LUCKY BILLIONAIRE

7

“Ah, Mr. García, it's good to see you here. What was the commotion all about outside?” Mr. Lopez, the host, greeted them as they entered. He was an elderly man with matching beard and hair, dressed in a dragon-themed black and gold three-piece suit.

“Just someone looking for publicity, let's proceed,” Miguel answered for Alejandro.

Alejandro and Miguel were invited as special guests to one of the year's biggest parties, exclusive to the elite. The venue was lavishly decorated, and the room buzzed with chattering.

One of the reasons they had come was to discuss the establishment of their new casino.

Alejandro's head was filled with memories of Sophia, and bitterness crept into his heart. “You guys can continue without me.” He said and walked to take a seat near the poolside.

After about an hour, Miguel walked up to him and saw him in a bad mood.

“Cool down, Alejandro, here,” Miguel offered him a glass of sparkling white wine, leading him to a secluded garden area. “What's the matter? You have not been yourself since we got here.

“My thoughts are not something I want to put on sale,” Alejandro remarked bitterly.

“Is it Sophia? Relax, she’s gone, now. A thing of the past,” Miguel consoled him.

“I still dream about her,” Alejandro admitted bitterly.

“You are allowed to grieve, but do not let it turn you bitter,” Miguel reassured him, his hand on Alejandro's shoulder offering comfort.

“You always know the right things to say,” Alejandro smiled at his friend.

“Someone's gotta keep you out of trouble,” Miguel teased, lightening the mood.

“It's a party, Ale, you shouldn't be sad. Mix with the elite, let them get to know your crazy ass,” Miguel persuaded him.

Alejandro just shrugged.

“Anyway, I talked to Mr. Lopez about our Casino. He said he would love to partner with us,” Miguel revealed, earning a surprised reaction from Alejandro.

“I thought you weren't interested,” Miguel remarked.

“Your advice is the most important to me. I'm so proud to have you as a friend.” Alejandro confessed.

“Right now, I have to finalize everything, be right back.” Miguel said and walked away.

The night wore on and Alejandro indulged in more drinks, his hazel eyes dulled with alcohol's influence, and the chatter around him became incomprehensible.

From across the room, Alejandro spotted Miguel talking to Mr. Lopez. Miguel gave him a thumbs up, which Alejandro returned after a moment's delay.

Now his glass was empty and he needed a refill, he went to the nearest stand, with a polite nod, he caught the bartender's attention. "Another drink, if you would, please. Something sweeter this time," he requested.

"Here you go," the bartender said, sliding the drink across the counter.

"Thank you," Alejandro replied with a grateful smile.

He returned to his seat and he enjoyed the drink that was most likely going to make him pass out. Until his eyes caught sight of a damsel who was struggling to get free from a man's grip.

"What are you doing with her?" Alejandro growled fiercely. His tough stance made the man stutter, and Alejandro gestured as if he held the girl close. "Leave before you end up hurt," he warned.

The man left quickly. But as Alejandro hiccupped, he vomited. He didn't enjoy being drunk.

“Are you okay?” the lady asked, guiding him to a seat as Alejandro's head began to ache and his vision blurred.

“Yeah, no problem,” he slurred, “Are you alright? Did he do anything?”

“No, thanks to you. You didn't allow him to,” she replied warmly. “But you need to rest, follow me.” She offered her hand and he took it, he had no idea where she was leading him to but he felt safe. She felt right.

Hours passed and Alejandro gradually awoke in a luxurious hotel room.

His head throbbed, making it hard to piece together what had happened after he followed the mysterious lady. He found himself alone, partially undressed, adding to his confusion.

He picked up his phone and saw a message from Miguel reminding him that a car was on its way to pick him up.

As he got ready to leave, he discovered a shiny earring on the bed stand which triggered faint memories of rose perfume and sex sounds but nothing concrete.

His got downstairs and his ride was waiting outside for him. Without a word, he got in and headed home.

***

Meanwhile, in the Brown's house, Sophia was rampaging. She was destroying everything.

“How could you do this to me Alejandro? How could you?”

The events of last night haunted her like a nightmare, the way he pushed her in front of everyone and how he rejected her, it burned her, it made her mad.

She threw everything off course, destroying her once beautiful bedroom and turning it into a madhouse. She still had make-up on from last night, but her mascara had bled down her face, her hair was no longer neatly curled but now it stood everywhere like she had just been in a hurricane.

She looked unstable and that was because she was. Her reflection in the mirror angered her and she threw her phone at it, shattering the mirror and her self image.

“So you think you can just get rid of me Alejandro? Think again.” She hissed before grabbing the divorce papers on the bed. It was the first thing handed to her when she got home in boiling anger, “These papers mean nothing!” She screamed at them, her eyes frantically searching to prove her claim.

She grabbed a lighter from her drawer and stood in front of the mirror. The flame sparked as she hung the papers above it, the heat slowly turning it to ash, “You're still my husband and I'm still your wife. Everything you are is mine, everything you have is mine. You are mine! And you will always be mine. Till death do us part. You just wait till my plan works out.” She said and an evil smile appeared on her face.