ENIOLA

"So you really think Rebecca is lying to you?" She said as she removed the last gold earring. She could not decide on the kind of jewelry that would suit the dress.

Her hands gilded over the diamond and gold sets for the hundredth time.

"I know she is." Tobias's voice sounded from behind the bathroom door.

The man had been in there for the past hour trying to trim the small white ends of his hair. He had also decided to get dressed there so she would not see his outfit as well.

In a weird way, they had managed to make it work and only agreed to reveal their outfits when they had both made a mutual agreement to do so. He had thought it was immature but went along with it anyway.

"How are you so sure though?" She asked. "Quick question; Gold or ice?"

There was a pause on the other side.

As usual, Tobias had to think very deeply before opening his mouth to say very few words.

"Gold or what?" Confusion laced his deep voice as she heard him mess around with a plastic bag.

"Sorry, diamonds. I forgot you were white for a second." She heard him kiss his teeth before he spoke.

"That's the most racist thing anybody has ever said to me." Black people can't be racist. A toxic part of her mused. "What's the colour of your dress?"

She mulled over the question and looked at the dress that had almost hurt her monthly income. Sike!

"What's your favourite colour?" She retorted, still looking at the dress. For some reason, it now looked two sizes too small.

"I don't know, light blue I guess." He answered quietly.

Oop.

The burgundy-colored dress looked nothing like light blue.

Oh shit. This dress is fucking hideous.

What was Varo thinking when he was convincing her to try the dress on?

"Uh, suggest jewelry that would go with the opposite of that colour?" She replied nervously. If the dress was going to keep morphing into Princess Fiona's, she'd have no option but to wear jeans to the gala.

"I'm not sure I know what the opposite of light blue is, Fuego." Tobias started lightly. "But if you are talking about a colour contrasting blue on the basis of intensity, like black or royal purple for instance, I'd suggest you go with diamonds. Small ones would do."

She blinked at the information and held out her dangling hoop earrings in front of the dress. She had one thought;

Who the fuck buys small diamonds?!

"From your silence, I take it that you do not own simple jewelry?"

The man knew her so well.

"What? Of course I do!" He honoured her small outburst with a small hum. "Would Luca really go to the police?" Eniola asked, returning to their previous conversation.

She heard Tobias loudly kiss his teeth.

"Well, I don't think it is likely to happen..." He started. "How would it benefit him?"

The boy could be under witness protection if he stood in court.

"Protection? Maybe he's scared." She answered and Tobias took his sweet time before replying and when he did, it was with a few words.

"Lucado knows better." The man behind the door sighed. "Although, I'm bothered by one thing"

Eniola raised a pierced brow as she blended in the paste with her dark skin tone.

"What thing?"

"The detective's involvement." She nodded in agreement. She did not trust the woman ever since she learnt that she had history with Tobias.

"That's a good reason to be worried."

They returned to a small span of silence and all that could be heard was the small clunking of bottles and plastic bodies.

She picked a dark eye shadow, opting for a single David Yurman cable bracelet and small gold earrings.

The diamonds would be too much of a statement. She thought as she set her chosen jewelry aside.

Frowning, she removed the piercings on her brows.

They would not need to make their appearance that day.

"Eniola?" Tobias called. His voice sounded rather timid.

"Yeah?" She asked, carefully drawing out her eyeliner. The winged look always accentuated her feline shaped eyes. "Fucking gorgeous." She muttered.

"I think I may need your help." He answered softly. "I can't see the back of my head."

Well, duh.

"I would be worried if you could."

She clapped the small mirror shut and got up from the vanity table.

Standing in front of the door, she asked, "I thought we weren't supposed to see each other?"

"I could close my eyes?" She laughed at his cuteness and opened the door.

"I hope you're not naked."

She hoped he was.

Eniola blinked a few times when she saw the state he was in. The man's body glistened with streaks of water from his wet hair as it fell upon his forehead. She gulped at the shorts that hung deliciously low around his waist.

Yep, I see a V-line.

It was one of the few times she had seen him anything other than fully dressed.

"Jesus Christ." She said breathlessly. Did the man plan to kill her?

"Are you alright?" He asked, his perfect face morphing into one of concern. She nodded and took the scissors from him. "Wow, you're already stunning."

Her face warmed as he complimented her and she had to bite her tongue to hold in a stupid giggle.

Snap out of it, Eniola. You've seen many hot men that have complimented you before. She shook her head. Tobias was not just another hot man.

She stretched the curly hair and frowned at the ashy tips. He had barely cut anything.

"You'll need to stand on something." He said, smiling as she struggled to keep her hands up. He was making fun of her.

"Are you calling me short?" He shook his head, the smile still playing on his light pink lips as she searched for what to stand on.

She decided to sit on the counter. It's high enough.

"Come stand here." She gestured and Tobias obediently obliged, standing between her legs and turning his back to her.

Eniola lightly ran her hands over his family tattoo and his broad shoulders then began to work on the hair. She lightly trimmed the faded tips and was glad it was wet. Wet hair was easier to work with.

She finished a bit later and his hair was quickly regaining their curls as they dried. It looked a lot healthier without the bleached ends.

"All done." Tobias turned, looking above her to inspect her work through the mirror. He ran the hair through his fingers, mildly frowning at the shedding strands. "I don't think I've ever seen you with black hair... It's weird."

He nodded in agreement and smiled. "Thank you."

"Now move away so I can get down." She added no seriousness to the words as she tapped his tattooed chest. She liked the small warmth his body gave to hers in such close proximity.

"Would you not like payment?" Eniola's eyes widened in disbelief for a moment as Tobias's arms trapped her between them just as her legs had done to him.

Is he insinuating what I think he is? She wondered, eyeing the small remainder of a smile he had. She came to notice he was much closer to her than before.

"P-payment?" She cursed herself for stuttering as she gazed into his dark gray eyes.

"Is that not what people get for rendering services?" Tobias took a second to brush his hair away from his forehead. "Or do you not want it?"

Of course she did. Who wouldn't?

Eniola bit her bottom lip shyly as he did the same for her, tucking her braids back into the satin.

"I may not have too much restraint around you after tonight." His long fingers rounded her face as his eyes glazed over with thought.

"Why?" The dark woman asked mindlessly. She could never think properly when she was this close to the man.

He tipped her chin upwards, indirectly forcing her to look at him.

"Why?" He gave a breathless laugh. "Have you seen yourself?"

His lips hovered over hers, close enough to feel the warmth but not enough to feel them on hers. She wanted to change that.

"From this beautiful face alone, I can tell that you plan on making me drop to my knees, Fuego." He said quietly. "Not that it would make any difference as I have been kneeling for the longest time. Hell, I don't think I know any better at this point."

What? What did he mean? Was this his way of saying he liked her too?

"Tobi..." Her voice died in her throat. What would she say? How do you reply to such a thing?

"I want us to talk about us. When this entire ordeal is over. Can we?" She wordlessly nodded and he flashed the same smile that always knocked the air out her lungs. "Now get out of here. Unlike you, I'm yet to take a shower."

She laughed at his choice of words and left the bathroom.

Maybe they really had a chance.

~~~

Eniola twirled in front of the mirror for the umpteenth time as she anxiously waited for Tobias.

She had ended up changing in Rebecca's room as Tobias had to attend to some issues with Varo and dressing up alone was boring.

"Calm your tits, girl. He'll be right back." Rebecca called as she added another layer of deep red lipstick. The woman always seemed to favour the colour but this time, it had only made an appearance in her makeup.

She had gone for a stunning dark blue dress with sequin beads that glowed under her room's lights. It would be even more stunning under a fancy ballroom chandelier.

"I know, I know." She grimaced at her reflection on the mirror, finding it difficult to smile. "What if he doesn't like the dress?"

Rebecca gave her a blank look before applying fragrance to her wrists.

"Red is a pretty big deal in our family. He literally has no choice but to be obsessed with it. Plus, Izan sees you as a goddess even when you're in nothing but that ugly pink hoodie of his." She blushed lightly at Rebecca's statement. "My brother will fall in love all over again."

Again?

He never loved her in the first place.

She eyed the dress again, running her palm down the smooth velvety material.

The colour suited her skin nicely and the slit that seemed flattering was oddly elegant. It was the first time she wore something so put together.

On a normal night, a gown that barely covered her butt will suffice but this night? She did not know if she would be glad or anxious that she would finally meet the Berlusconis.

How could killers be so organised about their meetings?

She doubted it would go well but Tobias believed otherwise. His confidence was just enough for the both of them.

She added another band to the donut bun on her head so it could be more secure while Rebecca texted Julio on the phone.

He was one of the few men that would be going with them.

"And besides, you look amazing. Look at that ass!" She turned to the side and laughed.

Rebecca was right with that one. Her ass looked good in the dress.

"Oop. They're ready. Let's go!" She announced, tucking her phone into her clutch. Eniola looked at her dolled up appearance and shook her head.

She would need some time to collect herself.

"You can go, I'll meet you there." Rebecca blew her a kiss goodbye and quickly left, undoubtedly in a hurry to meet Julio. They had the strangest relationship.

She exhaled when the door closed behind her and applied an extra layer of nude lipgloss.You can never use too much lip gloss.

"It's going to be okay, Eniola. You're only going to be meeting bosses of crime organisations disguised as legitimate businesses. Nothing can possibly go wrong, right?" She muttered as she smoothened the invisible creases on her dress.

She tried not to remember that Tobias had casually told her he tortured Giovanni while they got ready. She understood that the siblings may not be close but surely Gustavo would feel bitter about his brother's condition. Well if not him, Giannini or Catalina.

She muttered a little prayer and quickly demonstrated the sign of the cross, muttering the Sacred Trinity that she had long forgotten until that moment as her pinched fingers slid across her bare shoulders.

If all went well, she would not need to bother about the Berlusconis again.

Eniola quickly slipped on her nude heels and left the red room.

Reaching the oversized driveway (that would be better suited as a mall's parking lot), she met Tobias and Alvaro in a rather heated conversation as the former had his back facing her. It seemed like he was trying to talk sense into the lawyer, as usual.

"I promise, I'm not going to shoot—" Alvaro paused mid sentence as he saw the dark woman behind them. She knew she was in trouble when his frown slipped into a smirk. "Fuck, yes. I knew you would look great in this colour."

His exclamation made Tobias turn to her.

It seemed like he watched her for the longest moment as she breathlessly stood before him. Should have worn jeans.

Tobias's eyes lingered on hers for a second then traveled to her actual dress, then the slit. Is it too much?

"It's red." He whispered while Varo scoffed.

"Yeah, no shit."

He finally cleared his throat and shook his head, a small smile now present on his lips. He walked to her, politely stretching out his hand. She almost shyly put her hand in his.

"I honestly cannot explain how I feel right now." His voice remained at a hushed tone. It was almost like he was afraid to speak. "You're wearing red."

He looked back at Varo who just shrugged before courteously bring the back of her palm to his lips.

"Yep, this is my cue to leave." Varo stated, flinging his midnight black tuxedo over his shoulder like it did not cost the thousands of dollars she had seen him pay with enthusiasm right after he paid for hers. He quietly slipped away from them and headed for the car she had gifted him.

"You look good." Eniola said, as Tobias led her to the sleek dark vehicle.

He still had the small smile on his face as he occasionally glanced at her.

"You make me feel underdressed." She eyed his smooth navy blue pants that she imagined would feel wonderful under her fingers. His white shirt was conveniently missing a few buttons as the light material flexed and stretched with every movement he made.

He was dressed simple, as usual. The only new additions were the silver rings on both of his index and ring fingers and the family pendant he wore that was now on full display.

Tobias opened the passenger door and helped her into it like the gentleman that he was and got in as well. He quietly started the vehicle and waited while Eniola stared at him in confusion.

Why is he waiting?

"Is something wrong?" She asked and he gazed at her questioningly. She watched as his curious eyes wandered to her chest and back to her face in a quick second.

"Nothing is wrong. Varo says I should wait for them to leave first." He gestured at the departing vehicles in front of him. There were three of them and Alvaro was the first to move.

"Is that like a boss thing or..." He nodded his head as he adjusted the heater.

"You could say that. They are upset that I even chose to drive."

"Are you not allowed to drive?" Eniola questioned, staring at his rings that literally sparkled every time they caught a glimmer of light.

"I am allowed to do pretty much anything. It's more of a safety protocol if anything." He eventually set the car on motion, following the last car.

"Safety protocol? What exactly should I expect there, Tobi? What am we getting into?" She queried. She had asked the question before but it seemed like he had avoided it or just forgotten to answer.

He was quiet for a few moments.

"Well, a confrontation to say the least." He answered, gently turning to the correct lane.

He balanced a hand on the steering and the other on the fancy cup holders.

"A confrontation?" She nudged him to answer as his fingers tapped on the wheel almost rhythmically. The beat sounded familiar.

Tobias merely nodded at her question and she dropped the topic.

"Where did the rings come from?" Eniola suddenly asked, breaking the rather uncomfortable silence.

"Oh, these?" He flexed his fingers with a small smile. "One of the few things I inherited from my father." He pronounced 'father' like it was a strange word.

"So it's like an heirloom?"

"You could call them heirlooms. There were six of them before." Tobias replied calmly, beeping at a scanty car that tried to overtake him. "Some people have zero etiquette." He muttered but resolved to quietly follow the man.

She silently commended him. She was quite known for her passionate actions when it came to road safety. Try that shit with me two months ago and I'm ramming into your trunk.

"What happened to two?" She asked.

"I lost the one the day it was given to me." He answered with a small chuckle. "Then I gave the second to Alvaro for safekeeping."

"Lost? You lost a family heirloom?" He nodded and she grabbed his free hand to take a better look at the shiny things.

"Well, it's difficult to guard something that means so little to you." She had no idea what he was talking about. The rings are fucking gorgeous.

The one on his ring finger was different from the studded bands. It seemed like an extravagant wedding ring as it shone obnoxiously. The highlight of the grand show was the ETH that was engraved in the middle of it.

"Would it be fine if I had my jeweler use this design?" It was too beautiful to not be used.

Tobias wrapped his fingers around hers, the cool rings sending a soothing chill through her body. For an obvious reason, the very small action made her feel flustered.

"I don't think it will be necessary." He replied, bringing the back of her palm to his chest. She could almost feel the slight thumping of his heart.

"Why?"

"Do you really like this one?" He asked instead and she nodded. It was extremely beautiful.

Unsurprisingly, he settled back into his thoughts, his thumb occasionally circling her dorsal side.

"How far is this place?" Eniola was the one to talk again, unable to remain quiet.

She pouted as he kissed her hand and let go of it so he could get a better grip of the wheel. Fuck you, steering wheel.

"It's not too far. Varo says we're almost there." She was about to ask how he knew before remembering he had an earpiece on.

"Okay..." Another round of silence.

He had mentioned that they would talk about them. Would it be right to bring it up at that time?

No, it's too risky.

She eyed him as he ran his long fingers through his hair, muttering something about the oncoming traffic.

He was fucking gorgeous.

He looked exceptional in the white shirt that only emphasized his large body.

Does he even like me?

She knew she was head over heels in love with him but did she even interest him in the slightest?

"Are you alright?" He questioned as he pulled into a large house. It was almost the size of his.

There were many vehicles parked around the place but he directly drove past them.

"Varo is waiting for us." He drove up to the entrance where a valet waited for them. "It's not surprising that we can't trust anyone here, Fuego but I'll warn you nonetheless." He started as he pulled up.

The valet parker immediately opened the car door for Eniola and he was out before the worker could make the turn. She was surprised Tobias merely left the car running.

"Tobias Ferna-" She didn't miss the way the man's eyes widened. "I'll be out in two hours. Not a scratch on her."

Him referring to the Porsche as her made her laugh and want to slash the tires at the same time. Tobias immediately wrapped an arm around her waist in an almost protective way. The weather was chilly and she should have brought a coat. Hopefully there will be heaters inside.

"As I was saying, please stay with me or any other member at all times. Don't drink what they're not having. Do not converse with anyone who makes you uncomfortable." He said quietly as they approached the entrance where Varo waited patiently.

Like he could sense her thoughts, he threw his jacket over her shoulder.

"It's cold."

"It's about damn time." Eniola's eyes widened when she got a better look of his outfit. His inner shirt is fucking see through!

He wore a sheer black shirt that put his tatted chest in full display, a small diamond choker complemented the family emblem that he wore too.

"What's the news?" Tobias asked.

Varo answered. "I met this guy, Patrizio, pretty cool."

"And I needed to know that because?" Tobias asked as they both walked beside the lawyer, strutting past the security point. The police officer barely raised a brow.

"He's Gustavo's second. Pretty cool. Says the man is like an anxious child waiting to meet you. You know how they like to fangirl over you." Alvaro replied, gaining the attention of the security guard that stood at the open double doors.

"Don Montez." He nodded in recognition. Alvaro had obviously entered before they arrived. "And?"

Eniola would be offended if there was someone who did not recognise her but Tobias took it in one stride.

"Tobias Ferna." He did not mention her. Oof.

As usual, his name raised a reaction from people who heard it.

The large man paled but quickly collected himself.

"Yes, yes." He cleared his throat nervously. "Welcome. El capo has been waiting for you." He practically moved away from the door that already had enough space.

"Patrizio would be meeting with us soon. I'm pretty sure everyone knows you're here already." Varo quipped, also noticing the attention that the trio had garnered.

Ooh, is that champagne?

A waiter stopped in front of them and Varo collected two glasses, handing one to Eniola.

"Don't give me that look." He pointed at Tobias who just rolled his eyes and looked away.

"Buona Serata, Don Ferna." A tall man in an all black suit suddenly appeared by Varo's side.

The smile he wore was a bit too wide for Eniola's comfort.

"Don Berlusconi had to see to some issues but he'll be back in a few minutes. He asked to take you upstairs." The man spoke, discreetly bowing his head to acknowledge Varo. "Varo Loco. On another glass I see?"

Alvaro snorted at him before sipping the drink, Eniola followed right after.

"Fuck off, Patrizio." The man only laughed and gestured at the trio to follow him.

"Where's Clara?" She asked as they followed behind Patrizio.

"With everyone else." He replied, stopping another waiter to return his glass and collect two more. "It's white wine." He explained, handing one to Tobias.

Of course he would know his favorite.

"Who else is here?" Eniola asked again.

"A couple of your people and a woman that threatened to cut my balls off if I tried anything funny." This time, it was Patrizio that spoke up. The person in person was no doubt Rebecca.

"What on earth did you do to Rebecca?"

"Oh, not her, she is very charming." He said as they arrived at the secluded area. "That's the woman." He gestured at a tall slim woman.

She was beautiful, yes.

Her porcelain skin shone obnoxiously against her dark dress as she seemed to be waiting for them. The narrow eyes that were exaggerated with eyeliner irked Eniola.

She suspected that she knew the woman.

"Ah, forgot to tell you, Gato." Varo said with a small chuckle. "I had no idea Esme would be here."

Well, fuck.

~~~