Chapter one

Audrey's POV

"Hey you! More shots!" I groaned as I refilled several cups with liquor. Today was one of those days I hated. Actually it was the one I hated most. Fridays.

The bar was heavily packed with people who only had one thing in mind —getting their asses drunk. And they weren't very patient about it. I maneuvered the sea of crowds while balancing trays on my shoulder.

"Here's your order" I almost knocked over the drinks but caught myself just in time.

"Watch it!" One of the men shouted, causing me to flinch. Muttering an apology under my breath I glided to the next table.

After taking several orders, I returned to the counter almost dizzy from all the noise and people. "Hey Audrey" Alexa, one of the attendants, joined me. "How's it going?" my response was a grimace which had her chuckling lightly. "Told ya to claim a sick leave. How do you still want to go on a date after all this mess" she waved her hands exaggeratedly but it was her words that had me pausing.

A date. The dinner party. Shit! How could I forget? Michael was going to be so mad at me. I dropped the tray without a second thought, "Mate, sorry for this but I gotta go" I said and before she could protest, like I knew she would, I shoved my way out of the bar.

Today I was supposed to be at a dinner party held by my fiance's, Michael, family. This was my first meeting with them and I had almost blown it. I checked the time —7:30pm perfect! The dinner wouldn't start until 9:00pm. I still had time.

I quickly took a cab to my apartment which wasn't very far. After changing my work clothes to a blue knee-length dress. I grabbed my small purse and applied a bit of make-up. My stomach churned as I made my way downstairs and waited for Michael's arrival.

Michael wasn't the problem, his family was. I knew they were influential, wealthy based on the numerous sports cars Michael drove but that wasn't the only thing I knew or otherwise everyone knew but didn't dare to say.

Mafians

I shrugged it off at first. This was Italy, where most middle class assumed that all the upper class were mafians. But the whispers had become louder and even overwhelming. When I mentioned it to Michael he had laughed it off like it was a silly joke. That was hardly comforting to someone who had started taking on multiple jobs at 17 to take care of her comatose mother who had been attacked. By mafians.

My thoughts were disrupted by the loud roar of an engine I had become quite accustomed to. As I raised my gaze, a sleek blue Porsche approached striking a vivid contrast against the tattered streets. Michael pulled up right in front of me and I hopped in with butterflies in my stomach.

"Well, look who dressed up today," he mused. I felt my face heat up even as I asked, "So how do I look?" He simply grinned while switching the engine back to life "Lovely. But I better get my gorgeous baby out of this dump before it gets cramped up"

It took me a minute to realize his 'baby' was not me but the car, cool.... Not. Thanks to his indirect reminder of what a dump I lived in, my nerves had returned in waves causing that churning again. I held my breath, afraid I would throw up in this very nice, cool, gorgeous Porsche. The last thing I needed was offending Michael.

"We're here" His voice brought me back to reality. A glance out of the window had me biting back a gasp. I had expected the meeting to be at an high-end restaurant. Not a freaking mansion! Actually a palace is more appropriate.

"Cars aren't allowed into the main house, we have to get down" I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

I followed Michael out on wobbly feet. As we joined the other guests, I realized a little too late that this was a banquet. Not a family banquet but a high class standard one. And.... I was underdressed. I could tell the other ladies who snickered while throwing mocking glances my way also noticed this, but I refused to let any of my insecurities show.

Micheal was engrossed in something an older man was saying and just when I was debating on entering the mansion or waiting for him to finish a car drove by so fast I had to hold on to a pillar to steady myself. What the—

What happened to cars not being allowed? Judging by the murmurings I wasn't the only one curious about that. Michael walked in with a stony face and I followed suit. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by a loud sugary voice, "Michael!" the woman made a beeline towards him before kissing his cheeks and taking his left arm, shoving me aside.

"You're finally here" I tried not to feel uncomfortable at being treated like air. Michael spoke softly with a smile on his face as he returned her enthusiastic greeting. Watching them stand together, so intimately made me feel like a third wheel, I pushed down the bile pulsing in my throat.

"Ahem" I cleared my throat and for the first time the 'prim' and proper lady glanced at me.

"Who's this?" She knows. I could tell from her tone, still I squirmed as she sized me up. Well two could play this game. "I'm Audrey, Michael's fiance. And you are?"

She stilled. Perhaps not expecting my response and exchanged an incredulous glance with Michael which had my stomach turning —again.

"Is that so?" She replied with a chuckle and I watched as her grip tightened on Michael's arm. "I just happen to be his betrothed"

What?! It was my turn to stare at Michael with wide eyes. He averted his gaze before whispering, "We'll talk later"

I swallowed my protest and plastered a fake smile on my face before storming into the hall, out of their sight. It was a cowardly thing to do but I was angry. At Michael. At myself.

My angry march was interrupted when I bumped into a waiter. His tray tilted, splashing wine on my gown. A borrowed gown. "Sorry ma... are you okay?" I forced a smile as I reassured the trembling teenager. "Don't worry, I'll just get it cleaned up" he visibly relaxed. I didn't.

"Where's the restroom?"

After a few minutes of dabbing some water on my dress, I made it back to the hall. Michael was nowhere in sight, rather a small crowd of young ladies had gathered just in front of where I had come through.

"Hey!" A high pitched voice called. I turned towards the crowd whose attention had been diverted to me.

"You just came out of the restroom, right?" she asked. Without waiting for an answer she continued. "Lena's necklace got missing after she came out. It was in her bag" Okay....

"Do you need to ask?" Another woman chirped in. Exactly! I couldn't agree more-

"Judging by how she's dressed she's the only one who would do something like that" Wait... What?!

"I never did such a thing" I gritted out.

"Why don't we just check her bag?" Another lady suggested. This was ridiculous and so not happening. I drew my clutch tighter but a faster wrenched it off. Turning, I met Alana's taunting smile as she opened the clutch.

"Well, look at this" her voice drawled as a smirk appeared on her face. My own face drained of color, watching as she pulled out the diamond jewelry from my clutch.