CHAPTER THIRTEEN

     Posted by her side, Santiago noticed Lola’s jaw hanging in surprise. He cleared his throat and gently squeezed her hand to get her attention. “Remember what I said about keeping up appearances, munéquita. You gotta look like you’re used to a place like this.”

     Lola paused her gawking and stared at Santiago like he’d completely lost his mind. “How do you get used to a sight like this?! This is insane generational wealth on steroids. I mean, that freaking chandelier is pure gold for heaven’s sake!”

     Santiago simply shrugged. “Perhaps your excitement is understandable. Still, when you’ve come across places like this all over the world countless times, you get used to it.”

     “Nah,” Lola shook her head vehemently. “Doesn’t matter how many times I walk into a building of this splendor, I’ll always be left dazed. Maybe it’s just the artist in me appreciating the beauty of craftsmanship.”

     “Maybe so,” Santiago replied, placing his hand softly on her lower back. “The ballroom is this way.”

     The enormous hall was already packed with people in exquisite dresses and suits that boasted of unbridled wealth. Servers carrying aluminum trays with champagne glasses and expensive truffle chips weaved swiftly around the guests. At the far end of the hall, a classical band had set up its trade, serenading the evening with their unique version of Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major. The entire room was bathed in a warm, yellow glow emanating from the giant chandelier that was shaped like a pine cone. For Santiago, it was just another social gathering where he had to be polite enough to maintain his composure and manners. Nothing special, nothing more.

     His keen eyes quickly spotted the reason for his attendance, laughing with a few other guests across the room. He turned to Lola—who was staring at a truffle chip in her palm like it was poisonous—and secured his hand firmly on her waist. 

     “Showtime,” he whispered. Then he gently nudged her along as they made their way across the room.

     “Mr. Ezequiel,” Santiago said as they got closer to the small group. “You’ve outdone yourself again. A magnificent party as always.” 

     A chubby man with thinning white hair turned around, regarding Santiago with cheerful, glassy, brown eyes. His black suit was a little oversized, and his silver bow tie had a red stain on the edge. Nevertheless, he wore a bright smile and greeted Santiago with a firm handshake.

     “Mr. Morales, my good man! Glad to see you could make it.”

     Santiago watched as Ezequiel’s eyes shifted to Lola, and he witnessed an interesting subtle change in the middle-aged man’s facial expression. “And you must be the incredibly famous Lola Navarro.”

     Lola chuckled nervously, which caused Santiago to suppress a scowl. “I wouldn’t say ‘famous’,” she replied as she tucked a loose strand behind her ear. “Much less ‘incredibly famous’.”

     “Nonsense,” Ezequiel replied as he gently took her gloved hand. “As you can already see, I don’t do subtlety. Neither in my words.” He slowly brought her hand closer to his lips until he brushed a kiss on the silk that covered her knuckles. 

     “Hmm,” he grinned when his eyes caught the ring around her forefinger. “Of course, my friend here doesn’t do subtlety, either. That’s one hell of an engagement ring.”

     Santiago simply smiled as he turned to a woman in a red, sparkling gown standing closest to Ezequiel. “Mrs. Valentina Ezequiel, always a pleasure to see you.”

     “The pleasure’s always mine, dear Santiago,” she replied with a wrinkled smile. She beckoned to Lola, quickly scanning her from head to toe. “Come this way, dear. Their discussions can get long and boring. Let me introduce you to some friends of mine.”

     As Valentina led Lola away, she threw a look of subtle panic towards Santiago, as if to say, We’re supposed to be together! What now?!

     Santiago winked at her, his calm demeanor implying, Don’t worry about it. Just play along.

     “I’ve known you to have a fine taste in a lot of things, including women,” Ezequiel commented, his eyes still fixed on Lola’s rear. “But you might’ve just scored a massive pointer with this one, my good man. What a beaut.”

     Santiago maintained his smile, but boiled within. He didn’t fancy the hunger in Ezequiel’s eyes when he stared at Lola, nor his tone when he spoke about her beauty. On the other hand, he also struggled to understand why the flickering flame of envy was igniting in the pit of his stomach. 

     “Anyway, to the matters at hand, then,” Ezequiel said sharply. “What news do you have for me, Morales?”

     “The reports from the Upstate factories are encouraging enough,” said Santiago as he cleanly snatched a glass of champagne from a passing server. “The first round of prototype tests will commence in the coming weeks, with highly esteemed figures like yourself among the select few who’d be part of that process.”

     Ezequiel wore a satisfied smile. “How wonderful. There’s no better feeling in the world than being part of a revolutionary project. That, and getting a blowjob.”

     The men around Ezequiel laughed in response, clinking their glasses together as if in total agreement. Santiago continued beaming, even though he found nothing amusing. 

     Ezequiel faced Santiago again, his complexion a pale shade of pink as he grinned widely. “Now, Morales, you have my vote and you’ve secured my pledge. However, I was wondering if you could be gracious enough to inform these gentlemen here what exactly you’re signing me up for. I need them to understand why I’ve moved heaven and earth to make this happen.”

     For a moment, Santiago stared quietly at Ezequiel. He knew what his host’s play was: showing off to his guests with an A-list personality at the center of his little charade. It was a boastful tactic that Santiago used to tolerate, feeding the egos of infuriating men at the top of the social hierarchy just to make himself seem just as relevant. Now, he was right up there with them, having a higher tax bracket than many of the people he once looked upon as untouchable. He didn’t have to entertain this pathetic habit anymore. 

     But, just before he declined Ezequiel’s request, he suddenly heard what sounded like his father’s stern baritone in his head. 

     I never forgot my humble beginnings. Sometimes, it’s the only anchor one has to hold them down from the tempting elevation of arrogance. 

     Santiago blinked. He barely remembered his father’s moments of advice or bonding sessions. But, as rare as they were, they always carried profound messages that resonated within his being. 

     “Sure,” he finally replied to Ezequiel. He turns to the small gathering before him, regarding them as students of his impromptu class.