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“And so a toast, to my amazing husband, Fabian Tarantino, and to the greatest friend I could ever wish for, Kira Atkinson," I raised my glass of champagne at the two of them, the two people who had come to mean the entire world to me. My smile was wide, my heart almost bursting with joy at the fact that despite their insanely busy schedules, they had still managed to spare some time to attend my Vice Presidency acceptance party, even though I’d told them that I would totally understand if they couldn’t make it. “I don't know what I'd do without you two, Kira, Fabian. To many more years of love, and friendship and support.”
“Hear, hear,” The crowd chorused happily as I made my way off the podium and to my special seat. Since the party was in my honor, an elaborate ceremony to celebrate my wonderful achievement as the first woman and the youngest person to ever bag the role of vice president for our prestigious firm, I was given a guest of honor status, meaning I wasn’t sitting with my family and all the people at work who had come to support my big moment.
My life was perfect.
The room buzzed with conversation and laughter, the shuffling of plates and the clinking of glasses as the party continued around me. Music filled the air, and guests mingled, getting to know one another. It made me contented, for being someone who didn’t have her own family aside my husband’s family and Kira, I seldom enjoyed the joys that came with feeling like you belonged. But now, thanks to Fabian and Kira though, those days of enjoyment and happiness were becoming more frequent. They were my family, they were my everything.
You know how they say that sometimes the fates bring people into your life for a reason?
I think Kira was brought into mine to fill that void that had always been in my heart.
You see, I grew up in the foster-care system, and the first people who took me in when I was just a baby were perfect. They were the ones who gave me their last name. Unfortunately, I lost them way too early, throwing me back into the system again where I was tossed from one home to another.
What type of abuse didn’t I endure?
I have seen them all, and I know it scarred me, changed me, made me untrusting and, in an implicit sense, weak, but hey… I’m taking it a step at a time, and while I am not completely where I want to be yet, I have surely gotten better, trust me.
I snapped out of my melancholic thoughts, tuning back into the celebration. Now wasn’t the time to be down and pensive? It was a celebration for crying out loud.
My celebration.
From where I sat, I had the perfect view of the happy people all around me celebrating with me. I noticed every little detail, like how Mr. Laswell, our company’s Chief financial officer, sneakily handed his card over to a waitress even as he sat right next to his wife, his right hand lovingly caressing hers as she chatted with another woman sitting beside her, totally oblivious.
Men.
Were they ever going to change?
There was no denying that I had landed a jackpot with Fabian though. He was perfect, and after three years of a blissful marriage, I believed that more and more each day.
He would never do something as callous as this.
I trusted him completely.
My heart warmed as I searched for my husband among the crowd, finding him seated with Kira, talking and laughing animatedly.
Were they always this close?
I’d been trying for so long to get them to be friendly, but it never really worked. I mean, they were cordial, but you know, I wanted them to be more.
It was nice to see them like that.
Though knowing them, this was all the alcohol and things would go back to being all formal and awkward for me the next time I interacted with them sans wine.
I chuckled to myself, digging into my dinner and just enjoying the music.
I was snapped out of my thoughts as a looming figure approached my table.
Mr. Reynolds.
Nathaniel Reynolds was one of the members of my firm’s board, and while I wanted to say that he was just here to congratulate me on my promotion, the serious and urgent look on his face made me unsure.
Nevertheless, I greeted him with a warm smile, “Nathan! Thank you so much for honoring my invite and coming to the party."
He smiled softly at me, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Penny. I hope you're enjoying your celebration."
"Yes, it's been wonderful so far," I replied.
Nathan leaned in slightly, his voice lowered as a shameful look graced his features, "Pen, I hate to interrupt the festivities, but a very important meeting just came up. It involves some of our consignments. Word on the streets is that the Diavoli have them. We need you back at the office. It won't take too long, but it's urgent."
I furrowed my brows, my excitement dampening. "A meeting now? Can't it wait until tomorrow?" The Diavoli, the most notorious Mafia gang in the city, was truly getting out of hand, but surely, their shenanigans did not have to ruin my beautiful night?
And knowing Alu-Steele and Co, they never did meetings that ‘didn’t take too long’, even Nathan knew this, he just wanted to butter me up so I’d say yes.
I was seriously hoping that he’d say yes to my question, but he only shook his head, "I'm afraid not, Pen. This is really important. We can’t reschedule and, as vice president, we really need your input. I promise, it won't take too long."
“Now, come on, Nathan…” I admonished him, “Don’t mess with me, you and I both know we’ll probably be there till morning.”
He couldn’t say a freaking word to counter that.
I sighed softly, realizing that duty called, and that I wasn’t going to be able to get out of this. It’ll just paint me in bad light to the old sore losers I’d manage to beat to become vice. "Well, alright, Nathan, I'll head back to the office, but let me first say goodbye to my family.”
“Of course, of course. By all means, please do, Pen… I’ll meet you there.”
I watched him leave, standing up and grabbing my stuff.
I nodded and thanked various people in my path as I made my way over to the table where my husband and Kira sat, so engaged in lively conversation that they didn’t even notice me coming from behind them. I leaned in to kiss Fabian’s cheek, grinning like an idiot when he pulled me in to properly kiss me on the mouth once he noticed me, and then I turned to my best friend, hugging her tightly, “You two are so amazing… I really can’t believe you made it!”
Kira was a highly acclaimed supermodel, and she was supposed to go for a very important photoshoot in LA, and as for Fabian, he ran his father’s large conglomerate and was urgently needed in Detroit for an important handing-over ceremony that required the presence of the company’s CEO.
Somehow, they had cancelled their very important plans for my sake.
But my husband subtly brushed off my gratitude, “Come now, Pen… you know you deserve more than this. So much more. So, are you ready for the romantic night I have planned?” He smiled at me, as Kira watched us with a small smile on her face.
I grimaced shamefully, “Unfortunately, I have been called into a meeting, and knowing Alu-Steele and Co., this is probably going to take all night.” I wrapped my arms around him, letting him feel how sorry and disappointed I was, but he was quick to get over it. “It’s fine, Pen… you know I support your career one hundred percent. Are we still on for tomorrow though?” He looked up at me.
“Real straight we are.” I deadpanned eagerly, “Nothing’s cancelling that one, my love,” I assured him. Turning to Kira, I showed her the puppy face I learnt way back in college that she couldn’t say no to. “I’ll be at your place first thing in the morning before I have to leave with Fab, alright? We need some girl time, lord knows we haven’t done that in a while.”
She reached for my hand, squealing delightedly, “I really can’t wait! I’ve got so much to tell you, Pen.”
From the way her eyes twinkled, I could tell that it had something to do with the mysterious man she had been seeing. Who knew, maybe she was finally ready to tell me all about it.
I glanced at my watch distractedly, tugging on my shawl so it could cover my shoulders very well. I wasn’t exactly used to having my flabby arms exposed like that or wearing strapless Armani Gowns for that matter, but then Don Georgio himself had assured me that I looked fabulous, and since this was kind of his job and he was a legend in the business, I’d gone along with his suggestion.
I think I was regretting that decision now.
“Alright, guys, I’ve got to go… try not to miss me too much,” I teased with a grin as I kissed my husband goodbye and hugged Kira, and with a sad sigh, I walked away from them, shaking my head in amusement as Kira called out mischievously, “We’ll enjoy your party on your behalf, Pen!”
As I walked towards the exit, the sound of laughter and chatter and music slowly faded behind me. By the time I stepped out to the car park, I couldn’t hear a thing.
The night air was crisp as I made my way to my car, a sleek, silver Porsche Panamera Turbo Executive (Yes, I know a little thing about cars), a gift from Fabian on our last anniversary, our third, just in case you were wondering… but that was the last thing on my mind. I couldn’t help but feel a little bit uneasy about the meeting. I don’t know why, but anything concerning the Diavoli was enough to put me on edge. There was just something about talking about the mafia that made me feel like they were… I don’t know, watching me… I know, I know, I can have the worst case of paranoia sometimes, but don’t we all?
A loud sigh escaped my lips as I sat in my car and glanced at my watch again.
11:47pm.
Oh, it was going to be a very long night.

*******
The meeting ended way earlier than I’d expected.
Nathan really hadn’t lied when he said they’d keep it short and brief, and now, thanks to them, I had about a good five hours before morning came.
Fabian would be long asleep by now.
I was disappointed, but my eyes quickly lit up as another thought popped into my head.
I could go visit Kira and spend the night with her instead of going in the morning!
That way, we’d have more time to ourselves before I had to leave for my trip with Fabian to the hush hush secret destination he had planned for my promotion.
And so that was exactly what I did.
I pulled up to the entrance of Kira's upscale apartment building in minutes thanks to zero traffic, and I stepped out, grabbing the limited edition Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne I always kept in my car for when I might need it from the backseat.
Everything was just perfect.
My phone was off, and so I unfortunately couldn’t call my best friend to let her know I was coming, but it didn’t matter anyway, I had a spare key… I could use it to let myself in in case she was still out at the party.
The doormen in the lobby nodded respectfully at me as I smiled at them, walking past them and over to the elevator. I punched the buttons to the last floor, the penthouse, and then the elevator beeped and slid close, caging me in. The doormen had seen me here enough times to know who I was and who I was after, and so now they let me right in without even checking for identification.
My heart almost burst out of my chest in excitement as the elevator opened up on her floor.
We hadn’t really had a girl’s night in a long time, so I was really looking forward to this one.
The door was locked when I tried it.
And so, naturally, I reached into my bag for her spare key, wondering why I had my work bag on me instead of an elegant purse to go with the lovely dress I was wearing.
As I stepped into her living room, I smiled lovingly as I took in the mess.
Kira Atkinson will never change.
You know, my story started on a very bad note as I told you earlier, but thanks to my academic excellence, I was able to make it into Harvard, where I met Kira. She was my roommate then, and she used to irk me greatly with her messiness and carefree attitude. In a way, we changed each other. I made her take a few things more seriously, and she got me to loosen up a bit.
Yes, even I had to admit that I was a bit stuck up.
I broke out of my musings as a soft chuckle wafted into my ears from her bedroom.
Oh come on.
She was in there with someone.
The sound of Kira moaning loudly and deep, hushed whispers filled the air, causing my face to turn red with embarrassment as the horror of what I’d almost walked in on dawned on me.
What if she and her mysterious man had decided to get busy in her living room instead?
I probably would have had to gauge my eyes out right there and then.
No one told me to leave.
I discreetly tiptoed back the way I came, eager to leave and make it look as though I was never here,
But then I saw it, lying on the coffee table.
A watch.
Fabian’s watch.
Now, don’t tell me it could be anyone else’s… this was a one of a kind, limited edition Patek Phillipe watch that I’d had specially made for Fabian on his last birthday.
It was his alright.
I’d recognise it anywhere.
My heart stopped in my chest as more sounds of moaning and grunting filled my ears. I took in the men’s night shoes in the corner of the room, tried to notice that familiar tint in the masculine voice…
All the signs were there.
But my stubborn heart refused to accept it, because accepting it meant the world as I’d come to know it was all a lie, because accepting it would completely shatter me.
And yet, my stupid, rational mind tugged me towards her bedroom door, wanting to get all the facts straight before blowing things out of proportion. I wanted to be certain, to make sure there was no mistake, to see their betrayal for myself if that were the case.
My hands trembled as I pushed the door open, it wasn’t locked, and there they were—
My husband and my best friend, tangled in each other's arms, their clothes were scattered across the room as they betrayed me.
The only sound that came out of my lips was a soft gasp, and then the tears started to stream down my face in a rush, making them break apart in horror to take cover under the sheets.
And just like that, my perfect world came crashing down.

(Penny’s POV)
The first thing I did was hurl the million-dollar bottle of champagne at their traitorous bodies as I screamed out my rage. Luckily for them, they ducked out of the bed just in time, and so only the furious spray of the drink that had been meant for my celebration with my best friend rained down on them.
“How could you? How could you do this to me?!” I screamed the words over and over until my throat was sore… until I couldn’t take it anymore, until the words decrescendoed into a mere whisper, like a once powerful fire slowly flickering into nothingness.
I collapsed to the ground in a heap, the many layers of my ball gown-like evening dress cushioning my fall. I wanted nothing more than to get out of there, to never see their traitorous faces again, but my chest—no, my heart— it hurt… it does hurt so much.
Why?
Why would they do this to me?
I had been nothing but a good wife… a good friend.
I didn’t deserve this?
Kira took advantage of my comparatively calm state to finally open her mouth, "Penny, look, I... I can explain."
I looked up at her in disbelief and curiosity as the tears streamed down my face, “There’s… there’s an explanation?” I asked incredulously even as I clutched painfully at my chest, “Let’s hear it then. Let’s hear this wonderful explanation that is going to miraculously make everything alright and make this betrayal totally acceptable.”
It was hard to be sarcastic with all the many tears and the sniffles, but I think I did a pretty good job if you ask me.
Kira couldn’t meet my gaze as she struggled to find the right words, her eyes filled with guilt and shame and what strangely looked like relief. "Penny, I didn't want to hurt you… I didn’t mean to. I was just... I was just trying to keep you both happy."
I looked at her in surprise, my tears momentarily freezing in the face of this new information. "Keep us both happy? By helping my husband cheat on me? Just make it make sense, Kira!”
Why was I still on the ground when I needed to be attacking her, tearing her hair out of her head?
Fabian stood up in that moment, rushing to me confrontationally as he adjusted the sheets around his unclothed body, a serious look on his face, not one iota of regret or guilt in sight.
Whatever guilt I had seen when I first barged in on them, it was all gone now for sure.
“Do you think you don’t have a hand in this yourself, Penny?” He accused me, “You pushed me to do this!” He sputtered angrily as he started to pace.
I slowly made it to my feet even as I said the uncertain words, “I—I did?”
How was this my fault?
“Penny, you know I’ve always been supportive of your career, I always have… but you took that support for granted. You were always away on your business trips, and then when you got back, all you wanted to do was talk some more about work. You never wanted to discuss me! You know how tense I become when my brother is in town, and yet you left me all to myself to deal with it countless times. I felt so neglected.” His eyes hardened. “And so I dealt with it the only way I knew how.”
“By sleeping with my best friend?” The tears resumed from their little break, streaming down my face.

“Well, Kira was there for me when you weren't. She understands me. She made me feel alive again.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
The pain that had been gnawing at my heart now turned into a blazing anger. "So, you turned to her? Instead of talking to me, instead of working things out?"
“You don’t understand, Pen…” He shouted in my face, “This goes beyond all of that. I… I can barely recognize you!”
“What…what are you even talking about, Fabian?”
“Just take a look at yourself,” His eyes ran over me from head to toe, for the first time revealing what he actually thought of me…
Pure, unbridled disgust.
“You've let yourself go, Penny. You look nothing like the slender, vibrant woman I fell in love with. Of course, I needed something more, someone better? Who can sleep with you when you look like this? You’re a whole ugly whale."
His bitter words cut me deeply like a well-sharpened knife, and I felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over me.
The beautiful dress I was wearing now felt like a mockery, like one I didn’t even deserve to be in, and I wrapped my arms around my body as though to shield myself from his cruelty.
Was that why he had been avoiding every move I made towards him recently?
Why he cited tiredness as an excuse whenever I wanted us to make love?
Oh, I was so foolish.
For all along, I thought that these things… that this distance happened as couples grew older. Unbeknownst to me, my husband just had a whole other agenda in mind.
God, it does hurt.
But Fabian wasn't done with me. "You know, I'm actually happy you found out about this, because I can finally be honest. I want to be with Kira, Penny. I love her, and I've been holding back for too long. I'm done pretending."
No, no, no…
This couldn’t be happening to me.
We could work this out.
We really could.
But we had to, because I was nothing without them… I was nothing without my husband, without my best friend.
Their betrayal had hurt like hell, but I knew we could get past this.
I fell to my knees, throwing myself at my husband’s feet, completely fine with putting my pride and my power on the line like that if it meant preserving the fragments of my rapidly shattering perfect world, my voice quivering with desperation. "Please, Fabian, don't leave me. I can change, I—I—I can quit my job… work on myself… be the woman you want me to be, I promise. Just please, don't leave me."
But my once-loving husband roughly threw his leg, warding me off of him as though I was some annoying dog pestering her master… and through it all, my so-called best friend stood by, watching as Fabian violently pulled me up to my feet, his face red with anger and irritation as he glared down at me, “You’re just being pathetic at this point, Pen… why don’t you just go home like the understanding wife I know you are and then I’ll come over in the morning, so we can talk this through?”
I couldn’t bring myself to look at Kira, the girl whom I once regarded as a sister. If I was being honest with myself, I really didn’t even want to see her again, but my fear of being alone was the only thing holding me back.
It was the only thing encouraging me to extend olive branches when what I really needed to do was burn bridges and never look back.
But I’m weak.
We had already established that, hadn’t we?
With time, perhaps things could go back to the way they were before, but that day was certainly not today, and so with a slight nod at Fabian, I silently turned away and walked out of the apartment without looking back.
I held it all together until I was out of the lobby, and then the tears attacked me again as I made my way over to my car, the sight of it plunging the knife of betrayal even deeper into my chest.
So how long had this been going on?
I hadn’t even asked.
Were they seeing each other even as he gave me all of these perfect gifts, professing his love for me for the entire world to hear?
My head threatened to burst from all the overthinking, and in that moment, one thing became clear to me,
There was no way I could bring myself to sit in my car.
And so I took to the streets.
The streets of Somerville were surprisingly lively as I walked, tears still streaming down my face, my high heels in one hand as I walked barefoot, one foot in front of the other.
Everyone was totally oblivious to my pain, caught in the delirium of midnight and their interesting conversations with their associates. Hell, even the city’s many lights seemed to burn brighter, totally indifferent to my pain. I was just a lost soul, wandering aimlessly through the night, a soul who had only been grounded with the help of the two people who had now so callously betrayed her.
What was left now?
To float away into the beyond?
My tears worsened whenever I chanced on a couple, that little voice of reason in my head begging me to tell them that they were only wasting their time, that deep down, one of them was lying to the other, promising a lifetime of happiness when they knew very well that betrayal and heartbreak was just lurking in the corner.
I wasn’t even sure they’d believe me though.
No one who believed himself or herself in love seldom did in these situations.
No.
They’d rather prefer to hold on to the belief that their powerful love was being tested, and that they were going to emerge on the other side of all the trials and tribulations, victorious.
Oh, how stupid we all were.
As I stumbled along the surprisingly packed sidewalk, the bright sign of a nearby bar caught my eye.
Its inviting glow promised refuge from the surge of emotions coursing through me…
It promised to help me forget it all, at least for the rest of the night.
And so, I made my way towards it, trembling slightly as I took in the shady nature of it all.
I was surprised that such a place had called out to me… because with my wealth and status, this was a place that the normal me would turn her nose up at in disgust.
But I wanted to forget, and what good would it do me if I stepped foot in a place where Fabian normally frequented?
This place… this Seraphina’s…
It was just perfect.
The clinking of glasses, joyous chatter and the smell of booze and sweat and cigarettes greeted me almost as soon as I got in, and the sheer shock of it was enough to instantly sober me up, killing my rather spontaneous idea of wanting to forget.
I made my way over to the exit, and I almost would have gotten out too if it weren’t for an excited bridal party barging in, sweeping me along with them until the door was completely far away.
Perhaps this was a sign?
Now that I was inside, I realised that the place wasn’t as bad as I’d initially thought.
The place was buzzing with activity, and the upbeat techno that currently filled the room was so loud that it had become my new heartbeat.
I made my way to an empty barstool, the cold leather cooling the warmth that had risen in my cheeks from walking so close to all those people in skimpy dresses, dancing in ways I could only dream of.
I ordered a drink, choosing something really strong to numb the pain that throbbed in my chest.
The bartender slid the glass containing my order in front of me, and I wrapped my trembling fingers around it, closed my eyes, and then downed it all in one painful gulp.
“Woah… hey ma’am, maybe you should slow down a bit, the stuff I’m giving you is really strong.” The bartender tried to warn me, but I rolled my eyes, “Just shut up and pour me another.”
This time though, when he did pour for me, I took my sweet time downing it, and the memories took advantage of that to sneak in, reminding me again just how weak and gullible I had allowed myself to be in front of those two cheaters.
Alcohol really was an eye-opener indeed.
Because holy shoot! To think that I’d gotten down on my knees to beg Fabian to take me back, as though I were the one who had wronged him…
He was right, I really was pathetic.
But no more of that.
Just what is with him.
Just what is with Kira.
I totally did not need them to live my life.
I was so deep in my thoughts and my drink, but then I suddenly felt a weird chill and this tingle at the back of my neck. I turned and my gaze met with the deepest green pair of eyes I had ever seen.
As I locked eyes with the stranger, the dimly lit bar faded into the background. His emerald eyes seemed to pierce through the haze of my numerous thoughts and my heartbreak. He was ruggedly handsome, with a hint of a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
We stared at each other for what seemed like ages, and then he finally broke the silence with the perfect pickup line he could have thought to come up with, his voice smooth and rich like aged whiskey.
“A penny for your thoughts?”

(Penny’s POV)
“A penny for your thoughts?”
With that proud smirk on the stranger’s incredibly handsome face, there was no denying the fact that the word play had been very intentional.
“You know who I am.”
It wasn’t a question, rather a mere statement of observation as I stared up at him curiously, trying to figure out if I knew him from anywhere.
But I couldn’t recall ever meeting him.
With a face that handsome and as dangerous as sin, I was pretty sure I’d never forget him if we had encountered each other before.
“Well, who doesn’t know who you are?” He cocked an eyebrow arrogantly as he stared down at me, his voice taking on a lazy, laid back drawl, “Penelope de la Cruz, youngest person, first woman to be made Vice President of Alu-Steele Trust and Co, married to Fabian Tarantino, my dear of a brother… is there anything I’ve missed?”
Fear lit up in my chest, sending my heart pumping at an irregular rate, and yet I did my best to ignore it, choosing instead to glare at him. “Well, your brother and I are over now,” I spat out the words, “Congratulations on having me all figured out… for knowing every single thing about me, but I believe you missed this little bit, so you can update your records now. Have a good evening.” I made to leave him, but he grabbed me by the elbow, turning me to face him so fast that I almost gave myself whiplash.
I opened my mouth to give him a piece of my mind, but all of my words got stuck in my throat at the dangerous, murderous look on his face. “What did he do? Just say the word, Dulce, and he'll be gone.” His words carried a promise in them, the intensity of his gaze sending a scary chill down my spine.
He’ll be gone?
What did that even mean?
I stared at the handsome man.
Maximo Tarantino.
That was his name.
It was the first time I was meeting him.
The supposed black sheep of the Tarantino family, infamous stepbrother to Fabian… a self-made billionaire who had gotten to where he was without his family’s connections, the very man who was rumored to have possible affiliations to the Diavoli, the city’s most notorious mafia…
Somehow, he had managed to avoid the media effortlessly…
Everyone knew the name, but not the face.
It made me wonder why he had so casually introduced himself to me… why he’d let me, the stepsister-in-law he had avoided for so long, finally know who he was.
But all those tales about him were probably made up by the press to try and figure out the enigma of a man who they had no information on, right?
I mean, they certainly couldn’t be true.
So why was I scared then?
I took a deep breath, refusing to allow myself to be intimidated by him, and then I furiously yanked my arm from his hold, glaring at him, “Thanks, but no thanks. I want nothing to do with you and your family for as long as I live.”
Even though it was mostly the alcohol talking, I wanted that very little fact to be the truth. I wanted to be the kind of woman who did not settle for a cheater and a back-stabber of a friend, but I knew myself, and I knew that when push came to shove, settling would be the exact thing I’d do.
At least that was better than being alone.
It was frustrating, I know, and darn well disappointing, but it was unfortunately the sad truth.
Surprisingly, Maximo Tarantino didn't seem deterred by my outburst. If anything, he appeared to find my defiance rather amusing. I watched him lean against the bar, still wearing that infuriating smirk.
"Feisty… I like that," He observed, seemingly unbothered by my hostility. "But Penelope, listen. I'm not my brother. Neither am I here to defend him or his actions. Knowing him, I would not be surprised if he did something terrible, like cheat on you.”
The blood drained out of my face as his words repainted the heart-shattering picture I had been trying so hard to forget.
“Ah, fanculo!”
He hissed silently as it registered just how true his wild guess had been. Whatever he had said was probably some swear word in Italian. I unfortunately didn’t learn when I got the chance, choosing Spanish over it instead.
“Look, Penelope, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know…”
But I cut him off, unable to help the scoff that slipped past my lips, “That’s rich, you know? That’s real rich coming from you. With everything the media has been saying about you, I’d say you’re just like him, hell, maybe even worse.”
He tsked disapprovingly at me, “You should know better than to believe the media and their many lies, Dulce… because even you hadn’t been spared from their vicious tongues and pens when you first started out and were making a name for yourself at Alu-Steele Trust and Co. Does that make you the ruthless corporate shark they portrayed you as back then? The woman who grew from grass to grace, from rags to riches by sleeping her way to the top?"
I froze, his words slicing through my already wounded heart, making my jaw clench in annoyance.
God, this man was infuriating.
I could see why Fabian hated him.
But he actually wasn’t lying. You see, I had experienced the media’s incessant, malicious scrutiny in the early days of my career, and it had only gotten worse when I met Fabian and we started going out. Their criticisms had wounded me at first, but I had learnt the hard way to grow a pair and deal with it, and with time, they had warmed up to me, but it sucked to be reminded of those days.
I narrowed my eyes at Maximo, feeling a spark of anger course through me. "The difference is that I've proven them wrong. Have you?"
The infuriating man leaned closer, his intoxicating cologne and the scent of bourbon on his breath washing over me, making me want to be absorbed into him.
Woah, what was that?
"I don’t need to. But Dulce, don't be so quick to judge me based on what you've read or heard. The truth might surprise you." He whispered, snapping me out of my thoughts.
For a while, I stared into his eyes, lost in the striking green in them. They reminded me of a peaceful meadow on a sunny day, bright and refreshing.
I blinked to clear the thoughts, turning down the rest of my drink and requesting for another.
“Why are you still here? I thought we were done.” I deadpanned when I turned to see him still staring at me, a hint of concern on his otherwise blank, handsome face.
“I’ll take you home, Penelope… or wherever you want to go, but I am sure as hell not leaving you here all by yourself, especially in the state you’re in.” He stated matter-of-factly, opening his elegant, black suit jacket to sit on the barstool right beside me.
“Look, I don’t need you to save me, Mister… I am done with you Tarantino men, I can take care of myself, so chop chop… off you go.” I flicked my hand at him, feeling a slight woozy feeling in my head.
Wow, the drinks sure did work fast, am I right?
“Do you know what it is like,” I gulped some air, letting out an unladylike belch, “To have what is supposed to be the happiest day of your life ruined? To find the two people that mean the world to you in bed together, cheating on you? How could Fabian do that to me? How could Kira do that to me?” Tears were quickly forming in my eyes, and nothing I was doing was stopping its imminent descent, but then my phone buzzed, an instinctive feeling instantly assuring me that it was Fabian.
My heart lit up with excitement as I ransacked my workbag, wondering why he was calling.
Maybe he wanted to apologize?
To beg me to take him back?
The call ended just as soon as I pulled the phone out of the bag, and right when I reached out to call him back, I received a text,
My mother said she'd pass by the house in the morning. Let’s keep all of this from her, yeah?
The tears that had threatened to overflow stopped in their tracks as I read Fabian's message, and I blinked in disbelief, trying to process the audacity of the request he was making.
This was not an apology text… no, this was meant to humiliate me even further, to completely disregard my pain. It was all for him to save face, to maintain his golden boy image with his family and the rest of the world.
I was so done with this.
The bartender's warning about overindulging in alcohol faintly echoed in my mind, but I brushed it aside, this time asking for the whole bottle and drinking right from it.
The sheer impudence of the man!
After all he had done, he expected me to be home when he got in, ready to welcome him with open arms, ready to play the perfect wife for when his mother came calling…
Oh, but he wasn’t going to find me there.
I stood up, stumbling slightly as I tried to head for the exit, refusing to acknowledge the other Tarantino who just wouldn’t leave me be as I went in search of some hotel or inn I could spend the night in…
But as I turned away from him, a sudden bright light bulb lit up in my head.
Why was I turning away the opportunity of a lifetime to hurt Fabian just as much as he had hurt me? This golden opportunity that the fates had delivered into the palm of my hand… why was I turning it away?
I may not know this mysterious Maximo, but one thing I knew without a doubt was that Fabian absolutely and passionately hated his guts.
A dangerous idea formed in my mind.
One that had me turning and walking back to Maximo, a determined glint in my eyes. "I have an idea," I slurred excitedly, "Let's give Fabian a taste of his own medicine. Help me with a plan to make him realize he can't take me for granted. Sleep with me!"
Maximo regarded me with a mixture of concern and intrigue. "Penelope, as much as it would be an honor and a pleasure, you're unfortunately not in the right state of mind for this. What we need to do is get you into bed so you can sleep all the alcohol off."
But I was too intoxicated and too stubborn to listen to reason. "No, Maximo. We need to go sleep together now… maybe take a few pictures to, you know, make a lovely video for him while we’re at it," I said firmly. "Can’t you see? This is the perfect revenge to get back at him for how he betrayed me… and what better person to carry it out with, but you, the man he hates the most in the world?”
His supple, full lips dragged out in a sexy smirk at my words, “He hates me a lot, doesn’t he?”
I nodded like an excited toddler, “He really does. So, are you going to help me?” My eyes were wide with eagerness as I asked him this,
But he crushed my hopes.
“No, Penelope… our first time won’t be when you’re drunk.”
Wait what?
But I was too drunk to fully process his words, all my mind focused on were the words, ‘no’ and then I was storming off away from him.
Maximo caught up with me in an instant, spinning me to face him, “Where do you think you’re going to?”
I glared up at him, “Why, to find someone else to help me with my plan, of course. I extended the offer to you and you declined. It happened a few seconds ago, remember?” I told him cheekily.
Even in his seemingly calm, amused state, he was like a lion lying in wait for his prey as he glared down at me, “Oh, really?” He asked.
“Yes.” I deadpanned, turning away from him again, but I had barely taken two steps when I was suddenly being lifted into the air and caged in his surprisingly warm, powerful embrace as though I weighed nothing. “Like hell you are, Dulce.”

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