“I need you to get this shit show of a dinner my father has planned, canceled. There is no way I’m missing out on the fun we have scheduled for tonight. If it can’t be canceled, move it to another day or some shit. I don’t even care at this point.” I ramble, moving around the kitchen as I get ready to head upstairs to get my outfit ready for tonight.

“Say no more, bro, I got you covered. We’re still on for tonight, right?” He asks, knowing nothing’s gonna stop me from throwing this party like we’ve always done in the past. The only thing different this time is that I might actually fuck someone.

Ever since the one we threw, three years ago, when I had some of the best piece of ass since Kitty, I haven’t wanted to fuck many women… Just the one. That doesn’t mean I stopped getting my dick sucked or fucked a few broads using the back door. Afterall, I am still a man, and I too have needs.

The Devils of Cliffside have always known for throwing massive parties that would be talked about way after we’re gone. Not many people knew who we really were, unless they had a death wish.

I know people wonder, how can we really be Devils if nobody knows who we are. I’d rectify that for them. It’s our name that parents use to scare their children into going to bed early at night. Little Jane and Jimmie don’t want to come face to face with The Devils of Cliffside in fear we might take them to the darkside.

We are slowly taking over things, little by little. It’s no secret that The Devils of Cliffside have been around longer than I’ve been alive, but we are the new rulers. We are the new Alpha and Omega of The Devils and tonight, we will embark on a new chapter of our lives.

Chapter Five

Athens

Present

Sitting at my vanity table, I look in the mirror and apply a light coat of eyeliner and fill in my eyebrows. Loving the way my natural beauty looks on me, I only use minimal products just to enhance it.

Next, I paint red lipstick over my lips, bringing them together as I pucker them up, spreading the lipstick around.

I can’t decide if I want to splash a little blush on my cheeks or not. What the hell, might as well. It’s not like I wear it all the time, and tonight is a special occasion.

Tonight is the night I get to meet my soon-to-be step-son. Well not exactly meet, we probably saw each other at least a few times growing up, but with the age difference he might not remember.

I don’t even have any clear memories of him, and I’m the older one. We’ve been together for years, and Bash has finally decided it was time for us to sit down together.

From what he’s been telling me, his son is in desperate need of a woman's love. I know his mom passed away a long time ago, but Bash said he threw himself into his studies and hanging out with his friends. While I didn’t question it, I wonder why he isn’t getting his father’s love. It’s important to have the love of both parents.I don’t want to think about that because I’m so excited for dinner tonight, and I want to look my best.

Bash took me out on a shopping spree and an attempted makeover. The only thing I let them do was my hair and give me a manicure. Either way, I feel like a million bucks.

When he asked me to marry him, I had no idea he would shower me with all his wealth. I mean, I tried to say no, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer… Something I’ve noticed about him but swept it to the back of my mind.

Now, I’m sitting here in my three thousand dollar, black, off-the-shoulder, knee-high dress and fancy, red Prada shoes to match, thinking… How did my life turn out like this? How did I get so lucky?

My bestie thinks I'm crazy because I’m thirty and he’s fifty-four, but I don’t see age when I look at Bash. I see a silver fox that sets my world on fire just from his penetrating stares, affectionate touches, and all the love he showers me with.

Bash was a family friend of ours right up until my parents died. It’s funny how life throws you curveballs and expects you to pick up the bat and swing. I wanted so desperately to hit them all, but I’m only human and have my downfalls.

When Bash started coming around more and more, I began to fall for him. It wasn’t until he bought my house back for me and the first time his lips touched mine when I actually fell for him.

Aunt Josie and Gaia never did approve of our relationship because of the age difference and something else. She wouldn’t tell me more, and I just haven’t gotten around to digging into it. Now… Here we are. He’s asked me to marry him, and I’ve said yes.

I often wonder if I’m making the wrong choice. There’s something in the back of my mind that won’t let me forget a party I attended one night, several years ago, that changed my life.

“C’mon, everybody who is anybody is going to be at this party. It’s the party of the year, and if we don’t go, we will be the laughing stock of Cliffside University.” My best friend Gaia Hoku whines.

She’s from Korea where I lived for some time with my parents before we came back to the states. Our families returned around the same time and even settled down in the same neighborhood. We have been best friends for what feels like an eternity.

“G, I don’t know. I’ve just started my teacher’s assistant job and don’t want to do anything that will derail my plans. You know how I get when I’m drunk.” And she does, it’s ugly. I’ve tried to master the skill of learning to tolerate alcohol, but I’ve come up empty handed time and time again.

“Then don’t drink too much, pace yourself and keep snacks at the ready. There are ways around it, but you just don’t listen.” She huffs, blowing a fallen strand of hair out of her face. “Look, I won’t let you get too drunk, and if someone offers you one, for the love of all things wholly… Don’t take it.” She growls.

I know she didn’t. “I’m sorry, did you just… Growl at me?” Now, it’s my turn to look at her with the rise of an eyebrow, while motioning my hand in between us.

“You bet that sweet ass I did, now let’s get up and get ready. The night is still young and so are we.”

“Hooookay! So, why is it so important for us to go to this party anyways?” I don’t let her in on the fact that I’m going to say yes, so I get up and head to my closet to find something to wear.