Chapter 5 – Drugged

• Terra
• “Terra,” came an unfamiliar voice.
• It took me a few seconds to register the man’s voice, but when I did, I finally let out a sigh of relief.
• “Diego,” I laughed, trying to ease the awkward tension rising in my chest. “What are you doing here?”
• “Well, I came back to visit the States. Why didn’t you tell me you guys had returned?”
• “Hehe… it was an abrupt move. I didn’t really get the chance to say goodbye. I’m sorry.”
• We were never that close to begin with, so I didn’t think to reach out in the first place. That was my fault.
• “No problem. But hey, it’s such a coincidence to run into you here. Are you from around here?” he asked.
• “Yes, this is my hometown,” I replied.
• “Wow, I didn’t know you lived here. Another coincidence? I don’t think so,” he said with a cheerful grin.
• “Well… I’ve always been here,” I said, feeling a bit awkward under his gaze.
• “Anyway, we should—”
• “Terra…!” Before he could finish, Clorinde’s voice cut through the conversation.
• She came running over, breathless, stopping right in front of us with a hand on her chest.
• “God, it was so hard to find you,” she said between heavy breaths. But then her eyes landed on Mason—and she froze, before flashing a flirtatious smile.
• “Well, well… who’s this? Your boyfriend?”
• “No, Clorinde. This is my friend Diego Chamberlain. Diego, my best friend Clorinde Snow.”
• “Hey, nice to meet you.” She stepped forward confidently. “Clorinde Snow, age twenty-six, verified lawyer, into drama but never the center of it. Status: single.” She extended her hand with a dazzling smile.
• I grabbed her arm and pulled her aside, whispering, “What are you doing? Trying to audition for The Bachelorette?”
• “Nice gals finish last. This is my chance to go out with a pretty boy, and I’m not missing out on it,” she replied, flashing Diego a dazzling smile.
• “Don’t mind her—she can be a bit crazy sometimes,” I said awkwardly.
• “No problem.” Diego chuckled. “Diego Chamberlain, male, age twenty-six, certified journalist, single and definitely looking. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
• He played along with her joke, and the two burst into laughter like old friends.
• Without waiting for an invitation, Diego tagged along on our shopping spree. He and Clorinde hit it off almost immediately, tossing jokes back and forth like a tennis match. Honestly, they looked kind of cute together. Maybe if Diego stuck around, she’d finally stop drooling over my brothers.
• “Hey Terra,” Diego said later, “I’m hanging out with some friends tonight. You and Clorinde should come.”
• “Yes, we’ll be there,” Clorinde answered before I could even open my mouth to decline.
• “Awesome! I got to go, but I’ll catch you guys later tonight. Make yourselves pretty!” Diego winked and took off, leaving me to frown at the overly excited woman next to me.
• “Why did you agree to go without asking me first?”
• “It’s been forever since we partied together! Come on, don’t make me go into the wolf den alone,” she said, pulling the puppy-dog eyes—and just like that, I caved.
• “Fine. But you’ve got two hours. After that, we’re out of there. I don’t want to be out late.”
• She nodded eagerly. “Hehe, two hours is more than enough time for me to charm the man.” She spun around dramatically. “Let’s go find me a dress!”
• “No, I’m going home. The kids are tired.” I pointed to Linney and Lynette, both of whom were slowly falling asleep.
• “Help me get them to the car, then you’re on your own.”
• She frowned, clearly disappointed, but she knew my kids were the top priority—so she didn’t argue. After we strapped the little ones in, I waved goodbye to Clorinde and drove home.
• Later that night
• As I was getting ready for the meet-up tonight, Linney came into the bedroom and sat on the bed. His eyebrows were furrowed, lips turned down, and arms crossed tightly across his chest.
• “Mommy, you look ugly,” Linney said, a shadow passing over his eyes.
• “Really? I think I look pretty good,” I replied, checking myself in the mirror.
• Linney turned away dramatically. For a moment, I actually saw him sitting there. With one blink the image disappeared.
• I wished it was that easy to forget. I sighed, turning off the image in my head and focusing on what my son had to say.
• “What’s wrong?” I asked, genuinely curious.
• “I don’t like Diego,” he said, his tone thick with disgust.
• “Why?” I asked. I wasn’t sure if a child could have a solid reason for disliking someone, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt.
• “I don’t know,” he admitted. “There’s something about his eyes—and the way he fake-smiles—that rubs me the wrong way. Can you stay home tonight?” he asked innocently.
• But I didn’t miss the concern in his voice.
• “Come here,” I said, and he crawled into my arms.
• “Mommy will only be there to make sure Aunt Clorinde’s okay, then I’ll come right back. Okay?”
• “You said two hours. You promised?” he asked.
• “Promised.” I hadn’t realized he’d overheard the conversation between me and Clorinde.
• My son pulled out his iPad and set a timer for exactly two hours.
• “Promise to be home by 10:18,” he demanded.
• “You’re a smart little boy. I promise,” I said with a smile.
• He slid off my lap and planted himself on the bed, arms crossed like a tiny guardian. “I’ll be right here waiting for you.”
• “Sure, but don’t forget to wash up while you wait, okay?”
• He nodded solemnly.
• “Good boy. I love you.”
• I gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead before heading out.
• “I’m a man!” he shouted after me.
• I chuckled all the way to the door.
• Before leaving, I told Mom and Dad to keep a close eye on the kids. Dad didn’t want me to go, but just like I had promised Linney, I promised him the same thing—to be home by 10:18.
• He huffed and puffed but, in the end, decided to let me go anyway.
• “Eeeehhh!! We’re here! How do I look?” Clorinde squealed, turning to the mirror to double, triple, and quadruple check herself.
• “You look ravishing, my friend,” I said, eyeing her outfit. “But aren’t you a little… exposed?”
• She cleared her throat and gave me a look like I’d just asked why the chicken crossed the road. (Answer: to get to the other side. Obviously.)
• “You can be the little nun who studies the Bible at church school. But tonight, I’m the sexy devil dressed to impress,” she declared, striking a dramatic pose. “If this is what it takes to get Diego on his knees worshiping me, then so be it. Nice girls finish last—remember that.”
• With that, she strutted out of the car, full of confidence and chaos.
• I sighed. “Whatever makes you happy,” I said before following her inside.
• After being stopped to check our IDs, we entered and quickly found Diego’s table. He sat with one other person, whom I assumed was the friend he had mentioned earlier.
• But I could’ve sworn he said friends—or maybe it was just my imagination.
• “Hey, so glad you guys could join us,” Diego greeted.
• “Awesome—sorry we were late,” I replied.
• “And what might the reason be?” he asked with a teasing smile.
• “I was getting prettied up. How do I look?” Clorinde turned and posed from side to side.
• “You look amazing,” Diego complimented.
• “Pretty enough for you to forgive us?” Clorinde asked, holding nothing back.
• “How could I be angry at such a beautiful lady?” Diego replied with a wink.
• “Yeah!” Clorinde chimed excitedly.
• “Oh, meet my friend, Dylan. Dylan—this is Terra and Clorinde,” Diego finally introduced.
• Clorinde picked up a shot glass and handed one to me. “Cheers to new friends!” she announced before downing the whole thing.
• After the initial greeting, I sat at the table with my phone in hand, checking iMessages every two minutes. Clorinde, on the other hand, let loose—taking shot after shot with Dylan.
• By 9:39, she and Dylan had already disappeared onto the dance floor, leaving just me and Diego at the table.
• “Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom,” I said, getting up and walking away.
• While in there, I got a text from Linney.
• Lin: Mommy, where are you?
• Terra: Here. But Aunt Clorinde and I are about to head back. Don’t worry.
• Terra: Where is Lynette?
• Lin: Here.
• He then forwarded me a photo of my daughter, sleeping with her mouth wide open and a string of drool running down her cheek. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
• Lin: I miss you, Mommy. I love you. Come back quickly.
• Terra: I’ll be there soon. I love you more.
• I left the bathroom feeling touched and happy to have such a caring son. But I frowned when I returned to see a round of twelve shots Diego had ordered while I was gone.
• “Why did you order so much? Clorinde and I were about to leave,” I asked, confused.
• “This is for me, Dylan, and our other friend. Don’t worry about it.” I nodded.
• “One shot before you go?” he offered, handing me a glass.
• “No, I shouldn’t. I’m driving.”
• “Come on, just one shot. You’ve barely touched anything on the table. One won’t get you drunk.”
• I hesitated, but eventually took the shot from him.
• “To old and new friends,” he said, raising his glass.
• “To old and new friends,” I echoed, and we drank.
• “We’ve got to go. Thanks for the treat,” I said, getting to my feet.
• “Terra, wait…” Diego grabbed my arm, but I quickly pulled away.
• “Can we talk about us?” he asked.
• I sat back down, hesitant, but willing to listen.
• “What is there to talk about?”
• “You know how I feel about you, right?” he said, staring down at the table.
• Even though I couldn’t see his eyes, I already knew. I’d known for a long time. Diego liked me—but I’d never responded, never acknowledged it, hoping he’d move on quietly.
• “Diego, I appreciate your feelings, but I…” I paused. My vision blurred. “…don’t…”
• Everything around me began to spin. My grip on the edge of the table weakened. I looked up at him, and he was staring back at me.
• “You…” I tried to finish the sentence, but the words wouldn’t come.
• My limbs felt heavy. My body slumped forward.
• The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was Diego’s smile—not warm or friendly, but sinister.
• And suddenly, my son’s voice echoed in my mind: There’s something about that smile I don’t like.
• Now I understood, but it was too late.