Tori was happily eating various kinds of sushi as Callista eyed her. Her own plate was empty despite the appetizing smell of a Japanese buffet all over the function hall. Caly and Tori had attended their high school reunion.

Callista had wanted to refuse but she had been the student council president of their time and Principal Lee had been close to begging. She placed a hand on her cheek, silver eyes surveying different groups of students before her gaze stopped on Castor Luciano. He was surrounded by boys and girls alike.

Even with the Lucianos' terrifying reputation, Castor's charisma had no bounds. He had friends in the basketball and soccer teams. He had been part of the art club and the school's band. Aside from that, he had hung out with kids whose hobbies ranged from skating to racing.

People could look past his origins. He was so unlike her.

Callista had lots of acquaintances but few friends. People were nice to her, they would exchange pleasantries with her but she could still see the glint of fear on their eyes. It's almost a blessing her social media followers judge on face and clothes alone. They didn't know what she was truly capable of.

Callista and Castor both came from powerful crime families. And Luciano's heir might act like a raging beast st times but she was certain, she had done more fearsome things than him.

Ever since she was a child, her father had taught her to take no shit from anyone. To not let anyone question her decisions. To not let anyone take what was hers.

To take and take and win.

When her bodyguard had died, Caly realized how true her father's words were. She could take anything she wanted. Even someone's life.

Maybe that was the problem. She could have anything that she didn't know what she wanted to have anymore.

Castor's eye caught hers. She turned away, feeling her heartbeat doubled. Kissing the man shitted all over plans.

Callista had given out options about what winning would look like but her mind had already laid out the perfect solution of ending the rivalry between the two families. It had been on her mind since she came back.

Castor was hers. He had been the first time they met.

But Franco was not.

So she decided to choose Franco and have the Castellano family on her palm. If she got rid of Francisco Castellano, she could end everything. The threats would stop. She could have peace.

Franco was the right choice.

It was a perfect plan.

Or it should have been before Castor's green eyes started giving her heartaches. Cracks had appeared on her solid plot.

"Tori, why don't we go visit Mallorie? I don't think I can stay here," she stated, seeing Tori ate the last piece of sushi.

She swallowed her food. "Are you sure? I still want to eat tempura."

"Yes. I'm sure Mal has more food." Callista grabbed her purse and almost dragged Tori away when Castor narrowed his eyes at them. He excused himself from his group and marched towards her.

Well, shit.

She couldn't do anything as he stood in front of her. Caly stared at him, meeting the turbulent swirls of his eyes. "What?"

"I told you to make it clear with me," he drawled. Castor's silent anger made her clench her fists. "But, you're running away. Don't you think I deserve an explanation, Callista?"

She licked her lips. "I'll tell you just..." Her crimson nails pierced her palm. "Not now."

"Alright," he said. Castor lifted a hand, caressing her right cheek. Her heart crumpled and the tug at her stomach coiled tighter. "I'll wait for you."

Caly nodded as her nails dug deeper into her palm. She shouldn't cry.

She was doing the right thing.

✘✘

Franco Castellano glared at his white ceiling. Callista's words kept running through his mind. That his father lied to him about Elena. That his father...

He shot up from his bed, fingers yanking at his blond locks.

The truth was, he wasn't scared at all. He was terrified.

Of all people, he knew what his father was capable of. Francisco Castellano was manipulative and full of vengeance. He would use anything at his disposal to get to his goal.

But could he really use his own son? Was it possible?

A resounding 'yes' echoed in Franco's mind. He quickly shook the thought away and decided to talk to his father. He couldn't doubt the only person who had shown him love.

The next day, Franco was determined to face his father. But his plans were thwarted when his secretary called to tell him about the new wine that his father ordered.

He couldn't say no and went to their warehouse to inspect the cargo. Franco waited until the boxes were stacked neatly. But his curiosity got the better of him as he opened one box. He didn't know what kind of wine his father had produced but it was 20% costlier.

Franco yanked one bottle and he gritted his teeth at the white powder at the bottom of the bottle. Damn it.

If that wasn't enough, he could hear shootings outside of the warehouse. The fucking... He returned the bottle to its box.

"What's happening?" he yelled at one of their guards.

"It's Luciano's men, sir!" he responded before running outside.

Franco shut his eyes, thumb pressing at his temples. He barked his orders to his men as he exited the warehouse on the other door. His father was selling drugs and Luciano had already caught onto it.

He went to his car and stepped on the brakes. His blood pounded on his ears as he took the stairs to his father's office. He pushed the door wide but the words died on his tongue as Benjamin stood guard. The scar on his face deepened as his eyes trained on the newcomer.

Franco inhaled deeply and walked to the table in calculated steps. "Father, can I talk to you?"

"You should have asked that before you burst in here, Franco." He set his fountain pen down, blue eyes lifting to his identical ones. "What is it?"

"You started selling drugs?" he inquired, hiding his clenched fists from the other men's view. "Father, isn't that against the provisions you had with Caesar Genovese. Drugs are for Manhattan's gangs."

"So?" His father leaned back. "Nothing will happen if you win," he stated. "I laid out the foundation for you, Franco. I used Gallo's daughter, I even found out about that kidnapping story so Callista would like you. Is there a reason that you need to fear?"

Franco swallowed hard. "I just think... that marrying Callista doesn't mean that all rules will break. She's not one to listen to—"

"What!" The growl his father emitted sent terror through Franco. "She's a woman!"

"Father..." he started softly. "Does this really need to happen?"

Francisco Castellano chuckled and that was even more horrifying than his anger. "Are you getting soft on me, Franco? I told you why we are doing this." He stood up, palms flat on the desk. "For your sister, Alicia! And your girlfriend Elena! Have you forgotten?"

Franco bit the inside of his cheek until he drew blood. The iron taste kept his heart from hurting. It kept his tears from falling. He had already doubts over Elena's death. Elena couldn't seek out Castor Luciano unless somebody had told her.

And Alicia... his older sister had died before Franco was born that all his knowledge about her questionable death were from his father's stories.

They were all stories.

But he had never questioned what his father had told him. Be it stories or commands. He had no reason to.

Unlike his mother, Francisco had cared for him and raised him to the best of his ability. It never crossed his mind that he would treat his son as a tool for his revenge. But now, bringing up Elena to curb his concerns was enough indication.

He was indeed a pawn.

"You are getting soft, aren't you?" Francisco narrowed his eyes. He straightened his spine as chilling words left his mouth. "Maybe Benjamin can beat some sense into you."

Franco felt his heart drop.

✘✘

I thought I couldn't update but I managed to squeeze out the words from my head. the story will become faster now that you know what motivates each one of them.

I hope their actions are much clearer esp Caly (she's not really the type to kiss two guys without a reason) Please don't hesitate to tell me if you found any contradictions to my previous chapters cause I'm really just typing away (sometimes it's in my plan sometimes I think up of new plot xD)

votes and comments are appreciated. stay safe!

xx, lucci