Piece by Piece

Chapter 8

Aliena (last July)

"Jesus Christ, Lil, you didn't warn me that the party was at a fucking palace!" I accuse my friend under my breath, looking up at the giant apartment complex. As soon as we drove into the neighborhood where in between every house, another five could fit, I knew we were headed somewhere fancy. I just didn't know how fancy.

"And you let me come with bedhead. If we're about to walk into a damn cocktail party, I'll shave off your eyebrows," I threaten her.

"Relax, A. I would never trick you like that. Trust me, his parties aren't any less wild than those you normally drag me to," she assures me right as Andrew throws an arm over her shoulder.

"If I'd had to guess, I'd say they're much crazier," he adds. "No one throws parties like Sebastian, the brilliant bastard."

I frown at the name of the host. It's the first time they mentioned it and now my mind goes straight to the young man I met at the nursing home two weeks ago. I have to admit, it isn't the first time my mind strays to his handsome face since then. Whenever work is slow, I imagine him walking back through the big double doors to visit his grandma. And maybe give me some tips at Cribbage and look at me with that adorable smile of his again.

Don't blame me. It's not every day you meet a sweet, gentle guy that's simultaneously incredibly good-looking.

"I guess I'll be the judge of that at the end of the night," I say, forcing my mind to stay on topic. Mattheo appears at my side, and we enter the building, only to be greeted with the sight of two buff men in suits left and right of the elevator.

Before I can question it, one of them says, "Have a good night, Sirs." The elevator doors open and the other stranger turns to us, his stoic expression giving way to a smile. "And you too, ladies." With that, the door closes and we're heading up. I watch the glowing numbers grow bigger and bigger until we reach 11. By then, my mouth is slightly dry and I feel myself grow a little nervous.

I'm not opposed to new things, but this- Well, I have no idea what's expecting me and the elevator doors are thick enough to not let any sound ring through. Well, that or the party is incredibly silent.

But then the doors slide open the first inch and I nearly jump at the blasting music that floods the tiny space. It's surreal and the feeling that this is a dream only intensifies when I look ahead and see that the elevator brought us right into the apartment. Andrew and Lily walk inside, completely unfazed, and I jolt ahead too when Mattheo's hand finds my shoulder to lead me.

There are dancing bodies everywhere. And I mean dancing, bouncing, and jumping, not the lame swaying that some people consider party-appropriate. All along the wall on the right, booze is displayed on a massive shelf, a long bar parting it from the dancefloor. The shelf is equipped with LEDs, each row a different, dark color while the rest of the apartment is flickering with neon lights and lasers.

Hell, how can anyone live here? This looks more like a high-end club than a home.

"Not bad, huh?" Mattheo asks me, leaning down so our faces are on the same level. Even in my five-inch heels, I have nothing on his height.

I'm sure I look starstruck, so I don't bother playing it off. Instead, I just shake my head and feel a massive smile take over my face. Thank Lily, that beautiful goddess for dragging me along. This is where I always should have come to party.

Without thinking, I take Mattheo's hand in mine and drag him deeper inside the crowd of strangers, eager to lose my mind in the heat of the moment. If only Mattheo didn't stop me before I could even start, leaning down to tell me something again, "You know, I'd truly love to dance right now, Aliena, but we should say hello to the host first, no?"