●Sienna●
"Mom, I'll be with Maya the whole time," I pleaded, trying to keep my tone calm. I had been begging her to let me go to Lexy's graduation party. Lexy was one of my favorite cousins, and honestly, I just wanted to be at a party for once in my life. I was a grown woman, for crying out loud, and I hated that I couldn't do anything without bodyguards on my back.
"You know your father won't be pleased with this," she said, pursing her lips. "And neither am I pleased with the idea of you going to those… uncivilized parties."
"You can give me a curfew. Three hours, maybe," I tried to reason with her, hoping it would work. She paused, considering, and I held my breath.
"Fine," she finally said, and I felt excitement bubble up. But before I could fully celebrate, she added, "But you should be back by midnight. And you'll go with Andrew."
I bit back a groan. I couldn't complain too loudly, even though I wanted to, and I nodded instead.
Immediately after getting her approval, I headed upstairs to my room. Since last night, I had been extra cautious, so before stepping inside, I scanned the room quickly, making sure everything looked normal. I went straight for the shower, letting the hot water wash away the tension of the day. Once I was done, I made my way to my walk-in closet and pulled out a blue dress I had bought during one of my shopping sprees with Maya.
It was a party dress, the kind that hugged just the right curves without being too over-the-top. The fabric was a deep sapphire silk, smooth and soft against my skin, falling mid-thigh with a subtle flare that gave it movement when I walked. The neckline dipped just enough to hint at cleavage, while thin straps left my shoulders bare, showing off the elegance of my collarbones. The back dipped slightly, and the dress glimmered under the light, catching it in shades of navy and electric blue.
I moved to my dressing table, sitting in front of the mirror as I applied my makeup, accentuating my eyes with just enough shadow and lining my lips in a soft pink. I pulled my hair into an elegant style, a few loose strands framing my face. When I finally stood, I studied myself in the mirror. I looked
gorgeous… maybe a little too provocative, and I hoped my mother wouldn't have too much to say about my choice.
Finally, I slipped into my favorite black red bottoms and picked out a sleek black purse before heading out. Tonight was going to be wild. Well—wild by my standards. I had never been to freak parties before, but I knew enough to believe this one wouldn't be boring.
After kissing my mom goodnight, where she still wore that worried look she hadn't managed to shake off, I headed to the front of the house. Luca already had the engine running, and Andrew was seated beside him. The gates opened, and moments later, we were gliding out of the villa.
The drive took about fifteen minutes. The club was called Élysium Noir, elegant and understated from the outside, all dark glass, gold accents, and a velvet rope guarded by sharp-dressed bouncers. Music hummed faintly through the walls.
Maya was already waiting outside when I arrived. I spotted her instantly—how could I not? She was wearing a bold red version of my dress, the color striking against her skin. Her black hair fell in loose curls down her back, and as always, she looked effortlessly stunning.
"Girl, we are twinning," she squealed, pulling me into a tight hug.
"We sure are," I laughed, hugging her back. She must have driven herself because I didn't see her chauffeur anywhere nearby.
We headed inside together, swallowed instantly by flashing lights and pulsing music. Andrew stayed behind, and I didn't even try to hide how grateful I was that he had decided to leave me alone.
The inside of the club was breathtaking—crystal chandeliers above the dance floor, neon lights tracing the walls, and bodies moving in perfect chaos. We found Lexy near the VIP section, surrounded by friends, her face glowing with happiness.
"Sienna!" she exclaimed when she saw me, pulling me into a hug. "You made it!"
"Of course," I said warmly. "Congratulations, Lexy. I'm so proud of you."
She beamed, already slightly tipsy, and pulled us into her circle. Someone pressed a drink into my hand—a cocktail glowing an unnatural shade of blue. I took a cautious sip and immediately regretted it. It tasted like shit, nothing like I had imagined.
"You'll get used to it," Maya shouted over the music, already dancing.
I grimaced but took another sip anyway.
Soon enough, we were on the dance floor. At first, I was stiff, overly aware of myself, but the music was loud, intoxicating, and infectious. The bass thrummed through my body, and slowly, something inside me loosened. I started moving without thinking—my hips swaying, arms lifting, laughter spilling freely from my lips.
Time slipped away from me without warning. One moment I was laughing and dancing, and the next it felt like hours had passed, my body humming with exhaustion and the music still ringing in my ears. I eventually found my way to the VIP area, grateful for the little pocket of space that wasn't as crowded or suffocating.
Lexy was there with her friends, shoes kicked off, makeup smudged, all of them glowing with that loose happiness that only comes from a night well spent. Maya joined us a little later, dropping beside me with a grin, and for a moment I just sat there talking to the girls, listening to their laughter, feeling something warm settle in my chest. I really needed this. This kind of friendship. Just me and the girls, having fun without rules or expectations.
My head was spinning badly now, the room tilting every time I moved. I had had far too many drinks, and even the sharp smell of alcohol made me want to puke. I pressed a hand to my mouth and breathed slowly, willing the nausea down. Nearby, one of Lexy's friends had completely passed out, and her boyfriend struggled to lift her, apologizing to everyone as he carried her out. Around us, the party was dying its natural death. Some people were slumped over couches, others were kissing shamelessly in the corners, and a few were already asleep where they sat.
Not long after, Andrew appeared in front of me.
"We should get going, Miss," he said, offering me his hand.
I barely protested as he helped me to my feet, my balance unsteady and my legs feeling like they belonged to someone else. Maya and Lexy waved at me absently, their faces blurred by lights and fatigue, and I waved back with a lazy smile. Andrew picked up my purse before guiding me toward the exit, the music fading behind us as the cool night air finally hit my face.