Jewelry Box

Nina's heels clicked against the marble floor of the banquet hall. It was a show of power and wealth against the other gangs in Advent. She scanned the crowd, many familiar faces ..and many new ones too. She took in a deep breath and stood tall. She hated crowds but if she didn't show, the others would use it to find a way to use it against her. Her half Norwegian blood already did that for her already.

She took a passing champagne glass and observed the crowd. She needed to speak with the Dragon Triad first or she would be harassed for speaking to outsiders before her own people, but they were so…irritating. The Triad was the last gang in the area that viewed having mixed blood as a sin, but she was basically born into it and leaving was just simply not an option. Because of this, she decided long ago that since she couldn't leave, she'd become too valuable for them to just get rid of.

As she made her observations and musings a man approached her. A new face, or else he would simply know better.

“Hey there” The man approached, with a smile. He had all the confidence of a man who's never heard ‘No’ “I'm Steven, would a beautiful woman like you like to dance with me?” He asked as he took her hand to kiss it. She pulled away before he managed to make contact. “No, thank you” she said politely. He was attractive, yes, but it was for his own good. “I appreciate the offer though”

He frowned and stood up “Have a good Evening then” he said but she could hear him cursing “Uppity Chinese bitch” before he returned to one of the American gangs in the corner. Seems like she dodged a bullet.

A bit later after she made her greetings she sat to the side and drank some water. She was enjoying herself for the most part until she heard him. “Nina, when you said you'd have a date for the event, I thought you'd actually show up” she looked up from her drink at him. He had a designer suit accented by gold jewelry that hid his well toned body.

Yao, the only man she both hated and loved with every fiber of her being. “Well circumstances dictated otherwise” she said calmly. They both knew he killed her date two days ago so she'd show up alone.

“That's too bad” a song song voice said from his arm. His flavor of the week hung onto him like she had found treasure. Most likely he bought her designer clothes to match him.

Nina looked at her “This conversation doesn't involve you.” She said coldly “was that all you had to say Yao?” She stood up and placed the glass on the bar. “I'm going to mingle then”

“Nina.” Yao stopped her, “You should have known better” Nina gave him a harsh glare and he stepped aside. Now he was blaming her for him killing someone. Typical.

The girl on his arm squeezed it into her breasts, as if to show she had the upper hand and smirked “Are you leaving so soon? You know jealousy isn't a good look for you.” This stopped Nina in her tracks.

She let out a deep laugh. “You think I'm jealous? Of you? Honey, you'll be gone in a week. There's no need for jealousy.” She smirked, which unsettled the woman “I could show you what jealousy really looks like, though”

“Nina.” Yao said, the warning was heavy on his voice. He wasn't sure what she was up to but any reaction that started with that laugh never ended well.

“Don't worry, I won't harm a hair on her empty head. I swear.” Nina smiled and walked into the crowd, like a panther on the prowl.

“Steven was it?” Nina asked after she found her unfortunate soul.

He looked up from his cards and gave a charming smile “you came back. Knew you would”

Nina smiled, “yeah, I changed my mind. Would you like to dance?”

“Sorry boys I fold. Woulda won too, deal me back in later.” he threw his cards down

“Steven that's not really a goo-” one of the men near him tried to intervene.

“Shut it, John, I'm busy” he ignored his objections and wrapped his arm around Nina’s waist “shall we?” he asked as he led her to the dancefloor like a gentleman.

Yao saw them and frowned, but didn't move. How could she let that filthy animal put hands on her.

“Shes dancing? That's it? How is that jealously?” the girl looked at them with a hand up.

She didn't notice Yao's grip on his glass tighten.

She only noticed when it broke. “How dare he put his disgusting lips on my things” he growled, the whiskey had drenched his hand, and the glass cut his palm.

“Y-Yao?” She stammered and tried to stop him from entering the dancefloor, but it was too late.

He barreled over to the couple and grabbed his shoulder.

Nina smirked as she pulled back from the kiss “You should have listened to John, Steven” she said as the man was ripped away from her.

The gold bracelet around Yao’s wrist melted and turned into a knuckle weapon as he swiftly dealt a swift blow to Steven’s temple. The man crumpled easily and he was about to attack him again before Nina spoke up

“Yao, remember where we are.” Her voice was clear and sharp. She was used to giving orders.

His hand came down and made contact with the marble. Sending cracks along the dense stone.

He stood up and spit on the American “don't touch my things” he turned to Nina “you made your point didn't you?” He towered over her, angry.

“I did.” she reached up and straightened his tie, most would have been afraid of his anger. He was known as the Rabid Dog of the Triad after all. Nina smiled up at him “This is also your punishment for not inviting me, Gem.” She kissed the bottom of his jaw and smiled. She had won.

She let go and walked back towards his bimbo. “That's what jealousy looks like.” She picked up a champagne bottle off a passing tray, causing it to become I'm imbalanced and the flutes fell on Yao's date

“Oops.” she said with the most unapologetic flat tone known to man and walked out, bottle in hand. She pulled her phone out of her clutch as she walked out of the building “Lu, pull the car around”