Rafaella was outside of the Alvarez's home. It was a strange feeling. Raf has known Florenica Alvarez for so long. Florenica is her sister's best friend after all. But Raf couldn't remember ever setting foot in the Alvarez home. More because of the reason that Rafaella felt like a burden to Guadalupe and sometimes towards Flo as well.

She spent enough time outside. Rafaella knocked on the door. In moments it opened. Soledad, Florenica's aunt opened it. The first thing Rafaella noticed about her was the drink in one hand and the cigarette in the other. Also the scandalous dress she wore.

" ¡Bienvenido! Mi casa es su casa" her voice slurred out. A limp hand motioning to go inside. Raf went in. Rafaella liked the old bat but also knew making pleasantries with her when she wasn't sober could have drastic measures.

Rafaella took her time looking at everything the house had to offer, at what the guests wore. She spotted Lupe in a corner with Flo but didn't want to disturb their fun yet. Guadalupe always hated being disturbed by her sister. She could be very cutthroat about such incidents. Rafaella could still recall that one time in High School were both Ortega girls were at the same stupid party and Lupe made it her mission to sabatoge any and all fun Rafaella was trying to have there. She sighed just thinking about it.

" ¿Quieres una bebida?" Said a tall handsome man. He was a bit on the older side for little old Rafaella but she wouldn't miss out on a drink.

He was offering her a margarita after all. " ¡sí, por favor!" Begged to come out of her mouth. "Could you add sugar to the rim?" Rafaella switched to English. The man obliged. "Muchas gracias" she told him after taking a sip. It was just the way she liked it. More alcohol than the rest of the ingredients. The sweetness that the rim provided. The salt there never did anything for her taste buds. It just made the drink seem bitter to her. Probably why she never liked saying the Spanish word for salt to others.

Rafaella aimlessly walked around. She bumped into a tall drink of water. At second glance, Raf realized that it was Marco Degaldo.

"Marco? Wow. I didn't know you were still alive. *quiet laughter* "Nevermind actually invited to Florenica's birthday bash". It's been a long time since Raf laid eyes on Marco. She secretly wondered if Flo knew he was in town, nevermind at her freaking house.

A girl came up to them. Rafaella remembered meeting her a few days ago. Her name is Lisa. She greeted Rafaella like they were old friends. Marco put a protective arm around her shoulder and the other massaged her small growing belly.

"You've met?" His face was one big puzzle. I was afraid that he'd never find all the pieces. "This is my wife" he stated lamely. "And our soon to be child" he added with a bit more enthusiasm.

"At the ----. Remember I told you about that nice girl?" Lisa chimed in.

"It was nice seeing you both" Rafaella faked smiled. She felt like something wasn't 100% right. Needed to get away from the problem at hand.

Rafaella watched as Maite came into the room and went right to the lion's den - Florenica and Lupe. Everything seemed pleasant enough.

She spotted Florenica coming towards her. "Feliz cumpleaños" Raf screamed at her. The music was on, the people around were talking. It was really loud in there. Somehow Florenica overheard her happy birthday scream. You could tell that the birthday girl was tipsy already. Hell, Rafaella herself was.

Florenica got closer and Raf pointed out how beautiful she looked that night. "Te ves hermosa esta noche". They engaged in some more conversation then Flo was back to mingling with everyone. The whole time she could feel eyes watching her. Raf assumed it was her older sister watching what she was doing or saying to the birthday girl.

Rafaella noticed that some people were lined up taking tequila shots. She rushed over there. It was the Spanish thing to do.They did the traditional toast. People were laughing. Rafaella took another shot with these people then got a glass of wine from one of the waitresses.

Rafaella kept seeing the Event planner practicality running around. It was like she was the ping pong ball that the player kept hitting off the table and the server had to go get it back. Raf couldn't help but notice that burning look in her eyes. Raf let out a frustrated sigh.

Rafaella wished that she came with someone. She could've asked her current fling or someone that frequented her services but felt it was too late now. She wasn't that ambiguous currently. Probably couldn't dial a number to save her life.

A hand caressed Rafaella's bare shoulders. "I thought you'd be here" was said as the caressing was still going on. The voice was cunning, sophisticated. It belonged to Francisco Alvarez.

Raf quickly dodged out of his grasp. Her hands automatically crossed at her chest. Then she just as quickly made her hands go slack. She wanted to make fists but thought better of it. The guy gave her the creeps. She heard the stories from her dad about him, among other people. Francisco made a hand gesture as well. One that told her that he'd behave, no more touching. That he was a man of honor. A changed man.

"How's the business?" He pondered. "Asking the wrong sister" Raf mouthed tight lipped. "No, I meant Tega Massage" he smiled at her. Rafaella's gut clenched. She wasn't liking where this was heading. "Good" came out of her. Honestly, she didn't know what else to say. "I might need to go there" came his voice. It was more husky this time. A light touch of his fingertip traced along her own arm. Rafaella politely left him there. She heard his laugh trail behind her.

As Raf briskly walked away from Mr. Alvarez, she heard a girl mumble hi to her. Rafaella's eyes were getting blurry from all the alcohol but a hunch told her that it was Maria, the Alvarez's hired maid. But tonight she looked more like the head of the household. Rafaella greeted her back and continued walking away. She didn't want to deal with anymore surprises that night.

The chorus of Lana Del Rey's new song started up. "You get ready, you get all dressed up To go nowhere in particular Back to work or the coffee shop Doesn't matter cause it's enough To be young and in love (ah, ah) To be young and in love (ah, ah)"

She went to go find Guadalupe to let her know she was leaving. She had enough of being hit on by Francisco. She knew it would get progressively worse as the night carried on.

"Me voy a casa" raf told Lupe. Not like she'd care if she ever made it home or not. She hugged Flo good night. Rafaella even attempted a small hug to Lupe.

Rafaella could tell that Florenica wished to be anywhere but where she was. Seeing Macro again did something to her. It was all over her face.