TRISTAN POV
When I walked into Mr. and Mrs. Gomez's large house, calming music from a string quartet welcomed me, which felt weird because I was feeling all mixed up inside. The house was very fancy, decorated with lots of flowers and gentle lights that made it look really nice. I entered the main hall without a smile, unlike what you might expect at a party.
I didn't stop to grab a drink or chat with any of the happy guests; I just looked around for the elderly couple everyone was there to celebrate. I found Mr. and Mrs. Gomez by the large staircase, chatting with other older guests who were probably congratulating them.
I braced myself and walked up to them, putting on a fake smile that I was really good at because of my job. "Mr. and Mrs. Gomez, happy anniversary," I said, reaching out to shake hands with Mr. Gomez first. He had a strong handshake from his years of working. Then I shook hands with his wife, who had a soft but firm grip.
"Tristan, thank you so much for coming," Mr. Gomez said cheerfully, his voice loud enough to be heard over the music. "It means a lot to see you here."
"And this," he said, smiling at his wife, "is Tristan Buenaventura. Remember, dear, the son of my old high school friend, Charles. And Tristan, this is my wonderful wife, Elizabeth."
Mrs. Gomez smiled kindly, her eyes twinkling. "It's nice to meet you, Tristan. I've heard quite a bit about you."
I nodded politely. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Gomez. Congratulations to you both on this special day."
"If you need anything—like food or a drink—just ask one of the servers," she said, gesturing towards a passing waiter carrying trays of appetizers.
"Thanks for the offer, Mrs. Gomez," I said, though I was already thinking about leaving. "But I just came to congratulate you both in person. I have other plans tonight and need to leave soon."
"Oh, that's okay," Mr. Gomez said, sounding a bit disappointed. "But try to have some fun before you go. We don't celebrate fifty years of marriage every day."
"Okay, I'll leave you for now."
With that, I said goodbye to the elderly couple and walked across the room, moving through groups of guests and trying not to make eye contact. I found comfort at a table near the entrance of the house, where I sat down in a soft chair and looked around the room with little interest.
A waiter walked by, and I signaled for him to come over. "Could I have a shot of whiskey, please?" I asked, the words coming out without much thought.
The waiter nodded and disappeared into the crowd of guests. He returned a moment later with a glass filled with amber liquid. I lifted it to my lips and drank it all at once, enjoying the fiery sensation as it went down.
Once satisfied, I signaled for the waiter to bring me a bottle of rum, which raised an eyebrow but no more questions. He soon returned with a bottle and a fresh glass, placing them before me with a knowing glance.
I poured myself a large amount of the fiery liquid and relaxed in my chair, feeling the weight of the bottle in my hand as a reminder of the numbness I wanted. Sipping my drink, I let my mind wander to places I had tried to forget for a long time.
I was on my third shot of rum when a tap on my shoulder surprised me, and I turned quickly to see who it was.
A big smile appeared on my face as I spotted Lucas across the room, his arm around a girl I didn't know. It was unusual to see him at a party like this, and I couldn't help but be interested.
"Hey man, what brings you here?" I asked, walking over to where he was, curious.
Lucas turned towards me, looking surprised to see me. "Tristan, dude, what are you doing here?" he asked, clearly not expecting to run into me.
"I'm just here because of that old guy," I explained, nodding towards Mr. Gomez, who was chatting with some guests nearby. "You know I can't say no to him, so yeah, let's keep this between us," I added, shaking his head.
He chuckled, fully aware of the influence of Mr. Gomez's invitations. "I won't tell anyone," he promised with a wink.
Lucas grinned back before introducing me to the girl beside him. "Hey, honey, I want you to meet my friend, Tristan," he said, gesturing between us.
The girl—Scarlet Rose, apparently—smiled warmly, her eyes shining with interest. "Pleasure to meet you, Tristan," she said, reaching out for a handshake.
"It's nice to meet you too, Miss Rose," I responded, shaking her hand firmly before returning my focus to Lucas. "You've got some explaining to do, pal," I teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.
Lucas laughed heartily, the sound filling the room. "Alright, alright, I get it," he said, ruffling his hair in mock annoyance. "You can go now; have fun with your friend," he added, nudging me playfully before focusing on Scarlet.
I chuckled at his playful demeanor, shaking my head before returning to my seat at the far end of the room. Pouring myself another drink, I relaxed in my chair, content to observe the party from a far.
As the night went on, I found myself lost in thought, the background noise of conversation and laughter providing some comfort. Despite the lively atmosphere, my mind kept going back to Sam, her presence lingering in my thoughts.
Having another sip of my drink, the warmth of the alcohol briefly easing my troubles. In these moments, surrounded by gentle music and soft lighting, I felt the loneliness weighing heavily on me, aware of the emptiness inside.
But then, a voice interrupted my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. "Hi, Tristan," came a familiar voice from behind, and I turned to see Jade, an old friend from college, standing there with a smile.
"Jade, hi," I greeted her, taken aback by her presence. "What brings you here?"
She shrugged, a playful gleam in her eye. "Oh, just felt like seeing what was going on. And maybe having a bit of fun," she said, her smile growing wider.
I chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Well, you've picked the perfect spot for it," I remarked, gesturing towards the bustling party.
Jade laughed, her giggles a welcome sound in the midst of the party. "And you? What brings you here?" she inquired, her curiosity evident in her gaze.
I paused, considering how much to disclose. But her earnest expression encouraged me to be candid, to offer a glimpse of the emotions simmering beneath the surface. "Just here for a friend," I replied casually, hoping to sidestep any deeper inquiries.
Jade nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. "Well, if you ever need a break from the madness, you know where to find me," she said, giving me a playful wink before disappearing back into the crowd.
With a sigh, I settled back in my chair, letting the soothing chatter of the room fill my senses. The night was young, and who knew what lay ahead? But for now, I was happy to just be here, enjoying the alcohol company.