Chapter 33
Oliver Ferraz
I see Gabriel leading Alice out of the ballroom and decide to follow them, just to see where they're going.
I call out to her, and when Alice turns around, I grab her arm—but she yanks it away.
She snaps at me and walks off. I try to press the issue, offer to take her home, but she refuses.Still, I decide to follow them by car.
I just want to make sure she gets home safe—or at least that's what I tell myself.
I watch from a distance as Gabriel pulls over.
After a few minutes, I see him get out, walk around, and lift her into his arms. She must have fallen asleep.
He carries her into the building, and I just sit there, waiting.Time drags, and almost an hour later he finally comes out.
But by then my mind has already conjured a thousand scenarios of what might have happened inside.
I try to rationalize, but the anger is eating me alive.
I need to stay calm—it might not be what it looks like.At least that's what I keep telling myself.
I start the car and head home, a tightness in my chest. I walk into the apartment already stripping off my suit, toss the jacket onto the sofa, and loosen my tie.
I grab a bottle of whiskey, pour myself a glass, and sit down.
Why didn't she let me take her home? I should be the one there, taking care of her—not that slick pretty boy. Did something happen between them?
The doubt hammers at me. I call her. The phone rings and rings until it goes to voicemail.
I call again. Nothing. I give up. I'll deal with this tomorrow.
I take a shower and go to bed, but sleep won't come.
I toss and turn, trying not to think, but it's impossible.
I can't get her out of my head. In the end, exhaustion wins and I finally drift off.
I wake up early the next day. I need to run, clear my head.
As my footsteps echo on the sidewalk, I make a decision: I need to distance myself from Alice.
I don't want to go through what I went through before.
Yesterday showed me I'm in too deep. She's taking up space inside me that she shouldn't.
I'll be a jerk to her, but better now than when she's fallen for me.
I'll use what happened as an excuse. I'm getting obsessed—and I can't let that happen.
I run until I can't anymore. I get home breathless, go straight to the shower, and throw on some comfortable clothes. When I come out, my phone buzzes.
It's her.Alice.I take a deep breath… and don't answer.I can't make this easy.
The day drags on. I try to think about something else, but everything brings me back to her. Am I doing the right thing? Maybe not. But if I don't do this now, I'll end up falling in love—and I swore I'd never let that happen.
I grab my phone and call Alberto.
“To what do I owe the honor of your call?” he asks sarcastically.“Shut up, idiot. I need a drink. Where should we meet?”“Your girl dumped you, and now you're coming to cry on my shoulder?” He laughs.“Shut up and meet me at Gustavo's club.” I hang up without waiting for a response.
When we get there, we head straight up to the VIP section. The place is packed, the music loud, the lights flashing, but none of it distracts me. A few girls come over, but my mind is somewhere else. On another woman.
I have another drink. Then another. And the night slips away in a blur.
I don't remember how I got home. All I know is I wake up still dressed, my head pounding.
I stare at the ceiling and sigh. Today is going to be hard…
and tomorrow, even harder. I'm going to see her. But I won't be able to touch her.
And this is just the beginning of my torment.