Chapter 2: Stranger Danger

Adriana's POV

I can hear the loud EDM music coming from inside a huge house, although I'm still outside and just got out of the car. I panicked when I saw John get out of the car, so I immediately called his name.

"Yes, miss?" he responded.

"Can you just stay here?" I asked. "It's a college party, and it's really embarrassing if they see someone who's old enough to be still having bodyguards and being guarded there."

"But—"

"Promise, I'll call you when something happens. I swear, even if it's just a small inconvenience like someone accidentally bumping me-- I'll let you know," I quickly said, cutting him off.

John once again looked hesitant.

I groaned.

"I swear, I'm gonna keep my phone with me all the time. I also will be going to tell my father that you guys are doing a good job keeping me safe," I added.

The last part is so genuine, though. They're even stricter than my parents sometimes.

"Please call me if anything happens, miss."

"Of course!" I exclaimed happily.

Gosh, finally.

I feel like I'm getting good at pursuing someone. I didn't know I had that in me because I had never done that to my parents in my entire life. I only obey.

I shook the thought off my mind and turned my back to John, and started walking inside the gate of the huge house.

My face lit up when I saw Nate waiting for me. Well, I texted him a while ago that I was already here, and I'm happy that he waited for me.

"Hey," he greeted me as he kissed my left cheek.

I was utterly taken aback by his action, but I just smiled it off.

Maybe he's just really friendly.

Well, the number of people that I can see here right now indicates that he really is.

"Hi," I greeted him back.

"You look really good tonight," he said, but I could hardly understand him because I couldn't really hear him due to the loud music.

"What?" I asked, slightly raising my voice.

"I said you look good!" he said in my ears.

I felt shivers down my spine because of how close he was to me right now, and I could smell alcohol in him. Maybe the party already started almost an hour ago since I was already late, and perhaps that's why he already smelled like alcohol.

I smiled at him, although not really genuine. "Thank you!"

"Let's go!" Nate grabbed my hand and dragged me inside the house before I could even protest.

"Oh, this is Molly," Nate introduced the girl we bumped into while walking inside.

The girl smiled at me. "You're a new face."

I took the opportunity and removed my hand that Nate was still holding so I could wave at Molly.

"Yes, I'm new here," I said as I smiled back at her.

"You're like gorgeous," she enthusiastically said as she studied my face. "B*tch, your beauty is unreal!"

I felt my cheeks heat up at her compliment because it felt like she really meant it and sounded so sweet.

At first look, Molly looked like an e-girl type girl because of her make-up and outfit, but she turned out so sweet to be complimenting me like this.

"Thank you," I thanked her as I smiled at her genuinely.

She was about to say something but the next thing I knew she was dragged by another girl. Molly waved at me for the last time before I lost sight of her in the crowd.

"Hey," I heard Nate call, so I turned to face him.

He was already holding a red plastic cup.

He handed me the cup, and I accepted it, but I automatically winced when I smelled the strong smell of alcohol coming from the cup.

"Uh, sorry, I don't really drink," I said.

Nate's eyes widened at me. "Really?"

"Yeah," I replied, slightly confused by his reaction.

Do I look like I'm an alcoholic?

"Well, you look like a partygoer to me." He chuckled.

It was my turn to widen my eyes at him because I really didn't think someone would think that of me. I mean... This is literally my first party, aside from all the business parties my parents made me attend with them.

"Oh wow, really?"

He nodded. "Really. You look so good in what you're wearing, and you look like you party a lot judging by, again, what you're wearing. You seem pretty fun to be with, you know," he replied.

I really didn't get what he said, but I guess I did a great job trying to disguise and twist my style a little bit to fit in.

"Well, anyway, come on. Even just one drink?" Nate encouraged.

My eyes fell on the cup I was holding; I could see the red liquid inside. I don't know what it is exactly, but I know it's alcohol because of the strong smell lingering in my nose.

Fudge. What should I do? I really don't drink. I have tried it before, but it's only wine, and it doesn't have a high level of alcohol.

I looked up at Nate and saw an encouraging smile plastered on his face. He's obviously waiting for me to drink.

I went here to interact and meet people and not get drunk, but I know I just can't decline Nate.

I gulped.

He said only one drink. I'm not going to die if I drink, right?

I smiled at Nate before raising the cup to my mouth and taking a sip.

The bitter taste of alcohol strikes my throat. It tastes so bad, but I tried hard not to spit it out because it's embarrassing to do so.

I heard Nate chuckle, so I looked at him.

"What?" I asked, creasing my forehead.

"So, it's true that you really don't drink. I can see the disgust on your face," Nate said and chuckled lightly.

"It tastes horrible," I told him honestly.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, that is my fault for not believing that you don't drink and giving you a hard drink. But, here." Nate grabbed the plastic cup from my hand.

"Wait, you said one drink?" I creased my forehead at him when I saw that he was about to refill the cup.

"C'mon, Adri, you only drank a little," he said, and before I could even say something, he turned his back on me.

I heaved a sigh.

Well, he's right. I only took a little sip, and I don't think I can still drink that disgusting liquid. And again, getting drunk isn't on my plan.

"Here," Nate said as he handed the plastic cup back to me.

"Uh, I don't think—"

"No, no, just try it. I guarantee you it doesn't taste bitter anymore," he said, cutting me off.

I sighed as I accepted the cup once again.

I drew a breath and took a sip again.

Nate was right. It doesn't taste bitter anymore. In fact, it tasted a whole lot sweeter and better that I drank it-- bottoms up.

"Oh wow," I heard Nate comment.

"It tastes really good," I said.

"Do you want more?" Nate asked.

"Wait, what was it in the drink?" I asked him back.

I don't want to get drunk, but the drink he just gave me was good, and it doesn't taste like alcohol, so I'm down.

"Just some fruit juice," he answered, smiling at me as he shrugged his shoulders. He then turned his back to me to get another one, and I waited there patiently.

The party is so loud and alive because Nate's place is packed with people.

I wonder where his parents are.

"Here you go." Nate handed me my cup again.

"Thank you," I said as I gladly accepted it and drank straight from it.

It tastes so sweet and really good, especially because it's so cold. It's just perfect. I should've just drunk this instead of the alcohol he gave me earlier. Alcohol tastes really awful. I swear I'm really not a drinker.

"Do you want to dance?" Nate suddenly asked.

I chuckled at his question.

"Oh, no, I don't dance and— " I wasn't able to finish my sentence when I felt my head spin in dizziness.

I almost fell on my knees, but Nate was quick to catch me.

"Are you okay?" I heard him talking, but I could hardly make sense of what he was saying because it seemed like my ears were ringing, and my vision was blurry.

"What is happening?" I asked, confused, but I could hear myself laughing, for I don't know why, which made me more confused.

"Hey, you're okay, come here."

I felt shivers down my spine when I felt arms wrapped around me. And with that, I came back to my senses, but my head hurt like hell.