Page 14 of Red Queen
He goes to greet them, so it’s best I sneak away until I can. He’s a little lightweight; once he gets drunk, it’s over for everyone. He’ll become a party beast until it truly kicks in and he ends up in the bathroom. But we love him like this.
I decide to do a patrol over the place, to see if everything’s still okay. I spot Ivy chatting with one of the guests, but I can see she’s not paying any attention to him, her eyes scanning the whole place like a hawk.
“Oh, Rosa. Hi.” She turns away from the guest, and I mutter a quiet sorry as he leaves. Seems like he’s not offended, maybe he knows her better than I thought. “Can you check on the food in the back? Some VIPs have already asked about them.”
“Sure. I’ll see if they’re ready.” She just nods, her gaze already back somewhere behind me. I turn to leave, and somehow I manage to squeeze myself past the increasing number of people that are flowing through the doors.
I reach the private room, which hopefully, is about to be opened, if the food is all good. It’s past 10 PM, and I get that they’re hungry. My lips immediately turn into a satisfied smile when I step inside. It looks just as ready as when we got back a couple of hours ago. They managed to change the tablecloth, and the food looks delicious and inviting.
It looks like we’re good to go, but I should make sure first, so I’ll go find the head chef. As if he read my mind, I spot him at the entrance of the kitchen, and he gives me a thumbs up. Good. Means I can go back to Ivy and tell her to get the second team of security here.
As I step out from behind the curtains, I feel a cold liquid pour down my chest, all the way to my stomach, soaking my whole beautiful new shirt. Can you guess what color the liquid is? Red. Can you guess what color is, or actually was, my shirt? Yes, white.
After I managed to pick my jaw off the floor, I looked up and I was met with a beautiful pair of eyes, the one that was burned into my brain a couple of weeks ago.
“Well, well, well… How the tables have turned?” He chuckles, and although I could strangle him for ruining my outfit, his smile makes it a little more bearable.
11
MATEO
Iwatch as her eyes widen. Last time she poured water on my white outfit, now I managed to do the same to her, only this time, it’s not water but wine. Her cheeks redden, I can’t decide if out of anger, embarrassment, or both.
“I’m sorry.” I look at her sheepishly, and her smile turns to a teasing one.
“Are you, really?” She chuckles and grabs a nearby kitchen towel.
“Okay, maybe not that much. Maybe it was karma.” She shoots me a death glare, but my smile only widens. She’s even beautiful like this.
“Ivy’s going to kill me.” She starts rubbing the towel on her clothes, but it’s obviously no use.
“Hey. Here. Take this.” I take off my multicolored shirt with tropical elements on it, leaving only my sleeveless top underneath.
I hope she takes it. I looked like an idiot in it anyway. The vivid colors of the palm trees and fruits on the shirt don’t go very well with her outfit, but at least it would cover the stain.
“Are you sure?” she asks. I nod, and she sighs. “Thank you.”
She puts the shirt on, tying the bottom around her hips to make it look more stylish. Now I know why guys say it’s hot when their girls wear their clothes. Only she’s not my girl.
“It looks good on you. Much better than on me.” There’s that smile again. Fuck. I feel like a little boy having a crush on a pretty girl.
“Thank you. I’ll give it back before you go.” A blush starts to form on her cheeks again, and I smile at her. I like how she blushes so easily. It’s cute.
I shake my head. “You can keep it. I probably have three more of that.”
“Is the famous Mateo Acosta giving me memorabilia? Maybe I’ll sell it for good money.”
My face falls. So she does know me. Of course, I can’t have a nice, genuine connection with someone. Not that I need that.
“You do whatever you want with it.”
Her eyebrows furrow, and I leave before she can say something else.
I don’t know why I did that. Maybe that half glass of champagne went to my head. Not that I would decline if any woman threw herself at me right now, but…
Sometimes I can’t help but crave more. To have someone I can take care of, someone to go home to. Cheer me on, and spend time together. But maybe I’m not built for that. Maybe the only thing I’m good at is being a playboy.
I make my way to the VIP room, where I find Aiden, Nathan, Liam, and Kyle.
