seven souls seven sins - Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Natasha's pov:
"Amor, Cassie and Jasmine are here." Chase knocks on my door. "Send them in." I smile back at him as the girls walk in, Cassie's holding a dress bag and Jasmine carrying her makeup supplies. I haven't seen them since January and it's already the first of March.
Time surely does fly by when you're having fun.
"Hey gorgeous! We're kinda in a rush, the ball starts in two hours!" Cassie sits me down in my chair whilst Jasmine unpacks all her makeup on my desk. "Two hours? That's plenty of time." I arch a brow. "With two hours, you'll be lucky to leave with your make up half-decent." Jasmine begins applying foundation to my prepped skin.
Don't get me wrong, I love makeup as much as the next person, but growing up I just couldn't afford it, so it slowly became a smaller part of my life.
Even though it's only been a couple of weeks since I returned, my lifestyle has changed drastically. "What shoes are you wearing my love?" Cassie asks as she curls my hair. "You know that Nico guy from earlier?" I manage to bring him up. "Oh no, I don't like where this is going. What did he get you?" Jasmine places one hand on her hip.
"He got me red bottoms." I squeal at the memory.
Both girls pause what they're doing and scream. "WHAT?" They exclaim in sync. "He took me to the beach for Valentine's day two weeks ago, and it was the most magical thing someone's ever done for me." I relish the feeling. "You are truly one lucky girl." Cassie holds the iron against my scalp.
"He makes me feel like that." I lick my lips at the thought of him on me, just like Valentine's day.
"How did your brothers take it? I bet they weren't happy." Jasmine questions whilst blending out my bronzer. "They were furious! They even brought him in for questioning before the date." I give them the cold, harsh truth. "The classic Morales interrogation isn't for the weak." Cassie nods her head.
"Why aren't you guys coming to the ball anyways? I mean you guys are family." I switch the subject.
"Since Vincent is the Don, it's only his immediate family that can attend. Since we're his extended family, we don't get an invite." Jasmine elucidates for me. "Besides, we don't wanna go anyways." Cassie buts in. "But why? It's a charity ball and you get to dress up. It's practically helping people in style." I quote legally blonde.
Jasmine stifles a laugh as she dabs crimson eyeshadow onto my lid.
"We don't want to go because it's mafia related. Our mama raised us to detest violence, even if her nephew is the Don." Jasmine explains to me. "Hey Amor, can you take the dress that we picked and change into it so I can add your jewellery." Cassie instructs as she unplugs the hair iron.
"I'll be right back." I wink at them.
I pluck the dress off the hanger and bring it into my walk-in wardrobe. I unzip the protective casing and it sits there, staring at me. The red gemstones sparkle as the sequins glimmer against the incoming sunlight. I also grab my new pair of shoes that were gifted by Nico and I slide into them.
I love the lace detailing and the slit up my thigh. I twirl around in it, feeling like a Disney princess. I walk out and the girls's jaws are on the floor. Cassie rushes up to add a red necklace and matching earrings. "It looks even more magical on you than the mannequin." Cassie admires the fabric and hugs me. "Careful! I didn't add setting spray yet." Jasmine warns and ushers me back to the makeshift vanity.
"And.. voila!" She steps away to admire her finishing touches after a few minutes.
"Have fun Amor!" Cassie and Jasmine hug me goodbye and I step down the stairs, not noting all my brother's eyes on me. They all match with the same tuxedo pieces. A black bow, a red blazer, and black garments. All their hairstyles are the same, gelled back and slick. They're all wearing their expensive watches and are drenched in cologne.
"Oh my gosh." I hear them gasp as I get to the bottom of the stairs.
Vincent can't keep his eyes off me. "Princess, you're gorgeous."
"Sunshine, you're a glowing masterpiece." Adrien beams as I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
Leo beams at me, starstruck. "Amor, you're the definition of perfect."
"Mesmerising beauty." Chase mutters under his breath.
Xavier bellows, his lips agape. "God has favourites Tash."
"You look.. Handsome." Xander sarcastically compliments.
"Handsome? Is that all I'm gonna get." I fold my arms with a smirk at his playfulness. "I mean we share the same genetics so that makes me handsome too." He pats himself on the back. "Someone needs to deflate your ego." I roll my eyes and tilt my head. "Neva gonna happen." He winks at me with a mischievous expression.
"Group photo!" Cassie pops out of nowhere and orders us to get closer together.
I'm in the middle with everyone surrounding me because I'm the shortest. "Say cheese!" She calls out but nobody says it when she takes the picture. "Cmon guys, we need smiles, not frowns. Hmm, how about we all say Amor" Cassie winks at me. "Hey, why can't it be my middle name!" Xander fake complains which earns him a two-foot from me.
Cassie snaps the picture amidst the chaos.
Vincent is telling me off, Adrien rushes to Xander's side, Chase is grinning ear to ear, Leo is examining the situation from behind, Xavier is pissing himself whilst Xander is falling mid-air. It's a perfect family photo. There's no forced smiles, and everyone is genuinely enjoying themselves, well, all apart from Xander.
It's how the Morales family truly is, no lies, nothing.
"Perfect! Now get in the limo, the ball starts in an hour people." Jasmine rounds everyone up and practically pushes us out of the house. We all gather outside where a MASSIVE limo approaches the front door. "Mr.Morales." The chauffeur bows down and opens the door for us.
"Ladies first." Vincent guides me in.
I sit down at the far back to make room for the rest of my biological brothers. After they all get in the driver takes off. "I didn't want to say anything earlier with the girls there, but that slit is way too high." Vincent's eyes don't leave my thigh. "Well what do you want me to do? I didn't pick the dress now did I?" I rebuttal back.
"Pull it down, there are lustful men at this event and I do not want you catching their eyes." Vincent's fist clenches.
"So what? It's not like I need to dance with them or anything." I sarcastically make up a scenario. "About that, since we're merging with the Americans, Charles had-" "SORRY WHAT?" The words leave my mouth before I process them. Everyone turns to face me, shit I need to think of some excuse.
"Sorry I didn't know that mafias could do that." I lie, oh hell yes they could.
This is bad, REALLY BAD. They can't merge, that means that they'll be coming over more often and I can't deal with all of that right now. "As I was saying, Charles who is the Don, had an idea for you and his son to dance together." Vincent grits through his clenched teeth and fakes a smile.
"You're not too thrilled about that, are you?" I arch a brow.
Knowing my bio brother, he would be mortified to even think of me even touching another male specimen, let alone dancing with one. I feel beads of sweat collect on my palms. "Like I said, it wasn't my idea to begin with." He finalises and goes back to his phone. After the mention of Charles's son, that only means one person.
Him.
I whip my phone out and start typing in the Three Musketeers Group Chat.
Nat: LADS!
Nat: GUYS!!
Nat: LADS CMON
Seb: Woah woah, what's the problem? R u hurt?
Flynn: Princess? U ok?
Nat: I'm fine but I won't be in T minus 10 minutes
Seb: Y? what's happening?
Flynn: Tell us everything rn
Nat: I just heard this from Vincent so I 100% know that this is happening
Seb: Just spill already
Flynn: The suspense is killing me
Nat: THE BRAZILIANS ARE MERGING WITH THE AMERICANS
Seb: WHAT
Seb: THE
Seb: FUCK
Flynn: Holy shit
Flynn: This is bad
Seb: Nah, this is worse than bad
Nat: It gets worse..
Seb: What is it?
Flynn: Amor tell us
Nat: He's going to be there
Seb: Nat.
Flynn: Baby.
Seb: Istg im gna kill this mf
Flynn: Dw sweetheart, do u want Seb nd I to come?
Nat: No no no, we alr discussed this. We're going next year
Seb: We know but r u sure u gonna be g?
Flynn: Yea we can come for emotional assurance
Nat: I'll call u if shit goes down but i'll manage
Seb: Tash, we know how dangerous this is for u
Nat: Charles is making me effing dance with him too, now I can't even stick to our original plan smh
Seb: Screw the original plan, just keep as much distance away from him as you can
Flynn: I agree wi Seb, we can find info abt the other mafias another time, this time we need to make sure ur safe
Nat: I'll try my best, i'll update yous soon
Seb: we're always a call away bb
Flynn: let us know what happens ml
Nat: will do cya!
Seb: love u bye bye
Flynn: see ya pretty
I shut my phone close and leave it on my lap. Xander, who is sitting beside me, eyes my phone and looks back up to me. "You got games on your phone?" He asks, holding up his dead phone at the same time. "Have you ever heard of a portable charger? Or are you still living in the 1800s?" I mess with him. "Hey I'm not that old." He whines just like a child.
"Here, only CandyCrush allowed." I give in and hand him it.
"You're the best." He thanks me and immediately starts playing. "I know." I smirk at him and lean on his broad shoulder. "Oi, this shit is hella itchy." I complain. "Tell me about it, I'm the one wearing it." Xander snarled as I playfully pushed him. "Hey! You made me use my colour bomb."
"Good. Try beating level 462." I boast about my impressive stage number.
"We're here." Adrien announces as we pull up to a giant villa. As the sun sets and the moon rises, the mansion's lights illuminate a path. A red carpet is rolled out in front with small gold dragons imprinted onto the edges. We all exit the vehicle and I take a good look around.
There's botanical foliage everywhere with massive pillars leading up to the entrance. There's people of all different shapes and sizes, and more interestingly, different colour schemes. My eyes wander at all the hues and arrays of pigment. I got the invitation ages ago in my email but I've decided to wait until the time is right.
Tonight doesn't feel just right to make our debut to the world.
We're not ready yet as a mafia anyways. Half of the business is here whilst the other remains in London. We just raided a massive warehouse and all the stock will fund the London base due to the fact that we kinda left them with nothing. Fear not, this night was supposed to be me making new acquaintances but now it has to be avoiding him.
What a waste of my evening.
"Why don't we join the rest of the world." Chase offers and I interlink my arm with his and he walks me up the stairs. Everyone stares at me as I walk up. Being the long lost sister of the Morales brothers surely has its pros and cons. As we reach the top of the red carpet entrance, the double doors open wide and it reveals a huge lobby with the ball just a corner away.
We enter the lobby and make our way towards the ballroom.
Not even 5 metres in, I'm already getting greeted by strangers I haven't met before. A tanned lady in a gorgeous green dress walks up to me and gives me a tight hug. "Ahh Natasha. It's good to have you back darling." Her Portuguese accent shines through. "Blanca, long time no see." Leo greets the elder woman.
"She's all grown up, I remember just yesterday when she was in diapers." Blanca cracks a joke.
"Hasn't been that long now has it?" Leo begins a conversation with her and the rest of us make our way towards the centre of the ballroom. The Brazilians and the Portuguese must be very close because they speak the same language. I look up to find a glamorous crystal chandelier that's dangling from the ceiling. There's bar tables all around and people mingling everywhere.
This night was going to be eventful, I can already feel it in my bones.
Next, an asian looking man in a pink suit steps up to Adrien. "Ah Jianhao Tan, it's been a while." Adrien greets him. "You're looking good Adrien, for a Brazilian." He shares an inside joke with him. "You're not so bad yourself, for being Chinese." Adrien banters back and begins a long overdue catchup with his old buddy. The remainder of us begin to step closer towards the bar but we keep getting interrupted each time.
Losing more members by the second.
Xavier got whisked away by a former friend from South Africa. They're so lucky, they got gold as their colour. Only a girl can dream. Next on the Hitlist was Chase, who got caught up in a meaningful conversation about the gym with the Russians, all wearing black as their chosen colour.
I like that one too, simple but elegant all at once.
"We're dropping like flies." Xander side whispers to me. I interlock eyes with a gorgeous girl in blue. "Looks like you're next." I whisper back as she waltzes up to him. "Xander, long time no see." She winks at him, her Parisian accent shining through. "Vanessa's out of the picture." He whispers into my ear as she pulls him away into a dance.
I wonder what's going on with those two.
"So I guess it's just you and me Princess." Vincent's hand wraps around my waist as he guides me to the bar. "One scotch and a water for the lady." He orders. "Coming right up Mr.Morales." The bartender begins making our drinks. "A water? Seriously?" I arch a brow at my eldest brother.
"The low-quality house drinks that you like are too cheap for a place like this." He mansplains.
"I would've been happy with a gin and tonic you know?" I place my hands on my hips. "You're still underaged Princess." He caresses my cheek and the drinks are served. Vincent grabs his scotch whilst I'm stuck with a plain glass of water. I gulp it all down in an instant and leave the empty chilled glass on the counter.
I turn back around to see two white tuxedos approaching us, fast.
The Americans have arrived. My breath hitches at the sight of him. I spot his father right beside him, which I know must be Charles. My attention refocuses back onto him. He looks changed in a way. Oh who am I kidding, prison must've done a number on him. His grubby stubble is visible along with the numerous tattoos that peek out under his neck.
I can spot his piercing arctic eyes a mile away.
His ruffled up black hair looks rougher than the last time I remember. Back then it was buzzed every other day. I switch my attention back onto Charles as he nears closer. Charles looks fairly older since the last time I saw a picture of him. His grey hairs are sprouting, and his wrinkles are increasing. He walks over here with an easily detectable faux smile.
I can smell a bitch a mile away.