*Isabella Marciano*
*
Before I went to this dumb party, I had pepped talk myself about seeing Konstantine again. I really can't understand myself for feeling this way. For a long time, I was going through my life like a horse with a fly mask. There was only one path for me, the finish line was making those who betrayed my family pay but Kon just had to make things harder for me.
I had consumed five glasses of wine already since I spotted him with that raven-haired girl entering the ballroom. A clear mind was a much-needed weapon in this game of wits but Kon just had to come with that bitch.
''Why so gloomy my Belle?'' Azure came back after talking to a group of old businessmen just right after we finished that dance.
''This party is boring me to death,'' faking my bored tone.
Azure chuckled, his dark sapphire eyes twinkling with glee. ''Do you wanna, maybe get out of here?''
How I wish I could just abandon my mission. But no, I have to suck everything up and focus on my target at hand. ''Nah, I have some unfinished business here.''
''Why are you looking at them like you're about to shoot fire from your eyes?'' He teased.
Quickly averting my gaze from Konstantine, I smiled saucily at Azure. ''Jealousy doesn't suit you, my Prince.''
Azure chortled, almost choking on his wine, ''you know me too well Princess. How about I take you upstairs, let me peel off this pretty dress from covering your glorious beautiful body.''
My cheeks turned as red as my hair at his words. He wasn't exactly whispering when he said those words. Old people around us were giving us accusing looks. Wrapping my arms around Azure's neck, I whispered. ''You don't turn me on, Prince Adam.'' Without waiting for his answer, I sashayed away from that dirty-minded infuriating man.
Why are all men so set on getting between women's legs? My father was never rude like that to any girl. My brothers might have fooled around so much but they know how to respect women.
Making sure the washroom was empty, I turned on the earpiece that would connect me to John. ''I'm in but Damien hasn't shown himself yet.''
''My boss is in the room with him,''
''Good, that's good. Should I go upstairs already?''
''I'll give you the signal when he's alone.''
That had my adrenaline pumping. I'm so close to my mission. When I stepped out of the ladies' room, I bumped into a hard chest again. A pair of hands hold me steady, pine forest scent teasing my senses. Looking up to the man I bumped into, silver-gray eyes were staring down at me, storms swirling inside them. His eyes, those icy hues that hunted me in my dreams every night.
''I thought I saw you,'' he smirked, he wasn't wearing his gray mask while he was in an all-white suit with yellow tassels on its shoulders and red pants that fit him perfectly. He was dressed as Prince Charming, and his partner was dressed as Morgana in that all black tight dress of hers.
''You did. Excuse me'' I tried to walk past him but with his well-built body, it was like taking a detour around Mt. Everest.
Glaring at him, I looked up and I was burned with how his silver-gray eyes showed a longing in the depths of his hues. How can he switch his emotions like that?
''Why are you avoiding me Red?'' He sounded in pain. All I wanted to do was reach for him, cup his face and pull him for a searing kiss.
I did the opposite, pulling away from him, rubbed my hands up and down my arms. ''Just leave me alone. Go to that girlfriend of yours.''
Konstantine sighed audibly, reaching forward and cupped my face in his warm hands. ''You're jealous? That's all this is about?''
Avoiding his eyes, I bit my lip. ''No. I'm not interested, that's all.''
Wow. Such a liar Isabella.
''That's not true,'' Kon rested his forehead against mine, his lips inches apart from my own. His minty breath was fanning my skin, making the cold shivers on my skin disappear. ''You don't mean that, agapi mou.''
Placing my hands above his, my intention was to pull them away from cupping my face but I can't tear my eyes away from his gray ones. ''I have to go.''
I'm silently thanking the heavens for the girls who were about to use the ladies room, Kon was pushed to let me go. Without giving him a second glance, I turn my back on him, hurriedly walking back to the ballroom.
John gave me the signal that his client just left Damien's office. Making my way upstairs, the excitement I was feeling was slowly shifting to nervousness. It's been so long since I closed a deal like this, the last one I made cost me my life.
His office was at the far end of the west wing which was not that hard to find. When I reached the black wooden door, I didn't bother knocking and just barged inside, ready to make a statement for myself.
However, like everything since I went to this party, everything backfired at me. Azure was sitting in front of Damien's table, both of them were caught off guard by my action.
''Red?'' Azure stood up. ''What are you doing here?'' He smirked, tucking his hands inside his pocket, ''I knew you can't resist me that much.''
''Klaudius Calvin'' Damien's voice was so deep and big that it should have me trembling on my feet. The dominance in his voice will make a weak man cower in fear.
Azure huffed, ''that name is so old. Let's get out of here.'' He reached for my hand but my gaze was focused on Damien Zafeiriou. I've studied everything about him, his height, weight, dislikes and likes, even his favorite color was on the file John was able to get but they didn't include in that research how intimidating this man is.
''I need to talk to you Mr. Zafeiriou'' the playfulness and sultry tone in my voice was nowhere near me right now. I'm a Marciano after all.
Damien smirked, his light sapphire eyes eyeing me up and down. ''What can I do for you, young lady.''
''From now on, you'll be working for me.''