- 37 -

Ares has asked me on our first date, and I have nothing to wear.

And this is not one of those typical moments of an indecisive person who has a lot of clothes to choose from and doesn't know which one to choose. I literally I have nothing to wear. Everything is hanging around because mom washed all my clothes, and only left the clothes I don't wear, and obviously I don't wear them for a reason: They don't fit me anymore or they simply passed away (they're already torn or washed so many times that the fabric is transparent).

Why did Ares have to ask me out just today?

I still remember his soft voice on the phone when he asked me to please sneak out. How could I say no? I obviously hadn't thought it all through when I said yes. The only one who can save me is Dani.

I call her and she answers on the third ring.

"Funeral Home Las Flores, how may I help you?"

"How long are you going to do that, Dani? I told you it's not funny." She lets out a guilty chuckle.

"It's funny to me. What's the matter, grumpy?"

"I need you to pick me up."

"Aren't you grounded?"

"Yes." I lower my voice even more. "But I'm going to sneak out."

"What, what, what, whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?" Dani exaggerates her tone. "Welcome to the dark side, sister."

I let out a long sigh.

"You're crazy, come and get me, but wait for me at the corner of my street."

"Okay, but you're leaving out the reason why you are going to sneak out. Will you go out partying with me today?"

"No, I have... plans."

"With?"

I hang up the call and tuck pillows under the sheets to make it look like someone is there.

Although I know my mother won't check, because she doesn't think I'm capable of sneaking out, and well, honestly until a few hours ago I didn't think I was either.

I carefully leave the room. The lights in the house are already off, so I poke my head into my mom's room, and I never thought I'd be so happy to hear her snoring. My mom sleeps soundly, mostly because she had a shift last night and probably hadn't slept at all until now. Remorse stops me for a second, but then a pair of blue eyes invades my mind and that's enough to motivate me to get out of the house.

Already on the street, the cold hits me hard. I always forget that we've left the warm summer behind; I'm not wearing a jacket, so I hug myself, rubbing my forearms as I walk. The street is well lit and there are some people outside their houses chatting. I greet them cordially and continue my way.

Waiting in the corner, shivering from the cold, I realize that maybe I should have waited a little longer in the warmth of my house. It's barely six minutes later. Dani doesn't live far away, but there are several traffic lights that I know can get heavy at this hour.

I am freezing to death.

Do you see everything I do for you, Greek god?

When I see Dani's car, I'm so relieved that I smile like an idiot. I jump into her car and Dani drives like crazy all the way home.

Eighteen outfit attempts later.

To say I'm indecisive is putting it short. Dani has given me so many options and they are all so cute, but I want to look perfect for him and nothing seems perfect to me. I know he will look beautiful in whatever he wears. I feel the need to look my best, I have never dressed up in a special way to see someone, this is my first time.

Ares still gets all my first times.

How am I going to get over that man if he keeps doing that?

"I vote for the skirt, blouse and boots." Dani says, chewing Doritos with her mouth open.

"So classy," I say sarcastically.

"They look great on you and adapt to any occasion; we don't know where you are going."

She's right, I wonder if we're going to Artemis' bar or some other night spot. After getting dressed, I'm combing my hair to the side of my face and I see through the mirror that Dani stands up and comes towards me, pointing her orange Doritos-stained finger at me.

"There is something I want to tell you."

I turn around, nervous, her tone is serious.

"Yes?"

"I'm really glad that idiot finally confessed his feelings to you, but..." she bites her lower lip. "Remember that he hurt you a lot, and I'm not saying to hold a grudge or anything, I just want you to let him earn your love. You've always served it to him on a silver platter, and he hasn't appreciated it. A few nice words aren't enough, baby. You're worth a lot, let him realize that too and let him fight and earn your affection."

I feel a small pang in my chest at her words, she notices the change in my expression and smiles.

"No, I'm not trying to ruin your first date, it's just my duty as your best friend to tell you the truth, even if it's not pretty. You deserve the world, Raquel, I know it, and that idiot needs to know it too."

I smile back.

"Thank you. Sometimes I get carried away by my feelings and lose track of everything I've been through with him."

She squeezes my hand.

"I love you, silly."

My smile widens.

"I love you too, silly."

My phone rings. Dani and I share a quick glance.

Call from Ares *Greek God*.

I clear my throat nervously.

"Hello?"

"I'm outside."

Those words are enough to make my heart race.

"I'll be right out."

I hang up on him and let out a squeal. Dani grabs me by the shoulders.

"Calm down!"

I say goodbye and head to the door with my heart in my throat. Why am I so nervous? Okay, calm down, Raquel, you have no reason to be nervous.

It's just Ares, you've already seen him naked.

Great, now I'm thinking about Ares naked.

Virgin of Abdominals, why did you endow him so well?

Going out to the street, I see the black car stopped in front of the house. Its dark windows don't let me see anything inside. I focus on walking straight and I don't know why it's so hard for me.

Stupid nervousness.

As I approach the car, I do the awkward little door dance. I don't know whether to open the passenger door or the back door. He told me he was coming with Marco. Will Marco be in the passenger seat, or not?

Ah, how uncomfortable!

I stand there like an idiot not knowing what to do and apparently Ares notices my indecision and roll down the window, his voice as neutral as ever, his face is so perfect.

"What are you doing?"

There is no one in the copilot's seat. I open the door and get on.

"I was just..." I glance back and see Marco using his phone. "Hello, Marco."

He looks up and smiles at me. As I straighten up in my seat, I look back at Ares, and realize he is watching me from head to toe. His eyes end their evaluation on my face, a crooked smile forms on those full lips of his.

"And you're not going to say hello to me?"

I lick my bottom lip, he looks so cute in that white shirt.

"Hello."

He raises an eyebrow.

"Just that?"

My poor heart beats so hard I feel it in my throat. How else?

In one swift movement, Ares unbuckles his seatbelt, grabs my neck and stamps his lips against mine. His mouth moves softly over mine, his luscious lips feel so fucking good on mine. I hold back a moan as he sucks on my bottom lip and bites it lightly.

Marco clears his throat.

"I'm still here!"

Ares pulls away and gives me one last short kiss, smiling against my lips.

"Hello, witch."

He goes back to his place, puts on his seatbelt and drives off. While I sit there paralyzed with my legs like jelly. Oh, my God, what this guy does to me with just one kiss. Ares puts on some electronic music and Marco leans over to get in the middle of our seats.

"Samy says she is ready."

When he mentioned that name, a cold feeling appeared in my stomach. Ares turns the wheel, crossing a street.

"We'll pick her up. What about Gregory?"

Marco is on his phone.

"He has already left with Luis."

"What about the girls?"

"They went with them."

My eyes fall on Ares. Which girls? Besides Samy, are there more?

"Well, we're just picking up Samy then."

Ares stops in front of a beautiful two-story house with a lovely garden. Samy is standing next to the mailbox, looking stunning in a short, figure-hugging dress and a nice jacket, her legs are long and look incredibly beautiful.

Isn't she cold?

She smiles at Ares, and in her eyes her adoration is so clear. It's so obvious that she likes him, I wonder if I'll look like that when I look at Ares. She gets in the back seat and her smile falters when she sees me.

"Oh, hello, Raquel."

I smile at her.

"Hello."

"Aren't you cold?" Marco asks her worriedly, and I find it so peculiar how his grim countenance cracks every time Samy appears.

"No, don't worry."

Ares looks at her through the rearview mirror and smiles. A pang hits my stomach, forcing me to shift a little in my seat. It's so unpleasant to feel jealous. I've never felt it in my life until I met Ares. The truth is, it doesn't help that they've had sex either. They've seen each other naked, for God's sake, too much intimacy for a friendship. It also doesn't help that Samy is crazy about him. I don't know if I'm overreacting, but I struggle to stay calm and not show anything.

Marco's voice interrupts my thoughts.

"Everyone is already there, they are going to order drinks. What do you want to drink?"

Ares shakes his head.

"I'm not going to drink, I'm driving."

I am surprised by the seriousness and maturity of his tone, but I am pleased with his response. Marco snorts.

"What a killjoy. We would have come by taxi if driving wasn't going to let you drink."

Ares slows down in a crowded street, it seems to be busy tonight.

"I don't like taxis."

I raise an eyebrow, oh, the rich guy doesn't like cabs. I can't even afford to take a taxi, the bus is my only solution. I don't even want to imagine what Ares thinks of buses. That reminds me of the difference between the way we were raised, in how opposite our daily lives are.

Marco interrupts my crazy thoughts again and speaks to me.

"What about you, Raquel? What do you want to drink?"

My eyes go to Ares, who is still focused on the road in front of us. I can feel Samy's eyes on me.

"Hey, well, I..." I clasp my hands in my lap. "Vodka?"

"You don't sound very confident," Marco notices. "Well, vodka, then. I think they ordered a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of wine. I'll tell them to order a bottle of vodka."

A whole bottle?

I hope it's for several people, not just me, or I'll end up very badly tonight. No, I can't afford to do something embarrassing today. I have to behave.

When we arrived at the place, I recognize it; it's a kind of elegant bar that opened recently. I don't think it competes with Artemis' because it is quite far from the downtown, while Artemis is in a particularly good strategic point. We pass the entrance, and I am surprised that the guard does not ask for identification.

The first thing that hits me is the colorful lights and effects all over the place. We walk past the bar and there are bartenders doing tricks with bottles and glasses.

Wow, everyone seems to be having a good time. We walk up some stairs decorated with little colored lights until we reach their group of friends.

Tonight is going to be interesting.