1 The Party

I looked at my watch.

Oops.

I was ten minutes late. My mother would kill me.

Well, not literally. But I'll probably hear a few words here and there.

Seeing the extravagant twin staircases curving towards each other over the marbled floor of the foyer, an idea struck me.

Careful not to ruin the fabric of my midnight blue gown which hugged my upper body and flowed freely down to my feet, I positioned myself on the elegant wooden railing of the left staircase, exposing my left bare leg from the slit of my fancy evening wear.

On instinct, I felt for the hidden dagger on my right thigh, securing that it won't fall for what I would be doing.

No weapons were allowed at the party. But, I had always carried this blade with me.

My father had gifted it on my sixteenth birthday. From that day on, I can't remember ever parting with it.

"Miss Margaux." Antonio's deep voice abruptly caught my attention.

Antonio Suarez, mine and my siblings' assigned bodyguard ever since we were little, was trying to stare at me with his stern eyes. He was in his thirties. My father considers him as his most loyal soldier and ally.

He has an ordinary face, square jaw, and a manly mustache. He has no family as far as I could recall.

And right now, he was being the voice of warning.

"I highly suggest for you not to do what you are about to." I sent a smirk his way.

"And you're going to stop me?" I said watching his mouth form into a wide O as I slid down the staircase railing just as I used to do when I was younger.

I then bowed gracefully, looking up at him, unable to hide my glee. However, it was short lived as I found myself meeting Madelein's sisterly glare as I spun to proceed towards the great hall.

I named the expression on her face as such for it was not really a glare, but somehow it was somewhere between disagreement and amusement.

Her eyebrows would be slightly raised, her deep set brown eyes piercing and her heart-shaped lips would be curved in a half smirk.

It was an expression intended only for me.

"You're late." I smiled sweetly towards my sister who was looking very attractive in her burgundy nightgown. Her baby bump was barely visible.

She had been married for a year now. She was currently carrying the first grandchild for our family.

I linked my arms to hers, gently dragging her with me towards the great hall where I could almost hear the soft music playing.

"Denise held me back. You know how he is." Denise, my music instructor actually didn't meet with me today. I had to make an excuse though.

I can't admit that I had actually forgotten about this party to commemorate the alliance with the Japanese Yakuza.

Hiroshi Ryuji , their boss, had recently passed away, leaving the Japanese Yakuza in the hands of his son, Takahashi.

Our father, Allan Cortez has been the Golden Island's Mafia Boss for as long as I could remember. He has already made several connections from the different Mafia's across Asia.

The Ryuji's were quite popular amongst the mafia world. So this alliance was a big deal for my father.

"Really, Marge, is that the best lie you could think of?" But, apparently, my sister knew me well enough. I pouted my lips, copying what I hope was a good imitation for a puppy dog eyes.

"Mads, you love me right?"

I watched my sister give me an incredulous look.

"Stop. Since when did I betray you?" I grinned, shaking my head. How can I be so lucky to have the best sister in the world?

"I love you too Mads."

"What about me?" Michael, our younger brother who had the habit of suddenly butting in was now gently inserting himself between me and Madelein.

"You're too cute not to be adored Mikee." I said to which he responded with a sudden grin, giving me his up-to-no-good expression.

"I am cute. Mads is pretty. Margie is a rotten egg." He announced, breaking into a run right after.

"Oh, no you don't." I said, letting go of my sister who was laughing at our six year old brother's tease.

Aside from the fact that he just called me a rotten egg, I can't let him enter the great hall running or our mother would be hysterical.

I tried chasing after him but the cursed high heels were slowing me down.

"Margaux." In an instant, I stopped, almost falling over for the sudden halt upon hearing my mother's familiar voice. Thankfully, I was able to catch myself before ungracefully falling on the floor, face first.

I bit my lower lip. I think I just made it in her naughty list for the nth time. Bracing myself, I slowly faced my mother who was frowning towards me.

"Hi, Mom." I said, eyeing my mother who had seemed to have been searching for me, coming from the direction of the shortcut stairway leading to our rooms.

As I had expected, she wasn't pleased by my tardiness. If she would find out that I had almost forgotten about this party entirely, I will be saying goodbye to my white Bentley for a week and no music class either.

It will be pure torture.

"I'm assuming you have a good reason for being fashionably late and running around the hall instead of being on time, darling." Hiding my hands behind my back, I gave her a sheepish look.

"I somehow got held back." She narrowed her gaze. I could almost feel her digging inside my head to see if I was telling the truth or otherwise.

I cursed motherly instincts.

Gratefully, Michael chose that moment to throw himself towards our mother, Regina.

"I called Margie a rotten egg." My mother's eyes widened.

"That's not a good thing to say to your sister Mikee."

I playfully stuck my tongue out towards him.

"But she quite deserves that title for the time being."

"Mom." I whined. The frown she had earlier had instantly vanished. Cupping Michael's face in her hands, she adoringly looked at him.

"Don't ever call anyone that sweetie. It's not a good thing. Understand?" My little brother nodded, bobbing his head up and down.

"Now go and tell Papa that Margie is here."

"Do I get to eat some chocolate right after?"

"Some." Gleefully, Michael went to find our father.

"Someone will be super hyper tonight." Madelein commented, finally catching up. Behind her was Antonio.

"By some, I only meant one."

"One piece is enough to make him go overboard." Our mother let out a sigh.

"Let him have it. Tonight is a night of festivities after all."

It was my turn to sigh.

"Or better yet, a night of torture." I murmured.