False engagement

My life was so simple, so calm and so ordinary that I didn't think that one day it would all come crashing down. I mean, I didn't lose much because I didn't have the great life of a millionaire, but I did have my university, my scholarship and my dreams. Everything was so settled in place that when that horrible man came into my life to make my life better it also made me fall apart. Yes, I'm talking about Oliver Price. That monster, that demon dressed as a prince. He is bad, very bad.

Three years of university, studies and sleeplessness thrown away and now here I was with a cap and a headset, taking orders from other university students at Macdonalds.

"I'd like an order of fries, two double cheese double meat burgers, and a soda please."

“Right away.”

I entered the order on the computer and passed it to the kitchen. This was my life now: waitressing full time so I could earn a few pesos.

My life had gone down a toilet.

“See you tomorrow, Aileen” Zac, my coworker came out of the kitchen wiping his hands.

"See you tomorrow," I said goodbye, trying to get out of there.

“Do you want me to take you? I'm going out.”

“There's no need. The girls will pick me up." I half smiled at him and left the premises. The streets were very busy with couples who came and walked with their boyfriends. It was about nine at night and the weather was cold. In the distance I heard the whistle of a car. It was Trisha and Veronica. My best friends.

“Aileen, come up, we're late!” Trisha called from the other seat. She was driving.

“Where we go?”

"We're going to Moonlight and we're not taking no for an answer," Veronica said.

I got into the back seats of the car and closed the door.

"I thought you forgot," I muttered. Today was my birthday and I had not received a message from them congratulating me so I thought they had missed it. I see that no.

"Happy birthday, Aileen!" the two said in unison, dropping a bunch of golden strips in the small space of the car.

"Guys..." I smiled at them.

“We're going to celebrate Moonlight,” Trisha said, starting the car.

"I'm not even ready for the occasion," I objected because it was true. I was very poorly dressed: worn black converse, baggy pants, and a wool sweater with little flowers. Very badly. And from what I've heard, Moonlight is a place where only wealthy people go. It is the most important club in the place. They opened a year ago and since then it has only brought success.

"Don't worry about that," Veronica murmured. "We've stopped by your house and brought some clothes."she gave me a black bag. I opened it up and pulled out a short, body-hugging black dress and black boots that reached a little above the knee. Had this outfit for a while and hadn't worn it.

"They're in everything." I took off my clothes piece by piece and then carefully put the outfit on.

"I have a feeling today is going to be a special night," Trisha exclaimed, smiling.

"I feel it too."

I narrowed my eyes because they were both acting weird and finished putting on my shoes.

“Here, put on some makeup” Verónica handed me a bag with her cosmetics.

"What did my mother tell you?" I wanted to know, pulling out a mirror and starting to put on a little makeup because I didn't want to see me emaciated and less sleepless. I wanted to forget about everything today, to get rid of stress and bad vibes. Whenever I think of bad vibes, the image of Oliver Price comes to my mind. He is the devil himself and I hate him. If I had it in front of me...

I put on a little perfume and left things at my side.

Trisha parked near the bar because it was apparently full of cars, and only fancy cars.

"It's early and it's already full." Trisha turned off the car.

"The good thing is that I made the reservation and we don't need to stand in line otherwise we wouldn't have been able to get in," Veronica said, getting down. I also got out of the car, as soon as I did, I felt very cold. There was forest here and no home around it, just forest. The three of us went to the entrance, where there was a very, very long line of girls and boys who urgently wanted to enter. As soon as we passed them by, they began to complain.

"Wait a minute," a security guard stops us. It was something and robust. Why are security guards always scary? "Make the line," he commanded.

“What?” Trisha laughed. "We don't have to stand in line."

"Trisha," I nudged her. The guy looked with a face of few friends.

“We have a reservation” Verónica handed her three gold tickets. When the guy saw them she relaxed instantly.

“Alright. You can come in and an apology." He stepped aside. The three of us passed by, ignoring the nasty comments made to us by those in line.

"What a heavy guy," Trisha murmured.

"I thought he was handsome," Verónica continued.

I was watching every corner of this place. When the electronic music entered my ears, there were neon lights everywhere, people dancing, drinking and having fun. Wow, this club was definitely not like the other seedy bars. It looked like it had class and category.

"Let's have a drink and have fun!"

We did so, we went to the bar and ordered drinks. I started by ordering a margarita, then the three of us went to the dance floor and danced to the music. We laughed, ignored guys who asked us to dance, and then went back for more drinks.

“We Dance?” A boy came up to me. He was actually handsome and wore a dress shirt unbuttoned at the top and the sleeves rolled up.

"Uh no, I'm dancing with my friends," I drawled. God, I think I was already drunk. And that only two hours have passed.

“Go! the girls told me.”

“Yeah! We will dance with someone else," they murmured.

I gave them a warning look but they ignored me, found two other guys and went dancing with them. I turned to the boy and smiled at him. I had no other option and I have always had a problem with making decisions, they convince me quickly and on many occasions I am afraid to say no because of what the other person can do to me.

"Okay," I agreed.

“Perfect.”

I downed the margarita and went with the boy.

“What is your name?” He asked in my ear. He took me by the waist and pulled me towards him. We were very close and that made me feel uncomfortable.

"Aileen," I replied.

"I am Franco," he replied.

"Nice to meet you, Franco," I said over the music.

"The pleasure is mine, beautiful."

A few more minutes of dancing had an effect on me because I was urinating and I felt that they couldn't take it. I've had like ten margaritas so it's obvious they have to go.

"I have to go to the bathroom," I told him. He was looking blurry already and barely even hearing the music.

"I'll wait for you here."

I spent pushing people because my balance was bad. I walked to the restrooms but the line was huge. It just can't be. I checked the men's room as well. Next to me I looked at some stairs, they led to a second floor. Maybe there's a bathroom. I climbed the stairs with some difficulty until I reached the second floor. There were several corridors with some rooms I think. I opened a room, it had a huge bed and many other things. At the same time there was another door that was surely the bathroom. I went in there and sat down. Wow, what a relief I felt. Seconds later I heard a male voice on the other end. I stayed still in my same place.

"I'll be in the office at noon." Put the papers on the desk for me and I'll go through them. Perfect. See you tomorrow. It seems that he was talking on the cell phone. I dried myself and put the lid on the bath. And now how do I get out? I would have to wait for this guy to come out because I can't just go out like that. I looked in the mirror for a while, my hair was a mess and my mascara was half smudged. "Jack, are you at the door? When Leonor comes, tell her to go up to my room, I'll be waiting for her.” He kept talking. I felt steps nearby and I assumed that he would come to the bathroom. I looked at my options and the first thing I did was get into the shower and close the curtain. The guy came in, turned on the tap and I think I started to wash my face. I squeezed my eyes shut hoping he wouldn't get in the shower.

Great, I'll have to find a good explanation to give him. The guy raised his hand and drew the curtain.

“What are you doing here?” the plaintiff asked, but I couldn't answer anything because my vision blurred. I don't know if I was seeing images from alcohol or what, but in front of me was the man I hated the most: Oliver Price.

And he was half naked.