Valerio and Lucrecia successfully avoided each other for almost the entire week. Friday came and one of the boys from their class came with flyers for the party on the roof where the benefit for Cayetana was. Lucrecia was still bitter about that particular evening and not sure if she wanted to go. She saw the boy giving invitation to Guzman and Nadia and they thanked him and said they would be there. That is when she knew she had to go. She arranged with Carla to meet there and went home. She had few hours to spare before getting ready for the party. She got home and went straight to the kitchen. She needed some food and then she got upstairs to her room. She was still avoiding Valerio and by the way they would never meet around the house, it was clear to her he was doing the same. He was avoiding her too. She changed out of her uniform and put on a movie. She had no idea what it was about. She was too deep in her head to pay attention. At seven she started getting ready. She picked long red dress with slits and her hair was up in a high pony. Her makeup was on point and she felt good about her looks tonight. When she got out of the door, driver was already waiting for her with the door opened. As planned at nine she was already in front of the hotel. Carla was there waiting for her. When she saw her she smiled.

''You look amazing Lu.''

''Thank you, so do you…''

''Thanks… Let's party.''

''Let's do it.''

Carla took her hand and smiled.

''Let's have boy drama free evening… Just us and getting drunk and having fun… Like we used to.''

''I love how that sounds.''

''I know! Fuck Polo, Guzman and Samuel!''

Lucrecia wanted to add Valerio into that mix, but kept her mouth shut.

''It was about time for a girl's night.''

''I agree…''

They entered the party and first thing they saw was Polo making out with Cayetana. In the other corner they saw Nadia and Guzman kissing and Samuel was standing with Rebeca and talking. Lucrecia looked at Carla and they started laughing.

''So much for no boy drama.''

''Hey! We just saw them… We don't have to talk to them.''

''If you say so… BUT I am sure that you will end up screwing the poor boy as soon as you are drunk enough. You get horny when you drink.''

''Maybe you should do the same.''

''Have sex with Samuel? No, thank you! I am not that desperate…''

''What?! No! I meant have sex with someone… You could use to relief the tension.''

Lucrecia couldn't agree more, but the person she wanted was clearly not interested in her anymore.

''Look around Lu… Take your pick… Many of them would kill to have you.''

''I love your choice of words.''

Carla just rolled her eyes at the comment.

''I don't know why I told you any of it.''

Waiter came with the drinks and they took two shots each. Carla turned to face her and smiled.

''For the night to remember.''

''For the night to remember!''

They took their two shots and went to dance. Ander and Omar were dancing and two of them joined them. It was still rocky with Ander and the rest of the group, but Carla was grateful he kept the secret. It was clear that two of them were not ok either but have to stick together because now he was not good with Guzman and Polo. They were forced now to stick together. It was relief for two boys. Ander got dancing with Carla and that left Omar with Lucrecia. After some time she was thirsty and Omar offered to keep her company when she gets her drink. She took some cocktail and pulled Omar to the quiet part of the rooftop.

''Are two of you Ok?''

''No, we are not… We are arguing all the time and it's being really hard to process everything. He had something with Polo…he kept his secret about killing Marina… And to be honest, I don't know how I feel about it. But I have nowhere to go. I have to stay with him…''

''You don't have to stay. If you want to leave, you can leave.''

''I have nowhere to go. My parents would never take me back. I am shame for the family because I am gay. I don't have enough money to rent a place of my own and I don't have any friend I could share the apartment with.''

''You can stay with us.''

''What?''

''With me. There is space for you…if you want it.''

''I don't want to bother you. And I am sure your parents wouldn't be happy about it.''

''They are never at home.''

He sensed some sadness in her voice but didn't say anything.

''Give me your phone Omar.''

She took the phone and put her number in.

''If you change your mind and accept my offer, that is my number and I will come to pick you up.''

''Thank you.''

''It's nothing.''

''Maybe to you… But it means a lot to me.''

They took a seat at one of the sunbeds and Omar took some of his water.

''Where did you disappear at Rebeca's party? You and Valerio went somewhere and I haven't seen you afterwards.''

She really didn't want to talk about that night and the night of the benefit, but she had to say something.

''Drinks…We went to get some drinks and after that we continued partying.''

''I have to thank him for the job and the money I am getting. It's not enough to live alone, but it's very helpful. Maybe I would have enough in a few weeks to find a place.''

''That's good.''

''He is a bit too much… But I think he is good person somewhere deep inside…and I think he is very loyal to the ones he loves.''

''Valerio…He is…Hm… He is complicated and not easy to understand. He pretends to be this party boy nothing can touch…but that's not him.''

''So, you are very alike.''

''No, we are not!''

''Yes, you are… You both pretend you don't care…''

''I really don't care.''

''I think you do and putting the mask of not caring is your way of coping with some pain and burden you carry.''

He saw panic on her face.

''I will not ask you about it. You are free to choose what you want to share or not. I know how dangerous may be forcing anyone to tell their story when they are not ready. But I want you to know I am here to listen. Even if it has to do with my sister and the boy you have in common.''

''It's not Guzman…''

''So, there is someone else?''

''I am not saying anything.''

''You don't have to.''

''Good.''

''Does he love you and treat you well?''

''He did… Until I ruined it… Now there is no turning back... I hurt him a lot. I made him believe I don't love him and that it was all just a game.''

''Talk to him.''

''I can't…''

''Is he far from here? Is he gone?''

''No, he is very close, but never further.''

''I don't understand your metaphor, but what I do understand is that you want to fix it… And I wish for you to fix that relationship and let yourself be loved. Guzman was not good for you. I don't think he is good for my sister either, but I am not getting involved. Third party always ends up screwed if they say something. So, I will sit on the sidelines and wait for my sister to hit the brick wall and come to me… But when it comes to you Lu, I wish you all the best. I think there is so much more under the surface of spoilt rich girl you are trying to be… And I can't wait to see that girl out.''

She gave him small smile.

''If he really loves you, he will find it in him to forgive you.''

''I don't think so… I think this time it's really over.''

''You were together before?''

''It's complicated….But I never cheated on Guzman if you are wondering. We were together before me and Guzman even became a thing.''

''Oh…So, some old love?''

''I was fourteen and he was fifteen… He was my first kiss and first person I slept with.''

''Girl! That is big… You don't forget your first…ever.''

''I know… You know, he is like curse…like something I can't get rid of… And I wanted so many times to forget him, but he is in every part of me. I compared everyone to him. My friends, Guzman… No one treats me like that. I am…was his queen and he was just a perfect gentleman with me. Every part of my life is intertwined with his.''

''By the sound of it, you are screwed.''

They saw Carla and Ander looking for them.

''Maybe we should go back. Carla and Ander are looking for us. I hope two of you would fix the relationship and be happy. You deserve it… Even if Ander is an idiot.''

''Thanks… I wish the same for you.''

''Mine is…a lot complicated.''

''Love is love Lucrecia… That is all that matters.''

''If it were that simple.''

''At its core it is.''

They shared a short hug and went back to the party. In an hour or so things turned into what she already predicted. Carla was drunk and somewhere with Samuel, Ander and Omar were making out on the dance floor and she was glad they fixed things…at least for now. She went to get another drink and she found Guzman sitting alone and with a long face. She was sure he and Nadia had an argument about something. She felt a bit happy that he is sad and not ok. Now he had someone screwing with his feelings like he did with hers for months. He lifted his gaze and saw her standing there with a smirk. Before he had time to say anything, she just turned and left.

Valerio spent entire party keeping an eye on his sister…half-sister. He feared she might do something stupid. He knew sometimes she could be very impulsive, especially when she is cornered or hurt. He didn't want her to humiliate herself if she did something to Guzman that would backfire. He was surprised when he saw her just dancing and having fun. She looked happy for a moment jumping around with Omar and laughing at something he said. It was not some fake laugh, but the one that was almost never on her face…a honest one. She really enjoyed his company, his jokes and she liked him. For a moment he felt jealous of how close they were but then he was happy for her. She needed someone in her corner until he is ready to be back in her life…as a brother…When he saw her go away with Omar he followed her again just in case. He heard their conversation and he had to admit, he didn't expect that level of honesty from her and support from Omar. He was glad she had someone like him as a friend. He was good for Lucrecia and he saw her for who she really was, unlike many people around them who just saw money, attitude and power their name had. He took a seat at one of the sunbeds and just watched the sky. Her words were hunting him now. She loved him? She really loved him? And he broke her heart… His heart was broken so many times before this by her and he tried to convince himself that it was just a game for Lucrecia. But deep inside he knew it was not. She did look honest and did look like she really wanted him. He also knew she will rather die than let him know she missed him or loved him…so the ball was again in his court. He was the one that had to fight for them but he felt too tired of fighting. He felt too tired of letting Lucrecia dictate how and what would happen between them. He needed to find distraction from her. He needed to find someone to drown his sorrow in…and he needed to stop with drugs and all the shit he was doing. But he couldn't… He could give up the drinking and the drugs, but not his addiction to Lucrecia. He was away for a year and she was on his mind every day during his absence. Sometimes she would send him a message or a nude to know she is thinking of him too. How fucked up they are!

Lucrecia got home and went straight to her room. She got ready for bed and went to get bottle of water for the next morning. She will need it. She had a lot to drink and she knew that following morning her head will explode. She knew she had some aspirin in her nightstand and she was never happier for the headaches she often had. Otherwise she would have forgotten to buy something for the head. Kitchen was in the dark when she got in. She opened the fridge and took the water. When she closed the door and turned to leave the room Valerio was standing in front of her. It was clear that he was drunk or at least high.

''What are you doing here Valerio?''

''I still live here Lucrecia… ''

''Unfortunately…''

And there she was again with her bitchy attitude. He did want to make peace with her, but she really makes it hard…and he makes it even harder when she is like this.

''Be patient baby. Daddy will send me away soon… I am sure he will do all that is in his power to remove from the house the monster that corrupted his princess… The monster that took advantage of her and the innocence she once had…''

Then he came close to her and whispered.

''Too bad daddy has no idea who the real monster is… He has no idea that Saint Lucrecia started it all… All the flirting… Kissing…That it was you who initiated sex after he stood you up for the birthday dinner…''

He smirked at her.

'' You can keep pretending that you are a good girl and all, but the mask will fall soon… When I am gone, you will have no one to hide behind… You will show your real face soon enough and the image you've built will fall apart in front of daddy and everyone else.''