JOSI

The day has arrived for the celebration. Josi sits in front of a mirror already prepared. Even with all the new twists and problems arising, she must retain her calm. There simply is no other choice. She must pull herself from within this mess, because she's her own consultant. Her own strategist and adviser. So Josi will look for a way out. And she will bypass this hurdle by all means necessary.

Now in a simple off shoulder velvet gown, Josi adds the finishing touches to her make-up, studies herself in the mirror, then deems the final presentation good enough. Between the Toulour news and the Rosari schemes, she finds that things are growing far more complicated than she'd anticipated. So let today be a day off. She deserves some time away from all the madness.

Still, it bites having so many obstacles in a plan this intricate. Josi may act like things will all work out, but that's as unclear as the days Idris allows her leave the estate.

The sound of chatter grows closer as Josi nears the staircase. Idris is leading a conversation with Croff, both men dressed in suits and awaiting a couple more guards hauling obscure bags out the door.

Josi then begins her descent. Her heels click and clack against the marble floor as if announcing her arrival. And it does the job fairly well because both Croff and Idris turn to look at her. But that's all they do. Stare.

Croff is first to look away. He must have just come to his senses, because he gives Idris a quick glance, checking to see if he's been caught. Except Idris himself has fallen under Josi's spell. He keeps his attention solely on her up until she's in front of him, as if looking away is some form of insult all on its own. He leaves a kiss on the back of her hand, then places another on her cheek.

"You look amazing."

Josi simply smiles. "So I've been told."

The ride to the Maranzo estate takes a while-forty-five minutes to be exact. Despite Rosari's ploy, Josi finds herself hoping to chat with her. She seems to be the only one with a sense of normalcy in the world of the mafia. Though she must have her own skeletons in the closet, as she's been forced to carry the burden of living in that same world.

Now Josi wonders if what Rosari said about Idris is true, if he really is falling for her. Nothing is impossible. He could have already fallen for her charms and hasn't even realized it yet. But it does seem out of character for Idris. He doesn't strike her as the kind of man who would fall so easily for a woman. But again, nothing is impossible. So Josi doesn't completely rule it out.

Finally, the estate's gate comes into view, and so do the sounds of crashing waves. An ideal location to settle down-a view of the sea at your leisure. They drive through minutes of security checks before they're granted access into the main compound. Numerous cars of all models line the front of the building, awaiting valets to sort them all out. Meanwhile the party seems to have trickled outside, because there are attendees everywhere, all holding conversations over some glass of alcohol.

Idris helps Josi out the car and starts up the stairway while Croff tails behind them. Then come the greetings and salutes meant for Idris and Idris alone. Some make mini conversations with him while others throw words of acknowledgement. But it's all for him.

Josi has gotten used to it; being regarded as his accessory. She adjusts to the setting rather quickly and continues on towards the entrance. Once they enter, however, it will all be the same; stuck in some corner while her infamous boyfriend handles business with other infamous mobsters.

And that's exactly what happens. Except this time, Idris is much more reluctant leaving her. When he can no longer give his full attention to Josi, he pulls himself away and indulges in some conversation that sounds just about as shady as the rest so far.

Josi takes on her own adventure and climbs up the grand staircase for the second floor. More talks about some business or the other, but much to her satisfaction there's a server with a tray stacked full of cocktails. She steals one for herself, leans against the railing, and begins surveying the crowd below as a pastime activity.

"Looks like you're having fun."

Josi turns to see a girl in a red dress, blonde hair styled up in a finger wave, and a smile ever so wide. Emerald earrings sit on her ears, showcased for everyone willing to stop and look. Smokey eyes, red lips, long lashes, the girl is quite the looker.

"Let me guess," Josi takes a second to think. Or at least, pretends to. "Dami."

"Ding, ding, ding." Dami rests her back against the railing, arms on top for further support.

"How did you get in here?"

"I'm The Caméléonne."

Josi grows skeptical. "I thought you didn't like that name."

"It's fine when I say it."

"You make it sound like it's a derogatory term."

Dami simply shrugs. "It is."

There are more guests arriving below, each greeted by Enzo, the man of the house. He looks the most alive when they butter him up with notes of congratulations. Idris is there with him along with a couple of men who lend them their ears.

"What are you going to do about the Toulours?" Dami asks.

A fine question. Josi has given it plenty thought. She's slept on it and brainstormed and calculated. But for once, she can't seem to come up with a plan. Not against a family as big as the Toulours. The only option available now is to sit back and wait for things to unravel. With any luck, she'll live long enough to at least carry out her plans for Idris.

Josi sighs. "I'm drawing a blank, Dami."

"You should be safe for now since you're under Idris's jurisdiction." Dami tells her. "But in the case that they somehow manage to take down the Verdonnis, they'll come after you, no questions asked."

Josi gives her a smile meant for sarcasm. "That helps a lot. Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Josi finds this humorous in spite of her current circumstances. She takes notice of the jewelry on the assassin's ears. "Emeralds? I thought you didn't like spending your money."

Dami shakes her head. "Someone gave them to me."

"You mean you stole them."

"I didn't steal them. I asked and they gave it to me.

"After you threatened them."

Dami goes quiet. Her excuses aren't working. "Do you hate me?"

Josi laughs, which relieves some of the tension brought by the Toulour news. If only it were this easy living so carefree.

"You came." Says a voice behind the two. Rosari is the visitor this time, cladded in a lengthy, lavish gown that triumphs all the other dresses present. But gowns aside, she seems to have everyone bested with her looks alone. It must all be effortless.

"I had to come." Josi tells her. "You were right. This is kind of fun."

Rosari takes her place besides Josi, eyes down on the crowd, searching for who Josi is sure must be Idris. And when she finally makes him out in the middle of all the guests, Rosari smiles. "You know, his hair looks good slicked back."

To this statement, Dami grabs a glass off a serving tray and simply spectates. She, too, must know who Rosari is complimenting.

Josi decides there's no more use playing dumb. It would seem concerning if she kept up the farce despite the signs being this blatant. Rosari clearly wants her objective known. "I know you and your father are after Idris."

Rosari is a bit surprised, probably from the fact that her father's involvement is no longer a secret. But she doesn't fret. She just smiles. "What about it?"

Josi first empties the rest of her glass. "Good luck."

Now Rosari is much more puzzled. Figures, since this is not how a girlfriend reacts when their boyfriend has been made a target in the eyes of another woman. There's not much for Josi to do if Rosari wants Idris for herself anyway. She's an attractive woman with clear ambitions, and if those ambitions include Idris Verdonni then by all means, let her pursue them.

Rosari moves past the bemusement and heads towards the staircase for the first floor. And with the show now at its end, Dami's disappointment is evident. "Are you really just going to hand him over to her?"

But Josi never said anything about shipping Idris off. She couldn't even if she tried. Rosari has now made it below and has found Enzo and Idris. She gives them both a smile and reserves an embrace for her father. Then the three engage in a conversation Josi concludes must be worth Idris's time if he has a smile so pleasant.

"I'll be right back." Josi tells Dami before embarking on her own journey down the staircase.

With two conflicts on the rise, Josi realizes she has within herself the power to put a stop to one of them. So she pays a visit to the three, and instantly the smile on Rosari's face diminishes.

Idris, on the other hand, is far more content. He pulls her close and attempts to deliver some sort of greeting. But before he can do so, Josi kisses him in the midst of the crowd. And since Idris is no bystander, he returns the kiss with as much eagerness. Josi doesn't pull away, even as the number of eyes on them continuously grows. And she suspects Idris doesn't want to either, because he slips an arm around her waist and keeps the kiss going.

Seconds pass, then minutes. Still no signs of the couple calling it quits. The crowd seems to have ceased their conversation and given them all their attention, waiting to see when or if the show will end. Even the music has faded into the background.

Finally the kiss ends, and Josi gives to Idris a smug smile. "Your hair looks good slicked back."

Idris isn't the only one stunned, because Rosari has frozen in place. She turns to her father with a look that makes Josi grow skeptical. Was it fear? Or perhaps anxiousness. Either way, the color seems to have drained right off her face. Enzo mutters something into her ear and makes off somewhere while she tails close behind.

Josi gives Idris another kiss to his cheek before excusing herself. At this time, Enzo and Rosari have made it down the hallway where there are fewer people and into a quiet room. Josi comes to a stop outside as if she's just casually lingering about, but her ears are glued to the chatter inside.

"For fuck's sake, you told me he was falling for you!" Enzo exclaims.

"I-I thought he was." Says Rosari. "I've been trying, you have to believe me!"

But Enzo will do no such thing because he replies with, "Porco cane, you're as useless as that dead mother of yours. Why can't you do a simple task?"

There's no response from Rosari.

"You screw this up and you're heading off to Ziegler first thing. And I'm sure you know he prefers his women young." The door opens, and Josi has to dart behind the wall to avoid getting caught. Enzo storms off with angry strides, feet stomping the floor.

A couple seconds pass before the sobs come. They're stifled yet soft, and they remain that way until they turn into full-blown weeping. Before Josi has the chance to head inside, however, Dami walks up to her with another glass of martini.

"Is she in there?"

Josi nods. "Seems like some deeply rooted family issues are at hand." The door is then finally opened.

On the floor curled up is a dejected Rosari with tear stained cheeks. She stares at both women until her own dubiety gets the better of her, perhaps at Dami who now has a grin too mischievous. Or at Josi who studies her as though she were running some sort of calculation through her head.

Things have all finally begun falling into place. For the first time in days, it seems like there's still hope, like it's all going to end up well. Because a new plan has just formed.

Josi smiles a genuine one for the first time since the Toulour news broke. "Why don't we have a little chat?"

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