DISGUISED

A Night to Remember

I sighed heavily, knowing what was coming. Audrey was always one for distractions.

"How about we go clubbing tonight?" she suggested, her tone instantly brightening. "Let’s dance, have some drinks, and forget about your father and Scott for a night. You need to relax, and I think this is just what the doctor ordered.”

Part of me wanted to stay home and sulk, but the other part… the part that knew Audrey was usually right, was beginning to lean towards her idea. The thrum of music, the lights, the crowd—it would be a good way to let off some steam.

"Fine," I said, relenting. "Let’s go. But I swear, if Scott shows up, I might just throw something at him.

"Audrey laughed, the sound light and comforting. "Deal. Pick you up at nine?"

"Nine's good”.

As the call ended, I tossed my phone onto the bed and went to my closet, rifling through the clothes for something to wear. Tonight was going to be about letting go. I needed to get this out of my system.

The club was buzzing when we arrived, neon lights flashing across the room as bodies moved in rhythm with the deep bass that pulsed through the air. Audrey was already halfway in party mode, chatting excitedly about the latest gossip while I just nodded absentmindedly.

My mind, though, was still wandering back to the conversation with my father.

I grabbed a glass of wine from the bar, hoping it would help me unwind.

“I told you this would be good,” she said, grinning. “Look around, so many people, so little time.”

I laughed, taking a sip of my wine. It felt good to be out, the atmosphere electric, pulling me out of my funk. I could almost forget about everything that happened earlier.

The music thrummed through my veins, and as the alcohol slowly seeped into my system, I felt a little of the tension begin to fade.

Audrey, ever the social butterfly, had already darted off to the dance floor, pulling some poor guy along with her. I laughed, shaking my head. She was always the life of the party.

As I turned, taking a step toward the crowd, I felt a sharp jolt on my arm. My wine glass slipped from my hand, crashing to the floor in a spray of liquid and glass shards. I froze, staring down at the mess, anger rising inside of me.

It took me a moment to realize what had happened. A guy, tall, dark hair, sharp features, had walked right into me, not even bothering to acknowledge it. He kept moving forward, as though nothing had happened. No apology, no glance back, just… nothing.

Fuming, I followed his figure as he blended into the crowd. He wasn’t like the usual cocky type who would’ve thrown a smirk over their shoulder. He just moved with this strange sense of purpose, unaware of the chaos he left behind. I narrowed my eyes, still irritated by the encounter.

"Who the hell does that?" I muttered under my breath, bending down to pick up what remained of my glass, but one of the club staff beat me to it, sweeping away the mess.

From my new vantage point, I could see him more clearly now standing near the edge of the dance floor, watching the scene unfold around him. There was something about him, though, something in the way he stood. His posture was confident but not arrogant like Scott’s. He wasn't the typical arrogant club-goer who believed the world revolved around him.

No, this guy… there was something else there.

I watched as his gaze flickered across the room, and then… it stopped. On me.

I blinked, suddenly self-conscious. His dark eyes were fixed, unwavering, and something about the way he looked at me sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn’t just that he was staring. It was how. Like he was seeing something beyond the surface.

Admiring. Observing.

It unnerved me.

I snapped my gaze away and found Audrey nearby, dancing with her new friend but watching me with that knowing look in her eyes. I made my way over, pushing through the crowd, feeling a little flustered.

"Audrey, that guy over there just knocked my wine out of my hand," I said, pointing in his direction. "And he didn’t even apologize. But now he’s just standing there… staring at me."

Audrey, ever the curious one, followed my gaze and found him in the crowd. Her eyebrows shot up.

“Okay, first off, rude! But also… do you see the way he's looking at you?” Audrey turned her full attention to me. “Girl, I think someone’s got their eye on you.”

I snorted, more in disbelief than anything else. “He didn’t even say sorry. That’s not exactly charming.”

“True, but… still, he’s got a certain something. I mean, look at him. He’s hot, mysterious. Maybe a little too brooding, but hey, I’ve seen worse.”

"Audrey…" I sighed, rubbing my temples.

She grinned, nudging me with her elbow. “Come on, Elmma. Maybe it’s not all bad. Some guys are just bad at showing emotions. Besides, you need a distraction, and he’s cute enough for one night.”

I glanced back, and sure enough, Diego or at least that’s what I heard someone call him as they passed by, was still standing there, watching me like he was trying to figure me out. I couldn’t decide if it was flattering or unsettling.

"Yeah, but I’m not in the mood to be someone’s puzzle," I replied, rolling my eyes.

Audrey just laughed, twirling back into the music and the crowd, leaving me to my thoughts and the man whose gaze I couldn’t seem to escape.

As the night advanced, I found myself continuously aware of Diego's presence. Even when I tried to enjoy myself, dancing with Audrey and her entourage, I could feel his eyes on me, like an invisible thread tethering us together.

And then, he started walking towards me. His steps were slow and deliberate, I couldn't help but wonder what thoughts were swirling in his mind. The dim lighting of the room made it hard to read his expression, but the way he casually picked up a glass of wine from the passing bar attendant felt strangely intentional. Was he masking something behind that calm demeanor?

My heartbeat quickened, my thoughts racing. What does he want? Was he coming over to apologize?. Is this an invitation, a warning, or something else entirely?. The closer he got, the more I felt a tension in the air. His eyes met mine, and just as he opened his mouth to speak.