"Another one"

- DJ Khaled/ Gabs

The Salon is fully packed with people, there's loud cheers for Gaia when she approaches the stage, Dario and I come just in time for her speech.

"Thank you everybody and welcome, I hope you all enjoy your evening here at the Palace.". Applause and more cheers fill the room.

"I want to thank Elena Rodriguez, owner of The Palace hotel, for making all of this possible" The crowd looks for Alicia's mother who waves amongst them, beside her my mother who has one hand to her chest as she proudly admires her design that Gaia is wearing up on the stage. "There's an open bar to the right, photobooth in the garden and plenty of food served throughout the night, including the dessert room in the back named 'Gaia's Candyland!'" She cheers, which makes us cheer once more.

"Lastly thank you for all of your many gifts, this year though I'll be donating them all to charity of my choice."

The crowd moans with awe.

She's an living breathing angel, I think to myself.

"Did you know she was gonna do that?" I turn to Dario. He shakes his head.

"No, I didn't, don't worry though, I'll swipe the tickets of the table before anyone notices."

We laugh.

I look amongst the crowd and I spot Hilda-Maria, she is looking gorgeous, her dress is promiscuous yet classy as it shapes her body perfectly, My mouth falls slightly open when I suddenly spot Valentino's bald head looking up the stage, standing beside her. He was wearing what looked to be a brand new tuxedo and with his earing, I admit the look suited him. Why was he here? I thought he couldn't come? Did Hilda-Maria buy him that suit?

"Have a great night everybody and don't forget to pick up a gift bag from our sponsors before you go!" The crowd gave Gaia one last round of applause before Mrs Romano took the stage. I was watching Valentino and Hilda-Maria like a hawk, enough was enough, I was done being played with, I began walking towards them when suddenly a gust of Gaia almost knocked me over.

"I'm so glad you came, this is gonna be a great night" She said cheerful as she hugged me tightly.

"Hi babe!" She said, spotting Dario and ran up to hug him as well. He twirled her around, then they locked lips. He looked to her with wonder as she was as cheerful as a toddler who had been fed a spoonful of sugar. "Are you alright?" He said.

She nodded her head rapidly, "Mhm, I was a bit nervous to go up on stage and I'm just so happy", They locked lips again this time with more tongue. I saw this as my que to leave.

I never lost site of Valentino and Hilda-Maria as I headed towards the bar.

"What would you like to drink?" The bartender ask, a redhaired lady in her mid thirties.

"Er...?" I murmur, I should probably save the drinking for later, don't wanna get too sloppy in front of my mother, I thought to myself . Suddenly the noise of a storm of clapping heels increases. I turn.

"Isn't that Valentino!" Alicia says breathless, excitement in her voice.

I rolled my eyes and returned my attention to the bar, the lady was gone.

Alicia's bitchy voice strikes again, "I almost didn't recognize him because of the haircut but then I thought, who else could it be trailing after Hilda-Maria like a dog?" She put a finger to her chin. "Then another thought hit me, where did he get that expensive looking suit from." I guess he doesn't mind being pitied.

Alicia and I look to where they stand, Hilda-Maria is pouting her lips and fiddling with Valentino's tie.

Alicia leans in, making me smell the alcohol on her breath, "She has a great taste in tuxedos." She whispers.

Splitting the crowd in front of us is this tall boy with so much wax in his hair that I feel like lighting it up like a candle. He wears a tight beige suit.

"There you are! Why did you run off?" He says breathless.

Sorry, I just had to say hi to my friend, Alessia meet Timo Romano, Gaia's cousin."

I look to the boy who extends his arm for me to shake and then to Alicia, my brain feels exhausted.

"I'm going to the bathroom" I sigh, brushing past both of them.