Page 96 of Always Mine
Is it over already?
Old friends, sworn enemies, and new lovers already heading for splitsville? What can we say, the last one out is a rotten egg.
It’s been an eventful evening in Manhattan, with the much-anticipated photo exhibition by photography prodigy Natalia Hirsch taking place earlier tonight. Hosted and sponsored by Belmont Media, the guest list was a who’s who of New York’s elite, from those who love to create art, to those who make enough money to acquire and distribute it, and others who just worship the art of being seen and rubbing shoulders with very powerful people.
Speaking of powerful families, our sources say that Natalia’s newly appointed first assistant, Chiara Gigioliotti, has made the notable trio of Sophia Princi, Evie Chalmers, and Stella Agueria into a quartet. They shunned the red carpet, but my sources say the four ladies looked tight, with the newcomer who hails from Italy soon to call New York home and Natalia her new boss. She’s also related to some very powerful people—the type you don’t want to find yourself in a dark alley with. But I digress, because there’s more tea to spill before we call it a night.
Tensions bubbled over at the VIP after party at Bella Donna when the evening ended abruptly after a gas leak was discoveredand the entire club was evacuated. Owners Marco Marrone and Sebastian Princi acted quickly to get everyone out, but that didn’t stop the fireworks show that took place on the pavement between new it couple Sophia and Marco. The pair were spotted having a heated argument, raising questions about the couple’s new relationship. With Marco required by FDNY who were called to locate the leak and fix the issue, Sophia had no choice but to walk away in tears, leaving her man to deal with the carnage of both his professional and personal life. Onlookers say Arthur Bartholomew Jones wasn’t a guest at the after party, but he exchanged words with Marco before security moved him along. The question on everyone’s lips is, was the leak an accident or is something more sinister at play? The other big question is, can Marco save his relationship with Sophia, and what exactly rocked their romantic gondola ride? What’s fact and what’s fiction? If you’re reading this, Sophia, word to the wise—what you see at surface level may be very different to what you find reading between the lines.
What me to show you how to spot the difference? You know where to find me.
’Til next time.
GG xoxo
Chapter sixty-seven
Better The Devil You Know
Sophia
I’msittingintheback of Avery’s SUV reading GG’s stupid blog blast for the second time, more angry tears threatening to spill by the second.
“Seriously, how does she turn these bullshit posts around so quickly?” I splutter. “Doesn’t she have anything better to do on a Saturday night than make a spectacle out of people’s lives in the name of entertainment and ‘news’ for the internet?”
“I hope there’s a special place in hell for her,” says Stella.
“I’m pretty sure Belmont Media is a silent investor now,” states Evie. “Her page views and clicks generate a lot of ad revenue, so she’s going to continue writing what sells, and that’s salacious gossip with a side of scandal. But then again, to be fair, the blog played a big part in exposing and putting an end to some harmful criminal activity, too. Remember that crypto Ponzi scheme swindling rich kids out of hundreds and thousands of dollars? Gigi led the campaign to find the losers behind it.”
She’s not wrong on both fronts. I guess this one just hits too close to home. No one wants their worst heartbreak spilled over the internet. I can’t stop thinking about the last line of the blast.It was almost like she was asking me to seek her out. What Evie said about Gigi being responsible for using her platform for justice strikes a chord. Without thinking twice, I quickly type out a DM and press send.
“This is us,” says Evie as we slow to a stop at the apartment block both my friends live in.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay, Soph?” asks Stella. “You can stay with me if you need time to clear your head.”
“No. This is something I need to deal with head on,” I say with more conviction than I truly have.
Stella’s giggling distracts me momentarily. “Speaking of facing things head on, I wonder how Raf is handling a drunk Chiara. Oh God, to be a fly on the wall!” She pins me with a devilish look. “While you were off getting fucked six ways to Sunday, she was giving that man a run for his money. It’s like dynamite waiting to explode whenever those two are near each other.”
“Some sass and spice might be exactly what the grump needs.” I laugh, putting on a brave face at the reminder of how perfect everything was just hours ago. Almost like I was living in an alternate universe, and maybe I have been the whole time. Maybe the reality is, I saw all the red flags and just ignored them anyway. The heart wants what the heart wants, and mine has always wanted to be loved by Marco Marrone.
“I hazard a guess he would highly disagree,” chimes in Evie. Tuning serious, she leans over to hug me. “I know what Marco did feels like betrayal, but let him explain, Sophia. You of all people know how persuasive your father can be. At least let him tell you exactly what happened.” She pulls away and looks me in the eye. “Let us know how everything goes, and just call if you need us.”
My Instagram notification chimes. Gigi accepted my invitation for a nightcap.
“Avery, I need to take a quick meeting at Le Sip before you take me ho—” The word dies on my tongue because everything that’s led to this point feels like a fever dream turned nightmare. “Before you take me back to Marco’s.”
He meets my eye in the rearview mirror and simply nods to confirm. When we arrive, he jumps out to open my door.
“I’ll be waiting right out here,” he says as I pass him and walk towards the entrance. “Sophia,” he says in a deep, commanding voice. I turn back to face him. “I don’t mean to speak out of turn, but just know, when it comes to Marco, all roads lead to you.”
I blink away tears before turning around and continuing towards the door.
That’s how I find myself at Le Sip waiting for Gia Fucking Girmaldi AKA Cunty-McCunt Face. My thoughts are racing, and flashbacks of Marco’s devastated face flicker behind my eyes. They clear when I spot my guest making her way over to the booth. She’s tall and willowy, wearing a stylish black dress that hangs off her body. Studded flats and a Chanel 2.55 complete her look. Expensive hair extensions are curled with tousled perfection and her makeup is dewy. She’s an attractive woman even though everything to date has led me to believe she has an ugly soul. Yet, what Evie said struck a chord with me. People listen to her. She has reach and influence. Yes, she uses it to spread gossip, but will she use it to expose the truth? Time will tell, because what I’m about to propose gives her the opportunity to prove me wrong.
“Hello, Sophia. I must say, I was surprised to receive your message after your eventful evening.”
“I was surprised you didn’t attend the event tonight, yet you still seemed to have all the tea to spill,” I retort. “I took the liberty of ordering us a drink. New York Sour seemed a fitting choice for a nightcap.”
