Chapter 4 4

Soft curls and a smokey eye were perfect for my look with some white pumps to finish it off. I strode downstairs and saw Aunt Mirabel in the kitchen as usual. "What are you doing?" I asked. "The car should arrive any moment now."

"Oh my God!" She gasped. "You look gorgeous, mermaid." She came towards me with open arms and pulled me into a warm embrace.

"You look better though," I retorted, pulling away from the hug. "You're going to have plenty of rich bastards hitting on you tonight. Be safe," I chuckled.

"Both of us are going to get hit on. But we don't need men. Isn't that right?"

"Damn right. No men at all," I smiled. A honk from outside broke us away from our conversation.

"Time to go!" Aunt Mirabel almost squealed picking up two clutches from the table beside the sofa. She wanted me to not cry my eyes out anymore and said this would be a good change for the both of us because I knew she was hurting too. "Here you go," she handed me my clutch. "Pepper spray is in it. Use it if necessary."

I nodded as we made our way outside. A luxurious white Rolls Royce stood in the narrow street putting all the other cars to shame that were parked on both sides.

"That's fancy," Aunt Mirabel chuckled.

"Yeah. No kidding." We walked down towards the car. A tall, dark man stepped out of the vehicle and greeted us. "Ms. Price?"

"That would be me," I declared. "And this is Mirabel Clark, my aunt," I pointed towards Aunt Mirabel. She had a different last name than me as she was my mom's sister. She didn't even look like us with her white skin tone. Marco and I were half Filipino, thanks to our dad for our beautiful tanned skin. So, it was hard to believe that she was our aunt. We looked nothing alike and the little age difference didn't help either.

"Evening ladies. I'm here to escort you to the event," he smiled, opening the back door and motioning us to take a seat in the vehicle.

"Thank you!" We both said in unison. Aunt Mirabel got in first with me following behind. The driver started up the engine and drove us away towards the unknown location.

"Where are we going?" I asked out of curiosity.

"You'll see."

Aunt Mirabel and I exchanged unsure glances. Well, okay then. This is going to be a surprise. Aunt Mirabel looked at my purse and nodded, hinting at the pepper spray. I couldn't help but chuckle.

We soon entered Manhattan. I looked at the bright lights that shined throughout the beautiful city, illuminating the entire place. The sky was lightly painted in shades of red, pink, and purple. It was incredible. Looking out the window, I zoned out thinking about what this night could hold. Hopefully nothing bad. A good evening was what I needed at this point. Having nightmares about that night wasn't fun at all.

The vehicle came to a stop in front of a tall building. I got out and glanced up at the tall building. "Shit. Aunt Mirabel doesn't look up. You might break your neck."

Like a child, she looked up, ignoring my advice. "Oh, you're right," she laughed while rubbing the back of her neck. "The Martinez," she uttered. "That's one thing off my bucket list. Being in the most expensive hotel in New York."

"Follow me, ladies," said the driver.

We traced his steps up the stairs into the luxurious hotel. The lobby was lit up like freaking Christmas. Light protruded from all corners. Beautiful lounge chairs were organized throughout for people to sit on. A huge chandelier in the middle of the hall was the brightest and something to look at as soon as we walked in.

The man took us around the lobby and into a hall. A live band played some soft jazz music with a few people swaying to it. The huge hall was made up of beige-colored walls and beautiful marble flooring. Four lovely chandeliers clung onto the ceilings in the corners and a huge one in the middle.

"You look gorgeous, love," a deep, husky voice said from behind us. Aunt Mirabel and I turned on our heels to find Matteo Bloody Romano standing beautifully tall in a black tightly fitted tuxedo, a black hex tie, and a pair of black pointy dress shoes. He looked dark and amazing at the same time while eyeing me up and down. "You look great in my choice. I was afraid that it wouldn't fit you, but look at you," he smirked, that sexy smirk of his making me almost roll my eyes.

"Thank you," I managed to say pulling myself out of my thoughts. "This is my Aunt," I motioned to her.

"Hello," he greeted her with a handshake. "You look lovely as well."

"Thank you," she smiled at him.

"I'm Matteo," he introduced himself.

"I guessed."

"This is Alex, my friend," he pointed towards a handsome, tall man just like him with green eyes and a little scruff. I recognized him from the station. He was one of the men standing next to Matteo. He wore a black suit and a vest to go with it. Both men looked drop-dead gorgeous.

"Hello," he said through his deep voice while taking Aunt Mirabel's hand into his and kissing the back of it. Well, well, well. Guess finally Aunt Mirabel is going to get some action. I hoped she did.

"Wow. I'm flattered," she said looking at Alex before turning to me and whispering, "How did you even come across these sexy men?"

I laughed. "I'm going to get some water for myself. I'll be back in a few," I nodded and began to leave.

"I'll escort you," said Matteo. "Alex can keep her company."

"I'd love to," Alex chimed in eagerly while seductively looking at Aunt Mirabel.

Matteo and I started to walk towards the big sophisticated bar that had people gathered all around it.

"I can walk by myself and get my own drink," I said in attempts to get him off my ass. I didn't want him to follow me like a puppy and then take advantage of me.

"I am quite aware that you can do that, love. But a beautiful lady like you will get unwanted attention from people that you don't want to mingle with. Me being by your side, they wouldn't dare come close," he said with a little sprinkle of British accent shining through some words.

"Why? Are you some type of warlord?" I scoffed at his narcissistic attitude.

"Something like that," he looked into my eyes. The darkness in his blue orbs intimidated me all of a sudden, sending a cold chill up my spine. I shouldn't mess with this man. My racing heart wanted me to get out of here as soon as possible. "A water and a glass of red wine, Quincy," he ordered the bartender as we approached him.

"Yes, sir," replied the handsome bartender who wasn't as tall as Matteo or Alex, but still had a decent height. Everyone in here was bloody handsome. Jesus. Could I find an ugly guy here? I think not.

"And I can order for myself too," I rolled my eyes. "I'm quite capable of that as well."

"You don't like people doing things for you, do you?" He asked with a raised brow while the bartender put our drinks down in front of us.

"Does it look like I do?" I retorted, taking a sip of my water.

"Fair enough," he smiled before gulping down his drink all at once.