After leaving the property and managing to catch a taxi that dropped them off somewhat close to the hotel, they sat at a park and bought something to eat.
"You can start spilling the porn-worthy details now, don't hold back and don't you dare skip a thing," Nerea requested with a giggle, elbowing the blonde, who stared back at her with narrowed eyes. "I want to know how, where, and what size."
"Nerea!" the blonde shrieked in scandal, and the brunette burst out laughing like a maniac.
"I'm kidding!" her friend grinned.
"You're unbelievable..." Jade said with a smile, taking a sip of her soda.
"I'm still waiting," the brunette insisted, smiling like a lunatic and staring at her intensely.
Jade rolled her eyes and capped her bottle.
"Long version or should I give you the short summary?" she asked, side-eyeing Nerea.
"Long version. And I'm not repeating this again-with all the details," Nerea rolled her eyes. "Stop dancing around it and tell me-what was Dominick doing in the room?"
Jade sighed, covering her face.
"It didn't start in our room, it started in a guest's..." the blonde began, making Nerea raise an eyebrow.
Jade then told her, in detail, everything that happened-from the moment she entered the room she was supposed to clean, how her phone got broken thanks to Dominick barging in like a thief and catching her off guard. She described how he pinned her against the wall, leaving her helpless and with her face inches from the curtains.
Nerea listened more than attentively, reacting with expressions, widened eyes, and raised eyebrows.
Jade even quoted—and she couldn't forget a single one—Dominick's words. She tried to hide her blush and blamed it on the relentless February cold. She told her how his fingers had explored her expertly, sparing no detail of what she felt... Then she moved on to the hotel room, where she told Nerea what Dominick did with his mouth, and what he said when he woke up—which made Nerea laugh out loud. She also mentioned the unexpected visit from Robinson.
When she finished, the brunette just stared at her silently, not knowing what to say.
"Don't stay quiet, say something, scold me, yell at me... But don't just give me silence," Jade pleaded after Nerea kept staring at her without a word.
"What do you want me to say?" Nerea shrugged. "Jade, you didn't do anything wrong. Don't feel guilty for enjoying your sexuality to the fullest..."
"It's just that... not with him," she murmured, covering her face again.
"You like Robinson," Nerea stated, and Jade nodded. "But you're attracted to Dominick, and don't deny it..." The brunette pointed a finger at her when Jade opened her mouth to argue. "Think things through. You need to make a decision, or in the end, you're going to suffer, and I don't want that for you."
"This is all so complicated..." the blonde whispered, leaning her head on her friend's shoulder. "I don't know what's happening with me. I feel one thing, I believe another... Everything's just confusion right now."
"Sweetheart..." Nerea stroked her hair. "You're a young, beautiful woman. You have your whole life ahead of you, and a thousand men who'd die to be with you, chasing after you. Don't torment yourself over this. Tonight, just think about what's best for you. Just you. Do you want to sleep with Dominick? Then do it! Do you want to be with Robinson? Then be with him! The only thing I ask is that you do what you think is right, what your head tells you to do. Never follow your heart, that thing's stupid and doesn't think..."
They both laughed.
"You know you're my favorite friend?" Jade lifted her head from Nerea's shoulder and looked at her.
"I'm your only friend, sweetheart," Nerea said, grabbing Jade's face and kissing her forehead. "You're like a little sister to me."
"We're the same age..." the blonde reminded her.
"Try to be affectionate and look how you repay me," Jade burst out laughing when Nerea gently pushed her away with a mock-offended look.
"Alright, alright. We should head back, it's cold and I'm exhausted," Jade said as she stood up, grabbing the bottle she'd left on the bench.
"No wonder," Nerea stood too, "Dominick left you dead."
"Nerea!" Jade exclaimed in protest.
Nerea burst out laughing like crazy while they walked off. Jade tossed the bottle in a trash bin, and they walked back together...
[...]
Friday, February 3rd
The day had started off hectic... Even though Jade was only working a half-day, since she had to get ready for the gala where she would be accompanying Christian.
She'd seen him that morning, when he came to remind her about the event. She hadn't seen him since the incident at the hotel entrance.
She hadn't seen Dominick either, and told herself that was for the best. She simply did her job with the girl assigned to her and that was it. During her comings and goings, she spoke with Robinson for a few minutes and asked about Ginna. According to him, she was still in intensive care, and the doctors were doing everything they could to save both lives... though the baby was the one at greatest risk.
Once she finished, she went back to her room and grabbed her purse. It was 2:05 p.m., and she had to get to the beauty salon Christian had mentioned.
She left the hotel wearing her Bluetooth earbuds, waited for a taxi, gave the driver the address, and let herself get lost in the beautiful voice of Lana Del Rey.
[...]
7:55 p.m.
She had arrived at the salon at 3:45 p.m., and almost four hours later, she was ready. They did everything. Manicure, pedicure, trimmed the damaged ends of her hair-it had been looking a little neglected... And for good reason. She didn't have time to be hopping from salon to salon. Jade felt like a queen, pampered and spoiled, like she rarely ever felt in her life... She ate and even showered at the salon. Apparently, the owner was a close friend of Christian's and had a small apartment above the place.
She hopped into a taxi when she left. The burgundy dress fit her beautifully, making a stunning contrast with her skin. Her blonde hair was styled in a high bun shaped like an onion, adorned with a clip the same color as her heels.
A few soft curls fell rebelliously by her ear, and she wore more makeup than usual. She looked elegant. She closed her eyes for a moment and smiled. She promised herself to enjoy the night like never before, and not to let anything—or anyone—ruin the happiness she felt in that moment.
Dominick
Hours earlier...
"Keep digging-for now, that's all we can do. Once you have the details about the woman he visited in Seattle, let us know. We'll stay in touch." Maximiliano hung up the call.
"This whole thing is getting out of hand," Dom commented right away.
"You think I don't know that?" his friend's blue eyes looked at him with exhaustion. He rubbed his forehead and closed his eyelids. Lately, he felt overwhelmed.
"Even if it is, don't worry. Come on, it's us. We never back down from anyone or anything. You'll see we'll make that bastard pay back every dollar he stole," Dom said encouragingly, flashing a grin.
"You're right. I need to focus on several things and not lose my mind," Maximiliano sighed, looking at his mail. He picked up an invitation and skimmed it. He got one every year, though he rarely attended. But he always made a generous donation.
"What's that?" Dom asked, snatching it from him.
"Your manners never cease to amaze me..." Maximiliano said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"Dear Maximiliano Anderson..." Dominick read in a mock, high-pitched voice. "We are pleased to invite you to the charity gala for A Home for Children. We hope to have you with us..."
"They invite me every year. Sometimes I go, sometimes I don't. Christian and Jade..." Maximiliano trailed off and cleared his throat. "Anyway, I always donate."
"What? Wait... What does Jade have to do with this?" Dominick narrowed his eyes. "Talk."
Maximiliano let out a deep sigh. He already knew Dominick wasn't going to take it well.
"Jade always goes with Christian. It's been a while now... You should see her," the brunette smiled. "He knows how to turn her into a queen."
"And that's exactly what I'll do," Dominick declared.
"What?" his friend frowned. Dominick gave him a mischievous smile, and Maximiliano immediately understood. "No, no, no. Don't even think about it. You're not going to ruin their night."
"Who said I was going?" he replied, crossing his arms, still smiling.
"For a second there, I thought—"
"Correction: we're going." Maximiliano threw his arms in the air. "You'll come with me. You wouldn't want to leave me all alone, prone to... causing a scene, would you?"
"You're a damn son of a bitch," his friend growled, shooting him a glare.
Dominick just smirked.
[...]
Jade
The taxi dropped her off in front of the building where the event was taking place. Before stepping out, she spotted Christian standing outside, looking around. She got out with a huge smile on her face.
Christian felt like his heart stopped the moment he saw her. Could she be any more beautiful? Impossible… Jade stirred feelings in him he thought were long dead—those butterflies fluttering wildly in his stomach.
He couldn't quite explain it. He thought he had been in love with Jazmín, but that hadn't worked out. That whole fling had only served to hurt his brother…
The blonde reached him and hugged him. Chris cherished every second of it… As if it were the last.
"You look… wow. Truly stunning," he said, utterly captivated.
"You look very handsome" Jade replied, taking him in. He wore a black three-piece tuxedo and a burgundy tie that matched her dress. His blond hair was perfectly styled—not a strand out of place. And his blue eyes… they had never looked so joyful.
He offered his arm.
"Come on. Tonight is going to be perfect…"
~•~
Dominick
After convincing Maximiliano to go to the gala—though he hadn't really given him much choice—he returned to his room, anxious for the hour to arrive. Since their last encounter, he hadn't seen her, and he wanted to.
First, he planned to confront her about the deception she and Maximiliano had pulled. His ribs still hurt and his lip was still busted. Second, he'd already bought her a new phone. He expected another argument though, since he couldn't find the exact same model—but it was the same brand: Samsung.
He looked at his watch—barely eight o'clock. He headed to the bathroom for a shower.
~•~
Half an hour later, he was fully dressed. A dark blue suit and a white shirt fit snugly over his body. He combed his hair, sprayed on cologne, grabbed his phone and Jade's new one, and left. He locked the door and headed to the elevator.
Within minutes, he stepped out of the metal box and arrived at his friend's room. He knocked, and seconds later, Maximiliano opened the door.
He wore a black tuxedo and had managed to tame his usually wild chestnut hair. They exchanged a few words and headed out. They went in Maximiliano's car—he always preferred driving his sports car.
~•~
"No drama. You're going to behave and speak politely—no sarcasm or snide comments. Got it?" Maximiliano said as he handed the keys to the valet.
"Anything else?" Dom rolled his eyes.
"And please, Dominick, leave Jade alone and don't start anything with Christian. I have a reputation to uphold, and I won't let you ruin it with your stupidity."
"I told you I'd behave…" Dom muttered, following Maxi into the building.
"And I'm supposed to believe you?" Maximiliano eyed him for a few seconds. "I know you well enough to tell when you're lying."
"And yet here you are."
"Just—don't cause trouble."
Dominick chuckled, making his friend mutter a plea for patience. They finished entering and realized the ballroom was nearly full. Members of the high social elite mingled across the venue. Dominick recognized a few prominent businessmen. There was a little of everything… But none of it mattered to him. He was only looking for one person.
"Darling, what a pleasure!" exclaimed a woman as she approached Maximiliano with enthusiasm. He "smiled" and kissed her hand.
"Edith, you look more beautiful every day," Maximiliano lied—at least in Dominick's opinion—when he glanced at the woman, who had clearly gone overboard with plastic surgery.
"Oh, Maximiliano! Always the charmer. And who's your companion?" Edith asked, turning to Dom, who kept a serious expression to keep from laughing at his friend's not-so-pleased face.
"My best friend and business partner, Dominick Jackson," the brunette introduced him.
"A pleasure, Mr. Jackson." The woman extended her hand for him to kiss it. He was about to raise an eyebrow at her expectation, but gave in and kissed her hand when Maximiliano shot him a threatening look.
"The pleasure is mine, ma'am," he replied.
"Call me Edith," she smiled.
"Well, we're going to grab a drink…" Maximiliano began.
"Go on, don't take too long— the speech is about to start."
Maximiliano nodded and the two walked away.
"You see what I put up with for you?" Maximiliano muttered. "What an irritating woman."
"Suck it up. You wanted to come…" Maxi suddenly stopped, and although Dom didn't know why, he stopped too.
"What is it?" he asked.
"There's Jade," he nodded subtly toward a table, "with Christian."
Dominick looked a few meters ahead and saw her—talking to his brother and a few other people. Every man at the table looked at her, mesmerized, and the women… well, not so kindly.
Only one thing crossed his mind…