CHAPTER 3

Adriana

I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't expect the new guys to be so prompt. They handled this assignment as if they had been doing it all their lives.

Tomorrow is my son Felix's birthday. I'm planning to invite all my staff since they are working so hard. They need something to de-stress.

I just asked Juan to give them the information.

If there's one thing I'm good at, it's rewarding favorably. Because well-paid employees do impeccable work.

Vouchers for high-value luxury clothing are given to them.

I am a mother hen, which is why I give in to my children's every whim, especially since I have the means to do so.

The party takes place in the biggest hotel in the area. The funds for the success of this commemoration are more than a billion. Yes! I do not kid around when it comes to pleasing my children.

I had a terrible childhood, I would not want my children to experience anything like that.

I leave my office and get into my car. It's the latest addition to the brand's most popular collection.

I go to my tailor for a custom-made dress.

Of course, Felix is twenty years old. It's a young people's night out, I'll just make a short appearance for the media and the paparazzi. I don't want to encroach on his space in any way.

Pablo

In the midst of thinking, I didn't know at what point exactly I dozed off.

I just woke up. I am more tired than I was before I passed out. I guess it's because I drove like I had the devil on my tail.

I stumble to my feet.

I quickly take a shower and put on a tee shirt.

I was zipping up my pants when the doorbell rang.

Me: Yes, come in!

The door opens on Marita.

Ah! She starts to tire me. She is too insistent and that makes me cold.

Marita: uh! You just got out of the shower apparently, you smell great.

Me: Thank you!

She drops into one of the armchairs.

Marita: Did you hear?

Me: What?

Marita: Well, tomorrow is the birthday of the boss's son. His name is Felix.

Me: Oh, and?

Marita: She's inviting us all. And that's not all. We have vouchers to be as fresh as possible.... so I was wondering if you and I could go together... well, like high school prom nights.

Me: I don't know, why don't you tell Anthony?

Marita: I'm telling you.

I sigh for a moment

Me: That's okay.

Marita: Yippee!

She throws herself at me as if I've gotten the moon for her.

I finally stop her with difficulty and make her leave my room.

Once alone, I fall into my sofa. I don't even know what possessed me to tell her that I accept.

I turn on the flat screen TV in front of me.

With the remote control in my hands, I have my eyes on the screen but I'm not really looking.

So Madame la Baronne is throwing a party for her children.

What difference is there between these children and me? Why should they benefit from her love and not me?

When I think that I have a brother and a sister and they don't even know about my existence.

And the worst part is that she has money. Why isn't she trying to find her child. Does she really think it's possible to erase her past with a wave of the hand? Well no, the past is part of us. We can never leave it behind.

I have so many questions. My misunderstandings are increasing day by day.

But most of all, my hatred for her is growing.

With a nervous gesture, I throw the remote control that I hold in my hand. It smashes against the wall.

I grab my head with both hands. My vision of things has never been as blurred as it is now.

Anthony

I've been running after Marita for hours to ask her to come with me tomorrow to the birthday party of the boss's son.

She doesn't give me a concrete reason but she tells me that it's not possible.

I don't know why I never had any luck in love. The girls I liked, if they didn't ignore me, they all took me for a friend.

I was always that nice young man who you could tell about your misadventures with your boyfriend.

And I was always content with that position.

It's probably because of my physical appearance. I look like a nerd, a geek, as young people often say.

But the problem with Marita is that I can't be satisfied with this friend place. I want more and I'm willing to do anything to get it.

I am with her in the ready to wear. She chooses the outfit she will wear to the party tomorrow.

Marita: This one! It suits me?

Me: But of course, this is the hundredth outfit you've tried on. They all fit. Make up your mind.

She smiles and turns on her heels, certainly to try another one.

It's already a good thing I managed to make friends with her. Things will be much easier, finally! I hope so.

I will give everything in my power to make her mine.

This time I won't just look at the cake through the window as I usually do, I'll buy it.

Pablo

I don't intend to spend anything in the store.

I'm a handsome man so one of my outfits will do. Especially since I'm not here to seduce anyone.

My plan is to do my job in a great way to be the closest to Adriana.

When you're closer to your enemy, it's easier to get to them.

I plan to give everything, absolutely everything to be seen.

The rest of the day passed in total calm. I could feel the commotion around me.

I don't know what it is about them all that makes them so restless. I don't really want to go to this birthday party, but maybe I can glean some new information for my plan.

The day ended in monotony.

I went deeper into my research on Adriana and her family.

The curious thing is that I found nothing about her past. Only her present is praised on the internet.

They talk about her as the most formidable businesswoman of this century. She has billions in assets. People don't know what's really behind all this fancy stuff.

According to social networks, she has two biological children: Patricia and Felix.

I guess it's this boy that is the subject of all the fuss around me.

I confirm my previous theory, there are no two ways to approach him. I must excel in my zeal to become his favorite.

There is a knock at my door.

I was about to open it when I heard Marita's voice. So I hold back. I remain silent.

Without any answer from me, she resigns and leaves.

I do not understand such a relentlessness towards me. She doesn't let me breathe in the least.

The next day

Today is the birthday of this rascal. When I think that he is my little brother. And we don't even know each other.

With his picture in hand, I think about the fact that we have undeniable resemblance.

I get ready for the party that starts in less than thirty minutes.

I put on a grey jacket, without a tie. I want to stay as casual as possible.

The three of us have decided to go there.

A very nice, high-caliber car was made available to us for the occasion.

A few minutes later, we arrived at the venue itself.

Marita: Wow!

The view that is offered to us is indefinable.

I didn't know this kind of hotel existed. It was heaven on earth.

A big building stood in front of us. It was a mixture of modernity and antiquity.

The architects who worked on this project are renowned. They knew how to find the perfect mix.

The paparazzi are prostrate here and there to take pictures. I guess they are waiting for the arrival of one and only person.

Indeed, we hear in the distance a purring engine.

The car stops and a majestic foot perched on sultry pumps gets out of the car: It is Adriana.

She gets out of the car.

She is just breathtaking.

A very beautiful dress marries her body. It is easy to see that it was custom made for her.

The photographers rush on her to take pictures.

She knows how to do it very well, it seems she has done it all her life.

Behind her, her son Felix. He is also very well dressed. His features and his way of behaving betray the spoiled little boy that he is.

Anthony, Marita and I enter the majestic hotel. A reservation here must have cost him an arm and a leg.

Adriana must love him a lot to be able to spend all that money.

The interior is even more breathtaking than the exterior.

We sit down in the seats we have been given.

The place is packed. Although there are members of the mafia present, the majority of the guests are teenagers in their twenties. They are certainly friends of Felix.

Adriana comes to make her speech. She talks about how much Felix means to her and how she loves him more than anything. I almost choked on my wine when I heard this.

Apparently, Felix has the right to be loved but not me.

She continues her speech and asks everyone to enjoy the party before she leaves.

I swallow the glass of wine in my hand.

The evening goes on and the music is loud.

Marita continues in her attempt to seduce me but she finally gives up when she sees my indifference.

She is satisfied with Anthony who does everything to be noticed by her.

I have the impression that Anthony is falling under her charm.

It is not only Marita who tries to seduce me. Since I entered the hotel, I see how tantalizing and subjective the women's looks are. Some of them even whistle when my back is turned.

But I am a regular.

I leave Anthony and Marita and head for the bar.

Suddenly, I see her.

She's heading in my direction.

She is beautiful, splendid. I can't describe her concretely. She is different from the girls I have always known, full of artifice. She is natural, sober. She has a beauty that strikes the eye. She is accompanied by a friend. I hadn't even noticed her.

She is dressed in a short oval dress. She looks like a little girl.

I feel as if I am attracted to her via a magnet.

There is something special about this girl.

She has an effect on me.

I quickly put myself in seduction mode. I pass my hand in the hair up to the back. I show my flirtatious smile, the one that makes them all melt. I smooth my jacket with my hands and turn around so that she can see me well.

Against all odds, when she arrives at my level, our eyes meet but she shows no interest in my person. She continues her way while chatting with her friend.

Since when a woman does not show any interest in my person? They are all used to fall like flies.

A man sitting next to me at the bar touches me with his elbow.

He teases me in a mocking tone.

-Dude, you're drooling here! This girl is a tough cookie. No one has been able to arouse her interest. Her name is Patricia, Adriana's oldest daughter.