13 Hiding Behind Masks

The ball was an elegant affair. Tom had allowed the use of Magdalene, the latest and most expensive hotels. Its hall could easily fit a thousand or more guests. Only around two hundred were invited. Apart from the immediate family and close business relations, some political leaders were also rumoured to come. Stella tried to not focus on the who's who of the guest list as she put the final touches of her make up before putting on the elegant half mask that matched perfectly with her scarlet fishtail gown.

Fred had his security on high alert. With the who's who of the world under one roof, it was not unexpected that someone might try something. He was agitated to think of how Stella would take all of it. She had only seen one side of his life, the demure business side. He had downplayed the power of the Mariposa clan as well. Though they were not as powerful as the Marconi they still held great sway over many cities. Fred was the only thing keeping them away from New York. Pico was a funny man but also a dangerous one. It was the truth that the death of his son had caused him to mellow down but he was still an Italian don.

When Stella felt the large hand against her waist she looked up with a smile. She had been chatting with Daisy for a while now but had been keeping an eye out for Fred. How that hulk of a man managed to sneak on her was a mystery she hadn't been able to solve in the seven years that she knew him.

"How do you do that?" she reprimanded her husband.

"If you are complimenting my stealth skills I am glad that you never met my father. He put a reason for you to be sneaky."

"You are sneaky," Stella asceeded

"Says the woman who tricked me into marriage," Fred countered.

Stella looked away. She wasn't proud of how she convinced Fred to marry her but she had no regrets. Without her lies, they wouldn't be married and she knew that her God would cover this sin for favour of the future that lay before them. Fred guided her across the hall towards an older couple who were dressed more like royalty than celebrity.

"Stella, let me introduce you to my aunt Penelope Marconi and her husband Staviano Marconi."

Stella didn't know what to do. She noted the high brow and the olive complexion of the woman with a half veil who even towered her. Beside her, the man with the dark hair and golden mask was nothing if not royal. Stella bowed down in a haphazard courtesy and the woman couldn't suppress her giggle."

"Piu Ragazzo, what have you told this little girl about us that she is so intimidated? Come, Bella, call me aunt Penne and this is Uncle Stavi. You are the Bartolli bride. You do not bow to anyone. Give me a kiss," the woman welcomed her with open arm, coming forward and placing her cheek against hers. Uncle Stavi followed in the same manner though he was cooler than his wife. Soon her husband and Uncle Stavi started talking among themselves regarding something about the Regnante and Aunt Penne decided to guide her across the room and introduce her to the rest of the famiglia. Stella was glad to be away from the intimidating stare of Staviano Marconi.

After a few dozen introductions Stella realized that Fred was perhaps the most aloof member of his family. The rest of the family was all warm and welcoming despite their reputation. She also realized that it was perhaps because something held him back. Perhaps it was a fear of his past catching up to them.

After a while, Stella excused herself for the washroom. Aunt Penne insisted on accompanying her, however. "I need to freshen up as well, Mia Ragazza. How do you think I maintain my beauty at my age."

"Come on, Aunt Penne, You are not old." Stella objected.

"No, But I am in my fifties. It is old enough with a husband as handsome as Stavi to keep a hold on. These Italian men may be faithful to a fault but with so much wealth and power you can never know what leech tries to stick a sucker on them." she argued.

Stella remembered Reagan and sobered at the thought. Now she knew that Fred would never have paid her any attention even if she had not tricked her into marriage. But she was glad that she was married.

Suddenly a woman entered the room. She was wearing a black sequin gown with a Catwoman mask. Stella and Penelope's masks were taken off as they both touched upon their make up.

"What do we have here, the donna of the Marconi and Mariposa playing boutique." The voice was unmistakable and made Stella turn away from the mirror and face the masked woman. It was, however, Aunt Penne who jumped at the woman and snatched open her mask.

"Amanda, how did you get here?" she called out.

"Amanda?" Stella questioned. "But that is Reagan, Reagan Adams."

"You know her?" Aunt Penne half-turned to her in question keeping an eye on the unmasked woman.

"She worked for Fred for a while. She was after his money," Stella said at which Reagan laughed out aloud.

"You really thought it was about the money, didn't you?" she spat out. "It was actually about Frederico and it still is. You see I wanted him but his heart was already yours. Now I need to rip his heart out and that will kill him. It will kill him to know that he lost you because of who he was. Then I will have the Mariposa at my disposal and with the Marconi Donna in my captivity Staviano Marconi will come running to me for a truce." she spat out.

"Amanda Regnante," the realization came to Stella and she looked at Penne who didn't look anywhere near agitated.

"You figured it out. I thought that you never would. For someone, Bartoli looks up to for counsel you are often quite dense."

"You really think Stavi would even care about a Piu ragazza like you? You are crazy." Penelope announced, taking out her .22 calibre pistol from a hidden compartment in her dress and fired at her legs. The woman was not expecting that but the bullet wound didn't make her cower. If anything she raged and placed a slap on the older woman's face, enough to make her lose her balance and hit her head against the counter. Stella was still standing in front of the mirror unsure of what to do.

"Her I need but you I need out of the picture. I promise it won't hurt." Amanda said as she brought Penne's gun up against Stella's temple. Stella whispered a prayer to the almighty as she closed her eyes.