Eli's POV
It's been days since my wild DMs with NotRomeo. He was fascinating. But what I enjoyed the most was the anonymity and haven he provided. I could be my most cringiest, unhinged and craziest self without feeling judged. Yes, some of the things we've said to each other can be easily called unhinged, but I have never felt this free in my life.
Like when I dared him to tell me his craziest experience as a teenager. He told me he dated a boy in high school. It was his first time and also how he found out he was bisexual. Prior to that he'd only ever dated one other girl. He told me how he used to sneak into the boy's locker room to have sex. How he tattooed his name on him and claimed him in every way possible.
That sounded very hot. Lucky him, whoever it was that was getting the good sex from this stranger.
I couldn't help but trace the tattoo on my collarbone as I read that text again. A tattoo I had no memory of getting yet somehow was reluctant to get rid of. It almost felt like I needed RTL's permission to get it removed. Briefly closing my eyes, I imagined what it would feel like. Stuffy locker rooms, sweaty clothes and the danger of getting caught. It felt thrilling. And it made me wish I had experienced such an exciting teenage life.
This stranger made me feel heard in a calming way. He shared and loved when I shared. I still remember when he asked me my most daring experience and I told him about the one-time Elena and I almost had sex in a public restroom on our road trip. Till someone had interrupted us. Then I told him about how Elena and I had had never been intimate, that was the first and last time we had tried.
Now she tells me she is asexual. I do believe that some day, we will find out spark again and go crazy at it though. I love her and she loves me.
And just like that the day of the Gala arrived. Not that I knew beforehand, Elena finally texted back. Only to tell me she needed a plus one. It was odd considering that our relationship was not out in the open. The past year, we have kept it a secret, waiting for the right time to tell her parents. She told me after her previous situation with Serial. Her parents were very upset and they needed time.
Now that I think about it, she never went into detail about the Serial situation, only that they had almost got engaged.
Looking in the mirror, I unbuttoned the first few buttons on my red shirt, then I pulled on my beige suit. The suit matched the pants and I paired the outfit with some black dress shoes. My hair was styled away from my face and spritzed on some perfume around my neck.
Elena was the best when it came to picking outfits and this was a masterpiece. I looked rich, bratty and elite.
Yes, I looked like someone she'd be proud to show off as her boyfriend. The thought made me smile and blush simultaneously. I stepped out of my apartment to find the car she had sent waiting.
As the car pulled up to the large mansion, I couldn't help but stare at the thousands of lights that lit up the place. It gave it an elf-like vibe that made me feel captivated. When I exited the car, I saw a few people making their way up the long stairs into the banquet hall beyond the entrance, so I followed.
Once I stepped inside, I marveled at the decor. This screamed luxurious and carefully planned. As I looked around, I realized there were a lot of people I didn't know, this was t my circle. Suddenly, I felt like a fish out of water. Odd, different and not welcome.
People were chatting and sipping champagne in expensive suits and dresses. I could imagine the fake small talk about business secrets, family and their expensive lifestyles. I did a quick mental math of the net worth of everything in the room including the auction paintings. Somehow, it could easily add up to at least 50million dollars.
My brain immediately reeled at the number. It was numbers that had power to change generational destinies. On the flip side it was nothing but mere peanuts for the young, entitled knuckleheads gathered here. As I continued to piece together the new world I was thrown into, I saw Elena, she had a beautiful red dress on. Curves on full display and blonde hair swaying behind her. She was with someone else.
Someone I recognized immediately.
Trevon. There were other people in the small circle but my eyes couldn't stop trailing his body. He was in a red tailored suit with a black shirt, a slight frown lightly lingering on his handsome face. His lips were quirked up in amusement as he stared at Elena.
Elena. The name broke my attention, my focus landing on the other pair of people in the circle. Taking a deep breath, I was about to turn away to find a good place in the shadows to hide when someone called my name.
It was Trevon. He said something to the group that was inaudible and then I saw them walk towards me.
My throat suddenly dried out. And when they finally stopped beside me, I felt caught in a trap.
Trevon's smile deepened as he looked me over, his eyes appreciating my suit and lingering a little too long on my chest.
Weirdo. I thought.
But his eyes were undressing me in a way that made me feel hot, bothered and needy. It was almost as if he'd turned on an invisible switch only he knew about, on my body. I could feel light sweat form on my forehead as my breath quickened.
Get yourself under control Eli! If all it takes to unravel you is a seductive gaze, you won't survive tonight! I thought to my self in a fierce tone.
"Hey everyone, meet Elisha, my best friend from high school", he said in a sultry voice.
High school? Best friend?