"Hey you." he smiled charmingly.

I shook my head with a small chuckle, "What are you doing here? I asked.

"My sister's the showstopper. What brings you here?" he asked.

"Veronica Mancini is my mother." I told.

His eyes widened a fraction in astonishment and I flashed him a small grin.

"How are you?" he questioned.

His hazel eyes were staring down at me in admiration and awe.

"I'm good. You?" I averted my gaze and looked around.

"Likewise. Its good to see you, again." he spoke softly.

"Same here." I replied and spotted dad standing with zio Xander and a few other men who I didn't recognize.

"Your father?" he asked following my gaze.

I nodded my head with a proud smile dancing on my lips. Dad was my everything, the first man to hold my heart.

"We're working on a business project together." he informed.

My head snapped to him quickly and I looked at him in confusion, "Really? He didn't mention." I stated.

"We're signing the deal tomorrow." he told and I nodded once.

"It's nice to see you, Ryan but I must excuse myself now." I said politely.

"Of course. See you when the show starts." he smiled.

"Sure." I replied and made my way to where dad was.

The show was going to start fifteen minutes late due to some technical issue. Should have taken more time to get ready, I thought.

He looked at me and his eyes widened in surprise, "My daughter is outshining everyone tonight." he complimented lovingly.

I giggled and side hugged him, "I'm your daughter. Gotta keep up the reputation, duh."

He laughed along with others and I hugged zio Xander, "Hey, handsome."

"Hey, gorgeous." he teased.

I was standing between dad and zio listening to their conversation about business and politics when zio nudged me and I looked up at him questioningly.

"Nine o' clock, that man has been staring at you for the past almost four minutes." he whispered.

I looked at him in disbelief and slowly turned in the direction to see Ryan talking to a man, "He's not." I said turning to zio.

"He was, trust me. I know him, he's a good man." he told with a shrug.

My eyebrows pinched slightly and I looked down as a dull ache began to form inside of my chest, "Let him stare. We can't always have what we want." I whispered quietly.

"You never know what destiny has in store for you." he replied and straightened his posture.

I looked at him with a tight lipped smile before excusing myself and going to the table where Cara was sitting with her fiancée, "Lord! Have mercy on us." she said dramatically while looking at me.

I chuckled and pulled her in for a hug, "You look beautiful." I complimented.

"Look who's saying." she rolled her eyes playfully.

"Hey Javier, how are you?" I asked turning to greet him.

His blonde hair were styled neatly above his head and his light brown eyes seemed warm and happy, "I'm good, how are you doing wild lady?" he teased.

I gasped placing a hand over my chest, "I'm not!" I exclaimed.

"You so are." he chuckled and we joined along.

An announcement interrupted our union and we all moved to look at the stage where mom was standing with mic in her hand announcing that the show is about to begin so we should sit down on our respective seats.

When we looked for our seats in the front row, I found out that my mother had arranged for me to sit between Adrian And Aless. On Adrian's left was Selena and on Aless' left was dad.

Wow.

Abso-fucking-lutely great!

I sighed and sat down quietly avoiding both men on my either side. The lights dimmed to a minimum and stage lights switched on.

The show began and one by one, the models started to appear on the ramp sporting the gorgeous outfits my mother had designed.

"Pst, Sia. Do you think that girl is my age?" Aless asked nudging my shoulder and pointing at the girl who was clearly a lot older than Aless.

I shook my head and replied, "Yes, she can be your age if you add ten more years to it."

Aless scoffed and looked away mumbling incoherent things under his breath.

"What? I can't hear you over the immaturity that's leaking out the side of your mouth." I teased.

He huffed crossing his arms over his chest.

"Aw, don't be such a baby." I cooed pinching his cheeks.

He glared at me making me laugh and we both turned our attention back to the ongoing show.

My eyes, unknowingly, darted to Adrian's lap where his left hand was intertwined with Selena's right one. A small smile spread on my lips just thinking that he was happy and a bittersweet ache replaced the temporary peace in my chest.

I blinked my eyes away and concentrated on the ramp which was now illuminated with blue lights.

My phone vibrated inside my clutch and I took it out to check that I have received a message from an unknown number.

Don't you look ravishing tonight, Sylvia. Wish I could be there with you.

Love,
You know who. ;)

All the colors from my face drained as I read the text.

Adrian had already gotten me a new number the last time he found out about that call. So it was beyond me that how had he gotten the new one this fast.

My heart beat accelerated and I suddenly felt suffocated. I was about to get up from my seat, to get some fresh air, but a hand stopped me. I looked at my wrist to see it enveloped by a rough, tan hand.

A jolt of electricity shot up my arm and I settled back. Selena was, thankfully, busy talking to Cara on her side so she didn't know what was Adrian doing right now.

"Hand it over." he spoke lowly with an undertone of warning.

"Adrian-" I tried to reason but he snatched it and calmly kept it inside his coat pocket.

I gaped at him as he relaxed in his chair as if nothing had happened and enjoyed the rest of the show.

After about an hour, a blonde girl with a familiar pair of hazel eyes stepped on the ramp looking gorgeous in a long violet gown. I instantly recognized her as Ryan's sister. She had the same warm look in her eyes like her brother.

She posed for a few photos before returning backstage and one by one, all the models stepped and rounded the stage once before going to stand at the back of the ramp and then in walked mom, with Ryan's sister, the showstopper.

The room broke out in a loud applause and mom smiled excitedly looking like a child. I looked to my side and dad was smiling lovingly at her and my heart nearly melted.

I wanted what they had.

However, that thought left a bitter taste in my mouth and I pushed it at the back of my mind for the time being.

We all congratulated mom and ate together like a big, happy family after a long time. Ever since I had come back, things have been crazy. We didn't get a chance to sit down like this after that dimmer at our place a few weeks back.

It was refreshing for a change.

"Oh Sylvia, Ryan was asking for you." zio Paul said.

"Huh?" I asked swallowing my steak.

"Ryan, over there, was asking for you a while ago." he enunciated pointing his finger at a table behind us.

I didn't bother turning around and just nodded my head absentmindedly.

"He seems infatuated." zio Xander added slyly.

I narrowed my eyes at him and he concealed a knowing smile.

"He's been... uh, like that ever since we first met. The first thing he said to me and I quote was, così bellissima." I said and chuckled lightly.

"NO!" both Cara and Leah exclaimed with wide eyes.

"You've met before?" Aless asked.

"Yeah, didn't I tell you? He's that guy from the orphanage." I reminded him.

His mouth formed an 'o'  as he finally remembered who I was talking about.

"Right." he mumbled and continued eating his food.

"I hope you told him that you're taken?" Christian deadpanned.

"Why would I lie to him?" I grinned.

"I thought I meant something to you. I thought we loved each other." he spoke placing a hand on his heart.

"Ah! Of course, I love you. We made plans to marry each other." I replied playing along.

The whole table erupted in chuckles except for Adrian, who appeared low-key mad at something.

After dinner, we decided to continue with our plan to grab a few drinks, only I decided to invite Ryan and his sister, too.

Everyone agreed except for yours truly who silently grumbled and glared at me. I rolled my eyes at him and showed him the finger discreetly.

God, I hated him.

Aless and I rode together to the club that Adrian owned.

ENIGMA.

The name was written in capital Italics in neon white color.

We got out and were escorted straight to the VIP lounge where everyone else was already waiting for us.

Sliding in the booth, I looked at Ryan and gave him a small smile which he returned instantly.

They ordered the first round of drinks and I just went with sparkling water. Ryan had gotten along pretty well with everyone except for Adrian who was merely acknowledging him.

I really had no idea what his problem was.

I could see Leah crushing hard on Ryan. Her cheeks were flaming everytime he laughed or asked her about school.

Felicity, his sister, was a gem of a person. She was so easy going with a pure heart.

About some thirty minutes later, they had to leave and so I decided to see them out.

"Thank you so much for joining us tonight you both. I know you must be tired, Felicity." I said squeezing her arm lightly.

She grinned and stepped forward to hug me, "It was great to meet you all, especially you." she said and pulled away.

"Likewise." I smiled genuinely.

"Goodnight, Ryan. See you both around." I said looking at Ryan whose gaze hadn't wavered from my face ever since we stepped outside.

He smiled and with a nod, they both left. I turned to go back inside but I saw Adrian leaning against the doorframe, with a cancer stick perched between his fingers and the suit jacket hanging off his left arm.

I frowned and walked to where he was standing before snatching the cigarette away and smashing it with the heel of my shoe.

"What are you doing?" I asked carefully.

"You seem close to him." he countered looking down at me.

"Who? Ryan?" I asked in confusion.

He hummed in response and I licked my bottom lip, "No. Today was the second time we met." I told him truthfully.

"Tell me something Sia, if I tell you how beautiful you are, would you smile at me the way you smiled at him?" he questioned straightening his posture and stepping closer.

I gulped and stayed rooted to my spot, "How much did you drink?" I placed a hand on his chest to stop him from coming any more closer than he already had.

"That's not the answer." he slightly narrowed his eyes.

"Adrian, let's go inside." I said and was about to move away but he grabbed my hand and stopped me, "We have to leave for home. Dad called me a few minutes ago and asked us both to come back." he stated.

"But Selena-" I begun to say but he cut me off with a scoff and started dragging me towards the car.

I stayed quiet throughout the ride and so did he. I didn't want him to drive, he was way too drunk for that but he was as stubborn as a mule.

Stupid man.

Thankfully, we reached safely to estate house. There was an eerie silence inside and everyone was inside the home office.

When we entered, all the heads turned in our direction, specifically mine.

Zio Xander was the first one to get up from the seat and walk towards making me take two steps back, involuntarily. It was the first time that I had seen him this angry that, too, with me. Adrian pulled me behind his back and stood tall in a protective stance.

"When were you going to tell us?" zio seethed.

My heart was beating wildly inside my chest as I stared at his red face. My eyes darted to dad who was standing with a clenched jaw looking right back at me.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Adrian asked coldly.

"She killed one of the messengers sent for us by the French Mafioso and he was not just any messenger, he was Frank Aguillard's brother." he gritted out all the while staring at me with cold grey eyes.

My eyes widened a fraction as I recalled the blonde man I had a killed a few weeks ago in the bathroom at that party.

Shit.

I gulped as Adrian turned around and stared at me with inquisitive eyes, I averted my gaze.

"What is he talking about?" he asked calmly.

I opened my mouth to answer but no sound came out.

"I ASKED YOU A FUCKING QUESTION!" he roared.

I flinched and my back hit the door.

"Stop fucking scaring her." zio Paul stated sternly.

"If she didn't want to be scared, she should have fucking told us as soon as it had happened." dad spoke coldly.

"I did it. And I had.... no idea about who he was." I spoke in a low voice.

"Of course, you didn't." zio Xander snapped.

"What if something had happened to you?!" dad exclaimed in exasperation.

A lot has already happened, dad.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled.

"Just why didn't you tell us?" zio Zanvil asked.

"I, I didn't want to give you all another thing to add to your already overflowing plates. Plus, I had no idea who he was." I stated.

"You really don't get to decide things here, Sylvia. If anything like that happens, you tell one of us. Its as simple as that. Get that through your thick fucking skull." Adrian snapped.

I nodded my head thinking about another problem I have caused.

Am I cursed or something?

I mumbled another apology before leaving the room.

"Sylvia!" zio Zanvil called after me and I stopped.

He covered the distance between us with a few long strides and came to stand in front of me, "You should have informed us. Its not safe for any of you." he spoke softly.

"I know." I muttered.

"I'm not a child, zio. What I did was stupid, but I didn't need to be insulted like that. If I had known who he was, I would have brought him here instead of killing him. I have seen a lot, I know it isn't safe and I don't need everybody chewing my ears off with the same sentence over and over." I ranted.

He pulled me in for a hug and kissed the top of my head, "Sorry, but we were scared for you. What if he had done something to you, Sylvia?" he sighed pulling away.

I scoffed and shook my head, "Then it wouldn't be something that hadn't already happened."

Saying that, I left.