The garden of the Genovese mansion was decorated for the party. The pavilion and the garden had been adorned with red ribbons that sparkled with the rubies attached to it. Even the poolside had red balloons scattered around. And just like every party she had thrown, Caly had ordered several ruby gems as a giveaway gift.

She had asked her father for all the excess star rubies they have and fashioned them into small earrings. Starix Jewels had been doing well and Callista had promised her father she would bring a large project in return.

Anyway, these gems made Caly's parties trending. Being invited was a massive privilege.

"Mal!" Callista rushed to her friend, crushing her in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you came!"

Mallorie let out a wry smile. "Yeah well, this is what happens when your friend contacted you after three years so you really have no choice but to come."

Caly puckered her red lips, holding both of her hands on hers. "Forgive me?"

"Can I say no?" She rolled her eyes, a smile beginning to form in her thin mouth.

"Want to say hi to your mother?"

"We live in the same house, Caly." Caly nodded. The decided to pass it and went to sit on the mini bar on the living room.

Callista shrugged, getting a bowl of cherries. She slid it between them. "How are you?"

"As if you don't know already." Mallorie raised an eyebrow. Her brown hair bounced as she got up and took her place on the bar. She opened the cabinet and the mini fridge. Her hands worked fast. "Stop the innocent look, Callista. You don't throw a party without malice."

A devious smirk materialized on her face. "Oh?"

Mal resumed mixing and then she was shaking a tumbler. She poured the drink. "When we were in high school, you threw a party at the same day as that of Janice's birthday party."

"I didn't do that." Caly accepted the cocktail glass from her friend, tasting the vivid flavor of vodka.

"Uh huh. You do know everybody went to your party and Janice had red eyes the next day." Mallorie skirted around the counter and sat beside her. She swirled her glass, flashing Callista another dubious look. "And the poor girl suffered all because she slept with Castor Luciano."

Caly's throat rumbled in a chuckle. "You're delusional if you think I care about his sex life. I hated that girl because she bragged about her 'biggest party ever' and the words 'better than a Genovese party'."

"If you say so," Mal said, shrugging her shoulders in indifference.

Callista had known Mallorie Jones since forever. Her mother had brought the girl to the Genovese mansion every time she worked as one of their chefs. Callista had found her playing on the garden and they hit it off instantly. As a kid, they didn't really care if their status was heavens apart.

Being childhood friends, Caly was aware that Mal could sense that something was off. Her bright hazel eyes scanned Callista's face. "Who's your target then?"

Callista was grateful that the topic had diverted. "Delilah Gallo."

"Franco's fiancée?" Mal gasped in ample shock.

"You know her?"

Mallorie looked at her with suspicion. Callista usually knew everything about other people and Mal assumed she knew where she worked but Caly's face didn't change. Mal explained, setting her drink down. "I work at Castle. They have a huge hotel bar and honestly, it's amazing. The plethora of flavors made me want to sleep there."

"With all the money you have saved, why don't you start your own bar?" Caly took another sip from her cocktail. "If you need money, just tell me."

"Over my dead body, Callista." Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed at her. She shook her head, ashamed of the way her voice rose. "Do you even know how hard it is being friends with you? I'm not debasing our friendship, it's just that...I also want..."

"Hey, I understand. I'm sorry." Caly drew a ribbon from her shorts. It was red ribbon smeared with little rubies. "Here, you always liked these as souvenirs. A Genovese's trademark."

"Thanks, Caly." Mallorie licked her lips, wanting to say more but Callista's hard look made her stop. "What do you want me to do?"

"Give her an Aftershock or tequila every now and then. Make sure she doesn't notice."

Mal nodded. "I'm a bartender. I do know when people are wasted."

✘✘

Boisterous laugh and party music pervade the vast backyard of the Genovese's mansion. Callista was glad that she forced her father to sleep at the hotel. He'd certainly complain about the noise.

A splash soaked her feet as she trod on the poolside. Her probing eyes dissected the crowd, hoping to see a glimpse of Delilah Gallo. Caly adjusted the straps of her red bikini, squashing the desire to frown. The party had started thirty minutes ago. She'd been stopped and asked to dance many times.

She was confident that the Gallo princess would not miss this. Being new to town, she desperately needed the familiar scene. But the lateness provoked her impatience.

Then she found her.

Nervous pale blue eyes flicking through the crowd. Her fingers swept the loose hair from her chignon bun, walking unsurely. She smacked her colored lips, eyeing the people who were dancing, bumping into one of the guests in the process.

Callista rescued her from being a blundering fool. Smiling widely, she touched Delilah's arm. "Hey, welcome."

"I'm... you are... Callista Genovese?" she frowned, her eyes scanning the girl's figure in front of her. Her sun-bleached hair shone over the party lights as she shifted on her heels. Delilah pushed her chest out, trying to appear undaunted.

Caly's smile remained in spite of her budding irritation. "Yes. The one and only."

Delilah's burgundy lips beamed. "Thank you for inviting me. I just... I didn't know this is a pool party?"

"I'm sorry. It must be a misprint in your invitation." Callista downplayed the situation with an airy laugh. She flicked her long hair back, letting Delilah glimpsed the several gems on her fingers. "I have an extra Alix swimsuit in the house. You can borrow it."

"Sure." The other girl tried not to swallow but Caly discerned the way her eyes popped. "If it's okay with you, of course," she added hastily.

Callista trod the way to her bedroom. She left Delilah in the sitting room on the third floor while she fetched the extra clothes. She was back in a minute and ushered the guest to the bathroom. The Gallo girl was too excited to even ask her where the bathroom was.

Eyeing the purse that Delilah left, she grinned. Her fingers immediately flicked through the countless credit and debit cards. Caly took a picture of each, knowing just what to do.

She heard the footsteps and sat on the sofa's arm. "It looks good on you."

"Right?" Delilah twirled on her dainty feet. Her confidence was palpable after wearing the blue triangular-shaped Alix bikini.

So easy to read, Caly rubbed at her bottom lip. She straightened, clutching at her phone firmly. "Let's go. I really need that drink."

Callista introduced her new friend to all the elites in town. Wide grins and blurry eyes greeted the pair and Callista knew they were all drunk. She lifted her chin up, hoping that Mallorie could see her from the bar at the center of the pool.

Mallorie passed by them with a tray.

Delilah got one, oblivious to the look that the two ladies exchanged. She downed the drink as 2012 blasted in the air. All guests waved their hands, grinding against one another, abandoning proper etiquette and grace.

The next hour was a blur.

Callista bunched Delilah's blonde locks around her head as she sniffed a line of cocaine. She scrunched her nose in disgust as Delilah slumped against her on the sofa situated in the garden.

Caly had no qualms about befriending people who use drugs. Despite that, everyone knew that she was vocal on her abhorrence for it. Her parties were drug-free. Always. Until Delilah Gallo snatched a packet from her bra.

For Caly, her mind was her treasure. It's unthinkable that she would jeopardize her sparkling brain in exchange for a few hours of euphoria. She'd rather have sex.

"Okay, okay. That's enough." Callista placed the rest of the cocaine on Delilah's purse. She let the woman enjoy her high against her shoulder.

"I'm so happy right now!" she giggled. Delilah raised her arms in the air, shouting in glee. "For the first time, since I came here... I'm actually enjoying!"

Caly arched an eyebrow. "Really?"

Delilah chuckled, "I'm engaged to a stone! My father said I need to marry because I'm useless as fuck. He told me I'm so dumb, that I cannot earn money like him. He said to make use of my body! Ah, but who cares?" She circled two palms around her mouth like a makeshift speaker. "Fuck you, Dad! Fuck you, Franco!"

Drugs, alcohol, low self-esteem, and daddy issues. A small smirk graced Callista's strawberry lips, Could this girl be any more predictable?

Or not?

Callista's gleeful celebration was short-lived when she gazed at Franco Castellano's lithe form. He was surrounded by Thomas and his own bodyguard. She discerned the way Franco sneered at her guests and his disgust when a drunk, wet girl bumped into him. His jarred expression made Caly a little bit pleased.

Their eyes locked onto each other as he got nearer. Caly brought up her right hand, tasting the tips of her fingers, her bright red nails shining under the dim lights. Franco raised an eyebrow, getting the message. His azure eyes were cold and calculating.

The connection only broke when Delilah jumped from the sofa. She skipped her way towards the pool before Franco circled an arm around her waist. They collided on each other, Franco's sturdy body supporting the wasted girl.

Callista stomped her way to the couple. "It's so nice of you to come and get her."

Franco's response was stifled by Delilah's derisory attempts to kiss him. With a low growl, he shoved the girl out of his arms and into that of his bodyguard. There was no concern or fleeting looks of gentleness from Franco's whole conduct. The bodyguard easily caught the wriggling girl without any kind of grievances.

Callista immediately noticed the bodyguard's harsh stare. His dark brown eyes glimmered in fury and the scar running vertically on his nose forced Caly to look away. Anxiety established itself on the pit of her stomach.

"Miss Genovese, is this some kind of ploy to make me jealous?" Franco muttered using his silky, smooth voice. It successfully grabbed the girl's attention from his bodyguard.

"Mr. Castellano, when did I ever insinuated that I like you? Was it when I slapped you? That turned you on?" Callista moved one step closer to him, running her fingers through her raven locks. "I didn't know you like it rough."

Franco's poker face didn't waver. His Greek features were overly illuminated by the sparkling lights. He touched his nose to hers, making sure she saw the wound she left him. The archangel spoke. His voice sensual, sleek with a dangerous lilt. "If you ruin this for me, I will make sure this pretty visage of yours will be mangled beyond recognition. Don't try me, your majesty."

Callista was compelled to swallow. She wished her fear was imaginary but it was there, clawing its way out, opening her chest wide to vulnerability.

She watched in a daze as Franco left like he won the lottery.

✘✘

hello, hello, to anyone who reads this.

Franco is a jerk for now but i do love to get through that mask of his. anyone else feels the same?

this is probably my last update this april cause i don't know, i get lazy when it's 40 degrees hot (sht) tho i still hope i get motivation to write and update. *winks

btw, you guys, what TV series are you watching? I need recommendations. thank you to anyone who'll reply.

love you all,

✘✘, lucci