With a long face and an inconsolable heart, I went to my place. Luckily, Bella was there to console me. I spat out the series of jinxes that stuck to me from last night to this morning and how I ended my booming career with a 'served him right' slap.

Bella reacted as if I confessed to her about committing a murder. "What- Why on earth did you slap Devil Denver? He won't let it pass, he can fire you, Zari."

"If he only accused me of what happened yesterday, I would have handled it patiently by revealing the real culprit. But that blue-eyed jinxed man raised questions on my chastity. I can't let it pass. No girl can tolerate such bullshit. And about the job, nothing is more important than my self-respect." I almost shouted at Bella with tears in my eyes.

"Cool down, Dear. If that's the case then you've done a wonderful job. I'm proud of you." Bella cupped my face and said, "Look at me, darling. You're a brave girl and don't cry over those petty people who wronged you. And come on, losing a job is not the end of the world. Just trust yourself. You have got everything: a sharp brain, skilled hands, a beautiful face, a kind heart and... you are a hardworking ass. You can achieve anything with these qualities. So, what else do you want, you greedy woman?" Bella chuckled.

I giggled and said, "Thanks for the compliments."

"Well, there is one more thing that you have got," said Bella by raising her eyebrows.

I asked, "And what is that?"

"That petite and sexy waist of yours which I envy." She said while glancing and coveting my waist to which I only chuckled.

"Now dress-up, we are going to enjoy aperitivo." Bella winked at me while twirling her long luscious tresses around her finger.

"Good idea! I want to lift my mood. Just give me five minutes." I jumped off the bed and ran to get ready.

Aperitivo is a booze ritual. This is a must-do thing if you reside in Italy. Aperitivo is the most loved and prevalent social setting here. It's a ritual of sitting together with friends over drinks and snacks in the evening between past the dusk for three hours. Yes! From six to eight in the evening.

Usually, it was I who prepared dinner for both of us. Not because I had to but because I love to cook. I'm a gourmand who has little to no resistance when it comes to delicious food. It's the only thing in this world that could force me to lose my focus. Since I'm a lover of food I hardly like it from someone else's hand which is quite offensive for many people. But the bitter taste of today's incident got diluted in my nerves and made me indolent. So, I needed to have some booze to curtail the echo of today's memories. What else could be better than an APERITIVO!

After spending an hour primping in front of the mirror, we both hit the nearest restaurant. The restaurant was bustling with cheerful yet groggy people. It was basically a rooftop restaurant that bestows its customer a spellbinding view. From the gleaming stars of charcoal black sky to the lights of the busy streets, the view from the rooftop was captivating.

I stood at the railing and looked down to capture the beauty of the dancing lights of the blessed horizon. The sight of city lights and the clamour of people merged with the clinking of glasses tried their best to calm my soul. However, the soothing flow of cool breeze composed of the aroma of mint, grilled meat, spice, and mocktails intoxicated my nerves which ultimately shrank my today's struggle and worries. I was feeling very well now. Sometimes it's not you, it's your surroundings that decide your mood, sad or happy.

We ordered the most favourite and iconic drinks of Northern Italy, Negroni Sbagliato and Milano-Torino with some light snacks.

I took the glass and gulped down the whole drink in one go. "Aahhh! Now that feels like a liberator. Bella, till now you have seen my voracious eating right, today I'll show you my bibulous side as well."

"Finally I got to see my old Zariyah! Yay! That's a relief watching you smile after grappling a tough day," said Bella while pulling my cheek.

"Might be the magic of this place. Everyone is looking happy. Happiness is contagious, I guess." I answered by raising my glasses for my fifth cheer. Wait, was it fifth or sixth?

Hey Zari, Celebrate. Who cares about the numbers? I agreed to my quest.

When I and Bella were busy devouring our favourite drinks, my phone rang. It was Alessia. I was wondering why Alessia didn't call me after knowing what happened today. After all, she was my well wisher and I thought even she did keep me as the last priority. But thankfully she did call. I picked up while gulping down my mouthful drink.

"I'm really sorry, Zariyah, I couldn't save you. I even scolded Denver for what he did to you." Alessia said, guilt could be sensed from her voice.

"It's okay Aly. Nothing is your fault. So just calm down." I consoled her.

Alessia told me that she had something to reveal and for that she wanted to meet me. So, I asked her to come to the café we were in. Soon she reached the place and without wasting a moment, began to unload all her esoteric revelations. I and Bella were all ears while she was spilling the beans.

"First of all, let me start with some good tidings! So... Our company got a huge contract. Not just one but four big contracts. Of course, all credit goes to you Zariyah. The attire you designed that night made a buzz in the market." Alessia revealed while her wide sparkling eyes searching mine to see a ray of happiness.

"Congratulations!" That's all I could manage to utter since I had no business left with that company. I couldn't care less either.

"Come on Zariyah, show some happiness. After all, it was you who made it possible. If not for the company then celebrate it for yourself for your achievement. It's not every day one receives praise for their remarkable work." Alessia insisted on me.

"I'm happy just can't bring it to my face as the bitter memories are still fresh in my mind. Anyway, do you have anything else to say?"

"Oh Yes! This is the most important news I wanted to share with you. The person who was behind leaking my designs is.."

"Silvia." I completed her sentence.

Alessia was in shock and unsettled with the thought that I knew, she was the culprit. She yelled at me, "You knew it, Zariyah. Why didn't you tell Denver? Why did you keep quiet?"

"Even if I reveal the truth of Silvia no one would believe me. The girl shamelessly confessed her misdeed to me. Still, I couldn't do anything because I had no proof and, to be honest, I lost my will to prove myself innocent. Long story short, I can't work with Denver." I replied in an agitated manner.

Alessia gently took my hand, caressed it and said, "I won't force you but please think about it one more time. And... I've got a plan to take revenge on Silvia. I hope you haven't forgiven that B*tch."

"No, I don't want revenge." I simply refused her.

"No way, you must give her a hard time. People like her can do anything to get what they want. It was you this time but who knows how many innocent people will become her victims in future. How many people is she going to exploit? Just think about it. You must go for it." Bella tried to unravel my twisted thoughts on taking revenge.

"Sometimes revenge becomes exigent not only to feed our frigid conscience but also to maintain the equilibrium of good against evil," Alessia said thoughtfully.

They both were actually... Right. I must settle the score with Silvia. Fue to her I faced that bullshit from that wanker.

No! Silvia shouldn't be spared.

I recalled how she poked fun at me impudently. "Alright, I'm ready. Let's teach her a lesson. It's payback time." I said jovially by raising the glass.

Bella and Alessia were so elated to hear my words that they both encircled me straight away and I rejoicingly enjoyed that fun. Nothing can match the fun and happiness you get while planning congruous revenge with your girl gang.

Alessia held the glass and raised it for the toast saying, "May the devil cut the toes off all our foes, that we may know them by their limping." She gulped down the drink in one go while laughing.

"Good one. Now it's my turn." Bella applauded Alessia and raised her glass while hawking and said, "May the devil make a ladder of our enemy's backbone while he is picking apples in the garden of hell." We all had a good laugh.

"Come on Zariyah. You too say something, darling." Aly insisted.

"Alright, girls. So here I go". I raised my glass saying, "May all the teeth of our enemies fall out but one should remain for a toothache." Aly literally choked while shaking with laughter.

"I actually imagined Silvia in that state." Alessia expressed between her giggles to which I too burst out laughing. We all were laughing like mad maniacs until Bella's draconian laughter suppressed ours, interrupting the parlance of people midway around us made them watch out for her. And soon her hilarious laughter was the only sound prevailing in that place.

I facilely held her hand and pinched it to shake her from her hysterical trance to our relief her laugh elapsed in her mouth as she noticed people were gawking at her. She smiled sheepishly. A worthless expression to cover the damage.

I and Alessia started pulling her leg for her hysterical laugh.

"Stop teasing me. Shit happens. Sometimes. I'm already feeling like I've egg on my face," said Bella in her defence. "However, I enjoyed today. It's been a long time since I've laughed till my stomach aches." Bella said in delight.

"Same here. But girls, a big adventure is waiting for us. I already made a plan for Silvia. We need to reach somewhere." Alessia informed while guzzling snacks.

"But where?" I asked.

"I'll tell you everything on the way but for now please hurry up," Alessia answered.

We all got in Alessia's car and then...I recalled her rash driving which subsequently gave me goosebumps.

"Aly, umm...I hope we are not that late?" I reluctantly asked.

"Guess what? We are. Don't worry, I'll try my level best to not give you a heart attack this time." Aly assured me while giggling.

I finally could take my mind off the terror after she told me to relax. However, soon I realised her words were as fake as a politician's speech. There was not even the slightest difference in the speed, maybe that was normal for her or maybe she was habitual to drive that way. On the other hand, Bella was relishing her breakneck speed driving. She was such an audacious soul who adored adventures like her baby.

On the way, Aly disclosed her master plan which actually seemed toilsome but if done cautiously then it would definitely deliver the desired result of trapping Silvia. This time it's her plan and like always I must prepare a backup for later. It was the only thought that echoed in me as the wheels rolled past the beginning of my new adventure of life.