Despite the differences between the Lucianos and the Castellanos, Castle remained the top hotel in New York. With its golden floor, shimmering chandeliers, and rare alcoholic drinks, it quickly became one of Amara's favorite places in the world.

Though at this moment, they didn't come here to laze around.

Amara crossed her legs, grabbing a bar of white chocolate from the glass table. Foreign and domestic guests passed them in a blur as Primo's patience began to wear thin. He tapped his fingers against his thigh.

"How long are we going to wait?" he demanded, annoyance swirled around him.

"Calm down. Eat this..." She pushed a piece of strawberry-covered chocolate to his mouth. He chewed as Amara wiped the excess from his lips. "Please promise me that there will be no hitting."

"No." Primo rolled his eyes, dropping his face on her chest. They sank deeper into the snowy bean bag that was on the lobby's corner.

"Primo..." she pleaded, caressing his dark hair as their bodies squeezed tighter. "Let me talk to them first."

"You're too nice." His beautiful blue eyes looked up at her as his hands wrapped around her slender waist.

Primo's hatred for idleness was out of this world that she was worried he'd be too direct and cause Natasha to spiral downwards. "I told you about Nat's threat," she said.

"Was that even real?"

"Just keep this mouth shut, please," she ordered, putting a palm over his mouth. Primo hummed his disapproval and busied his fingers on the exposed skin of her hip.

Amara let him despite the odd looks they were getting. She wasn't too keen on publicizing their relationship but it was easy to forget when Primo showered her with his affections. She snaked an arm around his back as she continued to observe the elevator.

Minutes passed by before Amara saw the familiar faces that stepped out of the lift. She yanked Primo up. The latter grumbled in opposition as walked towards the couple, meeting them halfway.

Elijah's brown eyes widened, clasping his hold on Natasha tighter. "What are you two...?"

"You don't know?" Primo snarled. He inserted his hands on his black bomber jacket, glaring at the pair.

Amara sighed. "He knows the truth and we want to talk. Please."

"Baby, don't beg. They were the ones at fault," Primo resumed with his derisive comments. "A bunch of liars."

Elijah glowered. "Stop it, Primo. You don't know the full story."

"What story?" he exclaimed. They were causing a scene and Amara could only bite her lip in worry. "That Natasha is so desperate to hide you that she had to use me? That she had to blackmail my best friend and tell everyone we cheated on her?"

Elijah's face fell. His frown deepened as he turned to his girlfriend. "You did what now?"

Natasha's pale face went even whiter. Her lips trembled. "I just... I wanted to protect you!"

The curly-haired boy shook his head in disbelief that Natasha burst into tears. Elijah marched to the exit as his girlfriend called out for him.

Amara hit Primo in the arm. "Seriously?"

"What did I do?" he muttered.

"Go comfort her." She gestured to the crying girl in distaste. "You're good at that, aren't you?"

Primo scoffed. "Are you jealous?"

Amara rolled her eyes, adjusting the strap of her LV shoulder bag. "I'll talk to Elijah so wait for us in the restaurant."

Amara stomped to the revolving doors and exited the hotel. The streets were busy, typical of Friday nights but she had spotted Elijah. He leaned against a light post, a frown marring his usually jovial expression.

"Eli!" she called out.

Elijah sighed, pushing the thick curls off his forehead with his fingers. "Did Natasha blackmail you?" he asked when she reached him.

Amara nodded softly. "For what it's worth, she looked so desperate."

A bitter chuckle left his lips. "Does that make it okay?"

"Elijah..." Amara knew that her next words would break him. But this wasn't her secret to keep anymore. "She told me that she'd rather die than disappoint her mother. I don't think she's strong enough—"

"To acknowledge our relationship." His voice broke. Mahogany-colored irises reflected the city lights along with his sadness. "That day, at your house... I told her I will take anything she could give. Those were some of the best moments in my life and yet, I want more of her."

He drew in a deep breath, crossing his arms against his white shirt. "I thought she felt the same way. But clearly, we have different priorities."

"What are you saying?" Amara asked.

✘✘

Primo crossed his arms and watched in repugnance as Natasha dried her moist cheeks. He had dragged her to the Noveau, the hotel's restaurant located on the ground floor but only because Amara had asked him to.

If it was up to him, he would've gladly left the girl.

"What?" she grumbled, rubbing at the area under her eyes.

"I can't believe I thought you were likable."

Natasha crushed the tissue on her small hands. "It was your choice to date me."

"Because you came crying to me," he yelled. Primo eyed the deep V of her beige dress that was too loose on her chest. He always thought she was thin but left it to the fact that girls loved to look like models. But then, he had recalled Amara's words about Natasha's issues. "Are you even eating?"

The girl seemed genuinely surprised at the concern that laced his question. "Why do you care?"

Primo clicked his tongue. He didn't want to go through this route but the similarities of his actions to that of his father's left an acrid tasted on his mouth. "I apologize, alright? I still think it's a bastard move that you cheated on me but I also..." He sighed, rubbing a hand on his nape. "I wasn't that good of a boyfriend. I know I tend to overlook you and your wants... and maybe because of that—"

"Primo enough." Natasha reached for his hand. Her tears flowed once again though the edge of her lips curled in a small smile. "You were great. But I do think we didn't like each other enough."

He snorted and retracted his hand back. "If you say so."

"I know so... I mean..." She gazed at him, cerulean eyes twinkling in mischief. "You wouldn't do the same to Amara, right?"

Primo swallowed hard as his heart thudded fast. His best friend's name was enough to cause a clamor in his inside him. He wanted to throw himself off a cliff. Why did he ever think he could let go of her?

Now that he had gotten a taste of how sweet Amara's lips were, the task seemed downright impossible.

Fuck.

"Are you okay?'

He nodded. "What are you going to do now?"

Natasha's eyes moistened that Primo rolled his eyes. He should stop asking this girl questions if all she did was cry. So different from Amara. But then again, no one could hold a candle to Amara Luciano.

Primo clenched his jaw as his own problems slammed him right in the face. Would Amara call him a hypocrite if he begged her to stay?

"I think... Elijah and I aren't meant to be..."

Primo raised his head. "What?"

Natasha wiped her tears with the back of her palms, smiling bitterly. "I'm a coward. All I ever bring him is sadness and stolen moments. I cannot even be proud of him. Elijah deserved better. And I love him too much to keep him away from that kind of happiness."

"Why don't you just tell your mother the truth?"

"I told you... I'm not that strong..." Natasha muttered as her voice shattered. "Don't you know? When you love someone, there's no space for second thoughts and hesitation. To love is to be daring. I'm not that."

Natasha grabbed his hand, a knowing look in her eyes. "Don't be like me, Primo."