There's always some amount of gradual, slow burning destruction over the course of partying.

-Gavin DeGraw

Coco Spencer's POV

One hour before the party starts I was dressing in our bedroom. Rafe was already done a few minutes ago and went out to talk privately to the birthday celebrant in his study room. I assumed that their talk has something to do with business which was a boring topic in my opinion.

I smiled to myself, as I remember how devastatingly handsome he was when I saw him in his tuxedo. Last night, we finally did it. I was beyond happy that we're back to the smooth sailing of our married life. My temporary insanity about my jealousy towards the Fiorenza sisters was slowly fading away as I spent time with them.

I picked up the evening gown I bought yesterday. It was a modest black mermaid dress to accentuate my hourglass figure. I was about to slip on the dress when a light knock sounded on the door.

"Come in," I said, tightening my bathrobe securely around my waist.

I saw Leila peeked at the doorway with a devious smile playing on her burgundy lips. "I'm just in time then." She announced brightly, coming inside the room. She carefully closed the door behind her. I sighed when I saw the sexy red dress in her hand. "I came here to make sure you honor our dear, Mrs. Moretti. So I deliver this dress personally. I don't want mishap from the maid's part in case you couldn't wear it tonight."

"Are you serious about that deal?" I asked sadly, eyeing the fire red dress in her hand. "I mean, have mercy on me. This is my introduction to the conservative Sicilian society as Rafe's wife. I don't want to create scandal wearing that dress."

Leila clicked her tongue. "You must know by now that I'm a cruel woman. I don't have a heart for pleas and I like creating uproar whenever I'm around. Besides, I already help you to mend your misunderstanding with Rafe it's now time for you to repay me."

I stared at her appearance for a long moment. She's already dressed for the party. She's wearing a wine-colored lace gown with a deep v-neckline and slits on the center that shows her long legs. "What will you achieve from this?"

"Satisfaction," She answered cheerfully. "I want to see the straight-laced Rafe become green with jealousy when men at the party couldn't take their eyes off you."

I sighed deeply, staring at the down in her hand. "As if that will happen, he's the most controlled man I've ever met in my life. He can control his emotion in public very well."

"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, my dear." She said mysteriously. "You don't know what a man can do when his wife is the subject of the other men's adoration. Even the heartless ones can realize that they have hearts too just like normal people."

I eyed her dryly. "Why do I perceived that you have already proven this theory before? And if you are, why are you dress like that? From what I saw with your husband he's a very possessive man. Do you think he will approve your revealing outfit?"

"So won't." The crazy woman answered cheerfully. "He has no idea that I'm wearing this sexy evening gown. But how can I let pass the opportunity to wear something sexy again after I gave birth to my son." She looked down at her full breast. "Don't you think my boobs are ready to pop out anytime soon? What can I say I'm nursing my son?"

I sighed again, "I think before Rafe could get jealous about me. Your husband already flips few tables at the party."

She waved her hand like the scenario was not a big deal. "Don't worry about him. He might just do that. But I can always calm him after the party in our bed. He loves nothing more than peeling every sexy dress I wear with his own hands." She pushed the red dress into my hands. "Now wear this party is about to start. Pair that dress in equally red lipstick."

Leila sat on the bed and looked at me expectantly. From the look on her face, she's waiting to be sure that I would wear this dress. Taking a deep breath, I removed my bathrobe and slip on the scandalous red gown.

"Remove the bra, Coco," Leila said, examining the material that fits me perfectly. "It's backless."

I silently groaned. What would Rafe think about this dress? Surely, I would get an earful of a lecture from him thanks to this woman sitting on the bed casually. I reluctantly removed my bra and toss it to the dressing table.

"Perfect," She announced with satisfaction. "Now the red lipstick to go with that outfit and you're good to go."

Just in time that I was ready. The door suddenly opens. "Are you ready, cara mia?" When Rafe saw me, he just stared for like an eternity. "What the..."

I knew he disapproved of my outfit I threw a glare at the woman casually sitting on the bed. She had the nerve to ignore the tension inside the room and walk away indifferently. "I'll see the two of you outside."

I couldn't miss the way she threw a gloating smile in Rafe's direction before making her graceful exit. "Don't you like it?" I asked Rafe innocently once we're alone in the room. "Leila said it's perfect for me."

I had to pay for the wrath of this man I would drag Leila with me. I would not let her escape this mess easily. Rafe pinched the bridge of his nose. "That woman," He said exasperatingly. "She will be the death of me. There's no time for you to change your outfit the party is almost starting. I want you to introduce me to the people who were present as my bride."

"Okay," I said, still not sure if he's mad or what. I spray some perfume on my neck and wrist. We were about to walk out of the room when Rafe placed his hand on my bareback. I nearly jumped when his palm got contact with my exposed skin. He dipped his head and whispered something in my ear. "Don't you ever dare to leave my side tonight or I promise to God you will not like the consequence of it."

I stared at him in disbelief. Who would have thought that Leila might be correct after all? That Rafe was also capable of being jealous of me. The thought was so surreal for me. But I didn't have time to process if he was jealous or not. Once we arrived at the elegantly decorated garden of the Palazzo di Fiorenza Rafe started to introduce people to me. A few minutes later I lost count on how many people I met at once. Friend of this, cousin of that, distant relatives of that. I felt my jaw stiffened when I didn't stop smiling.

Rafe's hand was still securely placed in my waist when I cross to a trio of women. Leila smiled at us. "Are you enjoying the party?" She asked, taking a glass of water to the passing waiter. "Coco, I'd like you to meet Francesca Orsini and of course, you already met my twin sister Laila. Francesca, this Coco, Rafe's wife."

The woman extended her hand in my direction. "Please to meet you, Coco. And I hope you it's not late to congratulate you on your wedding."

I took the offered hand and shook it briefly. "Thank you." I smiled at Laila who look stunning in her white and gold Grecian gown that emphasized her baby bump.

"Where is the duchess, by the way?" Laila asked, looking around the slightly crowded garden. "Are they not here yet?"

The woman named Francesca rolled her eyes. "She already arrived with the Lucca awhile ago. But an emergency at home needs her urgent attention."

"What happened?" I asked concernedly.

Francesca reassuringly smiled at me. "Their twins are throwing tantrums again. They refuse to sleep according to their nanny. That's why Tatiana is singing a lullaby to them via speakerphone probably. I think she's somewhere quiet as we speak."

Are these ladies Leila was talking about to me yesterday? They seemed delightful people.

Nikos Pallis's POV

"Francesca will melt like ice cream if you continue to stare at her like that, Marco," I commented as we stood at the far end of the garden. I don't want to mingle with other people. Besides, these three men beside me were enough company for tonight. "People are already giving you a weird look."

He threw a disapproving glance in my direction. "Is this how you treat a man who wholeheartedly entertained you yesterday afternoon because you are avoiding your father-in-law's presence? You wounded me, Nick."

I returned his disapproving look. "Just for the record, I didn't seek for your gruesome company yesterday, Marco. I went to Rome to see Lucca, not you. You just happened to be there in his office too."

The bastard merely shrugged, focusing his eyes on his wife again. "Well that's not my fault anymore, isn't it? You chose to see Lucca the same time I visited him. In addition, you accusing bastard. I am not looking at my wife intently. I am looking to someone entirely."

I raised an eyebrow in his direction and followed the subject of his interest. "Oh? Don't tell me you are trying to flirt with another woman when your wife is around?"

"Dio," He said in an irritated tone, he made a gesture in his hand like shooing me away. "Go away, Nick. I don't have time to talk to a slow-witted man like you."

I sighed angrily, glancing at Lucca and Leandro who remained silent. "Can I strangle him until he chokes to death?"

Leandro smirked, sipping his champagne. "I think Cesare will be proud of you if you do that."

"I knew it," The Italian idiot said brightly. "He fits our club perfectly. With those little gestures, he's showing pure possessiveness. That man is one step away from signing in our club, gents. Our club is getting bigger. The thought makes me emotional."

"There is no hope for him," I told them seriously, shaking my head in resignation. There was no redemption for Marco Orsini to regain sanity.

"Who are you talking about, amico?" Lucca asked nonchalantly. As usual, the duke keeps everything neutral when Marco started to show his sarcastic wit.

He pointed his thumb at the crowd far from us. "Rafe Moretti, who else? I believe the woman in his arms is his wife, correct? Now he will be the newest member of our club."

"As if, I will let him join the club," I stated firmly. I only tolerated the man there's no way I would start a friendship with him.

"Me too." Leandro put in.

Marco stared at us like a father reprimanding his children. "Still have the grudge, then? Forgive and forget. How can you enjoy life when your heart is filled with hatred towards that poor man? It wasn't his fault he somehow played important events in your respective wife's lives. On the lighter side, we all played something in Laila's life, don't you think?" He pointed himself. "I'm the ex-fiancé. You are the husband." Next, he pointed to Rafe Moretti. "He's the ex-love." Then to Leandro's direction. "You are the abductor." He paused when he gazed at the duke. "What role do you play in Laila's life? Oh, I remember now. The pitiful extra."

"All right," The duke announced calmly. "You can kill him now, Nick."

The man had the nerve to scowl in our direction. "Why do keep on plotting my demise tonight? Are you guys all jealous of me? How harsh my friends are all murderous beings. This is the reason why God sent me to all of you. I need to reform you." He looked at Lucca with an evil smirk. "You are my closest friend, amico. We've been through thick and thin on so many occasions. I believe I still remember the name of the girl you've been with when you lost your virginity back in high school."

"Wow," A female voice joined the conversation. Lucca nearly jumped in his place upon hearing the voice of his wife. Tatiana smiled coldly and that smile was directed to Lucca who paled visibly. "What an interesting subject you have here. Mind if I join you?"

"T-tatiana, mia amore." The duke swallowed hard, as he pulled his wife away from us. "There's dancing over there. I want to dance with you. Let's dance."

"He'll have your head before this night ends, Marco," I warned him, while I saw Lucca threw a deathly glare at this man with a loose tongue.

Marco merely smirks. "He can try but he won't succeed."

"Is that my wife?" The count asked, squinting on the group of people where my wife was. "What the hell she's wearing? I need to have a word with her. Excuse me."

Once I was alone with this sarcastic devil. I looked at him. "Enough of hiding let's follow the count and join the ladies with this boring party."

"Let's go," Marco said with a wicked grin. "I will show Francesca the huge library of your father-in-law, Nick."