He reaches the lounge where the bar is — What can I get for the gentleman? — the barista asks.
— A glass of water, please — Tadeus says. The woman smiles slightly and hands him a bottle of water. He can see the name "Cherry" on the side of her blouse. Tadeus looks around. The band has left, there are no dancers, but the lights are still on — Do you have to stay here all night? — he asks.
— Until the last customer leaves — the woman answers.
It's then that Tadeus returns his gaze to the lounge and sees a man trying to walk properly as he leaves one of the curtained stalls. A pair of women wearing only heels follow behind him and continue on their way out of the lounge, with no intentions to offer him any help.
— Wow... that one holds up pretty well — The woman comments and laughs at Tadeus' confused look. — Wouldn't you like to earn a few extra dollars? I don't think he'll even remember your face tomorrow.
— Excuse me?
— Oh, sorry! — Cherry says — I saw you a while ago and thought you were an escort.
— Yes, I am. You don't have to apologize — Tadeus says with a slight smile. — I'm not interested. Not now... Thanks for the bottle.
— Get some rest, handsome — She says with a smile.
Tadeus walks through the hallways of that mansion, hoping to get a little sleepier so he can go back to sleep. He stops when he sees a man leaning against the walls to walk until he sees him fall. — Damn! — the man exclaims.
— Are you okay? — Tadeus approaches him.
— Yeah, I think I drank too much — the man says, looking up with a smile and his eyes lost in thought. — I just have to... — He struggles, trying to support his hand against the wall to get up, but he slips.
— Your hand is bleeding! — Tadeus says, noticing the trail of blood.
— Ouch — the drunk says, looking at his palms.
The pieces of the liquor bottle are scattered on the floor, as is the blood mixed with alcohol, leaving a scandalous stain. — Let me help you — Tadeus says, holding the man's arms and guiding him to rest his hands on his shoulders. — That's it, that's it — Tadeo says once the man is standing —Where is your room? I'll take you.
— I don't remember, I just followed the butler when I got to the island — he answers.
— And the key? Do you have it? — Tadeus asks. The man looks confused for a few seconds, but then comes to sense for a second and takes the room key from his jacket pocket.
Tadeus guides him step by step to his room — You're the gypsy, right? I saw you dance.
— Yes, that was my disguise — Tadeus answers.
— Do you do private shows too?
— No — he answers. Once they reach the bedroom door, the Animal falls again as he passes through the door. Tadeus remembers that wound on his palm just before he left him on the floor and sighs tiredly. — Get up, I'll bandage the wound — Tadeus says before heading to the bathroom.
When he returns, he sees him struggling to get on the bed, so he decides to just do it on the floor. Tadeus takes some tweezers and begins to remove the most visible pieces of glass — What's your name? — he asks after a moment of silence.
— Alexander, Alexander Strauss — The drunk answers.
— That Strauss? — Tadeus continues to keep him from falling asleep. — The one from the pharmaceutical company?
— Have you heard of me?
— I'm a journalist. I've done reports for your company.
— Wow, and I was about to ask if you studied medicine — Alexander says. Tadeus smiles slightly. The tone of his voice deepens with each passing minute.
— How does a journalist end up in this kind of place? I thought everything was confidential — Alexander asks.
— I didn't come here as a reporter — Tadeus says. The man's face doesn't look that drunk anymore when he looks up.
— That mischievous smile makes your eyes gleam — Alexander says, leaning in slightly.
— Not at all — Tadeus comments, unable to stop himself from smiling even wider at the bizarre nature of the situation.
— How did you end up in this island?
— I'm not obligated to answer — Tadeus says.
Alexander smiles at this answer and says – Go ahead, ask me anything.
— Do you come to these parties often? You were alone in the launge and you were going to continue drinking a bottle of vodka on your own.
— One comes to these parties to forget how boring life is — Alexander says. They both remain silent until Tadeus finishes bandaging the wound.
Alexander stands up and goes out to what appears to be the balcony. Tadeus gathers the things from the medicine cabinet, takes them to the bathroom, and is about to leave the room until he hears what sounds like a splash. He peers out the gate where he sees the premature light of the sky reflecting on the water and the silhouette of a man getting closer and closer to the depths.
— Hey, what are you doing?! — he shouts. He runs up to him and grabs his wrist — Please get out of the water, you could drown!
— Don't worry, I'm not that drunk anymore! — Alexander says. He takes Tadeus' wrist and pulls him into the water. The man also dives into the water to drag Tadeo a little deeper. — What are you doing, we should go back!
— Chill out, gypsy— Alexander says with a smile. He grabs him by the arm and back to face him — How beautiful — Alejandro sighs, looking into his eyes. He runs the tips of his fingers from his temple to the back of his head to clear the hair on Tadeus' forehead and have a better view of his face.
— You're drunk — Tadeus comments, noticing the way this man is looking at him.
The heir strokes his hair again and kisses him as gently as the drops of water sliding down their faces — I must go back — Tadeus says, dividing his lips. Alexander manages to steal one more brief kiss before letting him go.
A few hours later, the end of the meeting is announced, and the guests begin to leave the island. One plane after another arrives to pick them up until it's Gustaph and his companion's turn. — Did you accomplish anything tonight? — Gustaph asks.
— He was drunk at the bar, and I took him to his room — Tadeus replies — I don't think he remembers my face.
— I guess we'll have to go back until he notices you — the senator comments.