I scooted into the corner and Tobias squeezed in next to me. The hostess placed drink menus down for us as the bass of the music started to pick up. Different strobe lights flashed around the room with women getting up out of their seats. I could see people in the VIP area in the top level throwing drinks in the air.
“Today was great, Sofia, we need to set up another one with you,” Tobias muttered in my ear over the loud music.
“Set it up with Cassidy, I like the way you guys work and don’t hang around wasting time,” I said, as the hostess brought over a bottle of Ace of Spades and a martini.
“We didn’t order this,” Cassidy said to the hostess.
“This was a gift from the owner,” the hostess said.
“Who’s the owner?” Tobias queried, happily opening the bottle.
“Mr. Fuertes,” she said, and I almost spit the drink out. Everybody peered at me while I scanned the room trying to see if Joaquin was nearby.
“Is he here?” I asked her.
“No, he saw you on the monitor remotely,” she replied.
“That’s your boyfriend, right?” Tobias questioned.
“No. It’s a complicated situation,” I replied.
“We saw on the news about your kidnapping,” Bridget brought up and Maggie glared at her.
“What?” Bridget asked. Her expression was perplexed as if she couldn’t understand why Maggie would be upset.
She didn’t seem like the type of person that was aloof or just gossiped about things back at the studio; now that we were not on set she must have felt more comfortable.
“That’s not your business, Bridget,” Maggie told her.
“Sorry, I mean it’s all over the news about you dating some big time cartel boss,” Bridget commented.
“The media is always twisting stories,” I said.
“We should make a toast, to a successful launch and new album, Sofia,” Cassidy said, raising her glass in the air. The rest of us joined in and clinked glasses. I chuckled at Cassidy dancing in her seat.
“Come on, Sofia, you should let loose a little,” Cassidy suggested and pointed to the dance floor.
“I’m not really dressed to be seen. You go ahead... I’ll stay relaxing with a drink.” I sipped the rest of the dry martini down and waved for the bar girl to bring me another one.
“I’ll go with you,” Bridget responded and Maggie let Cassidy out of the booth and the three of them switched to the dance floor.
“You have to excuse Bridget,” Tobias commented.
“She’s curious like everyone else. No worries,” I responded. Maggie and I continued glancing around, observing the other patrons.
Tobias stretched his arm out on the back of the booth and smiled. He was tall with a nicely trimmed beard, full lips, and dark brown skin. He reminded me of the actor Morris Chestnut with the low cut waves.
“Tell me about yourself, Sofia,” Tobias said.
“Not much to tell, I’m an actress and singer. Trying to make it in New York,” I responded.
“What do you find harder, singing, or acting?” Tobias investigated, nudging me in the arm.
“Probably singing, since it’s more intimate.”
“You do have a beautiful voice,” Tobias replied and smiled.
“Are you flirting with me?”
“Is it working?” he replied as we both broke out in laughter.
My eyes raised in shock when Hugo and Gael stepped in front of the booth. I looked around for Joaquin wondering if he saw us and thought this was a date. Gael cleared his throat and glared at Tobias.
“How are you, Sofia?” Gael asked.
“Gael, no.”
“He’s not here. We just wanted to make sure you're okay, with your new friend,” Gael spoke.
“Who are you?” Tobias asked while trying to stand up out of the booth. Hugo pushed him back down.
“Hey!” Tobias shouted.
“I wouldn’t raise my voice in someone’s business establishment, sir,” Gael suggested with a harsh glare on his face.
"Gael, I'm hanging with friends. Tell him to back off."
“You know we can't do that," Gael answered.
“Ohh... look what we have here,” Monica said as she walked up with a group of women behind her.
“I don't have time for this.” I rubbed the temples of my forehead.
“Monica, you know you're not allowed here,” Gael said.
“I can do what I want, Gael, Joaquin doesn't run me like his little bitch over there,” Monica spat, and I tried to jump up and punch her in the face. Tobias held me around the waist and pulled me back down.
“Is this the new boyfriend? I guess you couldn't take Joaquin's lifestyle,” Monica responded.
“Get out of here,” Gael said.
“No, I'll leave. I had no idea he owned this place,” I said.
“Sofia, we can go somewhere else,” Tobias mentioned, getting out of the booth to help me up. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I was very much still in love with Joaquin. Dating anyone new right now wouldn't help me at all with the press still hounding me and me trying to get back to work.
“She's not leaving with you,” Gael announced and stepped in front of Tobias.
“Tobias, he's right. I can't leave with you. I'll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” Tobias queried; Hugo tried to shove him away when he grasped my elbow.
“Hugo, stop it!” I shouted and pointed at Gael.
“Tobias we’ll talk. Send Cassidy the edits for approval.”
“Hey, are you leaving?” Cassidy came over, fanning herself.
“Yeah, I'm tired, and it's getting crowded,” I fussed as I rolled my eyes at Monica who was whispering in her friend's ear and laughing.
“I’ll leave with you,” Cassidy said, and grabbed her things off the table.
“I have a car out front,” Gael stated as he motioned to follow him and I stormed out to the car he had out front. He chuckled and I wanted to smack that smirk off his face.
“Have you talked to Alessandra?” I asked and the smirk washed off his face.
“You play, Sofia,” Gael spoke as he opened the door for me to get inside. I looked around to make sure Joaquin wasn’t there.
“I haven’t talked to her since before the kidnapping.”
He closed the door and walked around to the passenger of the SUV and Hugo slid the key into the ignition and drove off into traffic.
“She moved here to the city. She’s taking fashion classes,” Gael said.
“Oh.”
“What's your name?” Cassidy remarked as she tapped Hugo on the shoulder.
“He doesn’t like to talk,” Gael responded, and Hugo looked through the rearview mirror at Cassidy. I wanted to laugh at the grimace that had crossed Hugo’s face at Gael’s answer. Cassidy seemed to not care at all because she checked her makeup in the mirror.
“Finally.”
“Let Hugo walk you up,” Gael said, and I shook my head no.
“We’ll be fine and make sure to tell your friend he doesn’t have to send drinks over anymore,” I said. Cassidy opened the rear passenger side door and I climbed out.
“Sofia, you’re being unreasonable,” Gael said as he leaned over the car door.
“I might be, but your boy should keep his little fling under control.”
“You know she doesn’t mean anything to him,” Gael told me.
“Goodnight, Gael.” I waved him off and stalked in the apartment building with Cassidy behind me.
Cassidy came in behind me and dropped down on the couch and I locked the door, kicked my shoes off and dropped my jacket on the couch. I headed to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water to work through the alcohol.
“You can crash in the guest bedroom,” I said and shut the fridge.
“Uhhh...huh,” Cassidy replied, snorting a little as I laughed. I strolled to my bedroom with my purse to check for any messages. I took my phone out and saw Joaquin had sent a text message.
Joaquin: Dinner tomorrow.
Me: No.
Joaquin: You have fun tonight?
Me: Goodnight Joaquin.