Chapter 5 Five

AMANDA

There were many things I regretted in my life: being too picky when it came to dating someone, not being able to come to my senses without a good cup of coffee, leaving everything to the last moment, hiding when something bothered me... In Well, the list was long.

However, I was sure that I would never regret more in life than for what I was about to do; I must have been crazy enough to let Joshua talk me into coming here.

I looked at the sign of the pub where they had printed the name in gold letters: Shamrock , it was an Irish pub we used to come to when we had free time.

He understood that the owner was a friend of one of the boys in the band, although he couldn't remember which one exactly, he could hear the lively music and the laughter of the rest of the guests from there.

I looked at my clothes for the fifth time that night to make sure I looked good enough, if I did run into my ex I didn't want to give the appearance that I had stagnated since we broke up.

I was wearing straight-cut gabardine pants that hit my waist along with a black top that tied around my neck and white tennis shoes, I was also wearing a brown tweed-style blazer.

My hair was gathered in a low bun and I had tried to cover my dark circles with corrective, it didn't work. I wasn't 100 percent sure I was giving off a safe, unattainable vibe.

I didn't even understand why I was wasting my time on such trifles, I had never been the type of girl who cared about proving something to others, mainly because there was no one to prove something to.

She would be 28 in a couple of months, oh my gosh!

I had to start behaving like an adult as much as I hated this part of my life, because yes, adulthood sucks, don't let the American series fool you.

I was starting to sweat as if I were inside a 250 degree oven, I turned around ready to leave here, but Joshua's hand held me by the elbow preventing me.

- Where do you think you're going? he asked raising an eyebrow.

-It is not obvious? He looked at me confused, which made me sigh. -To my house, I'm sorry, but I can't with this. I stated, crossing my arms over my body to protect myself.

Joshua stood there for a few minutes watching me, without saying a single word, so much silence made me desperate and I began to hit the ground with the tip of my shoe.

"Stop biting your lip, you'll hurt yourself." he ordered with a frown, but then relaxed it. -Come here. He said sliding a hand over my shoulders. When he spoke, he spoke so softly that I had to stand on my tiptoes to hear him. "I know it's hard for you to see her again, but you have to do it for yourself, not for her." Show yourself that despite everything you continued without his presence, that he didn't break you by leaving. He pulled me closer to him in a hug. -If in an hour you still want to leave, I'll gladly take you home.

I nodded and we walked to the entrance, but before opening the door Joshua pulled my arm again, I looked at him confused.

Didn't want to go in at once?

Maybe he started to see things the same way as me and realized that all this was completely crazy, my hopes died when I saw him approach the door and open it, he gave me a crooked smile.

-Remember that I will always be there to watch your back. he whispered as I passed him. I smiled and we both went into the bar.

She had to admit that Katherine did know how to organize a party, that and that she knew a lot more people than she expected.

There were at least a hundred people in here, the place was packed and from what I saw upon arrival, there was still a long line of people outside waiting to enter.

Joshua and I moved through the crowd of people, my friend holding my hand to prevent me from getting lost in the mess.

The music played delicately from the speakers, allowing everyone to chat without having to shout to be heard, the waiters were going around carrying mugs of beer and some plates of food, I even thought I saw that one of the fireplaces had been lit , which produced a cozy atmosphere.

The decor was kind of a mix between rough and vintage, on the one hand it looked like some kind of hunting cabin (although without the animal heads hanging on the walls) and on the other a kind of 90s diner, with telephones. retro and a range of brown, beige and white colors. I loved it.

There was a kind of platform in the center of the room and the band's instruments were already there. It took us a long time to find Katherine, we wanted to see her before she went up to play, but we finally found her at a table in the back chatting with some friends.

We sneaked up to surprise her and made her jump in fright, Joshua let out a laugh that I imitated, even though I covered my mouth with my hand when I noticed Kat's unfriendly look.

-Grow up! she yelled angrily at us, but she finally managed a smile and got up from her chair to give me a hug and a nod to Joshua.

Those two had been in an on and off relationship for the past year, everyone around them knew they were dating, but they insisted they were just friends.

Although, from what Joshua had told me, they were constantly coming and going, apparently that was why they hadn't confirmed anything, he said it wasn't a big deal, but the tears he'd left on my pillow the last time he they argued they told me something else.

The group opened up to make space for both of us, after the corresponding greetings we stayed talking about banal things, I immediately felt comfortable because everyone was very friendly.

My Achilles heel hadn't hit yet, so I had the luxury of relaxing.

"Camilo!" I turned my head to look at Kat who jumped out of her seat, running into the arms of a blond man who had just arrived; I looked at Joshua for an answer because he was a complete stranger to me.

<> he articulated with his lips.

- Friends, I want to introduce you to my older brother Camilo Pascualli . He said, giving the man a slight push so that he would integrate with the rest.

"Nice to meet you." He responded by way of greeting.

He smiled charmingly, allowing us to see a row of perfectly aligned white teeth; maybe she was a Colgate model, we all waved back with the same courtesy.

I saw how Katherine nodded, satisfied to see how we integrated her brother, to then join her eyebrows in a gesture of bewilderment, she turned her head from one side to the other looking for someone.

-Where is she? I thought we had managed to convince her to come. He said looking at his brother with a scared expression.

-Relax, he came with me, he just went to get a drink. In his exact words: To support this attempt at music. Camilo affirmed, laughing.

The night wore on and soon it was time for Kat to show up with the rest.

We moved to the front of the stage, the pub was already completely full, barely and we could move forward without stepping on anyone in the process, each one carried a mug of beer which made everything even more difficult.

The lights dimmed and a spotlight illuminated the band members, who were greeted with effusive applause, who responded with smiles and waves.

They were located in their respective positions, Kat still looked nervous and looked around the public looking for someone; suddenly his eyes focused on a point behind me and the expression in his eyes softened.

I turned to see the person who was causing such concern in my friend, it was easy because we were like sardines in a can.

I almost dropped the drink, my eyes widened, definitely not my day. A woman with short hair approached our group, hanging from Camilo's neck and leaving a kiss on his cheek, just like us, she had a glass in her hands, although the liquid looked like whiskey.

The blond put an arm around her waist, had a mischievous smile on his lips and began to strike up a conversation with her. I leaned in a bit so I could hear them.

And yes, I am aware that you should not listen to other people's conversations, but I also have high levels of curiosity. I've been in trouble before, I never learn.

-It's good that you arrived, sorella ! Kat was starting to think you stood her up. Camilo said, shaking his head, as if the mere idea was inconceivable to him.

Pascualli sister , the world could be a very, very small handkerchief.

You didn't have to be very smart to realize that biologically they didn't share any type of DNA, because physically there were no similarities between them. I was surprised by the camaraderie with which they were treated, they must have known each other for a long time.

Emiliana opened her mouth to respond, but at that moment the first chords of the song began to play and she couldn't do it.

I decided that I had heard enough and moved forward, taking advantage of the fact that they still did not notice my presence.

I looked at the stage and frowned not seeing my ex anywhere, not that I wanted to, but I was surprised that he wasn't playing with the group. Did she leave them or did they kick her out? In his place was a boy with brown skin and dreadlocks all over his hair .

I wanted to continue like my obsessive research and then Katherine walked up to the microphone and started singing, the lyrics of its my Bon Jovi's life flooded the entire atmosphere.

It was as if an explosion of pleasure flooded the bar, the silence and the music combined, filling each other; I always knew that my friend was talented, but at that moment, singing that cover , it seemed to me that her voice floated adrift, penetrating each one of the souls present there.

After the initial shock we began to chant the lyrics, encouraging the band to continue. At some point we took out our phones pointing our flashlights to the center, for a moment I forgot the reason why I didn't want to come in the first place.

It seemed to me that I was suspended in time, as if there was no more continuity than the present and internally I knew that never in my life would I participate in an experience like this again.

By the time they got to the chorus we were all jumping to the beat of the song, I could feel the alcohol starting to kick in my system and I took Joshua's hand to join us in the merriment.

-You are having fun? Joshua yelled to be heard over the din.

I nodded my head, since it was impossible for me to articulate a single word; I was in some kind of trance, that's how drug addicts must feel when they go on a trip.

The song ended faster than I would have liked, the audience (including me) burst into applause and words of encouragement for the boys; Kat leaned into the microphone again, this time to give us a little thank you speech.

She looked radiant, her hair plastered to her face from sweat and her cheeks flushed from the effort, she had a smile from corner to corner.

A feeling of pride seized me when I saw her up there, so beautiful and sure of what she was doing; He looked at me and I took the opportunity to send him a kiss.

"Thank you all very much for being here today, none of this would have been possible without the assistance of each one of you," she stated excitedly. "Did you like it?" he asked, moving the microphone in the direction of the audience.

- YES! We answered in one voice.

"Do you want another one?" he asked again.

-YEAH!

Well, here's one of my favorites. One, two... One, two, three!

The guitarist started playing the first notes of a song we all knew, the screams were even bigger than with the first: i wanna be your slave by Maneskin sounded powerful.

People started rushing onto the stage and as much as I liked it, it wasn't enough to get crushed to death because of them.

-I go outside! I yelled at Joshua pointing to the back exit of the place, he gave a thumbs up, though I doubted he'd heard me.

I had to push several people to get out, some looked angrily at me for interrupting them and I even think I stepped on a couple, when I finally made it I walked to the back.

The cold autumn air hit my cheeks for which I was grateful for taking something to protect me, there was a garbage drawer in one of the corners and I tried to get far enough away; I leaned against one of the walls.

I groaned as my back hit the cold surface, but immediately relaxed.

Compared to the inside of the bar, it was very quiet outside, all I could hear was the remnants of the music I had brought there.

I put my hand in one of the pockets of the blazer and took out a box of cigarettes that I kept for such occasions, I lit it and brought it to my lips taking a puff, immediately a small cloud of smoke formed in front of me, the smell relaxed me.

I dedicated myself to observing the stars, looking for constellations in the firmament while I finished my cigarette. I was so distracted that I didn't realize that someone was leaving the premises and walking in my direction, until the silhouette stopped in front of me.

"Will you share one with me, please?" -Emiliana Baseli was watching me with her usual mischievous expression on her face.

Did this woman ever take anything seriously?

I should have lied, telling her they were over, but she wasn't rude enough to do it; I took my hand back to my pocket and handed her the complete box, out of the corner of my eye I noticed that Emiliana was following my every move.

He pulled out one of the cigars, putting it in his mouth and leaning towards me to light it, my hands shaking as I raised the lighter, squeezing it to create a spark.

Emiliana walked away taking a puff, I felt the air leaving my lungs and my parched throat.

For some strange reason I couldn't take my eyes off the shape her lips took when she exhaled the smoke, slowly; the lower one was more stuffed than the upper one and.... And I shouldn't be paying attention to that.

I looked away, although I couldn't deny it, the image was the sexiest thing I'd ever seen in my life. I took another drag on my own cigarette, hoping the nicotine would wash away the tension that had settled in my shoulders.

I was wondering if she also ran away from the crowd of people, most likely not, everything in her showed charisma and security, I doubted very much that she ever felt uncomfortable in any situation.

"Don't you like big crowds?" he asked suddenly, snapping me out of my own musings.

-Because you believe that? I asked defensively.

It bothered me that they assumed things about me so lightly and more when they were totally correct; Emiliana fixed her sapphire eyes on me and smiled.

It wasn't a flirtatious smile, I'd gotten used to those, but rather a sympathetic one.

Emiliana Baseli capable of empathizing with others? Who'd say.

Now who is the one that is assuming things without any foundation? A mocking voice whispered in the back of my mind.

I pushed her away and focused on Emiliana, waiting for her answer. She giggled and moved closer to me. Soon only a few meters separated us, although for my liking we were still too close.

Because I'm doing the same. He responded with a shrug, as if the answer were a simple observation and nothing more.

The smoke had come out of her mouth and hit my face, I shuddered and a moan got stuck in my throat, Emiliana's eyes shone with complacency at my body's reaction.

Suddenly they darkened and I began to feel like a caged animal, I wanted to move, but my limbs would not obey me, I was hypnotized by this woman, trapped in her claws.

But who has who in what cage?