(46)

THE HALLOWEEN PARTY

"You look spectacular."

"I feel spectacular," I answer with a big smile on my face, as I look at myself in the mirror. I'm the type of person who sometimes feels pretty, sometimes average and sometimes just awful; it's so strange, it's like I have no exact concept of what I look like, and it doesn't help that beauty can be so subjective.

"I must say, that costume is the best decision you've made in a while," Dani continues, outlining her eyebrows in front of the small mirror in her hands.

We're getting ready to go out tonight for Halloween. Gregory invited me that night at the club, but I still waited for Ares to invite me himself. It wasn't hard to choose my costume. Tonight I would be a witch, my costume consists of a strapless black dress, tight at the top but loose from the waist down, reaching to the middle of my thighs, a necklace with a red pendant, black gloves, long boots of the same color and, of course, a big hat.

Dani has taken care of my makeup, dark eyeshadows, strong black eyeliner and red ;i[stick. I feel super sexy. My best friend - who I had to convince to go with me - decided on a wicked kitty costume, ears and all.

"I can't believe I'm going with you," she mutters, getting up.

"Ares told me to bring you," It's true, Ares told me to take Dani, that it was a group outing and that it would be fair to have one of my friends with me. "Besides, Apolo will be there for sure."

"What does it matter if he's there?"

I sigh, I know Dani doesn't like to admit her weaknesses or If a boy affects her.

"You don't have to lie to me. I know you're hurt."

"Pfff," she snorts, "please, he and I had nothing."

"But you were just starting something when he suddenly stopped texting you," I commented. "And that's driving you crazy; you're not used to a guy getting away from you".

"I don't know what you're talking about; a lot of guys have got away from me."

"Oh, yeah? Like who? Let's see."

She turns her back to me to touch up her makeup.

"I don't remember a specific name right now, but..."

"But nothing," I interrupt her, "We're going to go, you're going to have fun, and if he talks to you, you ask him directly why he changed, period. That's the Dani I know."

"Okay," she replies reluctantly. "All right, no promises."

I walk up to her and pinch her cheeks.

"Now smile, pretty kitty."

Ares sends me a message telling me he's already here, and I ask him to give us a few minutes. So he tells me he's going to get out of the car and smoke a cigarette with Marco outside while they wait.

I am very nervous, I don't know how he will react when he sees me in my costume, I want to surprise him. The past two weeks have been great for both of us, Ares has been super nice and we have gone out several times, finally having the expected dates. However, the sexual tension between us has grown to otherworldly levels. To tell you the truth, I don't know how I have put up with so much.

We get out of the house and the first guy I see is Marco in a cop costume, although I can't deny that he looks great. Ares comes out of the back of the car and I stop breathing for two reasons: one, he looks ridiculously sexy, and two, his costume is a Greek god. He's wearing some sort of white robe that reveals his defined arms, with a golden ribbon across his chest and a crown over his messy black hair helplessly; this is too much for my poor soul.

Virgin of Abdominals, I entrust my being to you tonight.

Ares looks at me and his eyes travel down my entire body slowly, each spot burning, smoldering under the intensity of his gaze, as a crooked smile appears on his lips.

"I knew it."

"I knew it too." I point to his costume.

"Come here," He gestures for me to move towards him and I do; up close, his face looks even more beautiful with that crown on his head. He could easily have been a god, the beauty was there. His hand caresses my arm. "Hello, witch."

"Hello, Greek god," My hands are restless, so I place them on his chest, lowering them a little to feel that defined abdomen through the thin fabric of his costume. Who could blame me for touching him like that?

"Touching me so early?"

I bite my lip.

"Oops, it's just that the costume suits you so well."

Ares leans toward me.

"Oh, yeah? But I think you'd enjoy touching me more without the costume."

"Are you proposing something indecent?"

"Very, very indecent, witch."

I push him away and laugh to ease the tension between us, because if I don't I'm going to end up under him moaning his name before I even leave the house.

I run away from Ares and find Marco talking to Dani.

"Hello, Marco."

"Hi, Raquel. Are we ready?"

"Yes," I answer, feeling Ares' gaze on the back of my head. "Where's Apolo? Marco shrugs his shoulders.

"He's inside the car, you know he doesn't smoke."

I furrow my eyebrows, I know he doesn't have that habit, but it still seems odd that he's not out here greeting us. What's wrong with Apolo lately? At school, I haven't talked to him much, he has changed.

"Let's go." Ares says opening the driver's door and getting into the car. I do the same and see Dani hesitates as Marco opens the door for her to get in, and she's going to be in the middle seat, right next to Apolo.

Everyone inside, we greet Apolo, who is wearing a sailor costume, with a little white hat that makes him look even cuter than usual. I can see the distinct expression of discomfort on Dani's face and give her a comforting look.

"The place is packed," Marco comments, checking his cell phone. "I'm so relieved we have VIP access."

"What did you expect?" Ares replies. "It's Halloween after all."

"Next year we should dress up as a group," Apolo speaks, surprising us. "Something like all of us Power Rangers or Ninja Turtles, or characters from a series like Game of Thrones, that would be really cool."

Marco laughs

"How old are you? Twelve?"

I feel the urge to defend him.

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with dressing up in a group, I like your idea, Apolo." I give him a smile and he smiles back.

Marco has no intention of keeping quiet.

"You say that when you two didn't even dress up as a couple."

"Of course we did, witch and Greek god," I explain, but Marco snorts. "It's something between us you'd never understand."

Ares also laughs.

"She's right, Marco. You'd never understand, the longest relationship you've ever had was with the cigarette you just smoked and now it's over."

We all laugh and Marco grunts.

"All against me, huh?"

When we get to the bar, I realize that Marco was not exaggerating when he said it was packed. There is a line of people outside the place and a sign over the door indicating that it is already full and that they do not guarantee entry even if you wait outside for hours. The guard doesn't even blink as he lets us in.

The decor is mind-blowing, everything is black and orange, there are fake skulls and bodies hanging from the ceiling, spider webs and fake blood on the pillars, the bartenders are dressed as pirates, serving green and disgusting colored drinks. There are several smoke machines, releasing every so often, looking like fog. Everyone is in costume, my eyes roam all over the place trying to observe the costumes. The atmosphere is perfect, no wonder so many people want to come in. Artemis knows how to run his business and take advantage of the festivities.

We climb the stairs to the VIP area, where a table awaits us, with Samantha, Gregory, Luis and Andrea. No Nathaly tonight? How lovely.

Gregory's face lights up when he sees me and I get excited too, he stands up and gives me a hug.

"Raquel, I knew you would come."

"Of course, I would never miss seeing your vampire costume," I give him my thumbs up. "It looks great on you."

Luis also stands up.

"Since when did you become so close? I feel left out."

Ares joins us.

"I was wondering the same thing," he runs his hand around my waist, pulling me to his side.

Gregory shakes his head.

"Easy, baby," He makes eyes at him. "I only have eyes for you,"

Ares gives him a tired look and I let go of his grip.

"Relax, vampires aren't my thing."

Luis intervenes.

"She likes... the... the... What are you supposed to be, Ares? God?"

"A Greek god."

Samantha joins us, greeting everyone with a smile.

"Are you living up to your name?"

Luis realizes.

"Oh, right, you guys are named after Greek gods. Yours is the one of war or something like that, isn't it?"

Gregory sighs.

"No wonder why he is a troublemaker."

Ares hits his arm.

"Who do you call troublemaker?"

Gregory again makes eyes at him.

"Give me harder, baby."

We all laughed and sat down.

Sharing with Ares' group of friends has become more bearable and definitely more comfortable. I think it was a matter of giving myself time to get to know them, sharing with them to stop feeling outside the group and part of it. Even Andrea can hold a decent conversation without her friend Nathaly. However, I don't forget that Gregory has told me that she was a gold digger and broke his heart.

Apolo sits as far away from Dani as possible, which forces Dani to chat with Luis, who is obviously flirting with her, unaware that my best friend has her heart set on the youngest Hidalgo and can't help but glance at him from time to time.

Feeling more relaxed with this group, I allow myself to drink a few drinks, they look disgusting but taste divine especially one called Drag me to hell, which is a delight, and at this rate, if I keep drinking, I'll end up in hell with a certain Greek god who hangs around. I can feel my cheeks and ears warm, my lips dry; apparently, alcohol makes me hot, which makes me an easy target for Ares.

Unfortunately, alcohol not only affects my hormones, but also in daring and curious mode and I walk to the VIP area to see if it's the same as that candlelight lounge at Artemis' club. I don't notice Ares following me until I'm inside and his voice sounds behind me.

"What are you doing here, witch?" I turn to him, and see his blue eyes glowing with something dark and dangerous: desire.

I swallow hard for the second time tonight, my gaze noticing the small couch to the side, my heart pounding in desperation; we are alone in this semi-darkness.

"We should go back."

Ares approaches me with slow steps.

"Yes, we should."

I lick my lips, watching his body, remembering how he feels naked against mine.

"Yes, really, we should go."

He nods, standing so close to me that I have to look up to meet his eyes.

"I know."

"Then why are we still here?" I ask, his nose is brushing mine. My lips open in anticipation, my breathing already a mess.

He grabs my neck.

"Because tonight," he whispers, "you're going to be mine again, witch."

And with that said he presses his lips against mine.