46

***AT THE PARTY***

“My, my, the heaven must be looking for an angel because you are not from this world.” The man said looking at Casita from head to toe.

“You really suck at catchphrases, did anyone tell you that?” She said without giving a damn.

“Outspoken, aren’t you. I like women that are outspoken. Name is Billy. One and only.” The teenager said smirking.

“Sorry? One and only of what exactly?” She said looking at him

“Pardon? Are you trying to tell me that you do not know who I am.Mafias were invited and also their family, that is why you are here right? Anyways I am Billy, brother to Marcus who is the heir to the one of the biggest oil well company in the city, A Mafia investor and sole owner of the……”

“Okay, I get it. You are rich, big deal. Name is Casita, there is no need telling you the name of my family and……”

“And she is taken.” Nycole said as he wrapped his hand round her waist bringing her closer to him.

The voice and touch sent goosebumps to Casita as she almost faltered. What the hell was he doing here? Gosh, he was supposed to be talking with other females in the party and not making her heart explode. Casita looked up at Nycole and she almost fainted at the sheer sight of him. It was as if all these days she was dead and now she found a reason to breath once more. Dressed in black, Nycole didn’t look like a nerdy boy from her class anymore, he looked, and dressed like who he really is, a dangerous Mafia from an equally dangerous Mafia family. She couldn’t believe her heart was beating for the one whose brother almost killed her. On the other hand Nycole was angry, as he had his jaws locked in place. He looked like he could take a swing at this dickhead every moment from now.

“Oh, I see. Pardon me then.” Billy said curtsying as he left. He didn’t want to mess with him.

Immediately he left, Casita pulled out of his hold and said

“I don’t recall asking you for help.”

“You are welcome.”

“Whatever.” Casita said rolling her eyes. One thing she hated about him is that he always wanted to be in the right, no matter if it meant hurting feelings. He never did listen anyways.

“You look…… wow. I don’t know what to say. But what are you doing here with him? “Shouldn’t you be out socializing with girls or something.” Nycole asked surprised.

“I know, but I am not like them, I rather go target practice than talk about boys and who has the richest net worth. Besides my family is the number 1 on the mafia’s list. I am pretty sure I am being gossiped about and nobody made a move. I guess I should just go home, they did say that family members could join and my mum decided to sit it out, now I know why. Besides you can stay and mingle small.” She said as she turned to leave but Nycole held her by her hands halting her movement.

She sighed and said

“What do you want now Nycole?”

“You have been avoiding me ever since we travelled. You have ignored me, snubbed me and pretended I do not exist.”

“In case you didn’t notice that was intentional.”

“I swung by your room every day, I didn’t know why you were so adamant to stay with Mrs Selena. But I wanted to apologize, to explain…”

“Explain what exactly? Look at me, I look freaking good. Everything is in the past. Why bring it up? Nothing happened, we are just friends.”

“But…...”

“But nothing. We weren’t dating. It’s perfectly fine, You don’t need my permission to date someone else, do you? Or did I forgot to give you my blessings, didn’t I?”

“If you just keep quiet for a minute and listen….”

“There is nothing to listen to and there is nothing to say. We are mafia siblings, we can’t be together. That is, it. You do not have to explain anything to me, at all. I get you. I am cool with it and now if you don’t mind, excuse me, I need to go tangle, make friends get drunk, have a life.” Casita said as she walked out on him.

Nycole sighed as he watched her leave. Damn it, her being here was getting him distracted and he couldn’t afford it. He needed to keep himself loose, and talk to some girls. After all, Casita had made it clear that there is never going to be anything more than friendship between the both of them.

Nycole turned off his com as he made his way to where the rest were. Taking a lot to not glance at where Casita was, laughing with her company.

*********************************************
Riona was surrounded by reporters, flashing lights in her face and shoving microphones also.

“Mrs. Black, what can you tell us about being married to a rich mafia man. Aren’t you disappointed as your dad also is in the business?”

“How is the ongoing honeymoon? Is it everything you dream of and more?”

“Are you enjoying your stay in Paris?”

“What are your plans now that you are married? Do you have any say…?”

Riona didn’t know what to say, questions upon questions, she felt like shoving all of them into a dark room and never letting them out, but she remembered Casita’s words.

“Excuse me all, but I won’t be able to answer all your questions, if you keep on throwing questions at me, I won’t be able to answer them, yes I am enjoying my stay here, I just got here a day earlier so I can’t comment more on this and my honeymoon is classified. Being married to a Mafia doesn’t mean anything, all that matters is that we both want each other. I won’t share such details for public consumption, being married to a rich man isn’t a big deal, what matters is the love I have for him and vice versa, and our future plans will have to wait for a while. Thank you all for listening.” Riona said as she passed through them and left.

She got to the nearest table and took a wine glass and chugged it all down.

“Wow, I am impressed, with the way you handled the press. Guess I don’t have to worry about saving you.”Black said coming towards her.

“Black where the hell were you?” I was starting to think that you had bailed on this ball. Riona said.


“Sorry, I was busy discussing with some partners. Come, let me introduce you to everyone.” Black said as he took her arm, leading her to the distinguished guests of honor.

Black first introduced her to some of his closest business partners and investors. They shook hands and laughed at some of the things that were being said.

Black excused themselves as he wanted to show her to more people when a man accosted them.

“Finally. My favorite people. Farah darling, how are you doing?” He said pecking her on the lips.

“I am doing well, and you? How is your health?” Riona asked sweetly, she didn’t know who this man was but she didn’t feel comfortable asking him so she just played along.

“Aww, finally someone cares about me, do you see that, Black? I knew instantly that Farah was a darling although we are just meeting for the first time.”

“What do you want now Jonathan?” Black asked glaring at him.

“Why, nothing of course. I just want to interact with my favorite Mafia and his wife. Is that such a bad thing?”

“I thought I told you that I don’t want to…. You know what, we are in public, so I will play along.” Black said as he sighted one of his father’s friend and business partner heading towards them with his wife.

“My, my Black look at how big you have grown.” Mrs. Simon said holding Black by the cheeks.

“A pleasure to meet you too.” Black said.

“Ah, Jonathan, how are you, I am guessing you must be proud of Black huh. He is certainly following in your late son’s footsteps.” Mr. Simon said shaking his hand.

“Yes, he is. I am so proud of him, and he continues to impress me. He has accomplished a lot at such a young age. I mean when my son was his age, he was still chasing after women.” Jonathan said as it all earned laughs from everyone.

“Well, I am happy, Jonathan is like my father to me. I don’t know what I would have done without him, so therefore I try to be the very best and make him to be proud of me.” Black said holding him on the shoulder.

“That’s so sweet. Oh and let’s not forget the lady in the house.” Mrs. Simon said turning her attention to Riona.

“Well, I must leave, let me go tangle a bit.” Jonathan said shaking Mr. Simon once more.

Riona smiled as she became the center of attention.

“So, I am dying to ask, how did you two meet? What’s your story?” Mrs. Simon said sweetly.

“Our story huh?” Riona said smirking as she looked at Black who immediately shook his head.

“I think we have to….” Black started to say but Riona cut him short.

“Oh, honey, don’t be such a killjoy. The very least we can do is to give the sweet kind elderly woman the story of our life. I am pretty sure that our other friends wouldn’t mind waiting a bit, would they?” Riona asked gently

“Oh, Black, I would be so happy if I could know about how you two meet. Like your wife said, it is the very least that you can do.” Mrs. William said.

“Well, then since my sweet husband has no objection, I will start. But I will only say what happened last between us before I got married the next day. First meetings are boring so you don’t need to hear them…. it all started when….”

*****
“ So you want to tell me that you are the legendary Casita and sister to Black Salvador of the Salvador family?” The stranger said with astonishment as Casita just shrugged and said,

“I rather not talk about it, it is not a big deal,. You are acting as if I am a goddess or immortal.”

“Wow, I am sorry, I didn’t mean to…. I mean you are the first that I have ever seen that is this honest and straightforward. Most women here just brag about what position they hold. I have gotten an earful already.” He said drinking from his own wine glass.

“I know right? There was a boy, that talked to me earlier, his catchphrases were so off, then the bragging, what was his name again? Something Billy.”

“Oh, I know him, regrettably he is one of my business partners and major investor. He always brags a lot about everything. He is not really the ladies type.”

“No he is not. Your business partner? Wow, how do you manage not to stab him in the office with your pen during one of your meetings.”

“Well, I do this routine, when he is showing off and I imagine myself in Las Vegas drinking martini surrounded by women, but I guess, I get used to it after a while considering the fact that he is my brother.”

Casita choked on her drink. “Excuse me your brother? You two look nothing alike. Are nothing alike.”

“That’s why I said regrettably. Only few people know, apart from our parents. Believe me, I don’t like it one bit.”He said sheepishly.

“Wow, I see. Well, for what is worth, I like you better. I didn’t get your name” Judy said as he smiled.

“ My name is Cole. Besides,how do I know that you are not just trying to make me feel better?”

“You just said that I was honest and straightforward. So why would I lie?”

“I see your point. So Casita tell me more about yourself, or better still, when the time reach for a dance, you owe me first dance.”

“Well then, I guess I owe you a dance, apologies in advance for I will step on your feet. I have two left feet.” Casita said laughing with him as they both clinked their glasses and cheered.

MEANWHILE IN THE SHADOWS

“Well, I got eyes on Farah, should I engage?” One of the men in a tux sipping wine whispered into his telecom.

“Negative, do not engage her yet. Remember she has to be alone.” The voice replied.

“But I thought the leader told us not to kill her, but to make conversation, get to know her better.” The man replied back.

“He did, but she is currently with a couple, besides the bodyguards are keeping an eye out on her, I have been watching their every move, they haven’t let Riona out of their sight.”

“What about her husband Black? I can’t find him.”

“Neither can I. he left her alone with the married couple some minutes back. I think he is around somewhere talking with colleagues.”

“Okay I see, so when do I engage her?”

“Preferably during the time for dancing. Everyone would like a dance with her, so you won’t be suspected then.”

“Okay, I will do that. I have to go now; I am getting suspicious looks from a guard.”