Thank you guys for still being here. I've been so busy lately but I managed to finish this chapter for you guys. A bit of a filler chapter and cliffhanger, I know but next chapter will be out soon. Love you guys. Sending you all big fat wet juicy virtual kisses. 

...

Thea stood in front of the mirror, frowning in frustration as she struggled to zip up her dress. Despite spending an hour of preparation for the event, her efforts were hindered by the stubborn zipper. Anticipation turned into panic as the zipper remained stuck, resisting all her attempts.

Although the dress fit perfectly, the zipper was stubbornly stuck. The fact that Elio knew her size was a mystery, but she chose not to dwell on it.

As she struggled with the zipper, Elio walked into the room. Thea let out a sigh of relief at the sight of him. "Elio, can you help me with this?" she asked, turning around to reveal the back of her dress.

He walked up to her, a faint smile on his lips. "Of course," he agreed, his fingers swiftly working on the zipper. She felt a shiver coursing down her spine as his fingers grazed her skin.

However her frustration quickly returned as the zipper refused to budge once again. She let out a frustrated groan. "Why won't this thing zip up?"

He chuckled softly. "Here, let me try something," he said, his fingers tracing the length of the zipper. Thea felt a surge of anticipation as she watched him work through the mirror, his fingers moving in a slow, deliberate motion.

Suddenly, the zipper finally gave way and she let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much, Elio," she expressed, turning to face him.

Their eyes met, and in that brief moment, she found herself captivated by the intensity of his gaze. Emotions surged between them, raw and unspoken, stirring a fierce desire within her. The urge to lean in, to lose herself in the heat of the moment, overwhelmed her senses.

Yet, before she could act on her impulse, he withdrew, his eyes guarded. "You're welcome," he replied, his tone suddenly detached.

Disappointment gnawed at Thea's, but she quickly pushed it aside. That was so unlike him.

"Are you ready to go now?" He asked, his gaze lingering on her. He seemed like he wanted to say something but refrained from doing so.

"Yeah," she responded with a curt nod.

...

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm and golden glow across the sky, Thea found herself cruising along the winding country road in Ellio's car.

"What kind of party is this?" Thea voiced, breaking the deafening silence in the car.

Elio cleared his throat. "My mother's 60th."

"What?" Her voice held a note of incredulity. "And you're just mentioning this now?"

He shrugged. "What does it change? She'll adore you."

"Elio," She let out a sigh, giving him a pointed look. He glanced at her shortly before focusing on the road. "Why am I meeting your mother?"

"Don't you want to meet the woman responsible for creating this masterpiece?" He jabbed a thumb to his chest and offered her a playful smirk.

"That wasn't what I was asking." She muttered out bitterly. Even the car could barely carry his ego.

He spared her another glance before chuckling to himself. He reached over and rested his hand on her thigh. She glared at him, shooting him the dirtiest look she could manage.

"She's been wanting to meet you for a while and I thought it'd be a nice surprise." He finally confessed. His fingers caressed her thigh and she couldn't help but shudder.

"She knows of me?" She let out, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Not about your great pussy, but yeah." He laughed, his left hand gripping the top of the steering wheel while his right began to move up her thigh as if to demonstrate. Her hand immediately shot out and gripped his hand to prevent him from moving it anywhere else.

"Don't play with me." She gritted out, swatting his hand away with a sharp slap.

"Owwww," He faked, inching his hand closer. She sucked in a sharp breath. "Afraid you'll get too wet before the party?"

"Not a chance. You don't turn me on."

"No?" His voice was humorous, as if her words were a dare. His pinkie grazed the edge of her underwear, causing her to tense, suppressing a gasp.

She clenched her jaw, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response.

"Theaaaaaa," he drawled, elongating her name teasingly. His hand drifted further, now firmly between her thighs.

"Behave, Elio," she warned through gritted teeth.

He chuckled, the sound of a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. "What's the matter, cookie? Can't handle a little teasing?"

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I can handle plenty," she retorted, though her voice wavered slightly. As soon as the words left her lips she regretted it.

His grin widened, clearly enjoying her discomfort. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he traced circles on her inner thigh, inching closer to her center.

She bit her lip, fighting the urge to squirm under his touch. "Stop it," she demanded, her voice barely above a whisper. Don't moan, don't moan, she told herself.

"Or what?" he taunted, his fingers teasingly close to where she wanted them to be.

"Or your mom will hear about this." Her threat was met with a laugh escaping her lips, a desperate attempt to regain control of the situation. His laughter echoed hers, but abruptly ceased as her words sank in. His hands withdrew, and she felt a rush of disappointment mixed with a tinge of satisfaction.

He groaned playfully and she turned to look out the window to hide the smirk tugging at her lips.

The remainder of the ride passed in mostly silence, filled only with the anticipation of the occasion ahead. Elio had informed Thea of the location: "Crystal Haven," a venue nestled among the hills known for its luxurious allure.

As they drove nearer, Thea couldn't help but notice how different this place was from their hometown. The place radiated exclusivity, like the kind of exclusive retreats seen in movies about the lifestyles of the rich and elite.

The venue came into view, impossible to miss. The words "Crystal Haven" were emblazoned on the grand golden gates. Elio lowered the window for the attendant, and with a swift nod, the gates swung open, granting them entry.

The estate boasted vast gardens, shimmering fountains, and a majestic mansion draped in ivy. As they approached, the sight unfolding before them was nothing short of enchanting. Twinkling fairy lights adorned the trees, giving the night a soft luminescence.

Valets in uniforms greeted them as they pulled up to the entrance. Elio stepped out of the car and handed over the keys with a smile, before circling around to Thea's side. He opened the door, extending a hand to assist her as she stepped out.

Together, they ascended a sweeping staircase leading to the mansion's grand entrance. Inside, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft flow across the marble floors. Laughter and the murmur of conversation filled the air, creating an atmosphere of celebration that enveloped them.

The ballroom was a symphony of elegance. Round tables were decorated with white linen and delicate centerpieces were scattered across the space. Guests in their finest attire mingled and laughed, the clinking of glasses filling the air with a joyful melody.

At the center of it all stood an older woman, in her 50's if Thea had to guess. She looked stunning in her gown, radiating grace and warmth as she greeted each guest with genuine appreciation.

Elio took Thea's hand and they made their way towards her, navigating through clusters of people. As they neared, Thea's gaze focused on the woman's face, and she quickly recognized the resemblance between her and Elio. It dawned on her that this woman was his mother.

As they approached, Thea couldn't help but feel a rush of nerves. She adjusted the hem of her dress, her heart quickening with each step closer to the woman who clearly was the center of this celebration.

Elio's mom noticed their presence and the bright smile on her face got 2 shades brighter.

"You are absolutely stunning!" she exclaimed, enveloping Thea in a tight embrace. Thea was momentarily stunned but quickly returned the gesture. The woman's rich vanilla perfume was nearly overwhelming at first.

Beside her, Elio chuckled softly as the woman finally pulled away, her hands still lingering on Thea's shoulders. Finally, Thea had the chance to take a good look at Elio's mom, and she couldn't help but return the contagious warm smile that was offered to her.

The woman was dressed in a fiery red dress that perfectly accentuated her dark brown curls, which cascaded around her shoulders. Her eyes were soft and kind, ones that would warm any heart.

"Mom, this is Thea." Elio introduced.

"I've heard so much about you, Thea." his mother chuckled, the sound of her name rolling off her tongue like a melody. Her hands dropped from Thea's shoulders.

"All good things, I hope." Thea smiled, noticing the surprisingly youthful glow about the woman. Perhaps it was the joy and confidence that practically radiated from her.

"Of course. Elio hasn't been able to stop talking about you!" she exclaimed. Thea smiled once again, feeling a newfound confidence at those words.

"Oh, really?" Thea glanced up at Elio again, a satisfied smirk now playing on her lips.

Before his mother could reply, she was whisked away by a group of excited ladies eager to gossip with her. Elio's mom whispered an apology in Thea's ear, followed by an apologetic smile, before disappearing into the crowd.

"So, what'd you think about her?" Elio asked, his hands shoved into his dress pants.

"She's lovely," Thea said without hesitation, meeting his gaze. "So, what have you told her about me?"

He let out a low groan, almost as if he was embarrassed. "I'm not telling you."

"What? You have to tell me."

"My lips are sealed."

"Elio, come on." she pleaded, stepping in front of him. He averted his gaze, refusing to meet her eyes. "You gotta tell me."

He remained silent and she rolled her eyes. "Please," she pleaded once more.

He cleared his throat, shooting her a brief glance before shaking his head. "Don't you think that..." He trailed off, leaving her even more curious.

"Think what? Spill it."

He smirked. "That you should save the begging for when we're in bed?"

She groaned in exasperation as he chuckled and began to walk away, leaving her trailing behind him.

"You owe me this, Chambers. Please just tell me."

"I do wish you'd keep the begging until we are in bed, cookie. I would appreciate it all the more there." he teased.

She groaned yet again, giving up, knowing that she wasn't going to get any information from him.

...

"Champagne?" The waiter asked Thea. She spun around, giving him a drunken smile.

"Yes, of course." She muttered out, placing her empty glass on his tray before grabbing another one. She had almost missed the judgemental look on his face when she downed the whole glass in one go and placed it back on his tray. He forced a smile before walking off.

She leaned back on the high table, her eyes darting around the crowd. Elio had abandoned her, leaving her with nobody to talk to. For some time she did talk to a group of girls but that died down long ago.

The only logical thing she could think to do was to keep consuming champagne every time it was offered, which proved to be quite frequent given the number of servers bustling around.

Not long after, she was offered yet another glass of something else she hadn't bothered to listen to, which she happily accepted. Though she sensed disapproving gazes upon her, her intoxicated state made her indifferent. She didn't know any of these people anyways.

She found herself regretting attending this party altogether. What had once been an atmosphere filled with excitement and anticipation now felt suffocating and alienating.

The faces around her blurred into a sea of unfamiliarity, indistinct chatter, and clinking of glasses. She realized she had willingly placed herself amidst a crowd of strangers, each engaged in their own conversations and connections, while she remained detached and isolated.

The only person she actually knew here was long gone, and she debated ditching the whole thing. But Elio had been her ride here, and the only other option she had was to hitchhike, which would not be pleasant in the heels she was wearing.

With each sip of the drink she had mindlessly accepted, Thea found herself growing increasingly restless, searching the crowd for Elio. Where was he?

"Hello, Thea," a feminine voice called out, causing her to spin around to face the source of the voice.

The woman before her had sleek, jet-black hair and was dressed in a striking dark red gown, exuding an aura of dominance yet still so much femininity.

It was Elio's ex-wife. What could she possibly want?

"Hello, Catherine." She uttered, trying her best not to slur her words.

"How many of those have you had to drink?" Her voice carried a sultry richness, the kind guys dreamed of in bed. It was laced with an almost intoxicating allure, and Thea couldn't help but take another swig from her glass, writhing in envy.

"Just a few," Thea replied, unsure if she was being sarcastic or actually trying to lie. She found herself staring at Catherine, awed by her beauty.

She laughed lightly before plucking a champagne glass from a tray of a waiter walking by. "I assume Elio invited you?"

Thea merely nodded, bitterly sipping on her drink, too drunk to distinguish Catherine's tone between mere curiosity or ridicule.

"So are you his new girlfriend or...?" Catherine asked, leaving forward onto the table as she tucked her hair behind her ear. It almost felt like Catherine was trying to seduce her.

"We're... nothing." Thea voiced, pretending to gaze into the crowd to avoid making direct eye contact with her.

"You live with him, no?"

Thea finished her glass. Even though she was too drunk to be decent, she was way too sober to be having a conversation with Elio's ex-wife.

"Something like that." she replied vaguely.

"Then you mean something to him," Catherine stated. There was a brief silence before she spoke again. "May I ask what he is to you?"

Thea pressed her lips together, unsure how to respond. She needed another drink. Her left eye twitched when she saw a waiter nearby, but resisted the urge.

"He's nothing," she finally admitted, the words heavier than she anticipated.

Catherine let out what seemed to be a laugh. "We were once a thing too."

"Oh, really?" Thea replied, hoping she'd reveal more.

"We were married. Didn't quite work out though."

"Why?"

"We were better off as friends rather than spouses. Never paid me enough attention. Probably has more of an interest in me now than he did when we were married."

"What ended up being the final deciding factor for the divorce?" Thea was approaching the topic carefully. She had heard Elio's side of the story, where Catherine had cheated on him, but now she was curious about Catherine's side of the story.

Catherine opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, a third party intervened. A woman approached her excitedly, pulling her into an embrace and interrupting their conversation. Catherine shot Thea an apologetic smile before turning her attention to her.

Thea sighed, feeling the weight of discomfort settling in, and decided to walk away. She knew she needed to escape this place as soon as possible. Without a ride, she decided to call a cab. Opening the app on her phone, she squinted at the bright screen, realizing she needed to find somewhere quiet to focus. The intoxication seemed to impair her ability to concentrate, especially with the lively social event going on around her, where she felt increasingly out of place.

Walking up to a waiter, she grabbed a glass of water this time and made her way to the bathroom, finishing the glass within mere seconds.

Shutting the door behind her, she looked back down at her phone, leaning against the wall for support. Jesus, the alcohol was really hitting hard. After clumsily tapping a few buttons, she finally managed to input the address and pay for the cab. An audible groan escaped her lips when she realized that the cab wouldn't pick her up for another hour. Slowly sinking down to the floor, she closed her eyes.

After some time, she realized she needed to sober up and crawled over to the toilet, shoving two fingers down her throat to throw up. After a couple of attempts, she succeeded, bile rising up her throat and into the toilet. She began to cough, the burning sensation of alcohol resurfacing in her throat.

She slowly got back up and washed her hands and rinsed out her mouth.

"Thea?" a voice called out. Thea nearly jumped, startled, as she spun around to see a head poking through the door. How did she forget to lock the door?

Recognizing the face immediately, she let out a sigh of relief.

"What the fuck, Elio? Why didn't you knock?" She hissed out, feeling less drunk now after throwing up.

"I did." He said as he walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. "Multiple times."

She furrowed her brows. How did she not hear?

They watched each other for a moment before Thea spoke up. "I'll leave so you can use the bathroom." She began to walk out but he grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"No, I came here to find you." He uttered.

"How did you know I was here?" She asked, confused. She hadn't been able to find him this whole time.

"A friend said he spotted you coming in here and you looked pretty drunk."

"Is it that obvious?"

He paused for a moment, studying her. "Yeah."

She let out a sigh. She reached her hand to the nape of his neck, drawing his face down to her level before smashing her lips against his. For a second he was stunned before he responded eagerly, wrapping his arm around her waist and returning the kiss.

She melted into his embrace, yearning to be as close to him as humanly possible. Inhaling his exhilarating scent, she intensified the kiss, demanding more, hoping he could sense her desire.

Suddenly, he pulled away, causing her to hum with disappointment. She clung to him, trying to draw him back to her but he firmly grasped her wrists and stepped away, leaving her perplexed. She frowned.

"Are you no longer interested in me?" she asked, pouting with wounded pride. Admittedly, his rejection took a blow to her ego.

"Damn it, Thea. How could you even think that?" he muttered out, taking a moment to compose himself. He took a step back from her, leaving her to observe him in silence.

There was a momentary pause but it felt as though time had slowed down and the pause had stretched out for an eternity.

Elio released a sigh. "I do still like you. More than I'd like to admit," he confessed, his tone almost bittersweet.

"Thank you." She replied before taking a step towards him and began tugging at the hem of his belt. He didn't resist as she began unbuckling his belt before unbuttoning it. His eye was fixated on her every move as she fumbled with the zipper.

As her hand lightly brushed against his crotch, he let out a low grunt, his arousal evident as his pants began to bulge.

It wasn't until she began pulling down the zipper that he stopped her. His hands wrapped around her wrists, stopping her from going further. Her expression turned crestfallen at the sudden stop, and she gazed up at him with a look of innocent confusion, noticing Adam's apple bobbing in his throat.

"You're drunk," he stated.

She whimpered in response, "So?"

He shook his head firmly. "I won't do anything with you when you're in this state."

"But you let me last time."

He nodded, "I did, and I regret it. I won't make that mistake again." His tone was resolute, indicating that his decision was final.

"Is it because I give bad head?" she pouted.

"What? No. You give great head."

She pulled her hand away from his grasp and pressed her palm against the bulge in his pants, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from him. His body tensed up, his desire for her evident. She desperately wanted to please him, but he grabbed her hand once more, pulling it up to his face level.

She pouted, frustrated by his rejection. He tilted his head slightly, questioning her actions. "Why does your sex drive skyrocket when you're drunk?" he asked, his tone gentle yet firm.

"It doesn't," she stated. "I'm always horny."

He looked at her skeptically, his expression betraying his disbelief. "Then why don't you try this when you're sober?"

"Because I have self-respect and when I drink, I don't," she explained, shrugging her shoulders. "But can't you just let me help you out?" she pleaded with him.

"No, I have to get back," he replied firmly.

"With that?" she questioned, glancing down at the bulge in his pants.

"God damn it, Thea," he gritted out, dropping her hands.

"Please, let me help you out," she persisted.

"No," he responded quickly. "I'll take care of it myself."

She rolled her eyes, taking a step back away from him as she continued to watch him.

"That was your cue to leave, by the way," he said, his tone condescending.

"I don't want to." Thea insisted, frowning.

"You have to. This boner is never going to go away if you're in here, cookie," Elio urged.

Her heart fluttered at the nickname. Though he had used it plenty of times before, the sincerity of his voice was enough to make her melt into a puddle on that bathroom floor.

Unable to find her voice, she merely nodded and left the bathroom.

..

Thea glanced down at her phone. It had been an hour since she ordered her ride, and it still hadn't arrived. The driver must have gotten lost.

Thea found herself bored despite the lively ambiance of the grand party when a woman's voice called her name. She turned, her heart doing an involuntary flip at the familiar voice, and there stood Elio's mother.

"Oh, hi!" Thea replied, smiling.

Elio's mother extended a glass filled with bubbling champagne. "Are you enjoying the evening so far?" she inquired, a gracious hostess.

Thea accepted the glass, her movements graceful, careful not to make a wrong move. "Yes, it's been an... interesting experience," she answered, her words laced with sincerity but harboring a concealed truth.

"Could I ask you for a small favor?" Elio's mother continued.

"Of course," Thea replied, feeling a hint of nervousness.

With a delicate sweep of her hand, Elio's mother revealed her bare neck, once adorned with a diamond necklace, now absent. "It appears I've misplaced my diamond necklace," she confessed. "Would you be so kind as to check upstairs for me?"

"Absolutely," Thea said with enthusiasm, feeling a sense of relief. Finally, she'd have a chance to catch a break from everyone.

Elio's mother beamed with gratitude as Thea walked off, disappearing towards the elegant labyrinth of the upper floor.

Thea ascended the grand staircase, her footsteps muffled by the plush carpeting that led to the upper floor. As she reached the landing, uncertainty crept in. She had no clue where to begin her search for the missing diamond necklace in the mansion.

The corridor stretched ahead, lined with closed doors, each concealing a mystery of its own. She hesitated briefly before selecting a door to her right, her intuition guiding her. The room beyond revealed a large space, draped in silks and adorned with gilded mirrors.

She moved further into the room, her eyes scanning every surface, every nook and cranny. Drawers were open and examined, and everywhere she could think to search, but there was no sign of the necklace.

She went to the next room, and then the next, each room just as elegant. She stepped out of the third room she had searched, feeling defeated. For some reason she desperately wanted to find the necklace which would definitely make Elio's mother like her more.

The next door was slightly ajar, unlike the others she had searched. Curiosity piqued, she pushed it open ever so slightly, peeking inside.

At first, she couldn't quite comprehend the scene unfolding before her. Her gaze fell upon two shadowy figures on the couch, their forms intertwined with each other, a feminine figure atop a masculine one. The room's soft ambiance made it difficult to discern the details.

Then, as seconds passed like eternity, the pieces fell into place. Thea's heart sank like a stone in her chest as recognition washed over her. It was Elio, reclining on the couch, with Catherine—seductive, alluring Catherine—on top of him.

The realization struck her like a lightning bolt. Her breath caught in her throat, and her grip on the door tightened, the sharp edges of the edges of the door digging into her palm.

The sight alone made her throat close up, her lungs constricting. She couldn't find a way to describe the incredible new weight on her chest. Her legs were becoming weak and holding her weight up was growing more difficult by the second. The weight of the betrayal was suffocating, the air thick with the stench of deception.

Could it even be considered a betrayal? He wasn't hers.