Stella's Own

Part 2

"Carlo, you better be straight with me or else my father is going to be unhappy," Stella warned as she leaned up against the bar talking with the club manager going over their books. Dante standing at the door watching just in case someone tried to enter. It was well before opening, and not a single soul was in the club. 

"Alright," he sighed, "we've been losing a couple of boxes during shipment and we don't know where they are going, or who is taking them." He paused, "My guess would be Antonio, but we haven't seen him around the ports lately." He hushed to her.

She looked at him and sighed. "Why didn't you tell us about this earlier? We could have had it taken care of by now." Stella looked around the club, just to make sure it was empty, "I have a feeling my father may have had a hand in getting Antonio to back off." Carlo looked at her puzzled, "I know I sound crazy, not even knowing what my fathers doing, but it's just an educated hunch." Carlos nodded understanding not to prood, it wasn't his business, he was just the bar manager.

Carlos promised to report any more missing shipments to the club and anything his people or the driver might have seen. Stella had a knack for getting their men to comply and openly tell her issues. She assued becasue of her womanly nature, purposely exhuteing calmness, ignorance, and trust. 

At the house, Stella stalked into her father's office after ordering Dante to stand outside.

She explained to him the situation, and he huffed in annoyance with Carlo. They figured his men would check the port out the next time they got a shipment.

"Calo problem aside." She started, changing the topic. "It's Tiffanys birthday tonight, and I was wondering if we could buy her a table at Pier 42?" She questioned batting her eyes. Pier 42 was a popular nightclub in the city, and knowing her father, with a please and a cute smile, she could get what she wants. Noraml heriss behavior if you ask her. 

He inhaled and paused, "For Tiffany, of course."

Stella smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Papa."

"Make sure to take Dante with you tonight." He reminded. She waved in dismissal as she walked out of the room.

Putting in her last gold hoop and checking her lipstick in her vanity, Dante knocked on her door and peaked in. Through the mirror she looked at him, "What is it?" 

Her snarky greeting suprised him, and he had a sheepish tone in his reply, "Tiffany is out front in her limo, and there are many roudy women cheering your name." He really tried to hide his laugh, but Stella could see it through his curled lip. 

She chuckled to herself and rolled her eyes. "Those are my friends for you." Taking one last glance in her full lenght mirror at her blood red cocktail dress, she followed Dante out the door. 

Stella finally emerged from the front door and the chanting gave way to Tiffany, who was standing through the limos sunroof,  cheering, "STELLA!! IT's party time!!" And the girls cheered after her. After getting in the car, whishing Tiff a happy birthday and pulling out the Cartier bracelet for her present, there were shots of vodka all around. 

"Oh, and we are going to Peir 49 tonight. Pappa Bruni bought you a VIP table." Stella squelled, and all the other girls screached in excitement. Stella swore whatever car Dante was following her in could probably heair the screaming and loud music. 

The club was packed by the time they got there at midnight, and they went straight to the VIP table on the top floor in the back with a view of the dance floor and bar. Stella and her friends danced the night away after they downed bottle after bottle of champagne.