CHAPTER 3: CLARA

It's a cold morning in Monterrey, the kind of morning that makes you crave a hot cup of coffee and I never say no to a coffee craving. So on my way to school, I branched to café Alma, a coffee shop just across from my school; Toppings Medical Academy.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee permeates the air as I step into my favorite coffee shop. The familiar sight of Fred behind the counter brings a smile to my lips, his warm greeting a comforting start to my day.

"Morning, Clara," he says with a friendly grin.  "Morning Fred" I replied "The usual?" he asked, smiling back at him I nodded, he knows how much I love coffee mocha, apart from the fact that it calms me and prepares me for the day it also reminds me of my mom, she loved it too.

"Allá," he said handing the coffee to me.

"Thanks Fred" I gladly accepted my coffee, paid him, and took a seat just beside the window where I could get a beautiful sight of the city.

Soon enough my best friend Chloe walked through the door making her way to where I sat, telling her I'd be there, "Hey gurllll" she said smiling wildly and taking her seat just beside me.

"Hey Chloe" I greeted returning her smile "Nice look Angie" she responded eyeing me, my best friend is big on compliments, I'm wearing a knee-length blue dress that's a bit tight, an average wear but Chloe always has a way of making you feel fly I like her for that though because the compliment just find a way of giving you confidence but still I shoot her a teasing look.

"Common I mean it gurlll, that gown is giving and your hair? when last did you let it down, you always tie it up, I tell you this looks good on you" she said circling my face with her hand on the air" well thank you, you look great too as always" I said complimenting her.

My best friend is a fashion icon. "I know, I always look good. I'm Chloe" we both laughed at her response " Now can we go to class?" I asked already standing up "Definitely" she responded as we made our way to the door.

We made it to school in less than a minute as it was just close by. I got to my locker to get what I'd need for today's practical. Chole also stopped at her locker, and I waited for her to join me so we could get to class together. She finally came smiling so wildly. "Guess what Angie?" She calls me Angie short for Angela. Angela Graciano, the name everyone knows me with at school. Angela in school, Clara Black at home. My identity must be hidden. "You are quitting school?" I guessed

"No silly," she said laughing at my joke "though that wouldn't be such a bad idea" Now we were both laughing at her response.

Chloe is not a school person, she hates school. "So what is it" I asked.

"The Elites just invited me to their month-end party today at Rosaline's place" she squeaked excited

"Waww that's great, you have fun ok" I replied happy for her "oh my mistake, I mean invited us!!" She said emphasizing the 'us' and flaunting two tickets in my face.

"Definitely a no, I'm not going to any party Chloe. I'm going to stay at home and read for the test coming up next week and I won't let anything distract me" I said walking to the lab.

"No no no, not on my watch are you going to be this boring, come on you need a break from all this reading and from life itself. You deserve to have fun too I mean once in a while little fun won't hurt. It won't be bad trust me" she said taking my hand and placing the tickets in them.

"But.."

"No buts ok?" she responded and maybe she was right, a little fun won't hurt.

"I'll l pick you up by 7:00" she added. She got her driver's license last week and since then she can't help driving everywhere she wants to go. We attended the practical class and soon enough it was over and time to go home.

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Getting home to an empty house was no longer new. It feels lonely sometimes but I'm used to it, being the only child, having a late mom and a dad that's always busy would get you this way. These days Dad was rarely around; he always had something to do. So I just fixed my food: Spaghetti and meatballs, my favorite. Took a shower then a nap. I woke up by 5 exactly 2 hours before Chloe was to pick me up for the party.

I'm kind of freaking out right now. I haven't been to a party in like forever. I don't even have what to wear. I just have basic clothes not suitable for parties.

Except….. if any of Mom's clothes can fit me. Mom had a lot of clothes, she loved dresses. I quickly went to her room, it's just like she's here, the same way she left it. Dad and I couldn't move her things from here. I think part of us just couldn't accept that she was gone. I opened her closet and the first dress I noticed brings up memories. I can remember Mom telling me how she wore this on her first date with Dad. I can't help but smile with tears in my eyes, memories of Mom always get me emotional.

I took the dress and quickly tried it on. Wawww didn't think it'll fit this perfectly, it's a red short gown sleeveless on one arm with a slit that runs from my knee down my thigh. It took me another hour to style my hair and do a light makeup up and then I was ready.

"Ding dong" the bell rang, Chloe was right on time. I opened the door to a stunning Chloe, she wore a short black gown and packed her hair up into a bun which perfectly fit the makeup she was wearing.

"You look amazing Chloe!!" I complimented.

"So do you, loving the slit, gurll!!" she said, returning the compliment with one of her brightest smiles. "

Now let's go have fun, woahh!!" Chloe screamed, blowing one of her arms in the air and pulling me to the car.

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As I stepped into Rosaline Carter's apartment, I was immediately struck by its stunning interior design. Though my house was bigger than this, I couldn't help being impressed that the design and arrangements were top-notch with every detail meticulously curated. From the plush velvet sofas to the gleaming marble countertops, it was clear that no expense had been spared in creating this luxurious oasis.

The walls were adorned with an impressive collection of artwork, each piece seemingly more captivating than the last. But despite the beauty that surrounded us, the apartment felt suffocatingly crowded, Rosaline is a pro when it comes to convincing a lot of people to attend her parties. The air is thick with the scent of perfume and the sound of booming music reverberating off the walls. 

"Hi guys" Rosaline greeted smiling so brightly "Welcome to my party, there are drinks over there," she said pointing to the left "And the buffet section is over there," she said pointing to the right " The dance floor is always open, have fun guys!!" she yelled, soon getting lost inside the crowd. 

" I'll go get us drinks" I yelled a bit so Chloe could hear me over the loud music "Sure I'll be here" she replied. 

I made my way to the makeshift bar, where a harried bartender struggled to keep up with the demands of the thirsty crowd.  After a while, I finally got 2 glasses of wine for Chole and I took them to where she was supposed to be but guess what? She wasn't there and honestly, I'm not even surprised.

I decided to go back to the bar and enjoy the wine. I struggled to maintain my balance as I made my way back to the bar, weaving through the crowded room as people jostled and pushed around me. Just as I was about to reach the safety of the bar counter, a sudden bump from behind sent me stumbling forward, the contents of my glass splattering across the pristine white shirt of the man standing before me.

Seriously, who wears white to a party? As I slowly lifted my gaze, I found myself face-to-face with the most impeccably sculpted chest and shoulders I'd ever seen.

Raising my head a fraction higher, I met the gaze of the man who owned this breathtaking physique. His face was a symphony of masculine perfection: a strong jawline, sulky pretty mouth, and neatly trimmed black hair that framed his features with an air of sophistication. Ink-blue eyes that look like they hold galaxies within. Those mesmerizing ink eyes belonged to only one person at Toppings.

Fuck. I just drenched Robins Tyla in wine.