Chapter 27 Decadent

• The strident sound of the doorbell woke Paulina up. She turned on the light and checked the clock. Who would show up unannounced at ten o'clock at night? Only Mirela had that freedom, but she never appeared at that time. If it was Salvatore, she hoped Simon had returned home. He had warned her he would be late and she didn't have to wait for him.
• Feeling drowsy, she made her way to the entrance, annoyed with the persistent sound. The person could take their finger off the doorbell, after all, they had shouted that they were on their way practically the entire way to the door. She was even more surprised when she opened the door and found Simon leaning against the wall, his finger still pressing the button of the doorbell.
• Upon seeing her, he removed his finger, slid his back down the wall, and sat on the floor, the strong smell of alcohol surrounding and invading Perez's nostrils.