Chapter 8: Vermouth

It was almost dusk when Isra finished evaluating an output from her team in Los Angeles and she started feeling hungry. She looked at the clock on the table beside her. It was eight past seven. She stretched her hands upwards and heard a couple of cracked bones on her shoulders and back. 7 hours. She realized that she was on the computer that long that she felt her whole body felt numb from sitting down. She yawned as she lied her back flat on the bed and closed her eyes. The decision to put her nose down to work to forget Lucas was agonizing. She fought hard to get him off her head. It slowed down her work. She couldn't recall how many times she would switch between movies from her newsfeed just to divert her mind. She sighed. The soft bed felt like heaven but her stomach acid started spiking up that she felt the need to go down and grab something to eat. 

Immediately, after changing into a pair of stone-washed fitted jeans and black fitted cropped leather jacket over a black tank and Chuck Taylors, she went out to hunt for food. At the back of her mind, she was hoping she won’t bump into Lucas or Franco again. They probably had gone home and the probability of seeing them here would be slim. She sucked up her anthrophobia as she strode through restaurants carelessly, but she couldn’t figure out what to eat. Her stomach was not craving for a Spanish food anymore. She wanted to eat something light so she decided to settle for an Italian restaurant when she spotted one, two shops away.

“Isra Koc! Hey, the party is here, where are you going?” cried a voice coming from one of the restobar on her side. She looked and saw Franco grinning as he walked towards her with a glass in one hand. His shirt was already unbuttoned halfway revealing a more tanned skin than he previously had. He took her elbow with the other hand as he dragged her inside before she could even refuse. “It’s my birthday! Where are you going?

Inside, Andrew was dancing with a girl in an open space to a Mediterranean upbeat rave music, instantly recognized her, “Isra!” he said as he took long strides towards her. She didn’t immediately recognize the girl he was dancing with but she could hear a disappointed grunt. “Hey, where are you going?” said the voice.

“What a pleasant surprise, so glad so you came down here. Come! We are celebrating.” He said as he wrapped his hand across her shoulder on her side. Franco was dancing as he walked her in and joined the girls in the dancefloor. 

Isra smiled weakly as she scanned the faces around and realized who the girl was. It was Paloma. Now sitting on the table taking a light sip of her drink. They were seated at the middle table with two more faces she just met. And there was Lucas. The gorgeous Lucas Madiera. And their eyes locked. Her heartbeat pounded and her breathing reached to her throat as if she had been running.

“Oh, I’m so happy you are joining us tonight. It's double celebration. Franco's birthday and a new restaurant." Andrew grinned

"Congratulations to both of you!" Isra mused.

"And please feel free. It’s just us. This whole place is ours tonight.” Andrew said as she guided her to the table to join Lucas. “There is food over there and you can also request from the waiter if you like anything.

“Thank you, Andrew.” She flashed him a smile as she settled in a chair across Lucas while Paloma eyeing her sternly as she sipped her drink that looked like a type of whiskey. Franco’s party vibe was on. Everybody in the room seemed to have a barrel of monkeys. She could tell from Andrew’s flushed cheeks that he was almost three sheets to the wind and Franco was the same. She smiled at everyone on the table who warmly welcomed her except Paloma who only shot a quick smirk and a raised eyebrow. What's this girl's problem with me? She'd been shitty towards me since the mansion.

 Andrew took a seat beside her, snatching her attention. “So, how is the filming going?

 “Pretty cool.” She said wryly. She looked across the table and saw Lucas eyes looking intently on her. His smile was sweet as if he was over the moon. “I’m glad to see you, Isra.

Andrew shot him a quick look and stood up “Why don’t you come over here.” He said as he jokingly as he pulled Lucas out of his chair and pushed her to sit with Isra. Lucas was smiling shyly as he slid into the seat beside her. He looked so divine. His hair was pulled into a messy bun, his now- tanned skin glistened under the halogen lamps overhead and his boyish charm came into play- that dangerous boyish masculinity- utterly breathtaking!

“So, how was your day?” He asked. His breath smelled of mint.

“Pretty productive, I should say.” She lied. In fact she hardly finished one project because she couldn't keep her mind off Lucas. She couldn’t help it. She was happy to see him. Her mind was telling her not to but her heart said otherwise. She shouldn’t feel this way. She shouldn't be here. Her mind told her to leave. But her heart was nailing her down.

She straightened on her seat when the waiter came and asked if she needed anything. Instead, she asked for cold water with slices of lemon and cucumber in it. Lucas stood and took her to the buffet table to pick some food. “Would you like some roast beef?” he asked whispering next to her. He was so close that he could feel his breath fanning her cheeks. Blushing, she only heard herself saying “Okay.

Back on the table, the rest of the guests were back on the dancefloor, clapping and cheering Franco as he grinded with a bob- haired girl whom he had just grabbed walking by the bar outside. Lucas looked at them and shook his head.

“Do you dance?” he asked as he forked through his pasta.

“No. I assure you, I’m the most boring person in the world.” Isra smirked. I shouldn't be friendly. I need to suck up this feeling. Lucas need to feel I don't want him. He should'nt fall for me. 

“Me, neither. Despite growing up in a household who treats dance as a sport.” He said smiling, shyly looking intently at her as she picked food on her plate.

“How long have you been drinking?” she asked.

“We had two glasses of mojito earlier when I met Frank. After that we took a dip by the sea the whole afternoon. Franco had been drinking the whole time, I didn’t. I don’t like getting drunk. Funny right? When I'm in the business of alcohol.” He chuckled as he shot a glance at the dancefloor thoughtfully as they heard Paloma squealed. She and Andrew were dancing wildly now. She looked so seductive in her two- piece red cocktail dress as she poured the liquor on her neck for Andrew to drink from as she screamed with delight while shooting a teasing look at Lucas.

Isra could see the reaction of Lucas face before she turned to her “Do you want to drink? We can order something light. You know they say, you need to drink to enjoy the company of drunk people.” He said as his brows furrowed. Paloma’s squeals in the background became more intense as Franco and Andrew took turns on her, and Isra could tell how uncomfortable Lucas became.

Isra chuckled. “That’s true.” Lucas smiled as his expressions change. He edged himself closer to her until their knees were touching and an electrifying currents ran through their bodies as they touched.

He looked at her with eyes sparkling. “I’m glad you’re not like them.” He said.

She smiled at the sudden realization at how similar she and Lucas were. "I told you, I'm the most boring person in the world."

"Welcome to the party." Lucas smirked.

 While the room looked chaotic with overexcited people, she felt peace with him. He felt different. Calm and matured, and maybe that's why she felt instantly good in his presence. “So, what do you suggest?

Lucas waved to the waiter and ordered two glasses of Vermouth. A moment later the guy went back with their drinks. Two glasses with a cube of ice and a slice of orange submerge in Vermouth wine. The floral fruity taste ran smooth in her mouth as she took a sip.

“Our harvest night is coming soon. In four days to be exact. And then will have a ball in six days. The whole family will be coming. It’s usually going to be a more formal event. Local politicians will be coming. My father invites his compadres and comadres, you know. Important people, if you want to put it that way.” Lucas said thoughtfully.

“Then, it must be spectacular.” Isra smirked.

“Mmm. Sort of. But uhh----” Lucas was scratching his forehead nervously before turning to face her “Isra, will you be my--- uhh—partner for that night?” he asked.

Isra bit her lip. She didn’t know if she heard him right. She definitely wanted to find excuses to say no but she said the words willingly. “Ok. But I wouldn’t know what to do. I mean, I haven’t been to ball in my life.” She said with pure honesty. 

Lucas curved a smile. “Nothing. Well, you will be sitting with me, just being beside me. That’s all.

Isra thought for a bit as she toyed with the orange on her glass. But even before her mind could filter she uttered, “I’ll say ok."

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