CHAPTER SIX🥀

The drive back to the Ortega estate was filled with the remnants of the night’s festivities.

The girls were all tipsy, their laughter filling the car as they relived moments from the party, but the energy began to dwindle as they neared the towering gates of Elena’s home.

As the car finally rolled to a stop, Elena's gaze fell on a sleek black sports car parked near the entrance. Her heart skipped a beat.

That car wasn’t there when they left. She knew it all too well.

Her brother, Alejandro, was home.

Elena cursed under her breath. She had hoped he would still be away, busy with one of his many business ventures or off on some glamorous trip.

She forced a smile, trying to hide her tension, but the slight stiffness in her posture did not go unnoticed by Gabrielle.

"Is your brother back?" Gabrielle asked, her voice slightly slurred, though the curiosity was clear in her tone.

Elena nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah," she replied, her voice tight. "It seems like it."

Sofia, slightly unsteady on her feet than the rest of them, brightened with drunken excitement. "Alejandro’s back?" she squealed, her words a little too loud, a little too eager. "Finally!" She sashayed toward the entrance, her high heels clicking unevenly on the stone steps.

Elena quickly grabbed Sofia’s arm, steadying her before she could make a scene. "Sofia, hold on," she warned, her voice firm but gentle.

"You need to behave yourself if you see him. Don’t embarrass yourself like you did last time."

Sofia scoffed, swatting Elena’s hand away with a dismissive wave. "We’re not kids anymore, Elena," she retorted, though her voice wavered slightly.

Despite her bravado, there was a flicker of nervousness in her eyes. She remembered all too well the way Alejandro had looked at her the last time she had crossed his path—a mixture of cold amusement with mockery and veiled contempt.

"Things could be different this time," she added, though it was unclear if she was trying to convince Elena or herself.

Elena sighed but didn’t argue further. She knew better than to try and reason with Sofia when she was in this state.

Instead, she led the way inside, guiding the group with a quiet authority that kept them in check.

As they entered the grand foyer, the cool air of the house was a welcome relief after the warmth of the car.

Elena made sure to steer Sofia away from the main wing, guiding her and the others towards her own quarters.

Emily, still feeling slightly lightheaded, leaned on Elena for support. Despite the alcohol, she felt better after a glass of water Elena had given her in the club, but the slight dizziness lingered.

"It’s past midnight," Elena murmured, glancing at her phone as they walked through the quiet corridors. "We should get you settled in." She kept her voice low, cautious not to disturb the heavy silence that filled the house.

"Um, Can I use your bathroom?" Emily asked softly, feeling the need to freshen up after the long night.

Elena smiled warmly. "Of course. I have one In my room or you could use the other one" she replied, pointing to a door just off her bedroom.

Emily thanked her, took her bag and entered the bathroom, her breath catching slightly as she took in the opulence.

The space was like something out of a magazine—marble countertops, gold fixtures, and plush towels neatly folded on a rack. A large mirror reflected the soft glow of the recessed lights, and the air smelled faintly of lavender and vanilla. She paused for a moment, admiring the luxury, before shaking herself out of it.

She quickly changed into her nightwear, the cool silk against her skin calming her slightly.

As she stepped out, the muffled sound of laughter and chatter reached her ears, drawing her attention. She followed the sound down the hall, where she found the girls gathered in Elena’s lounge, now dressed in nightgowns and sprawled comfortably across the plush sofas.

They were playing truth or dare, the mood light and carefree despite the lateness of the hour. Elena was leaning back, her eyes sparkling with amusement, while Isabella and Gabrielle were giggling about something.

Sofia, however, was in the middle of defending herself, her arms crossed over her chest, her chin raised defiantly.

"Did you really have s*x with that spa attendant during your service?" Isabella asked with a teasing grin, her voice full of playful accusation. "The news was everywhere, you know."

Sofia rolled her eyes dramatically, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Why would I lower myself to that?" she shot back, her tone dripping with disdain. "A man so far beneath my status? Please."

She waved her hand dismissively, the gesture flaunting her polished red fingernails, each perfectly manicured and gleaming under the lights.

Isabella shrugged, unbothered by Sofia’s attitude. "It’s what the internet said," she replied, a mischievous smirk on her lips.

Sofia scoffed again, a satisfied smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth as she dismissed the accusation with a proud wave of her hand.

It was then that Elena noticed Emily lingering in the doorway. "Emily!" she called, her voice warm and inviting. "Come join us. We’re playing truth or dare."

Emily hesitated, a knot of anxiety forming in her stomach.

She could feel Sofia’s eyes on her, cold and condescending, and it made her feel even more out of place. But Elena’s encouraging smile gave her the push she needed, and she slowly made her way over to the group.

Sofia’s expression hardened as Emily approached, her lips curling in disdain. "Seriously, Elena?" she said, her voice sharp with incredulity. "You want her to play with us? A lowlife like her?"

Elena’s eyes flashed with anger, and she shot Sofia a warning glare. "Enough, Sofia. She’s my friend, and she’s joining us whether you like it or not. And remember never to use that word on her again…don’t think I’m forgotten what you did" Her voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Sofia narrowed her eyes but didn’t push further. She wasn’t used to being challenged, but she knew better than to openly defy Elena when she was in this mood.

Still, she couldn’t hide her distaste, her nose wrinkling slightly as Emily sat down on the edge of the sofa.

The game resumed, and for a while, it was lighthearted and fun. The girls laughed as they completed silly dares and revealed embarrassing truths. Isabella twerked in the middle of the room, her moves exaggerated and comical, while Gabrielle admitted to accidentally shoplifting once, though she quickly added that it hadn’t ended well for her.

Even Elena got into the spirit of things, confidently strutting across the room in a bikini and heels for her dare, earning cheers and applause from the others.

But as the night wore on, the atmosphere began to shift. The laughter grew quieter, the dares more daring, the truths more personal.

And then, Sofia’s eyes lit up with a sudden idea. A slow, sinister smile spread across her face as she turned to Emily, her gaze filled with malicious intent.

"I have a dare for you, Emily," Sofia announced, her voice dripping with faux sweetness.

Emily’s heart skipped a beat, her anxiety spiking. "What is it?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Sofia tapped her nails against her chin, pretending to think.

The tension in the room grew palpable as everyone waited for her to speak. Finally, she leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she fixed Emily with a cold, calculating stare.

"I dare you to go to Alejandro’s wing," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "Knock on his door and ask him if he remembers the date October 14th."

The air in the room grew thick, the tension so intense it was almost suffocating.

Everyone froze, the playful atmosphere from before evaporating in an instant. If there was a hint of highness from them before , they had completely sobered up now. Elena’s face drained of color, and she quickly shot to her feet.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Elena said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear. "That’s not funny, it’s too far. You know how my brother is and with his space. She’s not doing it."

Sofia arched an eyebrow, her smile never faltering. "Everyone else did their dares and truths, Elena," she replied smoothly. "Why should she get a pass? If she really doesn’t want to do it, she can pay $1000. Or, to make it easier for someone of her status, let’s say $500."

Elena’s anger flared, and she marched over to Sofia, her eyes blazing with fury. "Watch your tongue, Sofia. You know damn well that this isn’t just a harmless dare."

Sofia met Elena’s glare with one of her own, her icy blue eyes filled with defiance. "It’s just a dare, Elena," she said coldly. "Or is your friend too weak and scared?"

The other girls shifted uncomfortably, their earlier laughter long gone. Gabrielle and Isabella exchanged worried looks, clearly uneasy with the turn the night had taken. But no one spoke up.

Emily, who had been listening to the exchange with growing anxiety, swallowed hard.

The room felt oppressive, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. She didn’t know the full extent of the story behind October 14th, but the atmosphere told her enough.

This was more than just a dare—it was a test, one she wasn’t sure she wanted to take.

But with everyone watching her, waiting for her response, Emily felt trapped.

She knew refusing the dare would come at a cost, and though the thought of going there made her uneasy, she couldn’t back down now. Not with Sofia’s eyes on her, full of a smug satisfaction that only deepened Emily’s resolve and she slightly wanted to impress Elena’s friends even if most of them were nice to her.

Elena’s eyes met Emily’s, pleading silently for her to back down, to choose the money instead.

But Emily took a deep breath, steeling herself.

“…I’ll do it,” she said, her voice steady despite the dread curling in her stomach.

The room went silent, the weight of her decision settling over them all like a dark shroud.

Elena’s expression was pained, a mixture of anger and concern. Sofia, on the other hand, looked triumphant, her smirk widening as she leaned back, satisfied with the chaos she had sown.

“You don’t have to do this, Emily.” Elena said softly, but Emily shook her head.

“I’ll be fine, it shouldn’t be that hard right?” Emily replied, though she wasn’t entirely sure she believed it herself.

Sophia’s smirk deepened as she pointed to the grand staircase that led to the upper floors. “Alejandro’s wing is on the third floor. Just keep going until you reach the end of the hall. You’ll know it when you see it,” she said with a satisfied grin, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.

Elena shot her a venomous glare, the anger barely concealed behind her piercing eyes. “Stop it” she hissed, but the damage was done.

The dare was out there, and Emily, feeling the weight of their stares, was pressured but determined to go through with it.

She nodded, trying to keep her face neutral, though her heart was pounding in her chest.

Without another word, she turned and began her slow ascent up the staircase.

The mansion was eerily quiet, each of her footsteps echoing against the marble floors.

As she reached the third floor, the atmosphere shifted noticeably.

It was darker here, the air colder, and the lighting dimmer. The hallway was a stark contrast to the vibrant, welcoming ambiance of Elena’s wing.

Here, everything was monochromatic—black, gray, and silver, with dark wooden accents that seemed to absorb rather than reflect light.

Emily paused for a moment, her nerves suddenly fraying. What was she even doing here? She didn’t know Alejandro, had never even seen him before tonight.

The tension downstairs had been palpable when his name was mentioned, and now she was wandering his territory on a dare. What had she gotten herself into?

As she walked deeper into the hallway, she felt an almost oppressive weight bearing down on her.

The walls seemed to close in, the shadows lengthening with each step. The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint sound of her breathing. Emily’s thoughts began to race.

This is crazy, she thought. I shouldn’t be here. Why am I doing this?

But she kept walking, her curiosity mingled with dread. The hallway was breathtaking in its own way, the black and gray tones creating a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. It was sleek, modern, yet cold, a stark reflection of its owner.

The decor was minimal but luxurious—a few abstract paintings in dark hues, and long, heavy drapes framing tall windows that revealed nothing but the inky night outside.

Finally, she found herself standing before a door at the end of the hall.

Unlike the others, it was slightly ajar, a faint light spilling out into the corridor.

Emily froze…was he inside? Should she enter and say hi first?.

Her hand hovering just inches from the handle. Every instinct told her to turn around, to abandon the dare and go back downstairs.

She had no idea what October 14th meant, but the reactions from the others had made it clear—it was something dark, something she didn’t want to provoke.

Her fingers brushed against the cool metal of the handle, and she winced, as if the touch had burned her.

What was she doing? She wasn’t like the others—she didn’t belong in this world of dares and dark secrets.

Maybe she should just turn around, go back and say she couldn’t do it.

But as she took a step back, preparing to retreat, something stopped her.

Her back collided with something solid—cold and unyielding, like a stone wall.

Had she passed by a sculpture a second ago? She didn’t remember seeing one.

Confusion clouded her mind, and before she could turn around to see what she had bumped into, a deep, velvety voice cut through the silence, sending a shiver down her spine.

“I don’t remember having guests,” the voice said, the words laced with a slight, rich accent that was both refined and dangerously alluring.

Emily felt the blood drain from her face.

The voice was intoxicating, its resonance vibrating through her, wrapping around her senses like a warm, seductive fog.

She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry as she slowly turned to face the source of that voice.

When her gaze finally settled on the figure before her, the breath caught in her throat. Standing just inches away was the most devastatingly handsome man she had ever seen in her life.

He towered over her, his presence commanding and overwhelming, as if he owned the very air around him.

His eyes were the first thing that struck her—striking gray, with flecks of silver that shimmered in the dim light. They were framed by thick, long lashes that were almost unfair in their perfection. Those eyes held a depth that was both mesmerizing and unnerving, drawing her in and holding her captive.

His damp, jet-black hair, thick and slightly tousled, fell over his forehead in a way that only added to his allure. It was the same shade as Elena’s, but on him, it was darker, more intense. The way it framed his face highlighted every perfect feature—the sharp, aristocratic nose, the strong jawline that could have been carved from stone, and the full, beautifully shaped pink lips that looked like they had been designed to sin.

But it was his eyebrows that truly captured her attention—thick, perfectly arched, and almost womanly in their shape, yet adding a fierce, masculine edge to his expression. They framed those piercing gray eyes with a kind of intensity that made her feel like he could see straight through her, into her deepest, most hidden thoughts.

Emily’s mind struggled to catch up with the situation, but the next sight in front of her left her completely paralyzed.

The man before her was shirtless, his chiseled torso gleaming faintly in the dim light of the hallway.

As her gaze faltered and lowered, she took in every detail—the sharp lines of his collarbone, the subtle dip in his chest, the way his abs rippled with every slight movement.

His arms, strong and muscular, were relaxed at his sides, but she could sense the power in them, the kind of strength that could effortlessly sweep her off her feet—or crush her.

The muscles on his chest and abdomen was defined to perfection, like a sculpture carved by a master artist. His skin was tanned, smooth, and flawless, exuding warmth and power-a testament to a life of luxury and care. Droplets of water clung to his skin, trailing down from his hair, which still held the remnants of a recent shower.

But it wasn’t just his body that left her breathless.

It was the way a towel hung precariously around his waist, barely secured, as if it could slip away with the slightest movement. The towel was the only barrier between her and what lay beneath, and the thought made her heart race uncontrollably.

He was so close…too close…and the scent of fresh soap and something more intoxicating, filled the air between them.

Emily’s face flushed a deep, burning red as she realized she was openly staring.

He raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow at her, his expression unreadable, waiting for her to say something. But the words she was supposed to speak had fled her mind, replaced by a whirlwind of confusion and awe.

She opened her mouth to respond, but all that came out was a faint, breathless sound. She quickly snapped her mouth shut, horrified by her reaction.

The date—what was it again? October 16th? It was gone, lost somewhere in the haze of her muddled thoughts.

She couldn’t remember anything but the man standing before her, dominating her senses in a way she had never experienced before.

Her mind was spinning, trying to grasp onto something coherent, but all she could think was, Is a man supposed to look like this?

Holy sh*t.

She stuttered, struggling to find her voice, but the words tangled on her tongue. How could anyone speak properly in the presence of someone like him?

He took a small step closer, closing the already narrow gap between them, and the towel around his waist shifted slightly, drawing her eyes against her will.

She quickly looked away, her face burning with shame, but it was too late-she had seen enough to make her knees weak.

“Who are you and what brings you to my wing at this hour?” he asked, his voice a velvet caress that sent shivers down her spine.

Emily gulped, her mind racing to find a coherent answer. But all she could think was, What the hell am I doing here? She didn’t even know this man, yet here she was, standing outside his room like a fool, unable to remember the simple dare that brought her here in the first place.

She opened her mouth to speak, but the words tangled in her throat. “I… I…” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

He waited, his expression calm, though there was a hint of something dangerous in his eyes—a flicker of curiosity, maybe even amusement, as if he was toying with her.

The tension in the air was almost unbearable as Alejandro’s piercing gray eyes remained fixed on Emily, who still couldn’t find the words to respond.

Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she stood there, tongue-tied and completely overwhelmed by his presence.

The silence stretched on, and she could see the flicker of impatience growing in his gaze.

The once-smirking amusement was slowly being replaced by boredom, and she knew she had to say something…anything…but her mind was a blank slate.

He let out a low, almost inaudible sigh, and with a fluid motion, he stepped closer.

Before Emily could react, she found herself pressed against the solid wood of his bedroom door, the cool surface grounding her as a reminder of just how trapped she was.

Her back was flush against the door, the coldness seeping through her light pajamas, making her acutely aware of how little she was wearing beneath them.

A shiver ran down her spine, both from the chill and from the closeness of the man towering over her.

Alejandro’s scent, a mix of fresh soap and something darker, more intoxicating, surrounded her, making her head spin.

His presence was overwhelming, and the way his body loomed over hers only amplified the heat pooling in her cheeks. She closed her eyes, her breath hitching as she waited for his next move, her imagination running wild with possibilities.

But instead of the touch she was both dreading and anticipating, she felt him pull away. Her eyes snapped open in surprise just as he grasped the door handle, pushing it open.

He didn’t bother to look back at her as he stepped into his room. “You should see yourself out,” he said, his tone dismissive and bored, as if the entire encounter had been nothing more than a passing indifference.

Then, as if to drive the point home, he muttered something in Spanish under his breath, his voice dripping with amusement. “Qué infantil.”

The deep timbre of his voice sent a jolt of vibrations through her body, causing her to tremble. Even though she didn’t understand the words, the meaning was clear enough—it was an insult, and a reminder of just how insignificant she was to him.

The door closed with a soft but final click, leaving Emily standing alone in the dimly lit hallway. For a moment, she remained frozen, her mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened. She felt humiliated, confused, and more than anything, shaken. She couldn’t believe how easily she had lost herself in the presence of this man—a man who clearly found her presence nothing more than a nuisance. She almost slapped herself for being so flustered and mute.

Finally, she forced herself to move, her legs trembling as she hurried away from the door and down the hallway. The further she got from his wing, the faster she moved, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere that still clung to her skin. Her breath came in ragged bursts by the time she reached the staircase, and she barely noticed the beautiful décor she had admired earlier as she fled back toward the lounge where the other girls waited.

When she entered the room, Sophia was tapping her manicured nails against the armrest, a look of impatience crossing her face. “What took you so long?” she snapped, her eyes narrowing as she assessed Emily. “It’s been over ten minutes, and we haven’t heard any drama. Did you even do the dare?”

Elena’s expression was a stark contrast, filled with concern as she rushed toward Emily. “Are you alright?” she asked, her voice soft but urgent. “You look so flushed.”

“I-I’m fine,” Emily managed to stammer, still breathless and a little dazed. She tried to compose herself, but the memory of those gray eyes and the feel of his presence still lingered, making it hard to focus.

Sophia raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “So, did you do it or not?”

Emily hesitated, the embarrassment creeping up her neck like a slow burn. She felt all their eyes on her, but she couldn’t bring herself to admit what had happened. Finally, she shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “No… I didn’t get to.”

Sophia’s irritation was immediate. “What do you mean you didn’t get to?” she demanded, her tone sharp. “What were you doing then?”

Emily’s cheeks burned with shame as she struggled to explain. “I… I was kind of lost, and then when I saw him, he… he just ignored me. I wasn’t able to say anything.”

Sophia rolled her eyes dramatically, clearly unimpressed. “Unbelievable,” she muttered. “You mean to tell me you stood there like a fool and did nothing? We’re not children, Emily. You were supposed to do the dare.”

Elena shot Sophia a glare, clearly irritated by her harsh words. “Sophia, enough,” she snapped. “She was clearly overwhelmed. You should have known better than to send her to him like that.”

Sophia huffed, waving her hand dismissively. “Whatever. It’s not my fault she can’t handle a simple dare. But next time, don’t waste our time.”

Emily lowered her head, trying to hide her embarrassment as Elena put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Come on, let’s go to bed…we’ve had an extremely long day”

Emily takes a deep breath and nods, feeling relieved. She decided to act more naturally and forget this crazy night. But could someone really pretend those striking grays eyes didn’t exist?

As the tension in the lounge began to settle, Elena could sense the slight unease growing within her. She forced a smile and turned to the girls, her voice a bit softer than usual. “I think we should call it a night,” she suggested, glancing around at the others. “It’s been a long day, and we all need to sleep off the rest of the alcohol.”

Gabrielle nodded in agreement, yawning as she stretched out her arms. Isabella, too, seemed eager to retreat, while Sofia huffed, clearly still irritated by how the night had played out. Elena’s gaze flickered to Emily, who was still slightly flushed but smiled and walked towards Elena’s room with the others.

Everyone settled in and prepared to whirl away in the night’s slumber. Emily laid down on the side of the bed almost immediately dozed off.

Elena turned off the light and laid down,sinking into her white fluffy pillow.

But beneath Elena’s calm demeanor was a growing anxiety. She knew Alejandro well enough to understand that he wouldn’t let tonight go without a word.

She had let someone-no, Emily-wander into his wing, and that was enough to draw his ire. Her brother was particular about his space, and now she had to face the consequences.

….To be Con