"What do you think? Black or White?" Dad asked my opinion as he eyed both suits. The white one was really graceful but the black one suited Dad better.

"Black maybe?" I cast one last look before turning my attention to his wide range of ties.

"Black it is." he said and put the other one back. I chose a grey tie and a pair of silver cufflinks and placed them with his suit.

"You should get ready too Ali, the party will be starting soon. Wear the dress that I gifted you on your birthday." Dad said, patted my shoulder and made his way to the bathroom.

Giving one last look to his suit to check if it was perfectly ironed or not, I exited his room and trudged towards mine where Emily was already flopped on my bed, waiting for me.

"Have you brought your dress with you?" I asked.

"Yup." she said without averting her eyes from her phonescreen. "Damien?" I peeked at her screen and raised my eyebrows the next moment.

"Y.. Yeah." her face turned white suddenly as if I caught her stealing something.

Giggling at her expressions, I pulled the new dress out of my cupboard. It was a maroon silk dress, a color I don't usually wear but this dress looked so decent and cute that I couldn't stop myself from wearing it.

"Damn Ali! It's so pretty." Emily praised and I nodded, it was indeed really beautiful.

"OK, let's get dressed." I sighed, pulling it out of hanger and taking it with me to the bathroom.

...

One hour later, we both were fully dressed for the party. Emily had done my make-up and hair and I did hers, and at last, we both ended up looking fine as hell. I had pulled Emily's hair up in a braided bun, with few blonde tendrils framing her cheeks. For her makeup, I chose a soft look that will compliment her cute blue dress. Emily did my make-up in the same way but for my hair, she styled them in a way that they ended up looking like perfect beach waves.

Before leaving the room, we took a mirror selfie, something I haven't tried yet and sent it to Sophia. Her reply came seconds later, saying we looked pretty enough to knock breaths out of these salty-ass businessmen.

Chuckling at her reply, I put the mobile back in my purse and linked my hand to Emily's. The party had started now, if you can call serious business discussions a party. There were old men at every corner of our house, talking about stocks and money, their wives arranged in separate groups gossiping about God-knows-what.

"Alicia!" I heard Dad calling me. Leaving Emily near the living room, I strolled towards Dad who was talking to a man and a woman. The man was dressed in a simpler suit than the other people I have seen, while the woman was running her fingers through her dark, curled hair, her thin figure cladded in a black satin gown.

Dad wrapped her arms around my shoulders and pulled me in front of them. "Meet Alicia!" he said. Both of their faces turned grievous at my mention, I swear I even saw a hint of moisture in the man's eyes.

"You are really pretty, just like her." the man stepped forwards and whispered. I looked towards Dad in confusion who had a sad smile on his face.

"Who are they Dad?" I asked in hushed voice, making sure they don't hear me but they did.

"I am Daniel Steve. This is my wife Katherine Steve." the man introduced, a kind smiled etched on his face. "Your mother was very dear to us. She was my sister, my friend and the most amazing woman I have ever met."

I have heard their names before but I never met them personally. It felt nice, meeting with someone who knew my mother and was close to her.

The air thickened with tension as each one of us remembered her in our own way. Tears pricked the back of my eyes as her face flashed inside my memories. "I.. I'll go check the entrance." I excused myself and rushed towards a deserted corner of the house. As soon as I was out of everyone's sight, I let the tears flow down my cheeks.

I rested my forehead against the wall and few sobs escaped my lips. I didn't want anyone to hear it so I muffled the voices with my hand and cried until I felt a hand on my shoulder.

By the touch, I knew it was Adam. Forgetting all our differences, I turned around and wrapped my hands around his neck and rested my face on his shoulder.

No matter how clingy it sounds, I needed it, if I want to spend the rest of the evening peacefully.

I felt him stiffen for a moment, after which he relaxed and hugged me back, letting his arms encircle my waist.

"Ssshhh." he patted my waist in circular manner, his action soothed me and I felt like dozing off in the same position. His embrace was so comfortable that for a moment, I forgot everything. Where I was, what I was doing, what I needed to do, everything.

"Alicia!" I heard him speak after some time, pulling me out of the trance I was in. Realizing how stupid I must have looked, I parted from him and rubbed my cheeks.

Curiosity was dripping from Adam's face but he didn't ask anything, and I was grateful of him for this. Instead, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and rubbed its corner under my eyes, wiping the smudged mascara off. I stood still as he ran fingers through my hair, straightened them and after he was done, he passed me one of his what-would-you-do-without-me look and left.

With a smile on my face, I rejoined the party and met with the few people I knew and then made my way to Emily who was now talking to Damien, who I didn't know was invited.

"Hey." he said when he noticed me and after looking at my confused face, told me that his father was one of Dad's official advisers. Not wanting to be the third wheel between them, I excused myself and looked around, checking for any sign of Noah. My mood soured when I realized that he hadn't arrived.

"Looking for someone?" I heard the devil's voice at the same time. Frowning, I turned around and scolded him for being late.

"I was having a quickie Ali." he joked and I made a gagged face. Just kidding." he chuckled and led me to the food corner.

There were many kinds of finger foods arranged neatly on a wooden shelf, ranging from patties, pizza, sandwiches, pasties, nuggets to healthier items like grilled vegetables and steamed dumplings.

"How come you eat like a pig and stay fit while I have three layers of fat around my belly?" I complained as I watched him fill his plate with sandwiches and nuggets. He passed one brownie to me too as if I was the guest and he was the host.

"Mhmmm." he moaned when he put the nugget in his mouth. "It's like heaven in my mouth."

"You do realize it's just food?" I crossed my arms in front of my chest and asked.

"Don't be jealous. I'm sure you are more delicious than these nuggets." he teased and I snorted at his innuendo.

"Wait, Did I tell you that you look really beautiful?" I didn't know he was still teasing me or if he was serious, but nevertheless, I blushed at the praise and slapped his shoulder playfully.

We were busy in our gossiping when Noah's eyes fixated on someone and he muttered something under his breath. I turned around and looked at a girl about our age, who was running her manicured fingers up and down Adam's arm.

She was dressed in a red lace dress, her makeup on point and her hair long and silky. Jealousy swirled through me on watching her attempts at seducing him and I spat, "Who is she?"

"Jenna Gomez, Daughter of Clarissa Gomez." I have seen this name before in fashion magazines. Clarissa was a model once, now she was the owner of one of the best boutiques in New York.

Rage filled my mind when I watched her leaning towards him and whisper something in his ears. Adam grew uncomfortable at whatever that bitch had said, he leaned backwards and recreated some distance between them.

"Ignore her, she is a manipulaitve bitch. Sometimes I think she and Emily were switched at birth because she is a carbon copy of Chloe Parker." Noah told me and tried to change the topic but my attention was still focused at that Jenna who had still not left Adam's side.

"How do you know her?" I asked and he shrugged, plastering his signature smirk on his face.

He slept with her.

"Of course." I said.

"She has a talented mouth." Noah commented and when I understood the double meaning, my anger heightened. I didn't want such girl around Adam.

Leaving Noah with his huge pile of food, I walked towards Adam and the stupid blonde and coughed loudly, causing them both to jump in surprise.

"Can I steal him for a moment?" I said with a fake smile and gripping Adam's arm, led him away from Miss. Barbie.

"What?" Adam asked when I stopped near a corner.

"I saved you from that girl. You looked quite uncomfortable." I said when I didn't find another reply.

"Actually I was quite comfortable." Adam answered, looking slightly amused.

"No, you weren't." I huffed. "Plus, Noah told me that she is a major bitch."

"So what? Maybe that's my type from now." he countered, making me seethe in anger.

No. She is not your type. Your type is a nerdy brunette with brown eyes and high cheekbones.

"She is only interested in sleeping with you." I said, feeling slightly offended with myself that I was talking like that behind a girl's back.

"Really? That's scandalous." he smirked and I grunted in annoyance.

"You don't understand." I said through gritted teeth and glared at him.

"Then make me understand." he leaned towards me and whispered.

Despite my many attempts, nothing escaped my mouth. One part of wanted to tell him to go and flirt with that girl and the other part of me wanted to lock him in my room and never let him get out.

"Go to hell." I whispered against his lips.

"Gladly." his smirk deepened as he glide his fingers over my arm before pulling away. My skin tingled under his touch and I fought the urge to groan.

Idiot.

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