CHAPTER SIX

Diego’s POV

I smiled as I watched the last of Alejandro’s boxes get carried out.

Not just a small smile.

A real one.

Finally.

Finally, the golden boy was gone.

“Careful with that!” my mother called out, wringing her hands as the movers carried another box. “Those are fragile!”

Fragile.

Just like Alejandro.

I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching the whole scene like it was some kind of show.

“Don’t worry, Mama,” I said lightly. “He’ll survive. It’s just a dorm, not a military war zone.”

She turned to me sharply. “Diego, Esto no es gracioso.”

“Oh, I’m not joking.” I shrugged. “This might actually be good for him. You know… for character development.”

She frowned, clearly not amused by my words.

Because I wasn’t joking either.

This was perfect.

With Alejandro gone, I could finally breathe. Finally think. Finally step out of his shadow.

Now, Father would see me.

Not him.

Me.

And I was going to make sure of it.

Maybe mother herself could actually begin talking to me, now that her precious son is out of the picture, build a bond, and finally see I've always been better than Alejandro.

Alejandro looked at me and rolled his eyes.

"Make good friendship with your roommates, big brother."

"Callarse la boca."

I waved and laughed as I went back to my room.

—

Today was going to be Alejandro’s last day in the house and I so wanted to celebrate.

Father and I could even have a talk about the company over wine.

I was already halfway to Father’s office when I heard voices.

Muffled and tensed voices coming from his office.

I paused.

The door wasn’t fully shut.

“…you can’t do this,” my mother’s voice pleaded from inside. “Guillermo, please. Sending him away like this—it will tear this family apart. Por favor, razona conmigo. ”

I stilled.

Alejandro.

Of course.

I stepped closer to the door, my breath quiet, my body pressed against the wall as I listened.

“It will do no such thing,” Father replied, his voice calm.

“If anything, it will shape him. Alejandro needs discipline. A sense of esponsibility.”

“And cutting his allowance? Taking his car?”

“Yes.”

Silence followed, thick and heavy.

Then my mother spoke again, softer this time. “What about Diego?”

I leaned in closer.

My heart started beating faster.

“Yes… what about me, father?” I whispered under my breath.

Father laughed.

It wasn’t warm. It wasn’t amused.

It was… dismissive?

“Diego?” he said. “I only mentioned competition for the sake of motivation. Alejandro will take over the company when the time comes. He is the eldest, that is how it has always been.”

Everything inside me went still.

“…what?” my mother asked quietly.

“Diego is intelligent, I'll give him that,” Father continued. “He can build something of his own. But Alejandro, he has presence. Influence. He commands attention. That is what the company needs, not just books.”

My nails dug into my palm.

No.

No, no, no.

This had to be a joke.

“Alejandro?” my mother repeated.

“Yes.” Father’s voice hardened. “Diego can barely speak in public without freezing. How do you expect him to run a company, more less this company?”

That did it.

Something snapped.

I stepped away from the door, my chest rising and falling rapidly.

A fool.

A fool.

That’s what he thought of me.

After everything.

After all the effort. The grades. The discipline. The obedience.

None of it mattered to him.

Because Alejandro—

Alejandro got everything without even trying.

The girls. The attention. The praise.

And now… the company.

My company.

“No…” I muttered, shaking my head. “No, no, no…”

My vision blurred with rage.

“What does he have that I don’t?” I hissed under my breath.

Nothing.

Nothing.

I was just as good.

Just as handsome.

Better, even.

So why him?

Why always him?

My chest tightened.

I needed air.

I needed… something.

And then I remembered.

The club.

Alejandro had mentioned it once, casually.

A new place that was popular, loud and everything Alejandro liked.

Perfect.

If I couldn’t be him…

I would learn how.

—

Night fell faster than I expected.

I changed twice before settling on something decent. Not too formal. Not too… awkward.

I grabbed my keys, heading for the door when my mother stopped me.

“Diego?”

I turned, already annoyed. “What now, mama?”

“Where are you going?”

I forced a grin. “Out.”

“Out where?”

“The new club that just opened.”

Her eyes widened. “A club? Diego!”

I waved her off. “Relax, it’s just a club. Nothing much.”

She stepped closer, worry written all over her face. “Are you sure? You know you are…”

“What?” I snapped.

She hesitated. “I just mean—you’re not used to that kind of environment—”

“A wallflower?” I cut in sharply.

Her face fell. “No, I didn’t mean—”

“Just leave me alone, Mother,” I said coldly. “I’m not coming back early.”

I didn’t wait for her response.

I walked out.

—

The club was… overwhelming.

Even from outside.

Music pounded through the walls, bass vibrating through my chest. Lights flashed through tinted glass.

I swallowed.

“You can do this,” I muttered to myself. “It’s just a club.”

Just a club.

I sprayed mint into my mouth, straightened my shirt, and stepped inside.

Instant chaos.

People everywhere. Bodies moving. Laughing. Touching.

I froze.

Alejandro made this look easy.

Like breathing.

But me?

I felt like I had just stepped into another world.

I pushed through the crowd, making my way to the bar.

“One Shot,” I said quickly.

The bartender raised an eyebrow but poured it anyway.

I stared at the glass.

Then drank it.

Instant regret.

“—shit!” I coughed violently, my throat burning like fire.

The bartender chuckled. “Easy there, boy. Maybe start with something lighter. A mocktail perharps.”

Laughter erupted nearby.

“Look at him!” someone said. “Man can’t even handle a shot!”

“Wimp,” another added.

My face burned.

“I’ll have another,” I snapped.

The bartender shook his head. “Nope. Not happening.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re not ready for the dogs, boy,” he said simply.

I clenched my jaw.

He slid another drink toward me. “Try this. Cream scotch, good for you.”

I grabbed it and drank.

And drank.

And drank.

Until the edges of the world softened.

Until the noise didn’t feel so loud.

Until I felt… something close to confidence.

“Yeah…” I muttered. “This is it.”

Now… the girls.

I stepped onto the dance floor, trying to mimic what I’d seen others do.

“Hey,” I said to one girl. “Wanna dance?”

She ignored me.

Another one? She turned away.

Another? She laughed and walked off.

My chest tightened.

“Come on…” I muttered, frustration bubbling up. "Why no one want to dance?"

This was getting annoying. Either they were with someone or wanted nothing to do with me.

“Do you want to have a good time?”

I turned.

She was beautiful. Brown wavy hair, curves that caught every flicker of light and breasts that almost popped out her gown.

My heart raced.

She was perfect. I will get her.

“Yes,” I said quickly, grabbing her hand.

We danced.

Her body against mine.

This—this was it.

This was how Alejandro did it.

I grabbed her waist and rocked her ass against my crotch.

I moaned as she rolled on me.

Yes, just like that. I could feel myself getting harder.

M****a.

I leaned closer. “Let’s go somewhere private.”

She smiled.

I led her to a corner, hands roaming, gripping, exploring.

God... her breasts were so soft. Never touched any breast before.

I was about to bring out a boob to maybe suck, when she stopped me.

“I was dared, you know,” she said suddenly, giggling.

“What?”

“To dance with the dorkiest guy here.”

I froze.

“And you were perfect.”

Something twisted inside me.

But I laughed.

I didn’t care.

I leaned in to kiss her—

She pulled back. “I have to go, now.”

I grabbed her wrist. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Her expression changed.

“Is it money you want?” I slurred. “I can give you anything, puta.”

Her hand connected with my face.

“How dare you?” she snapped.

Rage exploded inside me.

I grabbed her neck. “You skank—”

A punch landed square on my face.

Everything spun.

Three guys stood there.

“You don’t touch her,” one growled.

Before I could react, fists came from everywhere.

Pain.

Sharp. Blinding.

I fell.

“Stop—”

Another hit.

"Chico estúpido y débil."

“What the hell is going on here?”

That voice.

I looked up, dazed.

Alejandro.

Of course he had to come.

“This mutt choked my girl,” one of the guys said.

Alejandro’s jaw tightened. “That’s enough. You’ve had your fun.”

They hesitated… then left.

Just like that.

Alejandro turned to me, extending his hand. “Get up.”

I slapped it away. “I don’t need your help.”

He sighed. “You can’t just go around trying to kiss anyone, Diego.”

“Fuck off.”

I stood and immediately collapsed.

“Yeah,” he muttered. “Thought so.”

Before I could protest, he lifted me up like I weighed nothing.

Humiliation burned hotter than the pain.

He carried me out, put me in his car and drove home.

Silently.

When we arrived, he opened the door. “You’ll get your car later. It’s safe.”

I didn’t respond.

I couldn’t.

I stumbled into my room and collapsed on my bed.

My body ached. My face throbbed.

But none of that mattered.

All I could feel was the humiliation.

The laughter.

The pity.

And Alejandro—

Standing there like some kind of fucking savior.

I clenched my fists.

“I hate you,” I whispered into the darkness.

It wasn’t enough anymore.

Hate wasn’t enough.

I wanted more.

I wanted to break him.

Piece by piece.

Until there was nothing left.