Chapter 28: Loyalties

"Damn girl! You're gonna hurt someone in that dress!"

Lila turned to find Luke staring at her. She spun around a little, "You like?"

He arched an eyebrow, "If I was 20 years younger-"

"You'd still be 20 years too old," Skye informed him wrapping an arm around his waist. "You look stunning Lila."

She smiled, "Thanks." She looked around the elegantly decorated ball room, "Have either of you seen Michael tonight? I really need to talk to him."

"Aren't you two married yet?" Luke asked her.

She chuckled, "Aren't you and Skye?"

"Nah," he said pulling away from Skye and looping an arm through hers. "She's getting too old, I'm thinking of trading her in for a newer model. You interested?"

"Luke for God Sakes!" Skye cried.

"Calm down woman! I'm just playin'" He pulled Lila close, "See, she's so damn touchy. I think I saw Spawn by the bar earlier, you might wanna check there."

"Thanks Luke," she said pecking him on the cheek and walking away. She threaded her way through the crowd and to the bar, where sure enough Michael was standing; a glass of liquor in his hand. "Hey you," she said hesitantly.

He turned at the sound of her voice, his eyes raking over her body. "Lila-wow. You look…amazing." Her cheeks flushed at the compliment. "Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself." It was the truth too, the black tux was tailored perfectly to Michael's shoulders and slim waist. His tie was missing, and the top two buttons were undone on his shirt. He looked sexy in a roguish sort of way.

She tossed her hair over her shoulder, "I need to talk to you. It's really important."

"Everything okay?" he asked taking a step forward.

"Yeah-I guess." He heard the hesitancy in her voice, so he reached forward and grabbed her arm; leading her through the crowd. They reached the empty front lobby, and came to a stop. Moment of truth.

"Are you okay?" Michael asked concerned.

She ignored him and started talking, "I know we haven't been getting along that well lately, but-" She stopped.

"But what Lila?"

"I-uh-OH MY GOD!"

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Adella Barbara Corinthos, surveyed the ballroom with distaste. So many people here she disliked. Lila McCall Morgan was at the top of that list. And why shouldn't she hate the girl?

She came out of nowhere, and tried to dismantle her family. The bitch almost succeeded to, but luckily her father wised up.

Her father.

It was strange to call him that, especially considering he wasn't. Everyone treated it like one big secret, when in fact everyone knew it. She'd known since she was 12, and took seventh grade biology. Dominant and Recessive traits. She passed that unit.

Her whole life, people were taken from her. First Michael when he joined the WSB, then Sonny, and now Morgan. He'd announced it just today, he was planning on marrying Miranda Montgomery from Pine Valley. She'd be damned before she wound up alone. That's why she called Alcazar. He had specific orders to kidnap and kill Lila, but then her loving cousin and brother had to rescue her. They were always ruining her plans.

Tonight was a different story though. Tonight she would get everything she wanted, and Lila would get nothing.

She grabbed a champagne flute off a passing tray and congratulated herself. Life was finally good.

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"Just in time to be stuffed in some damn penguin suit," Jason muttered tugging at his shirt collar. "I'm back from the dead, why the hell does it matter what I wear?"

Brenda gave him a stern look, "Because tonight, you're seeing Lila for the first time in months."

Oh yeah, he couldn't wait. He was going to waltz right into that room and say hello to the daughter he'd fooled into believing he was dead. That'd go over real well. He looked at the front of the hotel. MetroCourt. Named after his ex-wife. Sometimes Port Charles was too small for comfort.

"Are you ready yet?" He watched Brenda and Taylor straighten their dresses with calculated precision. Now he knew where Lila got it from.

"Why don't you and Liam go wait for us in the lobby?" Brenda suggested.

"It should be empty by now," Taylor added.

Jason caught Liam's bored look, "Sure, but hurry the hell up." The two men entered the hotel lobby, and the first thing that Jason saw was his daughter looking distressed as she talked to Michael. She looked up and met his gaze.

"OH MY GOD!" she said loudly causing Michael to turn around and face him. The stunned look on Lila's face didn't waver as she walked across the room, and stopped just a foot in front of him.

"Lila, sweetheart. I can explain," he tried to reason with her. She shook her head sadly, the feeling of betrayal sitting low in her stomach. Without warning, she pulled her fist back, and with all her might, hit her Father across the face.

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I could hand you all my pathetic excuses, about being busy, and having writer's block, but in the end it boils down to one thing: it's been a while and I'm sorry. I'm going to try my hardest to finish this story by the end of my spring break. Wish me luck and review.