29: An Unexpected Encounter

I didn't know what to expect standing in front of the pulsating party room door with Diego. I felt a tad nervous and uncomfortable.

Diego must have sensed my nervousness. His touch, a gentle nudge against my shoulder with his strong arm. "Hey! What's up?"

"I don't know anyone," I confessed, my voice barely audible over the loud music.

"You know me," he said, smugly. "you don't have to worry about anything. Just think of me as your social passport. Everyone in there is my friend. All you have to do is loosen up and have fun. Trust me, you need this."

A hesitant smile tugged at my lips. "I guess."

"Let's go?"

I nodded.

Walking into the party room, girls swarmed around us—Diego precisely, like a school of fish out of water. It was clear to me that he was popular amongst the girls, though a cynical voice in my head wondered if it was purely his charm or if they simply just wanted a share of his family's wealth.

The piercing gaze from one of the girls made me squir