ROSARI

Rosari is the last of the entourage to enter. She has a guard with her to provide the illusion that she's well taken care of. The guard is fairly new. He steals glances at her and asks questions to guarantee her comfort. But give it a couple more weeks and he'll wind up as brainwashed as the rest.

The sound of clamorous chatter hits Rosari. Hoards of guests swarm the place, cladded in extravagant gowns and suits crafted from the finest material. They're all there for the celebration at hand, but it doesn't stop them from bringing business into the mix. As if business can't wait some other time. It's all they ever discuss anyway.

Rosari steps into the manor and dismisses the guard. He's adamant about leaving, but immediately senses her displeasure and makes off somewhere. And now she's been left alone amidst the tumultuous atmosphere of the Verdonni estate. It's more lively than the last time she was over. But it figures, since the underboss to be is about to be commemorated.

Yet another celebration she's been forced to attend. Her presence at these meetings are expected by many, because everyone wants a look at Enzo Maranzo's most prized possession. She will sit and wait for the gathering to end. Like she always has.

Rosari finds a spot and snags a drink from a serving tray. She's scanning the crowd for Josi, but stops when the sight of Enzo and a colleague of his meets her eyes. They gesture towards her direction while in a conversation Rosari knows nothing of. But from the smile on the colleague's face, the nature of the conversation is painfully clear.

And Rosari's deductions are proven correct. The man leaves Enzo's side and walks up to her all confident and poised. He has a smile that's supposed to charm her, but all it does is spark disgust in the twenty-four year old. Another middle-aged man who thinks they have what it takes to impress Rosari.

"You must know you're the woman of the hour."

Rosari sighs. Would pulling her hair out make things clear?

The man disregards her silence and continues on with his introduction. He tells her his affiliates and makes it clear he's a man of great importance. That's how conversations with men like him always go. They think if they boast about their profession, it will land them bonus points.

"Your father mentioned your free schedule," The man continues. "Would you like to accompany me?"

Rosari has no clue where he wants to take her. She stopped listening the moment he opened his mouth and only currently decided to check in. "Don't you have a wife? And a daughter around my age?"

The man grows stale. Then he relaxes and gives her a smile. "If it's them you're worried about, then be rest assured. They won't know a single thing. They never do."

As expected. Rosari isn't even surprised, just revolted. He probably sees no issue with chasing a woman the age of his own daughter. She sighs once again, because now the exhaustion has eaten into her. Exhaustion from the sight of the man alone.

"I need you to do something for me." Rosari tells him. "Go kill yourself."

The man's face ripens. Surely, he hadn't heard her correctly. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me."

"Your father will hear about this." He tells her through gritted teeth.

Rosari grabs his hand and slips her glass into his grasp. "Tell him to go kill himself too."

It won't be long until the next mafia socialite approaches her. She loses herself in the crowd and finds a spot that will guarantee her peace of mind for some time. The only person she has any interest in is Josi. And much to her satisfaction, she finds her next to the staircase railing.

"There you are."

Josi smiles. Or at least, attempts to. "Hey, I've been looking for you."

"Didn't you see the text I sent you?"

A pause. Josi's mind wanders for a second, then shortly returns. "My phone isn't on me."

Rosari nods, but the look on Josi's face concerns her. She seems jittery, anxious, almost restless. Like something big is on her mind. Bigger than its capacity.

"Are you okay?"

Josi gives Rosari a look that answers her question. She's far from okay. "What happened?"

Josi leads her towards a more secluded area-a room down the hallway and away from the festivities-before finally crumbling. And now Rosari can tell things haven't been a cakewalk for Josi either.

"I think I'm in trouble, Rosari. No, I know I'm in trouble. Things are falling apart and I'm not sure if I can make it out of this one. I mean, what am I supposed to do? I can't just get rid of him. I can't even-"

"Josita, slow down." Rosari pulls her over to a couch and has her sit down. Then she urges her to take more breaths in and encourages her to speak once she's ready.

"Ainse Vanetti." Josi says once she's calmed down.

"The new underboss?"

Josi nods. "He knows. Well, he doesn't know yet, I don't think. But he will, I'm sure of it. And I don't . . . I don't know what to do."

"Tell me exactly what happened."

Josi does exactly so. She tells her about Ainse's background and how he knows about her past with Idris. She tells her about his inquisition, and that she's sure he's up to something, but doesn't quite know what yet. And she tells her that Ainse probably isn't too far from seizing everything she's worked hard for.

Rosari takes it all in in silence. Then when she's done assembling her thoughts, she tells Josi, "I know things are dire right now, but I just can't picture you losing."

Josi stares at her, the panic in her eyes somewhat diffusing.

"You're Josita Cade," Rosari continues. "You'll find your way out of this one. I know you will."

There's no doubt in Rosari's mind, though it seems like things really are falling apart. But if there's anyone more capable of digging up solutions, it's Josi herself.

After the talk, Josi thanks Rosari who tells her she doesn't need gratitude. Then they sit in still silence, which Rosari appreciates just as much as Josi, because the festivities outside seems to have hit its peak. They return only when Josi decides she's ready, and at the time of their arrival the crowd has fixed itself to match the slow tune. Pair by pair. Couple by couple.

Rosari groans. This celebration won't be ending any time soon. "Do you want to head back?"

Josi is up for it. They begin their journey back to the secluded room, but don't make it very far. Because a new visitor arrives.

"Josita Cade."

~《¤》~

AINSE

The celebration wasn't supposed to be this grand. At least, Ainse wasn't expecting it to be. He would have preferred something much more modest. Subtle. But now as he greets the multitude of guests that arrive for him, he thinks it's not all too bad. Everyone present this evening came for him. Perhaps sharing this day among the numerous congratulations is for the best. So now Ainse has warmed up to the party's size, which was made possible by Idris himself. At least, he did something right. For once.

The crowd breaks into a slow dance number, but Ainse is in no mood for dancing. He's had enough mingling. It's all he's been doing since the evening began. So he excuses himself and gives way to the others who want to seize the opportunity. And as he heads towards the back, he spots Josi. Josi and who he knows is Maranzo's daughter.

Ainse smiles. "Josita Cade."

Josi freezes where she is, and only when she turns to face him does he truly revel in the dejection she's enshrouded in. That look suits her well.

Suddenly, Ainse feels like dancing. "May I have this dance?"

Josi stares at his hand, then exchanges a look with Maranzo's daughter, as if it were their own form of communication. She finally accepts his invite and allows him lead her towards the center of the dance floor. Now they just sway-at first in silence, because clearly, Josi would rather be anywhere else.

Ainse kickstarts the conversation. "You're beautiful."

Josi frowns. "Is that why you asked me to dance?"

Ainse simply chuckles. "Partly." He twirls her around and brings her back in. "It's a fact. You know it, I know it, everyone here knows it. Even the guards know it, though they despise you. I'm sure Idris knows it, too. Which is why I can't help wondering if that's the reason he fell for you."

Josi maintains silence and only stares Ainse straight in the eye, as if challenging him.

And Ainse takes the challenge. He dives into his own calculations, utilizing Josi's eyes for assistance. Kasper Morton, the gunsmith turned worm food, was the culprit behind Ramsey's arrest. He'd given the anonymous tip to the authorities and had even traded in Idris's pistol for validation. He was caught and given an end suitable for his offense. That was the final verdict. That's the story the Verdonni family ran with, and the one Ainse currently knows as fictitious.

The fact that Josi may have a larger part to play isn't inconceivable. The fact that she was the brains behind the operation is quite plausible to Ainse. Still he needs proof far more solid. He needs more probing.

"Were Idris's feelings for you all according to your plan as well?"

At this point, Josi is visibly irritated by his constant digging, but still feeds him answers. "Idris fell for me all on his own. Nothing was according to my plan."

A laugh escapes Ainse. "You don't cease to amaze me, Ms. Cade. I'm still not sure how you were able to manage such a feat."

Josi's eyes falter, although subtly. "What are you talking about?"

Ainse brings his lips down to her ear, and says, in sotto voce, "I know what you did to Ramsey."

And there it is. The pause Ainse was waiting, anticipating, searching for. The hesitation. It has truly confirmed the claims made by Balty's diary. Josi's grip around his hand loosens, which brings a smile too satisfying to his face.

The song finally ends, as does the swaying crowd. Ainse lets Josi go and ties his hands behind once again. "Have a good rest of your evening, Ms. Cade." And he walks off, leaving Josi still frozen in place.

The crowd at the Verdonni estate is called together by the clinking of a champagne glass. Ainse manages his way to the second floor with Idris by his side. Idris gives a speech which the crowd loves to the point of laughter. He entertains them, as Ainse knows he loves to do, then he gives him a chance to add his own words.

Ainse speaks with so much authority and confidence. He promises the crowd he'll be a good leader, a better leader. That he'll do great things for the family. And they gobble each and every word up. The crowd is in an ovation by the time Ainse's speech is over.

Idris raises his glass in the air. "To Ainse Vanetti."

"To Ainse Vanetti!" The crowd bellows. They toast each other's glasses and drink the champagne down, all in the name of the new Underboss, Ainse Vanetti. They're all thrilled to welcome him as another part of the Verdonni family.

Everyone except Josi, that is. Ainse can see her from where he is on the second floor. She meets his gaze, but does nothing else. Just stands there with panic in those eyes of hers. He gives her his own mini air toast before drinking down the champagne. Then he smiles at her. A pleased smile of satisfaction.

Ainse Vanetti is now underboss.

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