"How do I look?" I asked both Ruby and Ava. They turned to face me, dropping the clothes they were holding as their eyes darted from my feet, then slowly to my eyes. I wore a black Italian tux, with a black button shirt and styled my hair slick back.
"That was not the reaction I was expecting," I muttered at their speechlessness, then I sighed, "I should probably go change."
Their brains seem to start working again as they both yelled, "No!"
I squinted my eyes at them. "It's a-absolutely fine," Ava stuttered and I raised an eyebrow. This is the second time I've heard her stutter. "You look absolutely...amazing," she whispers.
"Okay..." I drawled out. Ruby stalked towards me.
"Just as I thought you couldn't get any...hotter," she stated as she reached and undid a few buttons on my shirt. I glanced at Ava, who was now back to what she was doing before, not paying attention to us.
"I can't wait to see their jealous faces when you walk in as my partner," Ruby cheered and pecked my cheek to my surprise, then smirked, "I have to go prepare now,"
And with that she left. Yeah I know what you're thinking. After many ideas that were brought, we decided to settle on Jerry's plan, but a little differently. Ruby and I would go to the party as guests, and since she knows how things go about there, it'll just make it easier to enter the main hall. Ava and Jerry on the other hand, would pose as waiters. While Cole would be in the van for surveillance. Thankfully, Mark's friend also supplied us with micro earpieces for communication. And that's about it.
And right now, we were preparing for the party which is tonight. I walked over to Ava. My limps aren't that obvious anymore since my wounds are starting to heal. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?" I asked.
"I wanted to give you something first," she said.
"Awwn Ava, I'm sorry to break your heart but I just don't make commitments," I said. She kicked me on my good foot. I yelped and she smiled a little.
"I wanted to give you this," she said and handed me the steel I thought I'd never see again.
"Ho-how..." I choked up a little, speechless.
"I was able to grab it before we left the building. I wanted to give it to you but a lot had happened and I wasn't sure if it was the right time," she said. I ran my fingers through the plain metal of the dagger, and the turned to the handle to see the silver design getting a bit rusty. I haven't polished it since a week now.
"Thank you Ava. This was the last remaining piece of my birth parents. I was told they died after I was born and this was the only thing they left behind," I said. The next thing I knew was she wrapped her arms round me. It was then I realised tears were on my face. I wiped them away, this is the first time I'm crying about my parents.
"Everyone has a story," she whispers to me. I pulled back and looked at her.
"What's yours?" I whispered back. She looked a bit nervous, as I saw a flash of fear through her eyes as she stares off space, recalling some memories–bad memories I suppose, before shaking her head and recovering with a smile.
"I flew all the way to New York, from California to meet my doom," she thought, "that about sums it up,"
I laughed. She smiled before bursting out laughing. "Yeah, you did," I said.
--------
We pulled up a block away from the building.
"Alright guys, you know the drill," Cole said as he parked.
"What if she messes up?" Ava asked referring to Ruby, "I don't trust her,"
"Look–"
"She won't," Jerry interrupted Ruby, "you can trust me,"
Ava made a sound, not really considering it. "Look we really don't have time for this," I said sighing.
"She's right, we have to do this," Cole agreed.
"Alright fine, but I'll be keeping an eye on her," Ava said and Ruby shrugged.
"I've always wanted an admirer," she told her.
"Let's go," I said and opened the door, stepping out. I grabbed my cane, it was really a fancy one seeing it's golden head and black stick. I'm grateful for that doctor honestly.
"Aren't you going to help me out?" Ruby asked. She wore a long sleeveless black dress that parted by the side up to her thigh. She looked very beautiful and classy even, if not for her annoying personality.
"No," I replied.
"You know you also have to act the part Reyes," she said. I groaned and reached out my hand for her to hold on, like a real gentlewoman. She held it and stepped down, taking her time.
"Merci," she said. I didn't reply and held her waist, guiding her into the entrance.
"Your invitation card please," the bouncer said in his thick voice.
Shit.
"Allow me," Ruby whispered seeing my helpless state.
"Oh my god," she exclaimed, hitting her palm on her forehead, "babe we forgot about the card,"
I looked at her, unsure of what to do. The bouncer started looking at us suspiciously. She shook her head.
"Well, that shouldn't be a problem since you recognise me," she told the bouncer.
He looked at her confusedly, "Um..."
"Oh my god please tell me you do recognise me Vito?" She said slowly, like as if she was going to get angry if he said anything negative. I became confused, does she truly know him?
He looked at me nervously, then back to her, "Of course miss, please come in," he invited her in.
I just stared, still in shock until Ruby subtly dragged me in. I can't believe that worked. "How'd you know him?" I asked.
"I don't," she replied as we walked into the first ball, "he wore a name tag,"
"Oh," I said, "but how did you know that was going to work?"
"Everyone here craves fame and power, or at least believe they have it, and it would be insulting if a mere bouncer couldn't recognise who they are. They could lose their job, or worse," Ruby said.
"That's impressive, I must say," Cole's electronic voice came in.
She smiled, "Courtesy of Lady Yvonne,"
"Who?" I asked. She turned as we stopped.
"My other persona," she said, then took two champagne filled glasses from a passing waiter, "I told you, they wouldn't be able to resist you,"
I looked around and sure enough some people were looking at our direction. And they were mostly women.
"Jerry, where are you guys?" I spoke into the earpiece.
"We're in," he said, shuffling through something, "although there was some casualties while getting these waiters uniforms,"
I sighed, "Is it alarming?"
He paused, "No, just unconscious,"
"Then we're good," I sipped the drink.
"We see you guys," Ava said.
I scanned the crowd, before spotting Jerry standing by the corner. He nods at me. My eyes left him to look for Ava. And there she was, serving drinks on a tray. She was wearing a white shirt and a black skirt that complimented her long smooth tan legs, as per the waiters dress code. I sipped.
"You're staring," Ruby said pulling me from my thoughts.
"What? No I'm not," I said, then cleared my throat, "we should head to the main party,"
I dropped down my drink and went through the crowd followed by a smiling Ruby. There was an elevator at the end of the hall. We walked in and waited for Jerry and Ava as they drove a cart with covered tray on it, in before Ruby pushed the button. Ava opened it and we took out the guns, tucking it in.
"Seriously?" She said as Ruby took a hand gun.
"What? I'll also need protection," she said. Even I was contemplating on her carrying a weapon.
"Fine," Ava said but I was still a little conflicted.
The elevator dinged and we stepped out, going different ways. Ruby and I walked down the hallway to the party door that was guarded by two men. Then suddenly she drags me in one of the rooms, locking the door.