The red apple tasted so sweet that Callista grabbed another one. She was sitting in front of a sofa that faced a body length mirror. She crossed her legs, causing the red satin evening dress to show her skin.

It was at that moment that Franco burst through the door.

"Seriously? You're eating a—" he peered at her spot and groaned. "An apple?"

"Yeah," Caly answered. "Your mother sent me a basket."

Franco shot the basket of red apples with a disgusted look. "Really? What if that was poisoned?"

She giggled and took another bite. "Then, you go and get my prince charming."

"Caly! Does nothing faze you?" he yelled. "Tonight is our engagement party! And tomorrow we're gonna get married!"

"And?"

"Is this part of our plan? Did Castor agree?"

"Yeah. But it took a round of sex—"

"Stop! Damn it!" Franco sat down on the sofa. "Shouldn't we stop since Father already made me the boss?"

"You think you're a boss?" Callista laughed and threw the apple core into the trash can. She stood up and opened her Prada pouch, getting her lipstick. "Franco, your father readily gave his title because he knows that he could get it back. That's why the wedding is tomorrow. He's not giving you time to be a great boss. So that when you die, nobody would care.

"He's that confident?"

"If you do nothing, yes." Caly stood before the tall mirror and reapplied her lipstick. She smacked her lips and turned to him. "There are two kinds of people out there. The people who are impressed that you won against Castor and the people who are loyal to your father. Take care of the first one."

"What? How will I do that?"

She frowned. "Didn't Castor tell you?"

Franco blinked a few times before his blue eyes lit up with recognition. "He told me not to piss my pants and not to upset you."

"That idiot!" Caly sighed at Castor's stupidity. She sat next to him. "You need them to acknowledge you. That's the only way we could threaten your father. The only way he will make a move. The only way we can catch him in the act and make him pay."

"And what if he won't?"

"He will. Trust me."

Franco took a deep breath as he leaned forward. A calm mask settled on his face. "How do I do this then?"

"You lie and make promises you can't fulfill," she smirked at his confusion. "You know, like politicians. I'll take care of the other thing."

✘✘

Callista had stretched her lips to the limits. She had danced and blackmailed and danced again. The people in the Castellano family were too familiar with fear that anything she asked was fulfilled in less than a second.

But her main goal wasn't done yet.

Caly grabbed a champagne flute, sipping at it with leisure. She watched with a small sense of pride as Franco managed to gather an audience. He was doing well. She figured that his professionalism was helpful.

Though she wished he would smile more. Older women seemed to prefer that.

Callista grabbed another drink. She almost choked as Aslan Yusuf entered the ballroom. Good timing.

She downed the rest of her drink and marched to him. Caly gritted her teeth as Francisco and Benjamin beat her to Yusuf. Shit.

Nevertheless, she approached with confidence. She heard part of their conversation as she entered the circle.

"So the rumors are not true?" Aslan mumbled. His dark eyes narrowed at the old boss.

"Are you talking about that rumor of children?" she interjected, smiling at her future father-in-law.

"Children?" Aslan echoed with a deep frown.

Francisco let out a shaky laugh. "Don't mind her, Aslan. As I said, the court has nothing on me."

"Really?" Caly tilted her head. "That's weird. I saw it first hand."

Benjamin moved closer to her. His sharp brown eyes glimmered with hate.

Callista felt her chest tighten. She took a step back before turning to her newfound ally. She held out a hand. "I'm Callista Genovese, Mr. Yusuf."

Aslan accepted her hand. "I see. It is you who will marry the boy. You are very pretty, Miss." He let go, not losing the curiosity in his face. "What do you mean by your statement earlier?"

"Oh that," she began, shooting him a somber smile. "I saw kids being shoved in a moving truck. And I swear... I saw this man..." Caly pointed at the bodyguard. "I won't mistake that scar."

Francisco stepped on her line of sight. "That's all hearsay. Do you even have proof, dear daughter-in-law?"

"Of course, I do." Callista met his blue eyes. "After all, it happened to me."

Caly had never been able to understand why her father had a lot of secrets. Some he hid forever. Some he hid for months. Some were never hidden.

But now she figured that it was all about timing.

If her father had complained about the kidnapping years ago, it would've only cause war.

Unlike today, she would make sure it would cause his downfall.

"It happened to you?" Aslan asked. His jaw clenched with anger as he turned to the boss. "How true is this, Francisco? And a Genovese is claiming this? You know how I feel about children."

"No, Aslan. This is—" Francisco followed the other man as he walked away from him.

Callista smirked at her achievement. Castor was right in seeking out that man. His straight-laced attitude was certainly handy.

Now, it's time to handle you, Scarface.

Caly exited the ballroom as she sent a text to Franco. She was able to press send before a hand yanked her backward.

She stumbled, wincing at the pain on her wrist. "W-what?"

Benjamin moved closer. The huge scar on his face crumpled in rage. "What do you want, little girl?"

"You're fucking hideous!" She spat out. "Get your hands off me!"

"I should've killed you years ago," he whispered, nails digging in her skin. "You and that damn boy..."

The mention of Castor caused a spike of fury through her veins. She slapped him once, tugging her arm back. "Go on. Why don't you hit me?"

His nose flared.

She continued. "You're good at that, aren't you?"

Benjamin gritted his teeth. "Shut up!"

"What? You can't do anything without your boss?"

And then he hit her.

Callista's head spun. A scream tore through her throat. Her cheek ached as she tasted the blood on her lips. She rubbed it off with her thumb, glaring at the older man. "Is that all?"

"Bitch!"

His hand was poised for another slap.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Caly looked up to see Franco with his mother. He stepped forward, holding a hand towards her. She slid towards him, a hand to her stinging cheek.

"I'm asking you, Benjamin," Franco demanded.

Callista smirked at her fake fiancé's confidence. It didn't take long before they had an audience.

"Did you hit my future wife?"

The gasps made Caly smile and she was, even more, happier as Benjamin tried to run away only to bump into more of Franco's men. She relished the look on Francisco's face as he realized what had transpired.

"I'm sure he did it." It was Althea Castellano who spoke that surprise crossed Franco's face. "The girl has blood on her lip and a bruise is forming on her head."

Francisco glowered at his wife. "Nothing's proven—"

"Are you saying she hit her head on purpose?" Althea continued with a bite as a chorus of agreements backed her statement.

"Mr. Castellano..." Aslan Yusuf took a step forward. "This is the second time your bodyguard's name is mentioned in nefarious allegations."

Francisco Castellano gritted his teeth. The eyes on him were filled with annoyance and expectations. Everyone knew he favored Benjamin the most. That's gotta create jealousy in their circles.

Callista grinned and winced as her injury ached. Fuck it.

"Father, since he's your man, shouldn't you take care of him?" Franco said. "Or do you want me to do it?"

His father took a step forward. "I'll take care of him."

Callista met his burning gaze with a glare of her own. "You better."

Franco ushered her away from the crowd. When they were out of the public's eye, he cautiously peered at her face. "Crap. Castor will kill me."

She chuckled. "It was worth it."

✘✘

Votes and comments are appreciated!

Will update tomorrow! ;)