Game Plan (COMPLETE)

30

The elevator doors slid open—and it hit me all at once.

Bass thumped so loud it felt like a second heartbeat in my chest. Strobe lights swept the dark room in sharp flashes, catching glimpses of dancers, designer fits, and endless drinks lined up on the bar. The floor glowed faintly under tinted LED lights, and somewhere above, laser beams cut across the ceiling like it was some high-end rave.

Santino really did reserve the whole floor. No space was untouched—velvet couches in every corner, high tables crowded with glasses, and that faint haze in the air that only came with expensive smoke machines, and too many people drinking too fast.

This was Southdeck, and Santino Valerio had claimed it for the night.

Then I spotted him near the DJ booth, holding a mic and laughing like he owned the place—because tonight, he basically did.

He saw me, raised his drink, and grinned.

"Ferrera!" Santi shouted into the microphone, pointing straight at me. That was enough to make a few heads turn my way amidst the music and crowd.

He walked over, and I handed him the gift I bought."Happy birthday, asshole."

"Bro, I thought you weren't gonna show up!"

"Yeah, I kind of wish I didn't," I muttered, glancing around. This scene wasn't exactly my comfort zone.

"Weh? You sure? Arrie's on her way." He was moving one of his brows up and down.

"Oh? She's not here yet?" I pretended to be sad.

"Wow. So she's the only reason you came?" Santi looked like he was genuinely offended.

"Yeah," I said with a small grin. "Definitely didn't come for you."

Santi rolled his eyes and laughed. "Unreal."

"Ven?"

I turned to the familiar voice and saw a face I haven't seen in months... or maybe even years. "Quade," I said. "Didn't know you'd be here."

"Same," he replied with a smirk.

Santi looked between us, confused. "Wait, you guys know each other?"

"We're cousins," we both said in unison, then laughed at the timing.

"This is insane!" Santi said, mouth agape. "What a small world."

Santi was explaining how he met Quade—of course, at a party thrown by Cirqle, which Quade founded and owned. He even helped Santi set up this entire party.

"Then, if you're wondering," Santi added, "I met Ven at LRI!"

"Wait, wait," Quade cut in, turning to me with a look of disbelief. "You met him at the old hag's office?"

"Yeah," I replied simply.

We both glanced toward Santi as he got pulled into the crowd—probably to take more shots and edge closer to death.

"What were you doing there? At LRI?" Quade asked, raising a brow. "Did he make you do work?

I gulped, trying my best to stop my mind from wandering too much about those times. His hand... and his words...

"Uh, yeah."

"Is he still breathing?"

I sighed, "Unfortunately..."

"I'm not one to wish death on someone but all I'm gonna say is the world would be a better place without him." He said, a smirk evident, and sipped on his drink.