An Empire of Guns and Lies (18+)

Twenty-Four (ventiquattro)

*2 days later*

My best friend is a delicate woman, she found no value in jewels and diamonds but instead preferred friendships and flowers. It was the morning of her birthday,and I had something special planned for her before the event of the night. For once I was awake before her, I taped a note on her door instructing her to get dressed when she woke up as we were going out.

I was seated in the kitchen having a light breakfast with August and Jaxon when she came down in a white floral sundress, I got up and opened my arms when I saw her but I was rushed by the boys who ran up to her they both placed a small kiss her on the cheek and wished her a happy birthday. She hugged me next and whispered "Best for last V" I snorted.

I grabbed her hands and lead her outside, the weather was fairly clear so the car of choice today was a sliver convertible db11 Aston Martin.

"I'll drive" I said signaling her to get into the passenger seat. On the way to our destination Iliana begged me to tell her where we were going and as much as I wanted to break the secret to her I kept my lips sealed. We pulled up into a parking lot of a small local bakery not to far from the mansion, Iliana got out first and headed towards the front door after switching the car off I joined her, she pulled the front door then turned back to my with furrowed eyebrows

"I think they're closed Vera"

I tossed her a box, "Open it then" Inside the box lay a small sliver key wrapped with a red ribbon, her head shot up to me in disbelief.

"Is this..." she paused afraid to complete her sentence.

I had the goofiest grin of my face as I said "Happy Birthday Ana"

She tackled me into a hug causing us to fall back onto the hood of the car.

"I can't believe you brought me a fucking bakery" Iliana rarely cursed so by her choice of words I knew she was in bewilderment.

"Just open it already" I nagged so she did, I stood at the door and watched as her emerald eyes took in everything, after exploring some more and locking back up the door we left for our other location the drive was mainly Iliana ranting on about all the things she planned to do to which I didn't quite understand but agreed nevertheless.

We arrived at a one of my favorite boutiques which I rented out for today I made sure Iliana got pampered in every way before telling her to pick out a dress and whatever else she wanted, I paid for her things along with mine and we got dressed right there with the help of the staff after we were finished it was already evening so we drove back to the estate. Vehicles of all variants lined our front yard, it wasn't as big of an event as Jaxon's but there were still a number of people. I handed over the car to one of our drivers for him to return to it's parking spot. I looped my hands through Iliana's and we walked over to where her party was being held, cheers erupted when she arrived.

She tried her best to greet everyone, I kissed her cheeks and told her have fun and left to find August.

I saw him talking among his friends and snaked my arm around his waist, visible confusion clouded his allies face but that was quickly dispelled and replaced by hoots when he planted a kiss on my lips. I entertained conversation with them for a while until a servant brought out a triple layered cake each layer decorated with something different representing Iliana's personality, there were butterflies, flowers and last layer was blended in to look like a sunset.

My father stood at the front of the crowd and knocked on his glass, the lively chatter and idle music that played died down

"Friends, we're here to celebrate the 23rd birthday of Iliana Roman, I'm sure

you've seen her around the estate, she is like a daughter to me and I expect her to be treated as such" he extended his arm to her, she took it and kissed his forehead, and even though that was all to it I almost cried seeing her up there with my father, she never once judged us saying that people like her parents were the real monsters.

Iliana asked papi to cut the cake with her, and from the middle of the crowd I shouted

"That's kinda unfair don't you think?" Bursts of laughter came from around the room and she signaled me to come up as well as I was walking to the front, the room turned pitch black mummers of panic filled the room.

I had no weapons on me as I got dressed away from home but still I was on my guard.

I couldn't help but wonder the emergency generators haven't kicked in yet, I tried my best to adjust my eyes to the darkness and get out of the crowd as I pushed my way past people the light came back on flooding the room I immediately scanned the floors, no bodies we found my shoulder relaxed and I heaved a sigh of relief.

Was it just a random blackout? I turned back to make my way to Iliana only to find the spot where she stood next to my father empty.

                                                                                            ___________________

Bumfuzzle -This is a simple term that refers to being confused, perplexed, or flustered or to cause confusion.

:)