Chapter 5 4 Chapter

Amélia Leal

Coming of age is usually a big milestone for most teenagers, the euphoria of long-awaited independence and false freedom, but not for me. The expensive, elegant dress that someone from my father's marketing department picked out has been lying on my bed for half an hour and all I can feel is frustration. I still want to run away and give a fuck to everyone in this house, but it's not that easy and as much as I want to grab my backpack, fill it with simple clothes and disappear from the map, Augusto would find me wherever I went. I need to be patient and calm, as I have done year after year, waiting, yearning for the day when nothing could hold me back. Furthermore, I accepted that my birthdays turned into political and social events to plan.

Likewise, I sigh, smooth the lace fabric of my black dress and slide it down my arms, turning to face my reflection in the mirror when I'm fully dressed. The model hugs my curves and brings out the greenish color of my eyes covered by a simple makeup, the small sweetheart neckline is discreet compared to the large opening on the side, revealing the pale skin of my thigh. My hair is messy, like I've combed it with my fingers or let it dry naturally, at least that was my choice.

The party is loud, the DJ plays current songs and most of the guests are thrown on the floor, dancing in a euphoric way. Media is not allowed inside, not even guests will be allowed to record or photograph. At least, not while my dad is out and about. I smile at some guests, some acquaintances, and others not so much.

I take advantage of the moment of distraction that my parents find themselves and sneak away towards the bar. Not only that, but I adjust the black lace mask that covers half of my face, just to make sure it's in the right place. I knock on the bar to get the barman's attention and smile at how handsome he is.

The brunette responses and smiles back, showing a charming dimple in the left corner of his mouth.

"What do you want?"

I feel my skin heat up at the thoughts that come with his question.

" Campari, please."

He arches one of his brows, sizing me up all over, probably judging my request before nodding and holding the glass out in front of me.

"How old are you?" he asks with interest, leaning both hands on the counter, fixed on my face.

"Old enough to taste real liquor." An unknown voice speaks. A tall man, with a mask covering only half of his face, wearing a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, appears right beside me, pulling up one of the benches and taking a seat without any invitation.

I frown, frowning. I can't see his face precisely on account of the mask, but I have a feeling of familiarity and I squirm inside at the possibility that he's one of these half-assed politicians children, this party's bloody full of them. "I already have my drink." I say, taking a sip of it.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see that it's his turn to scowl. " That's cool people's drink. " Sibyl.

I twist my face. Turning my attention back to him, ignoring that he'd just called me cool, and trying to sound polite, considering I still don't know his identity, even though he seems to know who I am.

"Excuse." I say, getting to my feet, even leaving my drink behind.

He stands up, grabbing my arm and stopping me from proceeding, I stare at his hand and then his dark eyes. The barman has already left us to serve other people a long time ago, I look around to see if anyone is paying attention.

" Who are you?" I question.

"Do you know who I am. " He replies, causing me to narrow my brows in confusion. He's close enough that he can smell the strong scent of her perfume. Reminds me of wet wood.

"I can't see your face." I speak, justifying myself. Squinting my eyes more, trying to catch some detail that reminds me of Someone.

"I would recognize you even in a mask." he speaks, and I huff in response.

"She's transparent, she doesn't hide much."

" You're right." Do you agree with me.

"Are you going to let go of my arm now?" I ask, staring at his fingers that are still squeezing, not so tightly, the bare skin of my arm.

He smiles, though he doesn't show his teeth.

"Of course, pretty girl. Will you let me show you what real drinking is?" Say, letting go of my arm.

The eye with disbelief. The guy arrives with the greatest pretense, grabs my arm and still thinks I'll stay here playing the good hostess?

" Do not count on it."

His smile widens, this time showing his handsome teeth. "I know you will, I will be the highlight of your birthday. The best thing that will happen to you tonight."

I open my mouth to retort, say anything that will banish his cocky pose, but the sight of Aurora and Peter at the entrance to the club makes me change my mind. Maybe I need a strong drink to keep me sane all night.

"Are you going to tell me your name?" I ask, going back to sit on the bar stool.

"Two shots of tequila, please. he asks the bartender, ignoring my question.

"I don't drink tequila." I talk.

" You're boring. Your life seems boring. You must drink a lot of tequila today."

" Here it is." Richard, the name I read on the badge of the bar man he ordered our drinks speaks. Pouring the tequila into small glasses in front of us, then a small glass container of salt and a plate of lime wedges. I frown, not really understanding the reason for the lemon.

" So. The unknown, as I decided to call him, speaks."

He takes some salt and puts it on the torso of his hand, licking it, then downs the glass with the tequila in one go and then bites into the lime, scowling at the end.

"That doesn't look good. " I comment.

"It's phenomenal, Amelia." he says, speaking my name for the first time, sounding strangely natural.

" Who are you? " I ask again.

"Your turn " Pushes the glass with the drink towards me, I do exactly what he did, following the same

sequence and imitating the whole process. The drink burns when I swallow it.

" On here. " It says. Bringing the lemon to my lips. Open your mouth and suck, you can bite if you want, I believe the effect is faster that way. "I do what you say." The lime softened the tequila's taste, giving the drink a new flavor. Smile.

" It is not bad." I say.

"One more round." He speaks.

We had already downed more than five glasses each, when everything started to spin and I burst out laughing like a crazy person at everything, anything at all. He asked for a bottle of water and fanned me a little, using his bare hands, smiling. I felt happy for the first time that day, but I would probably have a hangover the next day. I narrow my eyes at the image forming in front of me, the pretty blonde looks tense staring at me from afar, whispering to the man who wraps her arms around her waist. I shift my gaze to him, his worried and affectionate eyes survey me slowly, a flame ignites inside me. I stop breathing, shaking my head in denial, I thought those feelings had passed.

It must be the damn alcohol.

"What's it?" the stranger asks.

"My sister is coming this way." I speak, feeling him tense beside me. I think about asking if he's okay, but my head spins again and I have to close my eyes to get back to normal.

" I have to go." The stranger says.

I open my eyes in time to see him dive among the people and get lost among them.

"Damn, she's drunk!" Aurora's shrill voice reaches my ears. I turn to face her, but when I make the sudden movement, another dizziness hits me and everything goes dark.