A public display of affection turned into a public display of pain infliction afterwards, not at all a pretty sight specially when Trish slapped the hell out of him and walked away infuriated, wild with crimson anger and embarrassment.

The blond demoness went back upstairs, wanting to kill Dante more than ever, only to find ChanLu slouched on a couch inside the common room. She must have been waiting for Trish but then dozed off due to lack of sleep, petals were scattered here and there, quite a mess she made to be frank. Trish sighed, spreading a blanket over ChanLu as she paced across to enter her room, she closed her eyes as she sat on the princess bed, she could feel nerves throbbing through her temples. At the same time, she couldn't wash away the feeling she has on her stomach. that weird flapping feeling which suddenly made her loose her appetite and made her cheeks all warm and stuff.

She opened her eyes once more, her finger lightly touching her lip, as if she could see still how his lips crushed her, it felt nice, even with the hostility. She got worried about her actions, maybe he didn't deserve all that.

"Trish?" Evie called softly from the outside, "Can I come in?" Trish really didn't expect Evie would know how to ask permission when it comes to entering rooms usually she'd barge in and own the whole scene.

"Sure Evie" Trish said, pinching herself back to reality, the small blond woman, with a sweet smile came in carrying a hamper behind her back. She sat beside Trish, admiring the all beauty of the demoness, "Are you okay?" she asked her

"Yeah don't worry about me I'm fine.." Trish faked a smile, "Is.." she hesitated, but "Is he okay?" and in the end, she'll always be just as concerned to Dante.

"Yeah he's alright, Ben is giving him uh the talk" Evie chuckled, it was only now Trish saw the resemblance between Evie and Auntie, the soft chuckles and the sweet smiles.

Trish nodded, "good"

"A lot happened while I was gone huh?" Evie said, her eyes determined to understand how Trish was feeling, just like a real sister should. At first she was so irritated specially when Elena gave her the news and the drama about the whole Dante-Lady-Trish-Vergil thing, and how everything happened while she was away. But she sure as hell was glad when she saw Dante kissing Trish, even for a second or two before he got himself hurt..really bad.

"Your gown" Evie laid the expensive looking box on Trish's lap, "Custom made, just for you" she smiled. And Trish smiled back, but it could never really reach her eyes, nor could she erase him out of her mind.

"Hey Evie.." Trish said

"Hm?" Evie got anxious, "Oh shit yes, the shoes!!!"

"No, not that, umm can you cancel my date with the Prince tonight?" her voice sounded weak and frail. How could Evie say no.

"Why?" she asked, "Is something wrong? It's his hair isn't it?!"

"No" Trish chose her words carefully, "Just that I promised Vergil I'd go with him" Trish was hoping Evie wouldn't get the wrong idea, Evie was hoping that too. "I owe him a lot, I just want to spend more time with him before I get tied" Trish followed, "Its still professional between Dante and I, it just got a little crazy when.."

"When that woman came by?" Evie asked.

Trish groaned, "No its not like that, she's an accomplice" and she could never really explain why suddenly, she was trying to protect Lady, then she remembered its Evie, she can eat you alive. "Where are they? Vergil and Lady?" Trish remembered how she saw the two walking away.

"Oh, I haven't even seen them yet..." And so Evie wondered how Dante's Lady friend looked like, " and Yes, yes you may go with whoever you wish" Evie answered truthfully with consent.

"Okay" Trish sighed, now that hers has been granted, it was time she returned the favor, she slowly opened the lid of the floral box, and when she caught glimpse of the exquisite fabric, she knew Evie must have had overdone herself again, but she need not pretend when she sighed with admiration, Evie could have never wished for anything better.

"Maybe you should get dressed" Evie suggested, and Trish knew she had to say yes to this one, but Evie didn't wait for her to answer, instead she yelled, "She's okay now!!" Right then, Evies team of stylists barged in, wearing all black, carrying all the necessities they need like they were going to a battle field, well as far as Trish was concerned she is still way behind enemy lines. .

"Light on the face" Smithson, a French beautician instructed his two accomplices. just like any other French guy who's midway past their life span, single and amazingly rich, and gay.

"Hair.." he inspected as Trish sat through her dresser, he grabbed a hair-full and sniffed it, "Marvelous", he remarked, "Eyes.." He lifted Trish's chin up, "Like the sky".

"This wont take long" Smith winked at Evie. "But we may have to work on you.." he said fluffinh the brush on Evie's nose.

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Ah Romeo and Juliet, the star crossed lovers, The perfect tragedy about love and the like, such love which found its solace within the confinement of death. And what more extravagant way to commemorate two people dying than a masquerade ball, a night of guile and glamor, of the fake and the fascinating. Everybody wants to play Romeo and Juliet, a chance at true love minus the dying part, everybody but not everyone.

"Great job with the place" Ben told Evie as they were having a cocktail by the terrace, Ben admired the ambiance, the premises of the venue. Known for her intricate details and habit of wasting money, Evie gave him a nod. There were heavy cream and maroon curtains on the huge queen windows, drapery on the ceiling, Big crystal chandeliers here and there, illuminated by the shiny marble floor of cream and deep green.

"I have a reputation" Evie smiled, feeling the buzz since she has been drinking since the party started, "opulence has no rule book"

"A big word for such a small woman" Ben laughed, "Perhaps you had enough to drink, the night is still young, it would be such a waste if you get drunk at this early state now " And with that Ben took Evie's glass and went back inside, Evie tried to protest, following his fatherly figure.

The lady with the olive skin and soft brown hair stood in the middle of the ballroom, wearing a deep green halter gown, the fabric, lithe as feather, elegantly sweeps through the floor dazzling everyone else, she wore a green mask with emeralds and feathers, her lips was of a darker shade, complimenting the rosiness of her skin under the fabric. Looking for that one person with snow white hair, desperately seeking his company, when all of a sudden, he held her shoulder, she shivered and she turned to him with a smile, And even behind the mask, she knew the face was perfect

...........................................................................................................................................................................

Vergil slipped in the mask over his pallid face, a black mask that meant to say so little but managed to say a whole lot more. His snow white hair was sleeked up and neat, the tuxedo was somewhat identical to Dante's, it was tailored just for the two of them, thanks much to Evie who decided that twins are twins and therefore, must be fashion coordinated. He stood just outside her door, waiting for her to get finished. Lady and him had a talk earlier and he was so sure that its only now he realized what he wanted, what he thought he deserved. Lady was a very good persuader. but even if the situation calls for some rethinking, his mind wasn't set for it, all he wants is Trish back to him.

Even if it means back to phase one.

She took one last look at herself, her gown was more than beautiful, it was strapless and beaded extensively, an A line cut with laces and generous drapes, creating a waterfall effect at the back, hugging her figure, lusciously forming the shapes of her hip with elegance and sensuality.

And Vergil who cannot wait any longer went inside to fetch her, only to find himself staring if not gawking.

She gave him a soft smile, "I'm ready.."

...........................................................................................................................................................................

The couples where asked to make their entrances from the Grand staircase, it was carpeted in rich red with gold linings. From there they will descend the stairs with with color guards on either side, holding out sabers over their heads which created a crossed effect, music filled the air, but another song started when Vergil and Trish entered

We'd be so less fragile
If we're made from metal
And our hearts from iron
And our minds from steel

And when Trish was was walking down the steps,the beads on her champagne colored gown would sparkle because of the warm glow from the chandelier, but the dress, remarkable on its own stood inferior next to her, that the mask she wore on her face made of ivory and gold stood as an hindrance for everyone else who wanted a glimpse of that mysterious woman in Champagne. She became a subject of whispers and intrigue specially when her title was announced that she was from House Carieli.

And if we built an armor
For our tender bodies
Could we love each other
Would we stop to feel

And when Dante saw her, like an angel descending down from the heavens, the irony of the word angel since there is no word most suited to fit his description, he must have died a little, seeing that her hand was held by none other than Vergil, not the Prince Chardonnay whom Evie said it would be, but it was Vergil. And upon seeing them.. how Vergil held her delicately. As they walked across the ballroom to dance, elegantly swift movements that was also just too graceful. and lightly placed her arms over his neck, and the band played like the song was for the two of them, their movements, the rhythm and the , was Vergil ever a a half demon like him?

He was about to turn and walk away when he saw Lady's eyes trying to discern much of what he was thinking, "don't walk out on me" she said softly, almost sounds sad. "Stay.." she said to him.

And you want three wishes:
One to fly the heavens
One to swim like fishes
And then one you're saving for a rainy day
If your lover ever takes her love away

...........................................................................................................................................................................

He followed Lady through the garden balcony, trying to focus more on her than what he have just seen earlier, "I hate nights like this" Lady started, hugging herself. Dante looked at her, he could have offered his jacket for her, but he knew too well she'd decline, she never really was the type to accept help from someone. "Do you remember that night?" Lady smiled at him, "That night years ago.."

It was pretty much something that both of them tried to forget but failed.

he was taken back because he has never seen Lady like this before, so beautiful and peaceful, he grinned, "How would i ever forget that night"

"It wasn't like this at all" Lady sighed, trying to look for stars in the dark, clouded sky. "It was warm and pleasant, it was a beautiful night"

"It was.." Dante agreed, trying to figure out what Lady would be telling him next, and truly that night they were talking about, beautiful as it was to both of them, was a thing of the past, a thing in the past that may have never been forgotten.

Their first kiss... when they were barely even adults yet, the sudden spark of curiosity left a mark that even to this day, despite everything that has happened, would still be something to be looked back to.

"We had fireworks too do you remember?" she giggled

"Oh yeah, that was unexpected" both of them laugh a little, then it got quiet.

"...Lady why are we here?" he asked her, finally coming out of his shell, because though he didn't want to, though it felt good to be with her, somehow it felt wrong... he wanted to be with someone else

"Romeo and Juliet..I'm pretty sure you know how it goes" She smiled.

"They both died from stupidity" Dante joked, he never really was a fan of tragic love stories...

"That should have never happened" Lady said, walking towards the center of the marble platform, letting herself be engulfed with the glorious light of the moon. The music from the background sound very distant from them. "If Romeo sticked to the plan"

Dante bowed his head down, "the plan.." he thought.

"Romeo was engaged to be married with Rosaline, as Juliet was to Paris, they both have someone, they both should have been happy if it wasn't for Romeo recklessness, Romeo who'd die for Juliet, Romeo who's world once revolved around Rosaline, Has romeo forgotten everything that he would die for Juliet?" there was a light heartedhumor with the way Lady said those things, a smile so sad that it never really reached her eyes.

And Dante felt as if every word was cutting him open. "Why so fickle Romeo?" Lady smiled, but Dante could clearly see the sadness in her eyes, where Lady allowed him to see her vulnerability, where she didn't feel shamed to show that its the small bit of humanity she has left.

"Lady.. " Dante thought, for he cannot find the right words to tell her, he simply cannot explain how that night. That night several years ago, where he finally asked Lady out, he decided to stay in due to the mood he was getting. And right then and there Trish busted the door and into his life, and after that, he saw himself following her around, wanting to be near her. And all that was growing in between Lady and him became but distant remnants of a love that was well lost.

"Everything is a mess" he said.

"You finally realized..You are always a mess" she laughed half heartedly

"I'm sorry.. Lady.."

"It's still her isn't it?"

"..."

"but she left you"

"..."

"I never did that.." I would never do that.

"The way things should be.." She heard Vergil from behind, his voice was lucid, it was cold yet comforting. Trish was looking down from the corridor, her lips pulled down, eyes tamed as ever as she peered at the couple from below, sharing an intimate conversation, that despite her sensitive hearing, was just too low for her to overhear.

"Why?.." it almost sounded like whine, a sob, from a fully grown woman who cannot fully grasp the hurt and pain the things that comes along with the pleasure of love

"Dante and Mary.." Vergil walked towards her, "Their relationship is deeper than what it looks like, things are usually complicated.. but thats why they hold on to each other... only the two of them can understand one another... "

"I can understand him.." Trish reasoned in mild and shamed protests.

"Let it go Trish.."

"but I can.." eyes were pleading for reconsideration. And Vergil stared back at her, fighting back all the emotions that was killing him, seeing her like this, have her feel this way towards his brother..

Why can't I be him? he gritted his teeth for he knew he would have never cause her this sadness. He would never dare.

"I want a human experience.. " Trish uttered.

Vergil looked at her, puzzled.

Of course it was something she must've taken from Dante, ever so often she wondered how it would feel like to be consumed with alcohol. She noticed back then that whenever Dante starts having one of those days, usually during slow afternoons, he would consummate himself with whiskey to the point where she just doesn't know what he's saying anymore. Perhaps it worked like a truth serum, but when she asked him what benefit does he get from drinking, he simply smiled at her and said, he drinks to forget.

"Let's drink" she wanted to learn how to forget as well.

Vergil paused, of course this was something Trish wouldn't do, but then again he could never say no to her. Perhaps he could blame his brother for this. But he'd rather not.

AN

Dante and Trish next chappy! Promise.

Creepy song "secrets" and "three wishes" by the pierces :D

Satanic Park of Madness -HEY!! it's so nice to hear from you!, yeah I checked them out, thank you so much for sharing! I haven't browsed for more TxD fics though, how bad is the count? :( Yeah a few chaps more then we wrap this up :P sad happy moment for me xD

Kohryu – thank you!! xD

DevilRebel – will do! Thanks

WhatDoYouMeanI'mDrunk – HI!! I'm so happy to hear from you!! I knoow! Major hiatus!! o.o I can be sued for that! Thanks for the review either way! Greatly appreciated!! keep in touch!

Angelforver – hi dearie, thank you so much! Will update at least once a week :D and thank you for the reviews too!