Dark Paradise

Chapter 9

GABRIEL

When I grabbed the ball with the number, a wave of anger rushed through me. Bad luck hit me just when I least expected it. Deep down, I wanted room number 7, where Alexandra was.

— Looks like I'll have to tame a lion — I heard Felix say with an arrogant smile. I walked over to see his number, and sure enough, it was 7. Mine was 6.

— But that lion is very cute — Tae teased with a flirty tone, lightly tapping Felix on the elbow. I felt the anger rise to my head like an unstoppable wave. The frustration was so overwhelming that I couldn't talk to anyone. I just headed to the fridge, looking for a beer to calm my emotions.

— Gabriel! — I heard Saul's voice behind me, but I ignored him. I knew he was following me. I opened the fridge and grabbed two beers. When I turned around, there he was, approaching. I handed him one bottle, and he accepted it.

— At least try to hide it a little — he said, as he opened the bottle.

— Am I that obvious? — I asked, forcing a smile.

— She's a really pretty girl — he replied, taking a sip.

— Do you like her? — I asked, without looking away.

— And you? — he countered with a question that left me silent.

We stood there, staring at each other for a moment until I saw Felix walking down the hallway. I knew exactly where he was headed. I watched closely, not taking my eyes off his movements. I saw him adjust his pants and unbutton his shirt as he neared Alexandra's door. In one swift move, he tried to open it, but to his frustration, the door swung open just for a second before slamming shut in his face. The look of indignation on his face made me laugh, and I noticed Saul was laughing too.

— It won't be easy for him— Saul remarked between chuckles, taking another sip of his beer.

I relaxed a little, though the bitter feeling remained. I couldn't help it; Alexandra was too much on my mind, and seeing Felix trying to get close to her only fueled that discomfort I couldn't shake.

— Let's go with the guys, she knows how to take care of herself — Saul repeated as we headed toward them, who were already settled in with their girls.

— Hey! We're going to buy beer and food, can we go with the girls, Arturo? — Tae asked with his usual energy.

Arturo, watching how everyone was behaving, nodded indifferently. — Considering how you've behaved, you can go, but don't take too long. Gabriel, get me a Fernet — he tossed me his credit card. I caught it in mid-air without saying a word and headed to the truck.

We all got into the truck, but before I started it, I noticed someone was missing. — Where's Felix? — I asked, trying to keep my tone casual to avoid raising suspicion.

— He stayed behind — Tae answered with a laugh. — Said he wanted to score with the lioness. — Everyone burst into laughter in the truck, but neither Saul nor I joined in. Something tightened in my chest, and a bad feeling started to grow.

— Alexandra's a good girl. I don't understand why she acts like this. Being here is better than at that club — said one of the girls, snuggling into the back seat.

I looked in the rearview mirror and saw her leaning toward Tae, kissing him gently on the lips. The scene felt strangely suffocating. Even though I tried to focus on the road, I couldn't shake the feeling of danger feeling at me from the inside.

With the girls nestled on the guys' laps, the atmosphere seems relaxed, almost festive. But for me, everything feels out of place. Every time my mind drifts back to Alexandra, a whirlwind of images overwhelms me: Felix approaching her, her resistance, her defiant gaze... and then, silence. I can't stop thinking about what might be happening in that house while we're away.