David felt like “The Man. “He landed Christina, someone who looked better than the girl of his dreams. It wasn’t just all the attention she received.

Sure, the attention didn’t hurt. But there was something else. An intrigue that surrounded her. A beautiful mystery, he suddenly felt desperate to unravel.

He wanted everyone’s attention on him, to say, “Look at who I’m with,” but Christina preferred a quiet entrance. She moved them like a shadow slipping through the night; the last thing she wanted was to draw further attention to them. This was the thrill he didn’t know he was missing, re-entering the hall with an unspoken understanding between them. A shared desire to escape the prying eyes of Jessica and Auturo, at least, for a brief moment.

David was aware of the fallout this would cause, yet he didn’t mind it. He had spent years balancing flirtation with discretion, and hiding girlfriends from Jessica was a hobby he enjoyed. His friendship with Jessica was always platonic, and he had grown tired of hearing the same old boring speech about finding “A Good Girl.” And now, his befriending her cousin would only turn ugly, so he pushed down those feelings of wanting to be seen for a discreet approach.

Plus, he wasn’t just hiding from Jessica, her family, but from Catherine. Her mission that evening was clear: police the “lover boy,” a nickname he detested. (Okay, maybe that one was on him. No one told him sleeping with most of the bridesmaids was a good idea.”.)

They both felt the exhilaration of sneaking around. Christina had her own set of watchful eyes on her, aware of her cousin’s disapproval of her and the rumours her family had spread about her over the years, especially Arturo, his family, and, worse, his unknowing fiancée. She knew she was about to play a dangerous game.

David had found the hidden spot earlier, above the reception, a secluded perch where no one paid much attention. He had even hidden a bottle of tequila there before the evening began, originally planning to bring a particular bridesmaid up at the end of the night.

Instead, he brought Christina.

From their little alcove, they could watch the party unfold below, and it felt like they were the only two people in the world. Christina leaned in to clink glasses with David as they took tequila shots, the burn bringing a flush to their cheeks.

Christina leaned in, clinking her shot glass “Por los secretos,” she murmured, her voice whispering against his skin.

David grinned. “Por… bad decisions?” he offered, clinking his glass to hers like it was a challenge.

The warm tequila hit hard, David coughed, laughing as he wiped his eyes. “Shit, that was rougher than my last breakup.”

Christina raised a brow, smiling slyly, taking the shot as if it had no effect on her. “¿Cuál de todas?”

He blinked. “Wait—you understood that?”

She shrugged, that dangerous little smile still playing on her lips. “Más de lo que crees.” She found it funny that he would expect her not to understand any English, but she found his cluelessness charming.

David laughed, a little thrown, and a lot intrigued. “Damn. You’re dangerous.”

She tilted her head, took another slow sip. This was such an easy game for her, she didn’t even have to try, “Tú también… pero lo sabes.”

He leaned in, elbows on his knees, eyes tracing the curve of her mouth. “You keep talking like that, and I’m gonna fall in love.”

Christina didn’t flinch now she was really having fun distracting herself from Arturo, “¿Y eso sería tan malo?”

He let his gaze linger. “For me? Absolutely.”

They stayed tucked in their little corner, the tequila warming their skin and their bodies angled just close enough to blur the lines between being casual and intimate.

Their voices dropped to murmurs, laughter low and fleeting, the air felt charged with something unsaid.

From above, Christina’s gaze drifted toward the dance floor, toward him. No matter how hard she tried to distract herself from him, she just couldn’t.

Arturo moved easily with Carmen, his hands resting where they should, and that damn smile she could never get enough of. It was polite and rehearsed. To anyone else, it looked perfect, like he was enjoying the moment with his new fiancée.

But not to her.

She caught it in how his shoulders tensed ever so slightly, and his eyes kept scanning the room even as he turned Carmen in rhythm. No one else would notice.

But she did.

She always did.

And Arturo? He was looking for her. He didn’t know she could see it; he would have hidden his anxiousness even more if he had.

David leaned in to say something, but she only half-heard it. Her eyes flicked back to Arturo, her lips curving slightly, not for David or the joke he made.

But for the man who didn’t care. And all she wanted was to make him jealous, have him see that she was already with another man. To continue the cat-and-mouse game they’ve played for years.

David noticed the shift in her expression, her lips curved, and her gaze fixed on someone who wasn’t him.

That smile… it wasn’t for him.

And that messed with him more than he cared to admit.

He wasn’t used to being ignored. He was the one girls whispered about, the one they followed with their eyes across the room. The one who never had to compete.

But right now?

He wasn’t the center of her attention.

And he wanted to be.

No. Not just wanted, needed it. So instead of retreating or deflecting with another joke, he leaned in, closer, he needed something to get Christina to focus on him.

“So, do you think Catherine’s still lurking?” David whispered with a grin, half-joking but fully aware of the consequences if she spotted them.

This was enough to reel her in. She had noticed how Catherine kept an eye on him, which was a good enough distraction for now. “Porque? Te da miedo?” she teased.

“Miedo…Scared? Me? Nah,” David chuckled, though his eyes scanned the room. I’d just rather avoid the lecture. I get it; they’re like my sisters, but they enjoy prying into my life and making it hell.”

That made her smile. She tilted her head, studying him now with curiosity rather than charm. She’d always been interested in Jessica’s world and the people in it, the ones she was warned to stay away from. And David? He was the center of that circle. He was off-limits.  

But talking to him felt… easy. Familiar. Dangerous, maybe, but familiar.

He suddenly glanced toward the crowd, guilt or maybe hesitation flashing in his eyes. “I should go say goodbye before anyone starts wondering where I’ve disappeared to.”

“Aquí voy a estar,” she said softly, her eyes lingering on him as he slipped back into the noise and the light.

Alone again, Christina’s thoughts shifted back to Arturo. She saw him, standing alone, pulling out his phone.

She knew what was coming before it happened—his message, the inevitable pull back into the toxic dynamic. But it was too early for her to give in so easily. She quickly silenced her phone, refusing to let him drag her back into his web, at least not yet.

---

Meanwhile, David found himself face-to-face with Jessica and Greg, glowing for their honeymoon and ready to get over the chaotic turn of events on the wedding day.  

Jessica, ever observant, raised an eyebrow as she hugged him.

“Where have you been hiding all night?” she asked, her tone playful but probing. “Catherine’s been on the lookout for you. You weren’t off causing trouble, were you?”

David smiled, deflecting with ease. “Would I ever cause trouble at your wedding?”

Jessica laughed, shaking her head. “You? Absolutely”

Greg clapped him on the shoulder, laughing along. “Don’t go giving Catherine more ammunition, man.”

David chuckled, trying to keep the conversation light. “I’ve been good. Alright? I’ll pinky promise the two of you if it helps you sleep better at night.”

Greg going along with the banter, “oh trust me I’ll be sleeping just fine without any promise.”

Jessica rolled her eyes. Still unconvinced but clearly too happy to press further, hugged him again. “Thanks for being here, David. Take care of the plants while we’re away, okay?”

David gave her a mock salute. “Your plants are in good hands. You two go enjoy your honeymoon.”

“Trust me, we will!” Jessica said with a grin, turning to Greg as they walked toward the waiting car.

As they bid their final goodbyes and drove off, David let out a quiet breath of relief. The coast was finally clear… no Jessica, no Catherine, no nosy relatives hovering around

He returned to Christina, who was waiting for him, her eyes following his movements.

Once the newlyweds had left, the night seemed to breathe again. Most of the family had gone, too, especially the ones who might snitch on David. He extended his hand, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “Let’s dance,” he said.

Christina paused for only a moment before slipping her hand into his. The secrecy of their dance, hidden from the remaining guests, added a sense of adventure. Something she always sought, especially with Arturo.

As the night wore on and the lights came up, signaling the end of the celebration, David and Christina waited outside for their rides. The chilly night air surrounded them as they stood close, the energy of the evening still humming between them. David shrugged off his jacket and gently placed it around Christina’s shoulders.

“Here, take my jacket,” he said, soft and close.

Christina slipped her hands into the pockets, feeling the warmth of the fabric. She inhaled the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the cool night air, and a soft smile tugged at her lips. “Gracias,” she said quietly, a warmth spreading through her chest that had nothing to do with the jacket.

David observed her closely, his interest deepening. There was something about her, something he couldn’t quite place, and it drew him in further.

Her car was the first to arrive, and both of them felt a brief sadness. Both wanted to continue, this, whatever this was, but neither made the move. “Here’s your jacket,” she said, preparing to leave.

“No, keep it,” he started, then paused, eyes narrowing. “Wait—I thought you didn’t speak English?”

Christina’s lips curved into a playful smile, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Nunca dije eso,” she replied with a shrug, leaving him wondering.

David raised an eyebrow, smirking. “So you’ve just been letting me walk around like a No Sabo kid, huh?”

Christina giggled but remained coy. “Quizás,” she teased, stepping into the car, her tone light and mysterious.

David shook his head, watching her go, still trying to figure her out. “Keep me guessing, huh?” he muttered to himself as the car drove away.