A/N this is a set up chapter. But… I'm in need of new people. So if you know anyone whose a great reviewer and would enjoy this send them my way! I have a few people who are interested, but I'm just going to see what I get.

Let me know if the mistakes are too annoying. I think I'm just going to deal with not having a beta. It's quicker anyway

Edward's POV

"Dad- it's time to go," I pestered my father

I watched as my father smirked then tipped his expensive Cuban cigar to the small flame of his silver lighter. His business sold luxuries like this for 20 times the price they were worth, but their branding was so successful that no one denied buying it. He sucked in a lungful of smoke as he fixed his grey tie. He turned and looked at me through the thick tendrils curling up from his Cuban.

"We go when I say we go Edward," He droned on fixing his slicked back hair in the mirror. He always got annoyed with my hair saying that I messed it up intentionally for attention, or that I was lazy or rebellious. I guess I just want to look as little like James Edward Marlowe as possible. "I was under the impression that you didn't want to attend this event anyway." He spoke quietly yet forcefully between puffs.

"I don't, but if we have no choice. I'd like to be on time-"

I was cut off by my father's blood curling cackle, "for once you don't want to humiliate me?" He puffed again then put it out. "Fine let's go. Hopefully manners become a habit for you Edward."

And with that we left.

Bianca's POV

I love my parents. Honestly. They have been great since they adopted me, but the one thing that I wish they didn't do was arrive before the party started. Every. Single. Time.

I sipped my Pepsi while they drank their fancy cocktails. We were all well aware that once everything started I'd be ordering a Cosmopolitan, but they wanted to look responsible until all the other parents allowed it.

The door opened loudly as James and Edward Marlowe strutted in. Edward looked angry with his father, but plastered on a smile greeting my parents. He eventually flicked his head to the side and we left the adults talk.

"I can't believe we are the first people here," I droned on smiling as we sat outside.

"I did it intentionally. My father likes making an entrance," he said sadly. "So I made sure it wasn't possible."

"You need to let it go Ed," I repeated for the millionth time. "He made a mistake, but is your family."

Edward's face looked down, "How many times do I have to tell you?" he growled. "My mother died and he was banging some bimbo less than 2 weeks later. That's sick."

"Are you much better?" I spat. I loved Edward like a brother, but the only way to get through to him was tough love. "If Ivy died would you not console yourself with meaningless sex? You already do that and you haven't lost her!"

His face looked up at me. It was twisted with evil and bad intentions "are you saying I'm like my father? Or worse?" he hissed.

"I'm saying you need to forgive him," I tried comforting back. I rested a hand on his shoulder gently like I would to a wild dog. He shook it off and got up.

"You don't understand. Your family is perfect. You always think mine is too! So back off you bitch! I don't need you!"

That hurt. Like a blade in my chest that he wouldn't stop twisting, "Edward…"

"I don't need you! I have my friends," he cursed back at me.

"Ed…" I said gently again. "I am your friend."

"You think you're my only friend? You think that Wilson and I aren't going to be jogging pals again? Or Derek and I will no longer have gyros every Tuesday? I am getting my friends back! They will forgive me!" He yelled back. Thank goodness we were here early.

"You are just making it harder for them to do that Ed. You are hazing Thomas, cheating on Ivy… You are just digging the hole deeper."

"Shut up!" Edward yelled as he walked back into the party. I could see more families in there. I just hoped he would be okay.

Freya's POV

I didn't want to move.

His body heat enveloped me and the excitement of finally saying the words mixed with the warmth of his skin makes me press my body closer to him- but it wasn't enough. I was constantly hungry for more.

I felt Will pull me closer, draping his arm over mine and tracing lines with his fingers from my exposed shoulder to my elbow and back again. Not close enough yet, lust began to fight for more as I lifted my foot and crossed it over his leg tangling them as I draped my arm across his hard stomach. His breath caught as I slipped my thumb under his black shirt and grazed his muscles with my fingertips.

Slowly his finger slid up my thigh and towards the hem of my skirt. My arousal was growing every second and I could feel that he is also fighting his own lust. When he reached the hem he slid under it and laid his hand flat on my upper thigh.

I look up to see him already looking at me. His dark eyes that were once a mystery seemed comfortable but not safe. Like I had to keep on my toes but knew he'd never leave. I trusted him but was afraid of what he could do, but never would. It was exciting. I slightly dropped my gaze to his lips. His tongue quickly brushed over them, but I could see they were still chapped.

Like a magnetic attraction we pulled together and our lips met ever so lightly. The kiss is sweet at first, a slow exploration, which we have never had. Only having kissed him twice before, I realize they have always been urgent- now it was different, we have no deadline. Well, until I open my mouth and his tongue sweep into me breaking my restraint, sending the kiss into a frenzy of need and desire. His hands slide all over me and I arch into his huge hands.

Too far. We both lean back.

"I know," I mumbled. "We have to wait."

He nodded then slowly kissed my neck, "I don't want to…" a low husky voice that vibrated against my neck.

"I don't either, but I want it to be special. Plus, we have an event in an hour," I reminded him. I hated that I had to. I didn't want to, but the thought of messing this up terrified me. I looked up at him again to see his huge smile. Ear to ear boyish smile. I couldn't help but beam beneath it.

"We don't have to go," he smiled as he started butterfly kissing along my jawline.

I groaned. Why did I have to go to this stupid thing? I don't even play poker. I wanted to stay. I am going to stay. I unbuttoned the remainder of his pitch-black shirt. Wilson always wore black shirts, black ties and black suits which makes him look anywhere from a Bond villain to batman to Johnny cash.

"Freya!" We heard from downstairs. My mother. "Darling- it's rude to be late. Are you dressed?"

Her footsteps came up the stairs. Wilson jumped off the bed and started buttoning up his shirt and tightening his tie. I loved Upper East Side boys. All good boys when a parent is in the room. I smiled as he fumbled around trying to make the bed look like we weren't just lying in it together.

My mother walked in in a white Versace Dress and dark blue Manolo's. Her accessories were on point her usual and her blonde hair was curled in neat waves. At the sight of Wilson her eyebrows perked up as much as possible after her recent injections of Botox. "Mr. Shepard… How are you this evening?"

Wilson smiled politely. Not the huge boyish smile he gave me, but the courteous one that we all exceled at performing, "I'm doing well Mrs. Vanderbilt, and how are you?"

"Divine, would you mind zipping me up?" She smiled at him turning around. My mother was a flirt. A socialite with a promiscuous side. She'd never act on it, but I always found it funny how she'd make my friends so uncomfortable. Wilson eyed me and saw I was amused so he zipped her up. His huge hands looked bulky compared to my mother's petite frame. Thank goodness I wasn't as thin as her, a few curves in the right places was a blessing. "I'm sure we will be seeing you soon Mr. Shepard, but I must ask to have some privacy with my daughter. Would you excuse us?"

He nodded politely. He was about to kiss me bye, but he hesitated smiled then left. Awkward, but cute.

"Wilson Shepard?" My mom smirked amused.

"That's him," I smiled back.

"I called Derek to pick you up. I won't be riding with you this evening as your grandmother needs to be picked up at the airport. I asked the Sterling's to take you for the night. Assuming you and Derek are still…"

"Derek is lovely," I responded with a big fake smile. My mother and I knew it was fake, but it was code for 'let's not talk about it'. "No problem. Tell Nana I say hi."

My mother left, so I decided it was time to get ready. I put on one of my conservative dresses and barely there heals. I twisted my long hair into a stylish bun and just to complete the look I put on a string of pearls. I didn't even look my age, more like a thirty-year-old principal or congresswoman. I am literally beige and taupe and multiple shades of neutral.

Within 20 minutes of Wilson leaving Derek arrived. He leaned in his Hollister model pose against the doorframe. Wearing a navy blue suit with a blue shirt that matched his eyes was just his way of asking for attention. Rubbing his good looks in everyone's face

"Nice to see you Hilary," he smiled. An inside joke of sorts. I am a huge republican and Wilson's family is all democrats. So Derek always calls Wilson George Bush and calls me Hilary Clinton when we are in our 'family formal'.

"Shut up Derek." I smirked, "You reek by the way."

Derek lifted up his armpit worryingly, "it's new cologne. Is it awful?"

"Not good," I smiled back happy that something was wrong with him. His blonde hair was coifed, and his smile was toxic. As if he was dangerously intoxicating. No doubt about it Derek was the best-looking guy I knew, but he wasn't the one I wanted. Not even close.

"Ready to go Vanderbilt? I want to make some serious cash tonight," he smiled walking in and sitting on the couch. Poker family events for some charity. It's fun, although I never play. I know how to, but Ivy doesn't so I sit with her.

"I need to talk to you about two things. One-"

"The Edward plan. Wilson and I know what to do. Suck up to daddy Marlowe. What's the second thing?"

"Wilson," I said as straight-faced as possible as if Derek was in trouble. I loved messing with him.

"Shit. How pissed is he?" Derek asked sitting forward and worryingly coifing his hair more. As if making himself more attractive was a tic. "I called him last night, but I think he was asleep and then he seemed busy all day."

I know why Wilson was busy. We were cuddling and kissing all day, I don't normally like lazy days, but today was perfect.

"He's not mad at you. I mean he is obviously pissed, but he knows it's unreasonable since you didn't know. But it's something else," I say sternly putting my hands on my hips.

"What?"

"I love him," I say in the most matter of fact way possible. I really should be the one playing poker cause if I chose not to I can show little to no emotion. Derek doesn't need to know how strong I feel about Wilson.

Pause and then Derek leans back and exhales- I can't tell if he's disappointed or relieved, "How long?"

"I don't know. It's been at bay for a while. I don't want to hide it-"

"You made me hide with Rowan," he shot back. "I don't want to hide my relationship with her."

"Well, you did. You wanted it to be casual," I replied. "I was your scapegoat to avoid commitment."

"For a little. But I like her too, Freya we have to see this out to the end," He got up. "There is nothing here," he said motioning between us. "No chemistry, no spark, but we have a mission. You and I will break up Ivy and Derek. Wilson and I will ruin his relationship with his father. You know the plan. I can't even talk to Tom anymore and I miss my buddy, plus think about Ivy. This guy is bad news we have to get Edward out of here."

He was right. I was being selfish. Ivy needed this, I needed this, and everyone did. Wilson and I would never be able to love each other safety with Edward looming over us, "fine. I just- he kept his last relationship private and hated it and I don't want him to feel like I don't want people knowing about us."

"He'll understand, just suck him off if he gets annoying, " Derek sneered preparing himself for me to hit his shoulder.

"You're vulgar. Let's go."

Tom's POV

The event starts in an hour. If I were in the group by then that'd be clutch. I just got to get with Marina… and record it… and show Edward. The idea of it made me sick to my stomach.

Two girls in the coffee shop. Shay and Marina. Heads together. It looked like Shay was upset about something, but who cares? I have my goal. I loosed my red tie and casually walked in.

Discretion failed. Everyone in the coffee shop stared at the rich boy walking in, including the two girls. I may as well use my entrance, "Ladies!" I exclaimed as I walked to their table." they both stared, "hello girls. How are you on this fine night?"

They simultaneously rolled their eyes.

"So, how are you both?"

No answer

"Umm.. Marina, any idea when you want me to draw you?"

"Not interested anymore," she rolled her eyes. "Shay, I've got to dip. Ricky wants to ask me something. See you later love and I'll call you tonight. I'm so sorry about-" she eyed me. "You know what."

"Damn," I mumbled under my breath getting up.

"You had no shot," Shay murmured stirring her coffee aimlessly. "She's got a better offer on the table."

"Seems to be a pattern in my life," I slumped into my seat.

"Same here," she said back. "How's Wilson?"

"Dunno. Hardly ever see the guy anymore. Probably not great since some slut's been banging his best friend at the same time," I looked up to see Shay's face in distress. It then clicked. "It's you. Isn't it? From the blast yesterday."

"I'm surprised you didn't know," Shay replied bitterly. "All you Upper East Siders only care about yourselves."

"We're good with secrets if it protects our own reputation. So you banged them at the same time?"

Shay dropped her spoon and gave me an exasperated look, "do you seriously not have a sensitive bone in your body? And no. I slept with Derek AFTER THAT Wilson and I started dating. Will and I never even… you know."

"Really?" I was actually surprised. Wilson, like really all my friends, doesn't believe in abstinence. "He must've cared about you."

"The idea of me, but not me." She sighed and then pulled her eyebrows into a realization. "He wanted Freya, but couldn't have her. So he went with me- the polar opposite of Freya to eventually learn that I share her bad qualities, but lack the good ones that he adores."

"I think you and Freya both have one positive quality in common. You fear being vulnerable, except Freya will always let in Wilson even if she shuns everyone else."

Shay looked at me like I was a new person. Surprise surprise. I don't only mess with people and paint. "Wilson wouldn't understand. His dad came and found him when his mother died in Fiji, my father left my family." Pause. "You look dressed up," Shay said changing the subject.

"There's a party tonight. I wanted to be in with Edward by then," I sighed.

"What was your task? Ricky is probably working on it with Marina now."

"He's probably doing a lot more with her. The task was to sleep with Marina and record it. I don't think I could- sisters and stuff- but… I mean if I kept Marina occupied then Ricky couldn't either."

Shay's face was still as if gears were moving. She looked disgusted, angry, sad and proud. Proud? That was weird. Then her face changed again: determined. "Marina is sleeping with Edward-" she put up her hand to silence my exclaim. What a sleaze- I hated that guy. "Wilson and F… Freya" she spat out Freya's name, "is trying to break him up with Ivy. I bet if we pulled Edward's own prank on himself we could do it way quicker."

"Then you can have your Wilson back," I replied already thinking of ideas.

"Exactly," Shay smiled. "And so can you. You can have your whole life back."

A/N

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PS I got nominated for a few Golden Pen awards. One of them was for this story. So… that means I will update at least 2 more times before the New Year! Maybe 3! If you get a PM please be honest. They will never tell me what you say so say whatever you want! Thanks guys