𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒈𝒐

Capítulo Dieciséis

Upon arrival at the club, I went straight to the bathroom to change and apply the concealer around the areas. I'd tried my best to ice the parts that were swollen as the majority of them had gone back to normal. Afterwards, I checked myself in the mirror to see if I was good to go.

Good enough.

My stomach hurt but it would go away in its own time.

I disregarded the bag in my section back stage and thankfully there weren't that many girls there so none of them questioned anything. Until it was my turn, I sat on my phone and acted casual.

At eleven, I had a private show booked so I went and did it with ease. A little stomach pain but nothing they noticed nor did it interfere with my work which was the most important thing.

Later at one, I had to keep a man in his early forties accompanied as he sat with his business partners in the club. He offered me a martini but I politely declined and, like a respectful man, he didn't push further.

As he had his arm around my shoulders, he caressed my cheek as his boss spoke but I winced at the contact.

"Are you OK?"

I nodded. "I ran into a pole this morning and my cheek still hurts," I lied, smoothly.

"Did you ice it?"

I nodded, again.

He went back to what his boss was saying.

Thank God he believed my lie.

Before he left, he thanked me for my company and handed me one hundred dollars in twenties.

He was nice; I liked him.

I went to put the money in my bag then went to the bar for a drink. The club was busy tonight so that meant more people which mean more body heat and sweat.

"Can you fix me up a glass of water? With some ice, please?" I instructed to Alyssa.

"Sure thing."

She plopped the ice in then filled it with tap water.

Just as I was minding my own business having my drink, out of the corner of my eye I saw Santiago approaching the bar. Then our eyes met and held each others' gaze. He didn't smile but I did.

"How's your week been? I haven't seen you around," I admitted once he took a seat beside me.

"I've been busy," he answered, simply. "Have you been missing me?"

"Strangely, yes."

Which was true: I'd been wandering about him a few times this week because I hadn't seen him since the hotel ceremony.

He grinned before turning to Alyssa. "A vesper martini."

She nodded and began to make his drink.

My eyes wandered back to Santiago; he looked good today. Just like any other day, as a matter of fact. A few buttons at the top of his dress shirt were undone, his hair was perfectly messy and his eyebrows — God he'd been blessed with some of the most well–sculpted brows.

I wiped some sweat off my face with my arm before going to drink the water.

"What happened to your face?"

I froze.

Fuck, I'd wiped off some of the concealer.

"I ran into a pole." Because he definitely would believe that excuse.

"Look at me."

I didn't look at him.

"Look at me," he repeated, in a lower tone.