I was on cloud 9. Alejandro and I were progressively getting better. Well, at least I thought so. We were more cordial now. Often having dinner together, having movie nights with Benjy and not forgetting the numerous nights of mind blowing sex. I was filled with a new sense of hope. Hope that maybe, Alejandro could finally forgive me and we could finally be happy together. As a family.

I was currently seated with Amanda. Helping to plan a charity function Alejandro's company was hosting. He had entrusted me with the task saying he didn't know the first thing about galas but a little part of me believed it was his own way of making an effort. So I promised to give him the best gala he had ever seen. So far we were good. We had the theme covered. It was a black & white party with a touch of 90's classy. We just had to verify the number of guests in attendance so we could notify the catering service about how much food we would need. Amanda was busy listing off the important guests, people we had to pay extra attention to.

"Marco Scorsini, Abigail Herrington, Preta Marquezine...oh no"

I looked up a immediately, "What's wrong Amanda?"

"It's just...one of the names on the list Mme. Blanca Medici", she seemed in deep thought, "How did that bitch even get on here?"

My eyes widened. I had never heard Amanda curse before, so if she was doing so now I could only believe that this lady, whoever she was definitely warranted it. "You don't seem to like her very much Amanda"

"And neither should you Mrs Delmanti", I raised my brows at that, "I'm sorry Mrs Delmanti. I meant no disrespect. But this lady, isn't someone who deserves your affection"

"Why's that?, I asked

"She's Mr Delmanti's crazy ex"

My heart rate picked up, "How do you know that?"

"Well Carla, the receptionist on the fourth floor has worked here for close to 10 years and she's a bit of a gossip you see. She said Ms Medici and Mr Delmanti had been seeing each other for 2 months when he found out she was sleeping with his business associates. So he dumped her. Unfortunately Ms Medici didn't take kindly to being thrown to the curb, she started coming to the office everyday for a month after that, demanding to see Alejandro. When security refused she would throw a tantrum, destroying things and screaming profanities at Mr Delmanti. It got so bad he had to get a series of restraining orders against her. Most of which she just flat out disobeyed. Then one day she broke into his house and tried to take him with her. Mr Delmanti took her to court for breaking and entering. Then she finally left him alone."

That was definitely a lot to take in. I could see why she was adamant about not ending things. Alejandro was a swoon worthy man, but this just sounded like some psycho level shit. "You know you can't believe everything you hear Amanda", I chastised

"Oh I know that Mrs Delmanti. That's why I took the liberty of doing some digging. Turns out Carla was right but she left out one tiny detail, Ms Medici broke into the house, with a gun". Now I was certainly scared but also uneasy. Everyone on the guest list had been personally invited by Alejandro. If this ex was as crazy as Amanda said she was, why would Alejandro invite her?. Amanda seemed to figure our where my head was at and desperately tried to reassure me, "Oh don't worry about it Mrs Delmanti. I'm sure they're friends now. And besides, last I heard she was getting help »

I nodded but I was far from ok. I grabbed my phone and left to make a quick call. « Hey Stelly. I need your help »

**********************

« So his crazy ex is gonna be at the party? »

« Yes Stelly. I don't why Alejandro would invite her in the first place. The woman threatened him with a gun for Pete's sake »

« Well maybe it's business sweetheart. That's all there is to it »

« What business could Alejandro possibly have with a runway model? », I asked

« I see your point but instead of worrying about why he invited her, you should be worried about how to stake your claim on your man »

« What are you talking about? »

« Bless your heart Diana, you are terribly naive »

« Heyyyy »

« Your husband invited his crazy ex to a gala he's hosting. Even though we don't know the reason yet, it certainly can't be to discuss the rising price in the stock market. Alejandro probably has no hidden agenda and just wants to raise money for the children's cancer program. But I know crazy exes and this bitch is gonna milk this situation for what it's worth. So you, honey, have got to come packing »

« Ok? »

« This lady's gonna want to steal the show. Have all eyes on her. So she can coax Alexander into wanting the woman who's the center of attention but she won't be for long. You're gonna have to wait till she arrives. Let her mingle a little. Give her time to enjoy her short term victory. Let her believe she's the belle of the ball. And then you come out like the true lady of the night and steal the show »

« But what if you're wrong Stelly?, what if she's just some nice lady who wants to help kids with cancer? », I asked solemnly

« Bitch, I'm never wrong. Now that that's covered it's about time we found you a dress fit for the lady of the night. What kind of party is it again? », she asked

« Black & White with a touch of 90's classy »

« Shimmer and Shine are gonna be her me soon right? »

« Yup », I responded

« Well they're gonna go along with my plan perfectly »

« What plan? », Stelly was vary dangerous when she was scheming something up. I just hoped no one would get hurt. She giddily explained her thoughts to me, « But Stelly, it says Black & White on the invitation. That's practically going against the rules »

She grinned mischievously, « The lady of the night never plays by the rules »

******************

I had no idea what Diana was playing at but I just hoped she didn't plan on jeopardizing the party. She had sent Shimmer a while ago with a red bow tie to replace the black one I was wearing. I didn't think much of it as my mind was already preoccupied. I could spot Blanca from the top of the stairwell, but I had been careful so she couldn't see me. I knew that would incur a truckload of drama. She waltzed around the floor. Saying hello to everyone, patient special attention to the really important guests, she was acting like she owned the place. God I knew inviting her would be a terrible idea. I had tried to revoke the invitation but she had long sent her response that she would be in attendance. I just hoped she was on her best behavior. This was after all, a very public gathering. She wouldn't try anything here. Right?.

Diana was taking forever. I understand that as the hosts we could be fashionably late but this had long surpassed being fashionable. I heard the door behind me open and released a breath. Finally. I turned and was met with a sight for sore eyes. Could she get anymore breathtaking. The dress was figure hugging and then flared out at her knees. Showing off those delicious curves and accentuating her bust. Her hair was done to the side, revealing her neck. It was a taunting gesture. I was definitely going to give her a few hickeys tonight. The color of the dress complemented her complexion fabulously. That's when I realized. The dress. It was red.

(Picture if Diana's dress)

I tried to clear my head of the lustful thoughts, « Your dress. It's red », way to go captain obvious

« As you can see », she taunted back

« I thought you said this was a black and white party »

« Well yeah. It is. But I had some...technical malfunctions with the intended dress and this was all Shimmer and Shine had left. That's why they changed your bow ties last minute »

« Okay then », I took her arm, « Are you ready? », I asked

« Yup. Let's go save some kids »

And then we started descending the stairs. All heads immediately turned to us. We got to the floor and started to mingle with our guests. If Diana's red dress wasn't captivating enough already in a sea of black and white, her beauty certainly did the trick. The men couldn't take their eyes of the lady in red. And I could see some women quickly become frustrated at how often they had to turn their husbands heads away from Diana. I was grabbing a glass of champagne when I spotted Blanca headed in our direction. I desperately tried to steer Diana in another direction but the pudgy man in front of her refused to let her be and I know she didn't want to be rude to him. So I intervened

« Forgive me Mr Sebring, my wife and I have to go say hello to the other guests »

« Oh that's quite alright. Now remember Ms Delmanti, if you need anything. Anything at all, you give me a call », she tried to give him a smile but it just came off as a grimace. I gently grabbed her hand and tried to run away from the impending confrontation but alas, I couldn't do so fast enough.

« Alejandro! », I could recognize that screechy voice anyway

I turned and so did Diana. I wrapped my hand around her waist and pulled her close, « Ms Medici », she tried to come forward and hug me but I put my hand forward before she could get close enough. She awkwardly shook it and the turned to Diana

« Who's this? », she sneered

« Oh let me introduce myself. Diana Delmanti. Alejandro's wife »

« Wife?! »

« Yes Blanca », I answered, « This is my wife »

She scoffed, « You told me you never had plans of getting married and now you expect me to believe you're married to this woman? »

« Well she changed that »

Blanca turned to look and Diana and fixed her with a nasty glare. « You know Mrs Delmanti, the invitation said black and white or can't you read and follow simple instructions anymore? ». I can't believe she thought that was a good clap back.

« Well I do know how to read Ms Medici but don't you know? », Diana taunted, « The lady of the night never plays by the rules »

Blanca stomped her feet in anger and stormed off. God she was childish. I turned to Diana. « You did this on purpose didn't you? », I asked

« This as in? », she was acting clueless

« This », I motioned to her dress

She giggled and turned away, « I have no idea what you're talking about »