Chapter 1: Secrets
Ander had only one mission tonight. He would get pissed drunk, and maybe drugged up too. One way or another, do or die.
And speaking of dying, he probably would get pummeled to death by Guzmán if his oldest friend were to find out about this. Ander usually appreciated Guzmán looking out for him, but this time Ander didn't need any of his over-protectiveness.
No. Ander would be a lone wolf, just for one night.
Which was why it wasn't an option for Ander to hit any of the usual haunts for Las Encinas students like Club54 and Kluster. He had to venture farther out, tread unfamiliar grounds, where he wouldn't be recognized.
"This looks like a good place to start," Ander murmured to himself as his Uber ride dropped him off and his gaze locked in on the flashing neon lights of a sign that said Nomad Club.
Shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket, he confidently strolled in through the doors and breathed a sigh of relief when nobody stopped him to check for ID.
"Can I get a glass of whisky on the rocks please?" Ander spoke as he caught the attention of the bartender. "No, wait."
Ander paused before he continued, "Make that two."
After four glasses of whisky and three vodka shots, Ander was ready to move on to a new spot. Thanks to the alcohol buzz, the night had taken on a soft, warm glow. His shoulders, which had been constantly tense for the past week, were finally relaxed.
Ander walked briskly as the chilly evening air enveloped him. Where should his next destination be?
"Oh my God, Kate! I'm not going to do that!"
Ander turned to see two girls around his age brush past him. With their silky long perfect hair with blond highlights, luxurious faux fur coats, sky-high heels and Chanel bags, they reminded him of the majority of his female schoolmates at Las Encinas. Reeking of wealth, haughtiness and a devil-may-care attitude.
The two girls walked ahead and entered a massive five-story black building pulsing with the hectic beats of an electronic dance track. Intrigued, Ander followed suit – but he was stopped by the bouncer.
"ID?" The bouncer asked, bringing his bulky body frame closer to Ander to block his way.
"I'm with them," Ander quickly said, nodding at the two girls who were inside but standing nearby and lighting up slim cigarette sticks.
The bouncer raised an eyebrow, half-disbelieving. "Kate! Emilia!" he called out. "This guy says he's with you. Is that true?"
The taller girl peered at Ander. After what seemed like an eternity, she replied with a shrug, "Yeah. Let him in, Hector."
Ander smiled as Hector the bouncer stepped aside to let him through.
"Thanks," Ander told the taller girl.
She shrugged again. "You're not from San Patricio, are you?"
San Patricio. The rival school of Las Encinas. What had Ander gotten himself into?
"Does it matter?" he countered lazily as he reached for his own pack of cigarettes to light up.
"Not to me," she responded. "But just so you know, this is San Patricio territory. I'd be careful if you're not one of us. Some people can be.. unfriendly."
"Thanks for the friendly warning." Ander smirked, exhaling a puff of cigarette smoke. He was still on a high from the drinks he had at Nomad Club, and he figured he could just fake his confidence. "Can I buy you ladies a drink?"
"Maybe," the shorter girl finally spoke. She flicked away her cigarette butt and started on a new stick.
"I'll get a bottle of Moët & Chandon, how about that?" Ander said.
"We like their Ice Imperial," the shorter girl told him.
Of course. Only the finest champagne for these two girls.
Ander nodded. "Okay. Let's go."
"Reina isn't here yet." The taller girl rolled her eyes. "She's forever late. I'll just text her to say we'll be at the bar."
The two girls led the way and brought Ander through a long walkway lined with subdued purple and blue LED lights. Everything about this club was understated – dark, glossy, cool. Except for its size. It looked like it was converted from a low-density condo building. Ander even spotted a mini swimming pool at one corner of the club.
"Here we are." The taller girl signaled for the bartender.
Ander made his order and paid. The gleaming white bottle of Moët Ice Imperial arrived shortly after.
As Ander clinked glasses with the two girls, he realized he didn't know their names – well, not exactly anyway. Which one was Kate, and which one was Emilia? Heck, he didn't even know the name of this club he was in.
"YOU BITCHES."
A shrill voice pierced Ander's ears despite the pounding club music. He turned and saw a raven-haired petite girl standing next to him, her dark eyes flashing with anger.
Shit, was Ander going to be caught in a catfight?
The two girls seemed absolutely unfazed though.
"Reina, you're finally here," the shorter girl said. "What took you so long?"
"You don't want to know. Family stuff," Reina brushed off the question with a toss of her hair. "More importantly, Emilia, is why the hell you two started drinking without me?!"
Ah, so the shorter girl was Emilia. And that would make Kate the taller girl.
"Calm down, Reina, or you'll get a heart attack before you're twenty," Emilia laughed as Kate grabbed a clean glass from the bar counter and poured champagne for Reina.
"Mm thanks. I need this," Reina murmured appreciatively, gulping down the entire glass at one go.
She finally took notice of Ander, who had been sipping his glass silently next to her. As a rule, he didn't like getting involved in girl talk.
"Who are you?" Reina asked bluntly.
"Ander. Nice to meet you... Reina, was it?"
"I didn't actually ask for your name," Reina intoned coldly.
"Reina, be nice," Kate chided her. "He bought the Moët bottle for us."
Reina scoffed, unimpressed. "As if we couldn't afford to buy it ourselves." Then acknowledging the glass she had consumed from, she added, "But anyway... Thanks."
"It's nothing," Ander said. What a feisty one. And he was amazed by how she could go back and forth between red-hot rage to subzero frostiness so effortlessly.
In that instant, Ander decided he would steer clear from Reina. As it was, his life was already chaotic enough.
"No. Way. No possible way," Reina breathed, clapping a hand over her mouth. "You're lying."
Ander shrugged as he topped up his glass and Reina's. He caught a glimpse of the time on his phone that was placed on the bar counter – he was shocked to discover that he had been there for over four hours.
"How could you have been a fat kid when you were young? I can't imagine it," Reina declared.
"It's true. I once ate ten burgers in a competition with another fat kid in school," Ander shared. "I won, and to celebrate, I had two more burgers."
Reina somehow found this incredibly hilarious and couldn't stop laughing. Perhaps it was also due to the fact that she and Ander were finishing their third bottle of Ice Imperial. Alcohol made everything funnier.
Ander gazed at her and couldn't help cracking a smile too. Kate and Emilia had left earlier, but Reina had seemed open to continuing with more drinks and Ander didn't object. So here they were.
"So now it's your turn. Tell me a secret," Ander prompted.
Reina pursed her lips and shook her head. "No, no. I need a juicier secret from you first. Come on."
Ander ran his fingers through his curls. "Well, I guess there is one thing that I'm deeply ashamed to admit..."
Reina's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Go on..."
"I have to confess..." Ander paused. "... That I..."
"Yes?"
"... I have no idea what this place is called," Ander said with a laugh. "Despite having been here for the past four hours."
Reina punched Ander's arm hard. "Jerk!"
Ander grinned. "So are you going to tell me or what?"
"You're such an idiot." Reina rolled her eyes. "Maison. That's the club name. It's the second home of San Patricio students."
"Thank you for the enlightenment."
"Drink up." Reina pointed at Ander's glass. "As your punishment, you need to down two glasses of champagne, now."
"Fine, fine," Ander agreed. "But it's no fun to drink alone..."
Reina sighed. "I suppose I can drink with you..." She leaned in close to Ander, and he caught a whiff of her expensive-smelling perfume. Something floral mixed with musk. "Cheers," she pronounced as she lifted her glass up to Ander.
Ander knew he was supposed to bring his glass up too, but at that moment he was suddenly distracted by Reina's face. Specifically her lips. Curved in an inviting smile, red and luscious. Kissable.
Before he knew it, he was locking lips with Reina. Hungrily. He pulled her closer and she placed her hands on his chest. The music, the lights, the crowd... Everything faded. He was only aware of Reina. Her red alcoholic lips, her wavy hair tickling his cheeks, her warm fingers...
"Let's go to the washroom," Ander said, his voice thick with desire.
Reina nodded and grabbed her clutch before following Ander. Her hand in his. Soft giggles escaping from her mouth.
Together, they weaved through a maze of bodies. Just as they were about to reach the washrooms, a male voice called out, "Reina?"
Reina twirled around. "Eric!" she replied.
Ander looked and saw a broad-shouldered guy with short dark blond hair. There seemed to be something familiar about this Eric guy...
"Have you met Ander?" Reina gestured at Ander. "Ander, this is –"
"Reina, I know who he is. And I think he knows who I am," Eric stated in a steely tone.
"Uhh." Ander frowned. It was hard to think in his drunken state. Where did he know Eric from?
Reina appeared to sober up slightly. "What do you mean, Eric?"
"He's Ander Muñoz and he's a loser from Las Encinas," Eric announced angrily. "I know him from tennis. We've competed in tournaments before."
Oh fuck. Ander knew he was in trouble before Reina even pulled her hand away from his grip.
"Ander Muñoz. How dare you. Get the hell away from me," Reina practically spat her words. "I never want to see you here or anywhere else again."
Ander stared at her stormy eyes, knowing there was nothing he could say to diffuse the situation.
Right before he walked away, Reina leaned in and hissed, "And here's one secret from me. Tonight could've been amazing, but you fucking ruined it. Liar."
