Delilah Gallo wiped at her tears. She sniffed, walking briskly as she stepped out of the elevator. Witnessing Callista and Franco crushed her hoping heart. They had looked so good together.

"Delilah!" Franco's sleek voice vibrated in the empty hallway.

She huffed indignantly, snubbing his repeated calls.

"Delilah!" Franco seized her elbow, her body spun towards his. "What's your problem?"

"What? Don't you know?" she screamed with a high-pitched voice. She almost cackled at his faux surprise. "Why did it have to be her?"

"I don't understand. You know what we are!" Franco snarled. His sapphire eyes blown wide as agitated words dripped from his swollen lips. "Are you jealous?"

Delilah bit at her quivering lips, ruining her perfect MAC lipstick. She took in Franco's appearance. Blond tousled hair with crimson love bites on his neck. They never even got to that point. Her voice shattered, tears burning at the edge of her eyes. "I know that. I know I can't be jealous but there are hundreds of women out there. Why did it have to be Callista Genovese?"

Delilah's move to New York had been unwelcome. She had followed her father's orders to the point of getting engaged to a man she barely knew. She had been scared out of her mind but Callista's invitation was a beacon of light through the stormy clouds.

At first, she had been wary. Callista was a queen, both in blood and actions. But she lowered her guard after seeing her with Castor Luciano. The two of them oozed with scorching chemistry. She had thought Caly wouldn't be interested in Franco if her silver eyes were stalking Castor's every move.

She was wrong.

Delilah had trusted her but she fell into Callista's trap. She didn't even see it coming.

Franco threaded his fingers through his golden locks. His jaw clenched and unclenched. "What do you want from me?"

"Do you like her?" Delilah asked. Her breath ceased as he waited for his reply. "Answer me!"

"Yes." Franco declared. "I liked her ever since we were in high school."

Delilah wept, hot tears flowing on her cheeks. All the things she did and all the things she wanted to do. It wouldn't make a difference because his heart had been set for another.

She never had a chance.

"Delilah..." Franco whispered, closing the space between them. His glacial blue irises mellowed at the sight of the woman's tears. "I'm sorry."

The Gallo heiress clamped her fingers against her lacy nightgown. Somehow, his apology increased the ache in her heart. Her hand flew to his cheek without warning. She sniffed, soothing the pain on her throat. "Shut up!"

Franco clicked his tongue as his azure eyes fixed on her. "Are you breaking up with me?"

"Yes!" She all but screamed. Her tears continued despite the steel on her words. "Let's stop this."

"Alright," he muttered in apathy.

Delilah's torn heart broke into a thousand pieces. His detachment caused another wave of tears to roll down from her eyes. She slapped him again. "You're so heartless!"

Franco scoffed, a thumb caressing his stinging cheek. "Stop acting like a saint, Delilah." He inserted his hands on the pockets of his dark blue shorts. "You and I have nothing to cry about. If you got attached, that's not my fault anymore."

Franco wasn't finished. "Do you know why I like Callista?" His blue eyes shimmered as he spoke in pure adoration. "It's because she's always been independent. She didn't need someone to tell her what to do. Not even Castor Luciano. Unlike you. You're too good at listening, aren't you?"

Her fuming retaliation died as Franco turned his back.

"W-wait..." Delilah wanted to move but her knees were jelly.

She felt pathetic. Unloved. Undesirable. Unwanted.

She didn't know what to do.

So she cried.

✘✘

Callista Genovese scrolled through her Twitter feed as the video of Franco and Delilah's breakup became a trending topic. There was no sound but Delilah's tears and the slaps Franco received were enough indications for drama.

Besides, the netizens had already made a hundred speculations over the matter. She didn't need to do anything. She's certain though that with Delilah's fall, her mission was also over.

Caly leaned back, her midnight hair flowing against the loveseat's armrest in silky waves. She had asked Ethan to edit the part where she had kissed Franco. Not only for her reputation but her peace of mind as well.

She never wanted to remember how Franco smelled or how his soft lips touched hers. Or how he tasted—

"No!" She groaned, burying her face against the sofa's leathery skin. Caly wasn't a novice when it came to being a pretender. But she wasn't heartless.

No matter how great she was at compartmentalizing, some emotions managed to seep out. Contrition was the most prevalent. Desire was second. The third and most dangerous was love.

"Caly?"

Caesar Genovese's voice cut through Caly's musings. She bolted up, seeing her father enter the Venetian foyer. "Daddy, you're early."

"Yes." Caesar began removing his cufflinks, unraveling his tie. "Thankfully, the city hall has only two complaints this time."

"Two?" Callista kissed her father's cheek as they sat on the dining table. They rarely had dinner together that Callista appreciated every one they managed to have. "Mayor Johnson lost his touch."

"I'm glad he did." The older man's grey eyes swept over Caly's face. "And how about you? You seem happy."

"I've finished the task you've given me." Caly beamed, pushing the guilt far, far away. "Do I deserve a reward?"

"That's great. Do you want something?"

Callista pursed her lips. All she wanted was to be in Franco's arms again. The archangel engulfed her mind and she feared it would reach her heart. She needed a distraction. "Dad, do you remember that boy who was kidnapped with me? Any news?"

"Caly, I told you that there was no blotter report of kidnapping other than yours," Caesar explained as a matter of fact. He paused for a moment as the maids placed several dishes on the table. "That boy might be dead."

Callista heard his father the first time he had told her. But she couldn't let go. "He's not dead. I know it.

"Why are you so hung up on him?" Her father inquired, eyeing his daughter with keen curiosity.

"He saved me." Caly's slender fingers tightened on the edge of the table. "I owe him, Daddy. I should at least thank him."

Caesar pinched the bridge of his nose, breathing softly. "Alright. I'll ask my contacts again."

"Thank you."

✘✘

Vincent Ferrer got out from his Chevrolet, traipsing the steps towards Castor's mansion. He opened the door to Ethan and Dos. The British guy was murmuring under his breath while Dos observed him from afar. The latter had his arms crossed, lips set in a grim line.

Castor had greatly reduced his bodyguards whenever he was in Manhattan. He had heard from the older Luciano that Cas had begged for it. The reason? Because Callista didn't like it.

Of fucking course.

It had been a running joke in the family that Callista was actually their boss.

Vince didn't know whether their boss was fearless or stupid. It was common knowledge that Callista Genovese holds Castor Luciano's heart in her hands. And Vince was fucking scared of what that would entail.

"Are you worshipping devils, Ethan?" He slumped next to him, placing a tattooed arm around the younger boy's shoulders.

"I have something to tell Cas. About her majesty," he mumbled, throwing his cellphone to him.

Vince frowned and tapped at the lock screen which directed him to a video. His mouth dropped in shock. "Are you fucking crazy? Why will you show him this?"

"But... he deserves to know," Ethan replied meekly.

"I told you so." Dos inserted into their conversation. "You know how he is with her."

Vince cursed and tapped the delete button.

"I have another copy."

"Don't you dare!"

"I have our boss's best interest in mind, mate. He should know about this." Ethan Ainsley was usually calm and complacent. His attributes fit his tech skills. But he was quite protective of their boss after what happened in the Pentagon.

"What should I know about?" Castor's gruff voice echoed in the spacious mansion. He came down from the staircase, green eyes flitting between the three guys in the room. "Dos?"

Dos visibly swallowed. He stood straight, mouth moving for a response. "Uhm, well. Ethan has something to tell you!"

Ethan gulped. "Uhm. It's—"

"It's about the Gallo's debt, Cas." Vince stood up. He appeared nonchalant, hiding his shaking fingers behind his back. "It's their due tomorrow so I'm going to meet Delilah's father."

Castor lifted an eyebrow. "And?"

"I want Ethan to come with me."

"What?" The younger boy shot up from the white couch. He gulped, fidgeting his fingers.

"He told me he wants to have a girlfriend," Dos added, lips stretching into a pesky smile.

"Really?" Castor snorted.

"Yes. That's why we're going to practice his social skills." Vince rejoiced the web of lies they spun that his anxiousness flipped into anticipation. "And to get milkshakes."

"For real?" Ethan squeaked before he wiped at the imaginary sweat on his forehead. He yanked at his bonnet, lips pressed tight. "Yes. I'll go with Vince."

"Alright. I received your report anyway so you can go." Castor disappeared to the kitchen probably for another late breakfast. Vince had never been more thankful.

"You better not do this again. Trust me. You don't know wanna see Castor angry." Vince gritted his teeth, eyes blazing at the British boy. "Do you hear me?"

"How many milkshakes do I get?"

"For the love of—"

"Five, right?"

✘✘

hello minna-san!

hope everyone is in good health. i'm not confident with this chapter but I hope you like it. can I improve on something?

ethan is so cute. and poor delilah. she had never had a chance.

i'm so excited to know how Cas would react. what do you think?

stay safe. see you next time.

Don't forget to give me a vote if i deserve it.

xx, lucci