Chapter 5. The Party

* Lorenzo *

With the glass of whiskey in my hand, I was looking at the entrance the moment she stepped into the Brussels ballroom, before the music registered. Then the low murmur of old money and older egos settled back into its usual hum.

Miranda Perez. Not just young and beautiful but she is even more stunning tonight. My mouth curves into a cynical smile as I watch them. She arrived at my father's side, and the room seemed to tilt when they both walked in.

The chandeliers threw warm gold over polished marble, but she caught the light differently, like it had been waiting for her. The dress she's wearing was black, not just black, but midnight silk that clung with intention. A fitted bodice sculpted her waist, daring but refined, the neckline plunging just enough to promise trouble without begging for it. The fabric crossed at her collarbone, bare shoulders framed by thin straps that looked far too delicate to hold her together, yet somehow did. A slit ran high along her thigh, revealing skin with every measured step, as if she were deciding, each second, how much of herself the world deserved.

She wore her hair loose, glossy waves spilling down her back, and her makeup was subtle in the way only expensive confidence can be, dark lashes, a soft sheen on her lips, eyes sharp and steady. Not a girl dressed up. A woman making a statement.

At my side, conversations faltered.

I watched men who had built empires forget their sentences. Watched wives, pearled, powdered, loyal, tighten their smiles and lift their chins as if posture alone could compete with youth and fire. Envy moved through the room like a quiet contagion.

Salvatore De Luca enjoyed every second of it. My father's hand rested at the small of her back, proprietary and unashamed, his gold cane tapping lightly against the floor as they advanced. He looked decades younger tonight, chest out, grin carved deep into his face just like a king parading his newest conquest.

I curled my fingers around my glass until the crystal protested.

"Salvatore!" boomed a voice ahead.

Mister Alexander Brussel, the host himself, broke away from a cluster of men near the dais. Brussel was a relic, steel-haired, hawk-eyed, wearing a tux that screamed legacy. He extended his hand to my father with practiced warmth.

"My friend," Brussel said, then his gaze slid, inevitably, to Miranda. His smile shifted, sharpened. "You didn't say you were bringing such a radiant company tonight."

"My soon-to-be wife," my father said smoothly.

The words hit me like a slap. Miranda's smile didn't falter. She inclined her head, graceful, and controlled. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister Brussel."

Her voice was calm and polite, I'm guessing that my father briefed her before they arrived.

Brussel took her hand and bowed over it a fraction too long. "The pleasure is entirely mine. Salvatore, you've been holding out on us. No wonder you've been smiling like a man who's won the lottery."

Laughter followed. Envious and bitter, they looked at her. I caught snippets around the room,

How old did you say she was? Twenty or twenty-one?

Lucky bastard. Money does buy miracles, doesn't it?

The old men stared. Their wives assessed her. But they haven't spoken a word.

And Miranda, stood there as she belonged. Like she hadn't been born into this world, but had simply decided to conquer it. Her eyes flicked, just once, across the room. Then they found mine.

For a heartbeat, everything else dissolved, the chandeliers, the music, my father's hand on her back. There was something defiant in her gaze. Something wounded. Something that said I'm here, whether you like it or not. My jaw tightened.

I should have looked away. I should have swallowed the anger, the jealousy, the sharp, unwelcome pull in my chest. Instead, I raised my glass slightly. A silent acknowledgment. A warning, I didn't know which.

Her lips curved, barely. Not a smile. Around us, the party surged back to life. Deals would be made tonight. Alliances forged. Futures traded like commodities and my father is set on winning a deal.

And Miranda, wearing that dress, standing at my father's side, was the most expensive thing in the room that he ever purchased for this month. I hated more that I couldn't stop looking.

"Enzo, darling! There you are, I have been looking for you."

I felt Stefi's hand on my shoulder, and I turned toward her. She was looking hot in a red mini tube dress that did not cover half of her breasts and fitted like a second skin on her curves. My gaze looked down and a smile hovered on my lips. I almost forgot that I brought a date tonight.

"It's because you take too long in the ladies' room. I thought you had already left."

She glances around and laughs even when it isn't needed.  "I had to make sure I stay beautiful tonight for you. Oh! Who is that woman beside your father? She looked really young."

Her eyes wandered around Miranda and then looked at me. "Why don't you ask my father? I am not interested in introducing women who cling to him because he can afford them."

Stefi laughed out loud and brought her hand to my neck. She blocked the view and pressed her body boldly against mine. She is good with it, her eyes move to my lips and to my chest, which was barely exposed with two of my buttons open.

"You seem, upset, why don't we go somewhere else and let me make you feel better?"

My upper lip curved upward. I was not in the mood to mingle at the party after I saw my father and Miranda walk in. The deal is already sealed with the Brussels. I lowered my mouth beside her ear and whispered.

"Alright then, my car is in the back parking let's go if you are up for it?"

She laughed with her eyes and pulled towards the back exit. I haven't done it with her for quite a while since I was busy with the business and my father's mess. Before leaving I took one last glance at the woman beside my father and she was looking at us. I smirked and followed Stefi to the exit.

This isn't my thing, nor am I am fund of a quickie, but my body has been reacting a lot since that time that I felt Miranda's softness in my hand. And right now when she arrived with my father. The heat that ran through my body down to my manhood had made me ask myself if I needed to let out some steam. And here it is, a beautiful voluptuous woman asking to relieve me.

I pressed the car key in my trouser pocket as soon as we arrived.

"Come on lover boy, let's get inside!"

I groaned and opened the back passenger door. She didn't even wait, her hands were fast enough to move down and pull the zip of my trousers without removing the hook.

"Oh God Stefi, you never failed to amaze with your skills."

She just laughed and looked up to me before opening her mouth widely and started sucking in the middle of my thighs.

"Are you just pent up Enzo? And why are you already this big I wonder what made you excited tonight? It usually takes me a few minutes before I can let it stand up."

I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes without answering her stupid questions but in my mind, the face of the woman holding father's arm appeared. I groaned and Stefi thought it must be because she was doing a great job down there.