I adjusted the rearview mirror one last time before I got out of my car. I had been late for Charlotte's party, but I wasn't too worried; I knew that these meetings used to start slowly. The entrance of the mansion was packed with luxury cars, and the sound of music escaped through the huge double doors. Dressed in an elegant black dress that highlighted my figure and accompanied by heels that gave me an imposing bearing, I walked confidently towards the entrance.
I was greeted by a hostess with a list in hand, who after quickly looking up my name, gave me a wide smile and let me in. When I entered, the atmosphere enveloped me completely: warm lights that highlighted the decoration, electronic music and a constant murmur of conversations and laughter filled the space.
I looked for some friends in the crowd. It didn't take long for me to spot a small group by the bar, where several familiar faces were chatting animatedly. I approached and greeted those present with a couple of kisses and hugs.
"Lindsay, you always arrive when the party is at its peak," one of my friends commented with a mischievous smile.
—Of course, what's the point of arriving early? I replied with a light laugh as I sipped a glass of wine that someone had offered me.
After a few minutes of chatting, one of my friends mentioned to me that Charlotte was about to make an announcement. I apologized and decided to find the birthday girl to congratulate her before she was too busy.
Charlotte, as always, was in the spotlight. Her golden dress glittered under the lights, and her beaming smile attracted everyone around her. As I approached, Charlotte greeted me with an effusive hug.
"Lindsay!" I thought you wouldn't come," Charlotte exclaimed.
"I couldn't miss your big night," I replied with a sincere smile.
Charlotte smiled and, after a few seconds, waved her glass to get the attention of the guests.
"Everyone, please, a moment of your attention," she said in a clear, firm voice. The crowd began to fall silent and turn toward her. Intrigued, I positioned myself close to the action, although maintaining a comfortable distance.
"I want to thank you for being here tonight. It's a very special day for me, and I want to share something important with all of you," Charlotte said, pausing dramatically before continuing. I want to introduce you to someone who means a lot to me: my boyfriend, Daniel.
The murmur of the guests became evident as Daniel approached Charlotte. The smile on her face was a mixture of pride and some nervousness as he waved her hand to those present.
I felt a twinge of surprise at the sight of the man next to Charlotte. Not because Daniel was her boyfriend, but because a few meters away from them, standing with his characteristic expression of disinterest, was Sack. With his arms crossed and his face serious, he watched the scene as if he were a spectator in a theater he had not chosen to visit.
"What is he doing here?" I thought, unable to keep my attention from drifting to Sack for a moment.
Shaking my head slightly, I decided to focus on Charlotte, who was now laughing at some comments from the guests.
However, curiosity got the better of me. After a few minutes of casual conversations, I excused myself from the group I was with and headed towards Sack. I found him leaning against a column, holding a glass of something that appeared to be water.
"Sack," I said, approaching cautiously.
He looked up slowly, his expression barely changing.
"Lindsay," he replied, in a neutral tone.
"What are you doing here?" I asked directly, though I knew the answer would probably be somewhat brief or vague.
"Daniel insisted," she said, shrugging her shoulders as if that explained everything.
I frowned, feeling a mixture of frustration and curiosity.
"I sent you a message days ago. You never answered.
Sack looked away at the glass in his hand, as if the clear liquid was suddenly more interesting than the conversation.
"I saw it," he said finally.
"And?" Didn't you even think about answering? I pressed, crossing my arms.
"I had nothing to say," he replied, looking up to look directly at me, with that calmness that could sometimes be infuriating.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure.
"Nothing to say?" Sack, it wasn't even complicated. It was a simple question.
"I know," he said, showing no emotion. "But I wasn't in the mood."
"Weren't you in the mood?" I repeated, incredulous. Do you know how frustrating it is to try to communicate with you and have you just decide to ignore me?
Sack shrugged again, this time looking even more distant.
"Probably.
I looked at him, trying to figure out what, if anything, was going through his mind. Finally, I sighed, dropping my arms at my sides.
"You are impossible, Sack.
"I know," he said, with a slight nod.
For a moment, I thought about walking away and leaving him there, but something stopped me.
"Sometimes I don't know why I get upset," I murmured, more to myself than to him.
Sack didn't answer, but this time, he raised an eyebrow slightly, as if the statement had caught his attention.
Before I could turn around, Sack took a step toward me, reducing the distance between them to just a few inches. I held my breath, my eyes caught in his. Slowly, Sack tilted his face toward mine. I didn't move; I was too surprised to react. It's not that I didn't want him to kiss me, but that I didn't expect him to do something like that.
As his lips were about to touch me, Sack veered off course. His mouth brushed past mine and went to my ear.
"Why do you care so much about me, princess?" He whispered, his voice low and charged with amused malice.
Before I could process what had just happened, Sack backed away slightly, an evil smile curving his lips as he looked directly back at me. The warmth on my cheeks was unmistakable, and my hands trembled, though I made an effort to maintain a firm posture.
"You're an idiot," I muttered, but even I knew that my voice lacked the firmness to sound like a real insult.
"I know," he replied, still with that smile, before taking a sip from his glass as if nothing had happened.