A Dangerous Liaison

-2-

Star 
Friday

Star tilted her head, studying her reflection in the mirror with a polished eye. The crimson dress she wore clung to her figure just right, the heels added a intimidating height, and the dark eye-shadow lent her an air of mystery and intrigue. It was perfect. She understood precisely how these events worked, how to conduct every gaze in the room to settle on her, and how to make an unforgettable statement with a single, effortless smile. This wasn't her PR event - it was her brother's - but that didn't mean she'd step aside and let Akira take shower of roses. 

She lived for the attention, and nothing, not even family, would keep her from it. 

Star reached out for her white fur coat, folded over the chair to her right, and shrugged it on with a smile. She turned to the side, taking in the full outfit. Better. Just as she was admiring the final look, the door to the bedroom opened, and Mick stepped inside. 

He approached her with that wonderful smile that had once made her heart melt. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her stomach from behind, embracing her gently. She could feel his warm breath on her neck as he held her close, and she reached up to pat him lovingly on his cheek as they smiled at one another in the mirror. 

This time, Star didn't push him away. Last year's betrayal still lingered in her mind, like a daunting shadow between them. She had slowly begun to trust him again, but her healing process was cautious and fragile. Mick hadn't meant to hurt her; she knew that. That night, their emotions collided in an uproar of pain, confusion, and anger, all because of what he had done. 

But she decided not to think about it. Not tonight.

Mick pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder. "You look beautiful," he murmured, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

Star smiled, her fingers lightly brushing his cheek as she patted it, a gesture both affectionate and detached. "I know," she replied, her tone confident but not unkind. With a subtle shift, she wriggled out of his arms, turning to face him fully. She fell in love with Mick for infinite reasons, but the one that mattered most was knowing he would never leave her, no matter how imperfect, selfish, or complicated she might be. 

She knew he loved her, even if he had his own unconventional ways of showing it

Of course, she wasn't perfect, not entirely, and her family even less so. Their world was one of shadowy, unjust dealings and whispered bribes, a situation she tried desperately to dissociate from. She still loved them unconditionally, but she valued honesty above all, even if it was in short supply around her. She was relieved that Mick understood her feelings; as the son of a politician, he knew of the internal struggle to turn a blind eye to his family's morals. It was one of the reasons they fit together so perfectly.

"Do you think Akira will be jealous that I'll steal all the attention tonight?" she asked, her voice light, with a hint of playful mischief. 

Mick chuckled, leaning in to kiss her gently, his lips brushing hers in a series of tender pecks. "Yes," he said between kisses. "Everyone will be."

Star tilted her head, smiling. She relished the attention, especially when it came from those around her. Her siblings, on the other hand, were a different story. They often overlooked her, but Star knew how to get what she wanted. A little complaint here, and a sulk there, and she'd have their undivided attention. Among her family, she was known as "Papa's girl," a title she boasted with pride. Her father doted on her, not just with love, but with the kind of attention that made her feel like the center of the universe.

She couldn't imagine her life without her beloved father. 

Mick's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "The car is waiting outside," he said, extending his hand to her. "Shall we, my dear?"

Star took his hand, the other clasping her fur coat as they walked out of the room together. She couldn't help but smile, her heart racing with the thrill of the night ahead, and that once again, all eyes would be on her. She was genuinely proud of Akira for his accomplishment and wished him nothing but success tonight - she had anticipated it all year. 

But deep down, she knew that this night belonged to her just as much as it did to him. 

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