Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Andrianna POV.

"What do you think they're talking about, I think they're taking too long," Vega asked, looking worried as we waited for Markus and Zach to finish talking, wherever they had gone to talk, which was absurd. They could have just moved a bit away and chatted, but Markus was dramatic and here we were.

Jake crossed his arms, then smirked as if he knew something we didn't.

"Ok, spill it out, you're looking too smug to not know what they're talking about".

"I don't. It's just that I know why Markus is acting that way" he said leaning closer.

"Pray to tell us, why is he suddenly acting like he's Vega's father"

Jake smirked, his voice dropping lower. "I and Markus have been roleplaying, you know where I'm the brat and he's the big daddy that punishes me for being bratty" he whispered with a wink. "But I've got to say, he's taking the role of Daddy way too seriously".

I had not been expecting that, and judging from the horrified look on Vega's face, she wasn't either.

"Jake! Too much information".

"I didn't even go into details yet, and that was meant to be a joke, even though we are role-playing, but Markus is literally like our Dad in this friendship so if anyone should give a talking down to your boyfriend, it should be him, just saying".

Jake was right, but he also fit the daddy role, and that was that, and I was pretty sure I could give Zach a talking to, I mean they didn't know it but I was literally a pro at handling any type of gun, I could scare the shit out of Zach if I wanted to… not to brag or anything.

"Look I'm sure they'll be back soon and you'll see them smiling like buddies, probably hitting arms and saying jokes that aren't funny and only they understand".

"Hmm Andria, that was very specific".

I laughed. "I've been watching too many movies when I should've been working", I added then glanced at Vega who gave me a knowing, unsurprised look.

"I knew you were slacking off work all those times you claimed to be working. Pft. I didn't believe you for one second".

And she was right not to, but I was a silent partner, I wasn't even supposed to be working, but I was also trying out being independent, so I guess I had to work harder.

Noah cleared his throat and we all jerked to face him. Oh, he was still here, listening to us talk, looking all sexy and broody. I could tell by the surprise on everyone's faces that they'd forgotten he was still with us. I had too because it had always just been the three of us.

"That was awkward. I didn't know whether to leave or stay while everyone ignored me" he got out, his cheek turning red as he met our stares.

"Sorry Noah, we were just super excited and it's always just us three, so we kind of forgot that you were here for a moment" I explained before Vega could.

"And we haven't seen you for five years, so it takes some little getting used to" Jake chipped in and Noah smiled, albeit almost forcefully.

"Yeah, you're right. I didn't expect you all to warm up to me…"

"I've warmed up to you, we've been talking literally all night remember" I reminded because I'd practically searched for him, approached him, and had a conversation that would have made me swoon in other settings that weren't so formal, so if that wasn't warming enough for him, I don't know what else to do, or did he mean Vega. That did not make me feel chippy.

He smiled, his blush spreading. It was so easy to make him blush. "Yeah we have and I remember you owe me a dance".

I did a little dance in my head. We were moving forward. "I remember," I said, staring into his eyes.

Vega cleared her throat. "We're still standing here you know, so you might want to snap out of whatever little moment you both are having right now" Vega got out and Jake snickered.

"Someone's a bit salty"

"I'm not being salty. I'm just cranky." Vega said with a frown, her gaze darting in the direction that Zach and Markus had gone.

"We know you're anxious for your prince to get back but please stop being so obvious about it," Jake said with a laugh and Vega jammed him by the side with her elbow, muttering a jerk under her breath.

This was really fun. We were all happy again and Vega was finally with the man she loved, and my parents had gotten off my back about the whole marriage thing and I also finally got Ray off my back, which was pretty easy considering that he hadn't put up much of a fight.

But he'd been suspicious and it kept nagging at me. There had been something up with the way he asked the question that 'wouldn't I regret leaving him'. I didn't like it at all, hence why I had one of my bodyguards keep an eye on him. I didn't want any surprises. Ray was unpredictable and I didn't want him ruining the semblance of peace we seemed to have found in our circle. I didn't want his troubles in our lives. We deserve a life of peace with no drama.

I caught a movement and glanced up to see Markus and Zach approaching us and yes, they were acting just the way I'd described. I gave Vega a knowing look, but she wasn't even looking at me, her gaze was already fixed on Zach, who also had his eyes glued to hers. I rolled my eyes, feeling salty.

"How did the talking go?" Vega asked and Markus smirked.

"He's been vetted and approved by the only person who has the final say" he replied and Vega raised an eyebrow, then her eyes widened as she whipped to face Zach.

"You talked to my Mom!" She exclaimed.

I admit I wasn't quite expecting that. Zach moved fast, I wouldn't be surprised if in a week or two he puts a ring on it, which wouldn't be fast enough cause their relationship has been a long time coming.

"That was the only way to appease your father here," he said and Jake snickered.

I rolled my eyes for the hundredth time. "Don't comment on that Jake, don't you dare. Hey, how about we all hit the club after this, you know, just have fun all through the night because I think we should celebrate, or what do you say".

"Noah doesn't do well with crowds," Zach said, and Noah shook his head, his hand waving in front of us to get our attention.

"I'm cool with a club. I really am" he said when Zach stared at him. He scratched at his ear nervously. "I've been going to one for a while now, nothing too serious, I just have a drink or two, then it's back home to write my book. What I'm trying to say is, that a club doesn't bother me. I'm cool with going" he rambled bashfully, then rubbed at his neck before peaking at us.

He was so freaking cute, I wanted to smother him in kisses. "That's great, I guess we'll all be going then, ok".

"Isn't that Arielle, what Is she doing here?" Jake asked, pointing toward the bar where Arielle stood talking with Zach's Father.

Everyone's attention shifted in the direction he was pointing at. I didn't think I'd ever see her at an event of mine, since we had such a different social circle, but there she was, holding a drink and chatting away but what was she doing with Dante's father?

Zach frowned. "What do you think they're talking about" he directed at Noah who shrugged.

"The question should be what she's doing here. She's not even on the guest list" Jake said, looking at me for support.

"You're right, and we don't need her energy here, 'cause I'm sure she's up to no good".

"Or maybe she came here as someone's date," Vega said and I frowned at her. For real, she should be pissed that she is here, she literally was the one behind the whole nasty breakup and stuff.

"Arielle doesn't date anyone, and she's more obsessed with catching Jenny than going out, so it's a surprise that she's here and not at some security building, also I heard she's a drug addict, couldn't quit after that overdose".

"I heard that too" Markus agreed and we all looked at him. "What? I own a fancy restaurant, I hear all the gossip even if I don't want to."

"You don't need to explain yourself, daddy" Jake said and if I had a drink in my mouth, I'd have to spit it out. Noah actually did choke on his spit and Markus blushed clearly enjoying the situation.

Vega shook her head. "You just had to do that didn't you".

"His daddy appreciates the gesture," Markus said, pulling him closer and kissing him on the lips.

"Eww, get a room, you both".

Jake gave Vega a pointed look. "Hater!"

"That escalated pretty quickly, I mean we were talking about Arielle, and then did a complete one-eighty, but well I guess we do have to go back to her cause she's heading towards us, and she looks pretty tipsy to me," I said and their attention refocused on the woman approaching us with unsteady movements.

"If I didn't know better, I'd have said you all were gossiping about me," Arielle said as soon as she stood in front of us, her gaze moving over us, then lingering on Zach. "Hi Zach, your dad has been filling me in on how successful you've become and he said I should catch up with you, but I can see Vega beat me to it again, dang," she said, setting her gaze on Vega. "And then you wonder why I don't like and bully you so much. Just so you know, that dress you're wearing is an ugly shade of red".

I wanted to smack her across the face. Arielle didn't know how to live a life without trying to bully or get back at people. It was pathetic.

"You really think so?" Vega asked and Arielle nodded with a smile. "Too bad, I don't recall asking you for your opinion, and It's funny that I also don't remember sending you an invite to this event," Vega said, then gasped loudly.  "Don't tell me you gatecrashed because that would be such a stain on your perfect record" Vega mocked, matching her stare and I wanted to kiss her on the lips.

Zach snickered behind Vega, clearly proud of his badass girlfriend. I mean I was pretty proud of her myself.

Arielle glanced around quickly to make sure no one had heard what Vega had said to her.

"I didn't gate crash your party" she whispered viciously. "I'm here because…"

Vega's phone rang interrupting her speech.

"It's my Mom," she said giving Markus an I will murder you look, then at Zach. "I'm going to kill you when I get back from answering this call Markus, and you too Zach" she threatened, then walked away from us.

Arielle gasped in disbelief, her gaze following Vega across the room. I was sure she expected everyone to listen to her words as if they were the words of life without interrupting her.

"You came here for what," Zach asked, his voice sharp and interrogative as his expression turned serious.

Arielle whipped to face Zach, blinked for some seconds in confusion then her brain caught up with the question. I wonder how many drinks she'd heard to be so out of it.

"I came because of Ray. Your father gave my dad a call about him calling to threaten his family, which are you and your brother by the way."

I frowned. Ray? Was it the one I was familiar with? Zach also seemed to know which Ray she was talking about.

"What business do you have with someone like him?".

"What do you think, Zach," Arielle said, giggling. "Illegal stuff of course and your father is the head of all the operations. A shocker right since you think he's such an honest businessman, the perfect fucking father of the year".

"Watch it Arielle" Noah warned, but Zach stopped him and he frowned in surprise.

I was also surprised because Zach didn't seem disturbed by the news. Was he involved in his father's illegal stuff?

"I didn't think my father was perfect Arielle, at least not after he introduced me to Ray Carlo Rossi, a man who happens to be involved with the Mafia judging by his tattoos".

The name made my head spin. It was the same Ray I knew they were talking about.

"Isn't that your ex-boyfriend's name? "Jake asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"You mean the guy from earlier," Noah recalled and I nodded.

Arielle grinned. "Isn't this interesting? What a freaking show. Well, he's planning to hurt you and Noah to get your father to hand out some documents to him, so I'll be careful if I were you and also keep an eye on my girlfriend. And can y'all celebrate with me, I finally got Jenny, I mean not yet but I will, and I'm going to fucking enjoy ripping out her fucking hair, and stabbing a knife through her eyes socket. Whoops, I spilled my revenge plot." she pouted, then grinned. "Doesn't matter, since y'all can't stop me" she got out, her chest heaving while we stared at her.

If Ray was making threats against someone as famous and rich as Dante then they were truly involved with something and I knew he was going to make good on his threat. I was also sure he was going to make me regret breaking off our marriage, and even though he said he wouldn't go after Vega, I knew he would just get back at me.

I looked at Zach, and at the same time, he turned to face me.

"Vega." And then we were both running out of the hall.