The party at the Chamberlain house turned out to be an announcement gathering for Beneventi's supposedly new venture, The BenCorp.

'We aim to provide the best of services to the public through BenCorp,' a particularly flushed Adelina says through the mic, giving way to a whole round of applause. 'Due to some – uh, issues – our patron, Mr. Arrigo Beneventi, could not be here today. But I'm informed that the inauguration and functioning of the company would begin at the latest, and Mr. Beneventi would, in person, announce the heir and CEO of BenCorp. I would like to toast to the rise of BenCorp and the unnamed CEO.'

She raises her champagne. 'To BenCorp.'

All of them drank.

I raise my glass along, rather reluctantly, before downing my glass of apple cider.

Despite our strongest beliefs that the party was a mafia matter, it seemed that it wasn't one at all. There were mayors, senators, officers, prominent businessmen, advertisers, potential investors. It seemed that Arrigo was fishing for more cash among business sharks. There were very few members of the Beneventi family; Stefan, Adelina and Fico among them. I had a feeling that only the closest confidantes were involved. I also had a feeling that most of the dignitaries present had no idea whom they were dealing with.

I sit on one of the chairs, watching Christian. He stands among a few men, senators I guess, and he is talking to them. The men discuss business prospects with great zeal, they honestly have no idea they're talking to the only son of the most wanted criminal on earth. Christian, for that matter, looks no longer nervous, but perfectly at ease as he talks business with them.

'You like him.'

I turn around and I see Stefan slipping onto the chair beside mine.

Stefan Novan Beneventi. Son of a second cousin of Arrigo's. He looks like a perfect Italian god, with a sculpted jaw and a carved face. His good looks are a decoy to the devil he is underneath – he controls Beneventi's involvement in trafficking.

I think of myself, how my beauty is a lie, a façade to hide the devil that I am. It doesn't make me any different from him.

I rearrange my face into an expression of confusion.

'I beg your pardon?'

'Così innocente. How did you even end up with him?'

I look back at Christian. He is still talking to the people, more excited, his hands moving about, probably scaling graphs and statistics.

'We go to Uni together.'

'Fair enough.' Stefan scoffs, his eyes trailing from me to Christian. 'And you like him.'

I don't reply.

'The name is Stefan Novan. I know Chris from when he was in diapers so, let me give you a word of advice. You like him, but he won't love you back. He's going to use you and toss you after he's done. You are just another pretty face to him. Just another distraction from all the shit he's facing.'

My mind stumbles on a particular word of his rant.

'Distraction from what?'

Stefan smirks. 'He hasn't told you, has he? I mean, why would he? I am ready to bet you two won't last till tomorrow morning.'

'You are wrong.' I want Stefan to buy into our act. 'I know he likes me too. This time, it's different.'

Stefan smirks, his eyes glinting. He thinks he knows more, he knows how Christian is using me. Little does he know that I am the one using Christian. Christian Beneventi is my ticket to vendetta.

'I don't know.' Stefan shrugs. 'But I do hope you would visit us again, you know. It's a fact that I treat my girlfriends well.'

Hell yeah. They end up being trafficked across the world.

'Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass.' I snap.

'Feisty. I like it.' Stefan gets up, his hands in his pockets. 'I love a challenge, Coral. See you around.'

And then he gets up and leaves, and I find myself begging for this party to end.

/////

'And may I ask why your seminar isn't ready, Miss Collins?'

I feel the eyes of all the students on me. I don't even look at the old man before I answer, short, curt and to the point: 'Busy.'

'Look, Miss Collins.' Professor Leghorn-something-or-the-other says sternly, definitely not impressed. 'You are getting an F if you slack off on your seminar. Better buckle up.' He moves to the front of the class, starting up another boring lecture.

I snort. Beside me, Christian chuckles darkly.

'For someone who came from Cambridge, you don't seem all that studious.'

'Ha. Ha. Very funny,' I say, sarcastically, my voice sharp.

I am still furious. I thought I had Arrigo right in the palm of my hand, and I was in for a rude surprise. I thought this torture would be over and I would go home, back to my life. But now, I was back to square one. And, given the fact that I am not a morning person, my mood is sourer than curdled milk. And the early morning class on laws and loopholes are definitely not helping.

Christian casts a glance at the old man before looking back at me. 'There's another high collar party, next weekend. More about BenCorp.' He hoists his left leg on his right knee and picks at the lace of his white and blue Adidas boots. 'I want you to come with me.'

'Why?' I say, my voice loud.

'Problem, Miss Collins?' The Professor's voice comes.

'Nope. None at all.' I say, slinking deeper into my seat. Leigh shoots me dirty looks.

I jab my pen at the book to vent my frustration.

'As my fiancée, this time.'

I do a double take at that.

'What in the freaking universe? Why should I even help you out in the first place?' I hiss. 'You should go get some actress to fill in your vacant "fiancée" spot. I bailed you out once, just because you are Rachel's friend. I am not going to do it again. And don't even think about this fiancée shit.'

I huff determinedly, and face the front of the class. I feel the rage, and I breathe in and out. First his girlfriend, and now his fiancée? What game is he playing? Who does he think I am?

I don't need lovers. And I am not going to be tied down by an engagement ring and a fiancé I can't stand, even if it's for show.

Even if I might benefit from it.

I have some dignity, and I lay the rules.

I am the Queen, after all.

Relax, Alex. Take a darn breathe in, and exhale. Slowly, slowly.

My phone buzzes with a text.

Sean : I miss you, Bobie. Can I see you?

I smile at the message. Thank the lords.

Me : I'll come home today after class. And stop calling me Bobie, you dimwit.

Sean: No can do, Bobie. Luv ya.

Me : Dumbass.

Sean : Ouch. Mind your language, Bobie. Uni is rubbing off on you.

'Is that your boyfriend?'

My head snaps to the side. Christian is watching me, an undecipherable look on his face.

I pocket my phone.

'Maybe. Maybe not. Why do you care?'

His eyes flash momentarily before turning forward and facing the class.

Oh well. Whatever.

I decide I have had enough of the class. Professor Leghorn's voice is drifting over my head. I can't concentrate. I stuff my books back into my back and stand up.

'Problem again, Miss Collins?'

'Feeling sick,' I spit back. Without waiting for a reply, I shoulder my bag and storm out.

The corridors are deserted. I walk down one rashly, my steps fast. I have too much adrenaline in me. I need to kill.

I think about Rachel. I hadn't seen her when I came back yesterday, though I heard her slipping into her bed at around two in the morning. When I woke up at eight, she was nowhere to be seen.

I wonder how her date with Jared went. Guessing by the circumstances, I think it did not go down well.

I pull out my phone. I am just about to text Zach to pick me up, when I hear someone behind me.

The sound is miniscule, but my ears are sharp. I am thinking it was the clack of a heel, so my pursuers are probably ladies. I hope Leigh has decided to strike.

It's about time things accelerated a notch.

I don't stop walking. I walk at the same pace, staring ahead at the empty, deserted corridors, until someone grabs my hair from behind. They push me towards the wall, and though I want to fight back, I don't.

My head hits the wall, hard. Pain fills my vision in sharp bursts and my head throbs.

Shit. That hurt.

I twist and turn. My attackers are five ladies, with black clothes covering their faces. No Sherlock needed for that one.

'What the hell, Leigh?' I demand, doing a good job of sounding pathetic.

'I told you,' one of the them hisses, grabbing me by the front of my shirt. 'I told you to stay away from Christian, bitch.'

She pushes me back, my head hitting the wall again.

I struggle. 'Let me go.'

All of them attack, like a pack of hyenas that smell flowery. Their painted nails scratch my skin, drawing blood. For the first time in my life, I let myself be overpowered by five twigs, who won't even last for a single punch of mine.

What is happening to me?

A weak fist hits my stomach. Once. Twice. Then:

'Shit, Suzie, I chipped my nail!'

I hear the sound of distinct wailing and the occasional sniffles. Someone, Suzie probably, calms the girl down.

'It took me years to grow it!' she cries. 'OMG! What am I going to do?'

Her face, still obstructed, turns to me. 'You, bitch. You'll pay for chipping my nail!'

'No, duh.' Leigh huffs from my right. 'She'll pay for trying to steal my man!'

My forehead slams into the wall repeatedly, and I feel the blood running down the side of my face. They punch me, push me to the wall further. They grab at my hair, pulling out clumps of it.

I give out a dejected cry, hugging my sore ribs and falling to the floor. They kick me now, taking care not to ruin their heels.

'Shit,' one of them mutters. 'Someone is coming.'

They withdraw. Their weak punches didn't do any real damage, except for the bruises, but my head hurts. Not part of the plan. Leigh, I think it's her, grabs me by the hair so that I am looking into her covered face. The vision swims before me.

'Stop messing with Christian, or else you'll find yourself dead in a bathroom cubicle.' She pats my cheek, palming it roughly, before all of them run down the corridor. I slump, letting myself fall on the tiled floors. They are cool against my cheek. Blood trickles down my head. I must have had a concussion.

Sean would say this was bit over the top.

I hear the sound of running. Someone is running down the corridor. The thudding of shoes on floor fills my ears. My head hurts. I hope they'll reach me faster.

A pair of white and blue Adidas comes into my field of vision. I smile internally.

Finally. At last.

Sei stato suonato, Tesoro.

My vision goes black and I close my eyes.

//////

Oo la la.

And now things gonna get serious.