Hello everyone I'm sorry for the update delay! Hopefully this chapter makes up for it.
Chapter 15
Amber grinned at the photograph that her bodyguards had brought her. It was a snapshot of Jillian and David kissing backstage during one of the rehearsals. Amber had suspected that there was something going on between the two and sent her bodyguards to investigate. Sure enough, the photograph proved her suspicions correct. 'I could use this to my advantage.' she thought to herself. Oh yes, this would be the perfect opportunity to blackmail both Jillian and Graverobber all at the same time. Originally she had planted to send Shilo a security tape of Graverobber's intimate encounter with her but now that she had some dirt on Jillian as well, she could make this game a whole lot more interesting. Right on schedule the elevator door opened and Pavi stepped inside her office.
"You wanted to see me sister?" he asked, taking a seat on the couch in front of her desk.
"Yes, my dear brother. I have a proposition for you."
"Si'?" he asked.
"Interested in causing a little mayhem?" she asked, leaning foreword and placing her hands underneath her chin.
Pavi pretended to be distraught and made a disgruntled face. "Are you coming on to me, sister? Because I'm not into the whole incest thing. That's more of Luigi's deal."
"Goddamn it, Pavi! Shut the fuck up would you?" she yelled, becoming irritated.
Pavi laughed and placed his hands up in defense. "No need to get angry. I was merely joking. Now then, what can your big brother do for you?"
Amber cleared her throat and calmed down. "Yes, well. I wanted to ask you a favor."
"I figured that much. What is it?"
"I want you to help me blackmail Graverobber. I want to sabotage his relationship with the little Wallace girl."
"Way to be blunt, sister. Why may I ask?"
"Don't you want revenge on her for trying to steal the company from us?"
Pavi sighed. "You're still harping on that? You need to let it go, sister. You're the one in charge of the company now. I accept that. Luigi has learned to tolerate it. So why can't you?"
"I do accept that I'm charge. That's why I want to make a point to the kid. She needs to be put in her place."
"She's perfectly innocent." Pavi said in as-a-matter-of-factly manner.
"No one is completely innocent. I thought you would know that by now."
"I understand that. I just think you need to let it go. How long are you going to hang on to this grudge? Honestly sister, even when we were children, you always felt the need to prove yourself as the best. You wanted to be everyone's favorite. You competed for father and mother's attention, my attention, even Luigi's attention. You already have GeneCo what more do you-"
"I didn't ask you to come in so you could lecture me, Pavi. I came in here because you're my brother and I thought you would help me."
"Alright then, principessa. What do you need?"
"That's better. Tonight at the ball, I want you to ask Shilo to dance and while you two are on the dance floor, I want you to tip her off of what happened."
"Tip her off what?"
"That her supposed boyfriend came on to me." she said nonchalantly.
Pavi raised his eyebrow. "You slept with him just so could get revenge? Really sister, even to someone like me that's low."
"Oh shut up already. I don't hassle you about all the things you do, do I?
"I suppose not. Go on."
"Okay, so meanwhile I'm going to flirt with Graverobber just to piss her off. He'll start to get nervous, I gurantee. Then when it becomes too much he'll cave for sure."
"How can you be so sure about that? And how do you know she'll believe me as well?"
"Let's just say I have a hunch about these things. And if this doesn't work, I'll just go with Plan B and show her the footage myself."
"You've become quite the manipulative little minx, sorella."
"Thank you. Now any questions?"
"Just one. If I do this for you, what's in it for me?"
"Aw, what happened to 'anything for mi principesa pocca'?
"You're not five anymore, Carmela. I won't give in if you simply bat your eyes at me and say please."
Amber sighed. "I figured as much. Which is why I thought I'd show you something that I think you'll find...very interesting."
"And that would be?"
Amber slid the photograph over to the other side of her desk and Pavi rose up from the couch to take a look. When he saw the picture, he clenched his fists tightly but maintained a calm and collected facade, despite the anger building up inside him. Amber waited for him to respond when he finally looked back to her and gave her a devilish grin.
"So, it looks as if there will be quite a bit of mayhem tonight afterall."
Shilo nervously tugged on the skirt of her dress as the limo approached the front of the great hall where the ball was commencing. She and Jillian had spent nearly the whole afternoon getting ready for the event. Amber had sent a group of hair and make-up artists to both their houses to make sure that they both looked perfect for the night. She even sent some people to help get Graverobber ready as well. Shilo was amazed how different he looked. Instead of his useful get up of tight pants, poet shirt, and trench coat he was decked up in a clean black suit with boots similar to ones he already wore and his usual messy hair was pulled up behind his shoulders. He nearly knocked out the stylist who attempted to cut it. Shilo was wearing a dark green strapless dress that went to her knees, bronze heels, and an emerald necklace in place of the locket she usual wore. She was amazed at how different her rugged boyfriend looked and was glad that he was able to come to the event with her; he thought she looked fantastic but was extremely nervous himself. Not because of the social event they were attending but because he felt like a complete asshole. He couldn't believe that he cheated on her and with Amber no less. What the hell was he thinking. Shilo was great and took her for granted. He deserved to be kicked in the balls. Sitting next to her and seeing the way she looked tonight, it made him feel even worse.
Shilo let out a breath she had been holding. "Ready for this?" she asked.
"I guess so." he replied, feeling a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Shilo grabbed his hand. "Well, I'm glad we're here together at least." she smiled.
"Uh- huh. Me too." he said. The limo door opened and Shilo stepped out into the crowd. She smiled nervously at them as a group of hungry photographers began to snap photos of her. Graverobber slowly stepped out and silently prayed that no one would recognize him. Sure enough when he stood up and placed an arm around Shilo, the hoard of paparazzi began to throw questions at Shilo asking her about "her dashing young escort." Graverobber smirked. No one had ever referred to him as "dashing" before. Just then another limo arrived and Jillian stepped out and the paparazzi went into yet another frenzy. Cameras were flashed and microphones were held up. Jillian merely smiled at the camera men and reporters as she walked over to Shilo and Graverobber.
"Hey guys, looking good." she grinned.
"Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself." said Shilo, returning the grin. Jillian was wearing a long, sleeveless dark turquoise dress with a black outlining. It had a v neck that showed just a bit of clevelage.
Dress to impress?" asked Graverobber.
"She might just be seeing someone special tonight." Shilo whispered, smirking.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing, nothing." Jillian smirked. "Let's head inside." she said, walking over to Graverobber's other side and taking his arm.
"Two lovely ladies on my arm. What more could a man want?" he said, trying to lighten his own mood. The three of them walked inside, arm in arm as paparazzi continued to snap pictures of them. Another limo pulled up and Amber got out and greeted the crowd, with Pavi and Luigi on each side of her arm.
Once inside the sound of cat calls ceased and was replaced was some blaring music. Shilo didn't know much about balls except for what she used to read in her old fairy tale books. She pictured glamourous looking people wearing extravagent evening wear, dancing and socializing all around, listening to classical music. This had not been what she expected. Most people were dressed up formally and they were dancing and socializing but in a very trendy and non classical environment. Genterns were serving drinks and flexible people were doing acrobatic tricks on the walls, some on stripper poles. The music playing was a strange sort of techno genre and it was so loud that people had to yell. This was a charity event? It looked more like some kind of sophisticated nightclub.
As they all continued to look onto the party scene, a gentern carrying a silver tray of drinks approached them. "Would you ladies care for something to drink?" she asked offering the tray of champange glasses. Jillian took a glass, thanking the gentern and taking a sip.
"Is it okay for us to drink?" asked Shilo wondering if their age would be a problem.
Jillian shrugged. "Why not. It isn't as if our parents are here to tell us what to do. And no one here cares."
"I guess thats true." said Shilo, taking a glass and taking a small sip. She winced at the taste.
"Anything for you sir?" the gentern asked, addressing Graverobber.
"No champange for me, thanks. Its such a wuss drink. You can point me in the direction of the bar though."
"Of course, sir. It's just down there." she said pointing to the left.
Before he headed over he looked at Shilo as if to get her permission. "Go ahead. We'll catch up with you later." He nodded. "You look really pretty by the way." he said before heading off in the other direction.
"Is he okay?" asked Jillian
"I don't know." said Shilo, watching him walk away. He's been acting weird all morning. Like he has something on his mind."
"Have you tried talking to him?"
"I tried to but then the GeneCo showed up and we didn't really have a chance to talk."
"I guess you can always try talking to him later."
"Yeah I guess."
"So do you wanna go dance? I don't have to perform until 8 o'clock."
"Um, I don't know. I don't really know how."
"Oh, c'mon it'll be fun. Look." Jillian handed Shilo her drink and swayed her hips. "It's easy. Just go with the flow. No need to impress anyone with advanced dance moves."
"Well-" but before Shilo could say anything else, Jillian grabbed Shilo's wrist and pulled her to the dance floor. She took Shilo's hand and helped her sway to the music and then slowly let go of her hand. Shilo progressively became less nervous and let herself get more into the music. Soon the two girls were dancing and laughing. They both may have had a dark past but they were still teenage girls and wanted to have fun. Jillian felt someone tap on her shoulder and she turned to see David.
"Mind if I cut in?" he asked, smiling at her.
"David, you're here." Jillian happily exclaimed, pulling him into a hug.
"Of course I did. I'm a part of the band aren't I? Too bad I couldn't come as your date though." he laughed. "Oh hey, Shilo."
"Hey, David." she greeted. Jillian gave her a smirk and she nodded. Suddenly David was pulled into the middle of the two girls who were dancing around him. He laughed and started joining in.
Pavi took a sip of vodka as he watched the two girls on the dance floor. His eyes narrowed as the scene unfolded in front of him. He restrained himself from marching right up to them and strangling David in front of everyone Luigi was standing next to him, gulping down some hard liquor.
"Would you care for anything else, Mr. Largo?" asked the dark haired gentern next to them.
"No thank you, now get the fuck out of my face." said Luigi. The gentern apologized and left to go serve someone else. "Geez, that's like the fifth fucking time that gentern has approached us. Hey, think she digs me?" he asked Pavi who said nothing and continued to stare at Jillian.
"Hey, I'm talking to you. Hello? Anyone home in that pea-sized brain of yours?" Lugi continued.
"What do you want?" asked Pavi, finally responding but not averting his eyes.
"What's your fucking problem?" Luigi turned to look at what Pavi was staring at and his eyes widened in realization. "Oh, I get it." He took another drink and laughed. "How much you wanna bet she's totally gonna jump his bone later?"
Pavi turned and gave his brother an extremely dirty look. "Shut up, Luigi."
"Geez, man. Calm down. I know you think that she's some kind of fucking fairy princess or whatever but she's not. Face it, bro. She's probably a whore like all the rest of em'."
"She most certainly is not."
"Why do you care so much anyway? I mean, you've gotten practically every gentern in the city on their knees for you. So why her?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Nope, you got that right."
Pavi decided he couldn't take it anymore and was about to go walk up to them when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and there was Amber, clad in short, red dress. "Not yet, brother."
"How long do you expect me to just stand here?"
"Patience, Pavi. All good things come to those who wait. She still has to perform anyhow."
"What the hell are you two talking about?" asked Luigi, getting in the middle of them.
"Nothing, Luigi. Just a little scheme we were cooking up."
"What the fuck? Why wasn't I concluded?" he asked, feeling irritated.
"Because I saw no use for you. All you're good for is causing a scene."
"Is that not what you're aiming for, sister?"
"Be quiet, Pavi." she snapped
"Whatever it is, I want it dammit!" yelled Luigi
"Ugh! Fine. Listen closely." The Largo siblings huddled and Amber explained her plan. When she was finished they all pulled back and looked at their targets. "So you're both clear on what to do then?"
Both of her brothers nodded. "I gotta say, sis. You're an evil genius." said Luigi.
"I like to think so." she said. 'After all. I didn't get ownership of this company for not being the most ruthless did I?' she thought. 'This is going to be a memorable night indeed.'
There will be major drama in the next chapter for sure. Review please!