Between Bad Luck, Lust, and Destiny

*Valéria*

My 23rd birthday...

I turned slowly, going back to the bed, putting extra sway in my hips as I felt their gaze burning every inch of my skin. I sat down calmly, crossing my legs, like someone preparing to watch an exclusive show. And what a show…

The three of them began to undress slowly, provocatively, synchronized as if every movement had been rehearsed a thousand times. The song "In The End" by Linkin Park — Mellen G remix — vibrated through the room, the beats echoing in my chest like a second heart. The bass pulsed in the air, mixed with their heavy breathing. Each button opened, each piece of clothing sliding off the male body seemed to last a delicious eternity.

My body reacted without asking permission.

Watching the three of them undress slowly made me even more aroused. When they stood completely naked, illuminated by the room's low light, the scene was almost obscene in its perfection. Mouthwatering. Literally.

I approached again, kneeling on the bed, letting my fingers glide over those defined muscles, warm, alive. I felt the skin prickle under my touch. I ran my hands over one's abdomen, another's chest, the third's hip. They were so alike and yet so different in the energy they gave off.

Seeing the virility pulsing, firm, proud, pointed at me, was driving me insane. My heart hammered in my chest, my breathing grew short. I wanted all three of them inside me. Tonight.

I wanted to feel everything. I wanted to taste everything.

I wanted to lose myself.

...

4 years earlier…

I was raised as daddy's little princess.

The only thing I did in life was study. I grew up in an enormous house, surrounded by staff who always seemed to anticipate my wishes. I never lacked anything. On my last birthday before the tragedy, I was given a luxury apartment overlooking Central Park. I remember standing frozen before the window, looking at the city at my feet, feeling invincible.

He gave it to me with the condition that I not sell it before I turned thirty.

I found that crazy clause amusing.

What did he think? That I would sell it and run away? He even said it would be my future.

My father always thought ahead.

I speak English, French, Spanish, German, and I get by in Russian and Italian. Spoiled and loved, yes. But intelligent. I was always dedicated. I never depended solely on the family name.

My parents had been strange in the last few months. There was tension in the air, whispers interrupted when I entered the room. I learned from the college dean that my father had set up a fund, paying for my entire education in advance. At the time, I thought it was excessive.

Today I understand that perhaps he knew time was short.

Unfortunately, my world crumbled overnight.

I lost my parents and my little brother in an accident.

I was left alone.

The silence of the enormous house was replaced by a deafening emptiness inside my chest.

...

4 years later…

I graduated a few months ago from university. Diploma in hand, impeccable résumé, fluent languages… and no opportunities.

I couldn't get a job.

Desperation was making me accept the first chance that came along, without thinking twice. I didn't understand where my mistake was. I'm a polyglot. I may not have formal experience, but I learn fast. I'm disciplined. I'm organized. I'm dedicated.

You know that saying that goes: it can't get any worse?

Pure illusion.

Not only can it, but it will.

To give you an idea of the streak of bad luck I've been having, yesterday I woke up with my apartment full of water because the idiot upstairs decided to do a damn renovation on his own. A pipe burst that ended up affecting my apartment, flooding everything.

And, to my bad luck, mine was the most affected.

After my parents died, I rented out the luxury apartment to support myself and pay for something smaller. At the time, I found this small apartment in Brooklyn cozy. Today it looked like a war zone.

To make matters worse, my phone didn't go off. I was late. I missed the subway for an important job interview.

And, to top it all off…

I was mugged.

Yes. They took the little money I had in my purse. The only reason they didn't take my phone was because, as always, I had forgotten it at home. Who in life always forgets their phone at home?

Me.

The unluckiest person in the world.

Or lucky, right? Since at this hour, I could be without it.

What a shitty day!

I handed out a bunch of résumés and so far nothing. My car broke down weeks ago and I don't have a cent to fix it.

And, to make it worse, I just got notified that I'll have to leave the apartment until everything is resolved regarding the "flood" caused by the wannabe plumber asshole.

As if the universe were laughing in my face.

My phone rings.

Of course it can only be my crazy friend.

Camila. Or Cami, as she likes to be called. Beautiful woman, cinnamon-brown skin, long curly hair, my height. She stops traffic with her curves. A bit crazy. And I love that joy of hers.

— What's up, you bitch.

I answer already affectionately, as always.

— What's this, friend? Is that how you treat your best friend, who's calling to tell you she got you a job interview? Just don't ask me how…

My heart almost jumped out of my mouth.

— Seriously, friend? You don't joke about these things, you lunatic.

I prayed it was true. I was going to be homeless in the next few months.

— Of course, you crazy girl! HR from Romano Enterprise is going to call you. The position is secretary to the hot triplets responsible for the The Lux nightclub chain!

My brain froze for two seconds.

Triplets.

Hot.

CEOs.

Nightclubs.

— Thank you, friend. I don't even know how to thank you. I thought the bad luck session would never end. You won't believe it, I'm going to have to leave my apartment…

I told her the whole story about the flood, about idiot Mateus, about the soaked walls.

— Oh, girl, don't be like that. If you want, we'll beat up the idiot! There are evils that come for good. Everything will work out. Actually, why don't we go out to celebrate?

— Only you could make me smile after the terrible day I've had. But not today. I've got tons of things to pack. It's a war zone in here.

— Suit yourself. Call me if you need anything!

I hung up feeling slightly lighter.

Hours later, the phone rings again.

— Hey, friend, I can't talk right now!

— Good afternoon, am I speaking with Miss Valéria Santorini?

The feminine voice, polite and professional, made my stomach turn.

— Yes, that's me.

— Miss, this is Estela, from Romano Enterprise HR. I'm reaching out to schedule the interview for the secretary position for the CEOs of The Lux.

The butterflies in my stomach were instant.

— The interview will be at 8:00. It's best to arrive a little early to prepare. They hate delays.

She seemed to be warning me kindly.

— Yes, I'll be there. Thank you, Estela.

— Good luck, miss. See you tomorrow.

I hung up and started doing little jumps in the middle of the flooded apartment.

Finally.

A chance.

Oh, my God.

Me, Valéria, still a virgin at 22, would be the secretary to three CEOs who are more than hot. And they must be identical.

My Holy Mother of excited and desperate virgins.

Good luck to me.

If I had internet, I would have already torn their lives apart.

The day flew by between boxes and hastily folded clothes. After the interview, I would need to look for another place to live.

After a relaxing shower, I put on my strawberry-scented moisturizer. One of the few things I still allow myself to keep from my old life.

I was already in my pajamas when someone knocked on the door.

— Damn, super secure building, anyone can just walk in.

I looked through the peephole.

Cami.

I opened it smiling.

— What are you doing here, you lunatic?

— I came to get you, obviously? Or did you think I'd accept a no as an answer? Go on, get ready. Let's go to The Lux nightclub to check out the place and see if we can find your new bosses. Take advantage, okay? VIP ticket!

— How did you get this?

— I work at one of the casinos in the Oásis hotels during the day. I got it from a friend. You think I'd set you up? Never!

I sighed.

— I'm only going because I'm way too stressed. But by 1 a.m. at the latest I need to be back.

While I was getting ready, she dropped:

— About that, girl… I have a proposal. After I broke up with that jerk Marcos, I rented an apartment here in Brooklyn. It would be great if you moved in with me and we split the expenses.

I froze.

— Seriously, friend?

I started to cry.

— Tomorrow you're moving in.

She hugged me tight.

— Now put some makeup on that face and look gorgeous. Tonight we're going to slay.

It was past nine when we took an Uber toward The Lux.

The city glowed through the windows, as if New York were conspiring with me.

My heart was racing.

Tonight's the night I get rid of this virginity.