I turned around to be met with piercing blue eyes. Her short blond hair was styled to the side. Her ruby red lips smirked, knowing that I was checking her out. The woman looked in her late teens.

"Uh ya, it's exquisite. Umm... you said that you were able to acquire it?" I glanced at Ali who was shooting daggers at the woman. What was she pissed about? Oh, please don't have it be about how I was checking her out.

"Yes, I've never seen you here before. Normally, it's Astrid or Yasmine with this one." She jerked her head at Ali, whose jaw was rigidly clamped shut. "Who might you be?" She gave me a charming smile.

"Sorry, that was rude. I'm Nicola." I shook her hand.

"Francesca, but my friends call me Skye." I froze at that. "It was a childhood nickname given to me by someone from my past." She looked directly at Ali. "Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy the event." She gave one last smile before departing.

I glanced at Ali who was observing her every move. The Skye girl glanced back and puckered her lips in a mocking manner at Ali. Ali glanced at my confused features. She was about to say something, but the twins saddled up to our sides.

"We're gonna watch the Grand Prix tomorrow!" Gemma excitedly announced.

"What? I don't think we're staying for that long." Ali was confused.

"We weren't, but Skye invited us and we can't refuse the princess. Mom would have a cow." Zara sipped her champagne.

"Wait, she's a princess?" I looked at them in awe.

"Princess of Monaco. In other words, her father is the one hosting the event." Zara shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I looked at Ali who appeared to be pissed off. If anyone should be pissed, it should be me! Who was that girl? I remember Astrid let something slip about Ali loving Skye. Was that the same Skye girl? Well, obviously it was if Ali's reaction is anything to go by. But, why did she bring me to her ex's event?

X

We were currently seated in the chairs beside the Casino, or the Granstand seats. Ryder and Chico were going crazy at the cars speeding past us. Of course Ryder would be excited, he does participate in formula 1 racing after all. I glanced to my left to see Ali deep in thought.

Last night was weird. After talking with Skye, we only stayed for a half hour. When we got to the hotel, Ali had shed her outfit and climbed into the shower. I was waiting until she finished to question her behavior, but she ignored me and went to the bed. I followed her, but she turned off the light and rolled onto her side. I just sighed because I knew it'd be futile to question her when she wasn't in the mood.

"Look, that's Leonardo DiCaorio!" Gemma pointed him out to me. "Want to go say hi?" I smiled, but shook my head at her.

I wasn't in the right headspace to meet a celeb. Ali spared me a glance. Her eyebrow shot up in confusion as to why I had declined being introduced to one of my favorite actors. I acted like I hadn't seen her and kept my eyes straight forward. Somewhere along the lines of me ignoring her, Ali had excused herself and left.

"How long do they drive around the circuit? It's been over an hour." I perked up at the unusual Dutch accent.

I turned to see Tamsin explaining the rules of the race to Laurens. Huh, I never knew he was Dutch. Then again, he never really spoke, so I didn't know he had an accent. I always just assumed he was American.

"What's got you so glum?" I turned my attention to see Skye. "Many people fantasize about attending the Monaco Grand Prix and here you are... sulking." She let out a humorous laugh as she sat next to me.

"Well, maybe they enjoy it because they actually know what's going on. All I can tell is that they drive around the track forever." Skye intensely watched me as I spoke. "You can't disagree that it gets boring after the third lap." She let out a laugh.

"Hate to break it to you, but you have 75 more laps to go." My jaw dropped. "Most do not come to just sit and watch the cars race by. They come for the communal aspect and bragging rights." She smirked. "So, let's be communal and speak to each other. I promise it will pass the time." She gave me a breathtaking smile, no doubt trying to get me to swoon. Unfortunately for her, my mind was already preoccupied with another blonde.

"Well, princess... " She smirked as I teased her title. "I came to accompany Alicia to your father's charity event." She hummed in amusement when I mentioned Ali's name.

"You were her date?" Her brow quirked in obvious interest.

"Umm... not like- uh we - she wanted to bring a friend since her sisters had dates and she didn't want to be bored." I hoped she bought that.

"So you are her girlfriend?" Clearly, she did not buy it.

"I uh- am a friend that is a girl, so technically I am her girl friend." Skye lounged back with a teasing smile.

"Why are you so flustered then?" She mused and moved close so that she was a few inches from my face.

I'm sure I was beet red at this moment. I struggled to get something coherent out my mouth, but it was futile. Skye made no indication of moving. We kept staring at each other, until a clearing of the throat was heard. We turned to see Ali watching us, clearly unamused.

"Would you look at that... the lady of the hour is finally here." Skye sat up in amusement. "Please, sit. I was just speaking with your friend Nicola." Ali gritted her teeth at the way Skye said friend. "Nicola was just mentioning how you invited her as a way to keep you entertained." She paused to glance at me. "But, I guess she wasn't that interesting since you left my party shortly after your arrival." I held in a gasp. Skye had noticed us leave?

"I was feeling ill." Ali took the seat next to me. "I was forced to attend these events despite my sickness... you know how overbearing my mother can be." Ali's icy voice shot out like shards of glass.

"Oh, that I do know. But, I recall her always loving me, so my experiences are drastically different from yours, amante." Ali visibly stiffened. I'm confused since Ali's always so poise. What is Skye to her that makes her become an unraveling, tense individual? "I unfortunately must leave to attend to the other guests. It was lovely meeting you Nicola." She kissed my cheek, dangerously close to my lips. "And I hope to see you soon, Alicia. We have much to catch up on." I heard a low growl escape Ali's mouth as Skye walked away.

"Do not socialize with her." Ali demanded before I had a chance to ask what the hell just happened. Ali wasted no time in standing up and leaving me with Zara for company. Zara rolled her eyes and continued scrolling on her phone.

Chico and Ryder had spotted Christiano Ronaldo and wanted to say hi. They asked Laurens to join who had absolutely no interest. They ragged him about being boring, which somehow swayed him to join them. Chico squatted so that Gemma could jump on his back. He spun around in circles as he gave her a piggyback ride. Ryder picked up Zara, much to her protests, and carried her bridal style. Laurens sighed at the immaturity and walked after them, like a fifth wheel.

So now, I was stuck with bitchy Tamsin. Alicia is really making this an enjoyable trip. I turned to see Tamsin giving me a bored look, before patting the seat next to her. I don't know what came over her, but I wasn't going to complain so I took the offered seat.

"I'm not really interested in what's your problem, but you are sulking while sitting with us. I don't need rumors about how my family treated you to make you so sullen. So, what is your issue?" She sipped her wine. "And do tell. I know talking is supposed to make people feel better and I need you to remove that frown from your face." Tamsin sickly smiled at me.

"Who's Skye?" Tamsin raised a brow in confusion. "Like she obviously knows Alicia really well to the point that her presence makes Ali want to vomit. But, Ali hasn't told me about her."

"You're jealous?" She had a look that was mixed with bewilderment and annoyance. "Wow, ok. She went to school with us. She's 19, so around the twins age, but she was mostly Alicia's friend. She returned to Monaco the moment she graduated high school. Besides that, there isn't anything I can offer you." She shrugged. "I just know that one day they were close and the next... Skye packed up and left and the two never had contact again. I'm not sure what went down, but..." She trailed off.

"Did they date?" Tamsin actually looked at me. "I mean... I know you guys like just found out she's bi and everything, but did you like ever-"

"Suspect?" She raised a brow to which I nodded. "As you can tell, Ali and I aren't the closest, meaning she doesn't tell me everything going on in her life. It was never really a thought that crossed my mind since she'd go out with guys. I just always thought she was more into hookups than a long term relationship." Tamsin chuckled. "So, to answer your question... no, I didn't suspect or know if they had a romantic relationship. Based on how you described her demeanor to Skye, I can only assume yes."

"That's what I was afraid of." I sighed out. Tamsin gave me a curious look. "She's literally a princess. I can't compete with that." Tamsin laughed at that like I made the funniest joke.

"Seriously?! You're worried about competing with a princess. Love, you are like the poorest person in the school, yet my sister decided to fall in love with you. You don't have to worry about a spoiled, rich princess." Tamsin drank from her glass. "There's no monetary thing she can offer that Ali can't get herself. As much as it pains me to admit, she fell in love with you, a destitute girl." I didn't know whether to smile or glare at Tamsin's backhanded compliment.

"She's still off which makes me think that she has some feelings for her." I pouted.

"Probably." I glared at Tamsin. "They met when they were young. Skye was probably her first love or something. First Ioves supposedly hold a special place in the heart or some crap like that. Anyways, she's back since she can't stray away from you for too long." She directed my attention to Ali. "Whipped." She whispered and turned her head.