I’m not. Now, tell me why you’re here.” He demanded harshly but she simply smirked wickedly at him. Grabbing his shirt, she pulled him forward and the moved him so that he crashed into the wall. She then pressed herself against him. Adriano froze at her actions.

“I came here dressed just like her. Don’t tell me you don’t like it,” she said smugly and leaned closer to his lips. “This is what you like right? Let me show you that I’m better than her,” she spat and then smashed her lips onto his.

At first Adriano didn’t respond. His mind her turned into a puddle, totally baffled by her actions. He just stood there, looking at her in bewilderment. Sensing his lack of response, she forcefully shoved his mouth open and deepened the kiss. This was wrong; all of it was wrong. But why was he letting her do that to him? Why couldn’t he move?

It was because of the damn alcohol that his motor functions were so impaired.

But he didn’t want her near him. He didn’t want her lips on his. He only ever wanted to taste Ximena’s lips.

Ximena.

When he remembered her name, he suddenly got a lot of strength and then he shoved her away so roughly that she fell onto the floor and right onto her buttocks. She winced in pain at the sudden impact and looked at him in surprise. Wiping his mouth clean of her horrendous lipstick, he flew out of the bathroom without a word. Angrily, he marched out of the VIP section and down towards Santiago. Having found him amongst the party goers, he grabbed his shoulder forcefully. Santiago too looked at him in surprise.

“Take me back home, now,” he urged desperately. Despite the alcohol in his system, he was painfully aware of what had just gone down.

Santiago’s face scrunched his confusion. “What? Why do you-“he didn’t even get to finish his statement because Adriano grabbed him by the collar.

“You heard me, dammit. Take me home, now,” he yelled loudly over the music that almost everyone looked at him, stunned.

Santiago nodded in understanding. He turned to Omar who was a few feet away from him, dancing with a couple of ladies. “Omar, keep the party going. I’ve got to take Adri home,” he said and then turned to leave with Adriano.

Whatever had happened had really shaken up his best friend.

_____________________