(Eros' POV)

          Yesterday was hell! First, I was following Janet at work, learning about the high profile supermodels, the separately assigned photographers for the magazine and the fashion world, how to work with them and get them all in when needed, keeping all the files and data together along with the contracts, and also just how to be Ms. Estle's pet. That just makes me scoff at the idea of being her pet even though I partly am.

Followed by that task, I later had to plan and organize Ms. Estle's birthday bash. Masquerade was all the hint she gave me and I had to do the rest on my own. The DJ and the live jazz band are supposed to come in today two hours before the opening of the event so that they can get situated along with the caterers. The decorations had been placed yesterday, so I don't have to worry about that today.

Working me like a dog is what she planned and she's keeping true to her word. My body completely drained its energy by the time I hit my bed last night and drifted off to sleep. I hadn't felt that tired in a very long time and she made that possible.

Slowly, I crawl out of my bed and slip a shirt on before tumbling out of my room. Coffee is what I need because I know that today isn't going to be any different from yesterday. I bet the she- devil is ready to work my ass off again, so I might as well get something in me. Blocking the sun from the glass wall, I head for the kitchen and notice Mandy preparing coffee. My lifesaver!

          Going further towards it, my wretched eyes fall upon the woman who is facing the wall with a phone attached to her ear. "That's alright, Leo," her beautiful voice plays with my eardrums while water drips down her wet strands and vanishes into the white bathrobe wrapped around her beautiful body. Her bare legs shine under the morning rays, showing off the smooth velvety texture of her skin that makes you want to reach forward and feel it for yourself.

"Morning!" I startle the old woman in the kitchen and snicker to myself at her reaction. Mandy almost spills the coffee that she pours into a mug while Ms. Estle just leisurely ends her phone call and turns around to face me only to force my breathing to clog in my throat. The time slows down once again. It always happens when I lay my eyes on her which also causes my heart to flutter erratically. Without even trying, she tugs on the strings on my heart, making me a puppet to her personal show.

          As usual, she has a serious expression planted on her flawless face, so I have to do something to lighten her mood up. "For a second I thought I died and went to heaven," I pinch myself and grin up at her. "But now I see that I'm very much alive and heaven has been brought to me."

          A smile tugs on her luscious lips as she swipes her beautiful hair to one side and looks up at me through her beautiful lashes. Her hazel eyes always carry a certain seductiveness in them and when they look at me... Jesus! I can't even begin to explain how much of an effect this cocky woman has over me. I hate it, yet I like it too much.

          She knows very well what she's doing to me and her smirk speaks for itself. I swallow the unwanted drool that gathers in my mouth and shake her thoughts away. This is so not right. It's a job and that's what I'm going to treat it as, so I plaster a smirk on my face as usual.

          "You look like a drowned rat though," I comment and near the kitchen island with a grin on my face. Just as I'm about to seat myself on the high stool, it gets pulled back, dropping me on my ass. "Shit," I wince and scrunch my eyes shut with my mouth in a thin line to swallow the light pain.

          "Oh my!" Ms. Estle fakes concern with her hand on her gaping mouth. "Oopsies! Are you okay, Mr. Azallion?" She sticks her lower lip out and pouts, batting her lashes at me innocently before switching to her usual stoic expression.

          "Oh lord!" Mandy comes to my aid and kneels down by my side, trying to sit me up. I am too occupied narrowing my eyes at the minx to notice Mandy's efforts.

          "Allow me, Mandy," the minx says and hovers above me with a helpful hand out. "You should watch your mouth. It spouts out a lot of shit."

          "Language, Athena," Mandy looks at her daughter-like figure and steps away to let the devil help me.

          Ignoring Mandy's comment, the cunning woman continues to scowl at me. "You're a little child in a grown man's body. A dickless man that is." Rolling her eyes, she steadies her hand and motions to it with her head. "You can touch this once. Get on up. I'm not that heartless."

          Chuckling, I grab her soft hand and let her help my muscular body up halfway when she decides to let go, throwing me on the hard marble ground once again. A sudden jolt of pain erupts in shoulder blades. "Oops again." She smirks at me, a dimple digging into her velvety cheek. "I'm heartless after all." With a cunning smile, the minx steps over my aching body and saunters away into the long hallway after winking over her shoulder and sending a flying kiss to me.

          "I apologize for her actions," Mandy says and holds her hand out to help me up. "You really shouldn't rile her up like that. She can hurt you worse and trust me, if you keep pushing her like that, she'll do it."

"Oh, Mandy," I laugh and rest my hand around her shoulder. "She can't hurt your man." She nudges my chest and walks away with a smile on her face.

She can hurt you worse. I saw what she could do two days ago in that conference room with Damien Rowry. The power and strength that leaked through her at that time made me think of Ena who was just that fierce when it came to fighting. She was the one who trained me when I began working at the escorting company. This training was mandatory along with the etiquettes one.

          Ena was always shy and a nervous wreck when she was with me. She'd tumble on her words and sweat when I touched her. She was lovely and the sweetest girl I knew back then. Athena is the queen of all bitches and there's no way in hell she's Ena despite the many physical similarities from her eyes to those luscious lips of her. It's impossible considering Ena literally fell off the grid.

***

          Everything is in place including the hor d'oeuvres and waiters readying their trays to welcome the guests that are already pouring in through the public elevators. The sun starts to hide behind the tall New York buildings, casting in beautiful shades of orange, yellow, and purple through the large glass walls. The chandeliers are brightly lit up in the middle while the outskirts of massive room are dimly lit, dawning very little light on the people under them. Round tables are nicely placed around the massive temporary dance floor that I had men set in this morning. 

          Famous models and actors begin flooding in with masks to hide half of their features mingling with football players. New York's finest elites are all up in here and I recognize a few of my upscale clientele in the room. This should be interesting! I smirk to myself and slide on my black mask that covers the skin around my eyes, ending right over my cheekbones.

          Jack and I chat up and flirt with some models that basically drool over us and mistake us for models and we don't correct them. The gorgeous females get all touchy and I don't refrain myself from charming them and as usual they swoon, boosting my ego and smoking up my high even more than before. The music is loud, yet soft as I twirl Tiana Lambroski, one of America's top model today. She's wrapped around my finger and completely smitten with me which only broadens my head even more while Jack has a few models clinging onto him until Janet steps in and practically steals him away from the ladies.

          I chuckle and keep my eyes on the beautiful woman in front of me until a goddess shines through, capturing everyone's attention. My eyes are as wide open as my mouth upon gawking at the most gorgeous and elegant beauty that lights up the entire room. My heart is ramming against my chest as she saunters and greets her guests with the grace of a queen.

The peach dress she's wearing is incorporated with heavy lace embroidery that kisses each and every nook intimately. Diamond beads are etched onto her low neckline that barely covers her ample bosoms, puckering them upwards. The tight mermaid style gown slits on her left leg all the up to her mid-thigh. Her arched sides are naked underneath the thin see through net while her back is entirely covered in lace. The beautiful lazy curls of her hair, curls my wretched heart around that beautiful finger of hers. A diamond brooch accessory pulls one side of her hair and pins it back while the other side flows beautifully and frames her godly face.

She is far from where I stand, but with the distance I can still see every single detail on the breathtaking woman. Her eyes smile at every person she meets through her diamond mask and her dimples dig holes into her cheeks that I'm sure to drown in. All I wanted to do was admire the beautiful lady all night long. Every single male in the room falls upon seeing her and I don't blame them. She's a beauty definitely worth falling for.

"You're drooling," I hear Jack as he shuts my open mouth with his finger while snickering to himself. "She's one of a kind, isn't she?"

          My eyes refuse to leave the beautiful lady while I answer the man. "She's blessed with the beauty of Aphrodite. She's exquisite."

          "That she is," he chuckles while I still admire the lady that converses with one of the New York elites until her eyes wander over to me. Our eyes lock and I swear I can feel my heartbeat quicken. A smile graces my lips when I see one tugging at hers.

          Sauntering over to me in elegant strides, she cocks her brow and looks at me. Her scent wafts up my nose which makes my heart haywire and my mind hazy. "I must say, Mr. Azallion," she glances around and then back at me. "I like what you did here. I was ready for you to disappoint me, but this is quite impressive."

          "Ms. Estle, you look really pretty," Tiana interrupts and smiles at the birthday girl with a fake glint to it.

          "I know. Now, scurry away. I need to have a chat."

          The models obey their current boss and back away into the crowd, but Tiana reaches forward and smooches my lips, taking me by surprise before sliding a piece of paper in my suit jacket. "Call me for some fun," she whispers into my ear and then bites it. Jack tries to stifle a laugh while I stare at the woman who leisurely walks away.

          "Quite a charmer I see," Ms. Estle comments with a stoic expression as she stares Tiana down which I find very amusing. "You might as well chuck the paper that she slid in your pocket out because of the contract. You can't have girls for a month even though you badly want to wank off."

"I regret not reading the contract now," I smile at her with my head tilting smugly.

"Like I was saying earlier," she casts her beautiful marbles on me and continues. "Good job. The decorations and all are quite impressive. Thank you for not humiliating me."

"What would I gain from humiliating you?" I step forward and look into her eyes that immediately trap me. "I don't wish to be spanked tonight, Ms. Estle."

Her brow arches while she walks closer to me. "Don't tempt me, Mr. Azallion. I just might do it and keep going at it until you bleed," she whispers and pulls away with a smug smile on her face.

A scoff escapes my lips as I try to study this woman in front of me. Her fierce attitude ignites a thirst in me that I soon want to quench by showing her who the damn boss is. "Did I tell you how," I lean into her and swerve around to the woman next to her, "sexy you look, Mandy." I smile to myself and peck Mandy's hand causing the old woman to flush as usual. "You look stunning, baby girl."

"You don't look too bad yourself, Eros," Mandy giggles, but her hand gets pulled away by the devil herself.

"Mandy thinks you look like a bloody waiter and I couldn't agree more," Ms. Estle says causing Jack to laugh and now I'm seriously wondering if he's on my team or hers. She just glares at Jack forcing him to shut up.

"I apologize, Ms. Estle," Jack clears his throat and looks down while I grin. This woman really is something. Very intriguing and mysterious at the same time. And a mystery is always fun to solve.

"A sexy and charming waiter," I retort and notice her rolling her eyes before turning around and attending her other guests. I clearly won this argument, so a point for me.

***

(Athena's POV)

Regret! I regret signing a contract with that immature man child. I just want to strangle that sexy asshole sometimes. With a tight shirt underneath that black suit jacket and a bow tie, the man looked undeniably hot. Like Jay would say, 'He's definitely worth taking a trip to fuckville with'.

But his untapped skills are amazing. He can work and get everything done on time and his work is praiseworthy. All of my previous assistants would literally die, but they were also all females. He's my first male assistant and he hasn't disappointed me in that matter, but his flirtatious attitude that quickly swings to assholeish pisses me off beyond belief.

          "Ms. Estle?" A man appears in front of me, startling me out of my thoughts and forcing me to look at him. "Hello! I'm Miguel Smith," he stretches his hand out to shake mine, but I make no effort to shake it. His bright smile dies down as he clears his throat when a young lady next to him snickers to herself. He glares at her causing her to shut up immediately while I just study the little interaction. "This is my daughter, Alissa Castillo."

"He means stepdaughter," she corrects the man and looks at me.

"Alissa Castillo, I've been waiting." I smile at the beautiful young girl and raise my hand for a handshake which she doesn't waste a second to return. "It's a pleasure."

"Oh my God!" She chirps up, unable to hide her excitement. "The pleasure is all mine. I can't believe you know me. Oh my God! This is amazing. This is almost like the time I got to have Miguel's favorite chocolate from his stash without him knowing and that victory felt incredible!"

"What?" Miguel's voice was just below a shout as he glared at the young girl and grabbed her elbow tightly, forcing her smile and excitement to drop.

"Mr. Smith, how about you take a walk while I have a chat with Alissa here," I suggest the man while anger boils within me. He reminds me so much of Fabian and all I want to do is shoot him between his eyes for abusing her right in front of me.

"I think I need to stay here. She's only seventeen and needs a parent by her side," he retorts, tightening his hold on her like I don't see it, but he doesn't know that I have hawk-like eyes and intuition that that basically sniff out his filth.

          "She's England's youngest and top supermodel. I think she can handle being on her own with the owner of the top fashion company across the globe right now." I step closer to the girl and stare Miguel down. "Go get yourself a drink while I talk to her, okay?"

"Bribe him with a bar of snickers and you'll witness the real life Flash," Alissa laughed causing a little smile to emerge on my face. Despite the pain I know she's in, she still smiles wide to light the room up. She's so bubbly and innocent that it almost reminds me of myself when I was close to her age, but that's a lie. I was in literal hell.

"What did you say, you brat?" Miguel whispers furiously not realizing it was loud enough for me to hear.

          Anger got the best of me and forced me to act immediately. Grabbing the wrist of the hand that held Alissa, I squeeze it tight enough to make Miguel release his hold on the girl and force his eyes to me. "Mr. Smith," I fake a realistic smile that I'm quite brilliant at and take a stance between the two, shielding the girl behind me. "Like I just said, take a walk. Chocolate delicacies are being served. Go fill yourself up while I talk to your daughter about a contract and then you may come and go over it with her since, I'm guessing, you're her manager, right?"

"Nope, my brother is my manager," Alissa butts in and shakes her head.

          "Fine," he says and I release his wrist. "I'll be back in a few." With that being said, he rubs his wrist and strides away to the catering area.

          "See! I said he'll go quickly for the chocolates." Alissa laughs and turns to me. "Thank you!"

          "Does your mother know?" I inquire and begin walking away from the crowd towards the long balcony past the glass door that looks over the city.

          "About?" She follows me out like a puppy.

          "You know what," I say and watch her face fall which only saddens me. I know she won't say anything and I understand. This was me when I was a lot younger than she is now. So helpless and weak. I try to divert her attention to something she'd definitely enjoy. "I want to sign you up for a shoot."

          "Really?" She marvels at the thought and literally squeals.

          "Yes," I cover my ears for a second and continue. "When do you turn eighteen?"

          "In a few weeks. Why?"

          "Because it's a lingerie shoot and I don't want you to be underage for that. After you do that shoot, you'll not only be famous in England, but you'll be recognized internationally by other big brands. Not to mention the money you'll receive from it. Are you comfortable enough to be in that position?"

"Is that even a question?" She shakes her head at me in a duh expression. "It's a fuck to the yeah! If it's a Santa Claus themed lingerie then I won't do it. I don't want to be that fat man's elf. He's a pedophile for coming through chimneys and eating our cookies and milk. That thief is my worst fear."

I can't tell if she's being serious or if her acting is on point due to that horrified look on her. I am baffled at this girl's talk, but I can't stop myself from laughing. This is cute, yet annoying. "It won't be Christmas themed at all. Rest assured. If you agree and sign the contract, I'll send you as one of the models to represent my fashion at the WFG."

"The World Fashion Gala?" Her jaw drops in bafflement as she tries to figure out whether I'm messing with her or not. Another squeal pierces through the cool air, forcing me to shudder internally. Oh lord! "I'll sign them right now."

"Good," I smile and shake her hand. "It's a deal then. I'll have my assistant get the papers ready immediately and you may sign them today itself after going over it with your manager."

***

"Jackson looks so hot!" Jay exclaims and sighs at the same time as she hands me a glass of white wine. "He needs to take me down to fuckville already. I want to ride his merchandise and take it on a test drive," she winks at me, almost making me gag on my drink.

"Jay," I say calmly and place my drink on one of the tables behind me. "I know Jackson is a very hot man, but he's off limits. You're not screwing my bodyguard. Are we clear?"

"You can't stop the raging hormones in us," she wiggles her brows at me and sips on her drink which is presumably vodka.

"If you fuck him, I'll fire you and make sure you don't get a job anywhere."

"I'm your friend. You wouldn't dare."

"Try me," I narrow my eyes at her and watch her brown orbs sadden. "Jay, go get your favorite footballer. What's his name?"

"Freddie Guzman," she chirps up and places her glass down.

"Yeah, go get Freddie."

"I would, but he's busy flirting with Mr. Bonferroni's date."

"What?" I straighten my spine and look at her whilst smiling to myself. When I called him this morning, he lied saying he wasn't going to make it, but here he is and with a date. Interesting. "Where are they?"

"Right there," she points towards my private elevator and my gaze follows it. A tall, beautiful woman in red stands next to Leo who is clothed in a crisp black tuxedo and is about ready to kill Freddie Guzman. I pace over as quickly as possible before he can turn this party into a bloodbath.

(This is Freddie Guzman. Isn't he hot? 😍😍)

          "Mr. Guzman," I tap on the tall man's shoulder and continue. "Do you mind if I steal my guests?"

          "Of course not, Ms. Estle," the handsome man backs away before shooting a smirk at Leo's date.

(Leo and Arie! ❤️ my babies!)

          "Leo!" I smile and embrace the man who has anger seeping out of him, but he calms down when he wraps his arms around me. "Thank you so much for coming."

          "I had to," he smiles and places his hand on his date's back, pulling her sideways into him. "I wanted you to meet Arie Noelle."

"Ah, I'm guessing you're Ashton Noelle's sister. I'm Athena," I introduce myself to the girl and shake her hand. "I've heard a lot about you from everyone but Leo."

"And I've heard a few things about you from no one but Leo," she laughs and looks up at Leo in a loving gaze that he returns with more love, placing a kiss on her temple. I can't help the smile that erupts on my face at seeing Leo so happy after all the shit that he has been through. The pain and misery he has endured over the years could make anyone shudder, but he still holds his head high like a lion that no one dares to mess with.

          "Hopefully, Leo didn't humiliate me much," I interrupt them and force their eyes to me.

          "Not really," Arie laughs. "He just told me that you once worked for him and that you're also Arabelle's best friend and Vince's female counterpart."

          "So he told you the truth," I snicker and step closer to the couple. "I heard what Astor did." I grab her hands and watch her face sadden and flare in anger a little. "I'm so sorry for what happened."

          "He'll be the one apologizing when I get my hands on him," she retorts, her eyes shining with a suppressed rage that weirdly makes me happy. If she's with Leo, that attitude is much needed at times. The raging attitude runs in the Bonferroni family, so I guess Arie adopting that trait isn't bad after all.

          "I like it," I declare and approve of the girl that has Leo so smitten with her. "She fits in."

          They both laugh and look at one another before turning their attention back to me. "Ho intenzione di fare di lei la regina dell'impero, (I intend to make her the queen of the empire)," Leo speaks in Italian and takes me back by that confession. I can't believe that he plans on having her on the throne alongside him. That spot has been vacant for years and now he intends to make this girl his queen.

          "La tua nonna non approvare il suo essere la regina. Lei non è italiano di nascita. (Your grandmother won't approve of her to be the queen. She isn't Italian born.)" I reply in Italian. Even though I have no problem with Arie, I don't think she's ready to be the queen of the most powerful empire that stretches out all over the globe, not only in Italy.

          "Non posso lasciare che la nonna rovinare quello che ho con Arie. Ella già rovinato qualcosa prima, ma non questa volta. Non permettere a nessuno di strappare questo da me. (I won't let grandmother ruin what I have with Arie. She already ruined something before, but not this time. I won't let anyone snatch this from me.)" He pulls Arie closer and gazes into her eyes while she strokes his arm up and down, calming him. "She's the one."

I've always wished this man happiness for all that he has done for me. He saved and supported me through so much and I wouldn't waste a second to lay my life down for him. A brother is what I see him as, but he has always been an angel who pulled me out of the most deranged corner of hell that I burned in. I owe him everything I have and seeing him happy elates me more than anything. "She is."

--------------------------------------------

Another long chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

Alissa Castillo is a hilarious and the most sarcastic character I've ever read about that literally makes me cry while laughing. She's an amazing character in Break Me, Make Me by he_he_ Don't forget to check it out and follow her amazing and crazy story.

If you like what you saw of Leo and Arie here, then you should check out my other story, Irresistible Love. That one is quite a ride.

And don't worry. The party scene doesn't end here. There's a lot more to happen. 😉 exciting stuff!

Much love♥️
~Reet