Camille

      It was a little after five o'clock in the evening and Manuello was pissed. He hadn't said anything but I knew his feelings. Emmanuelle wasn't speaking to him since he was convinced that being home-schooled was the best way to go while Emmanuelle wanted to attend Miami's School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Who would have thought that the silent treatment would get to him like that?

      Just then I heard the front door open and someone jog up the stairs. I had acute hearing, which could be hell late at night when I wanted to sleep. After fingering my hair a bit I left my room and made my way down the hall to Emmanuelle's room. It took about ten minutes, yes the house was that large and it was the main reason why I made sure we have live-in help. Imagine living in a house that large all by yourself. That's some scary shit, especially when you live with a paranoid husband.

      "Emmanuelle?" I called out as I knocked on her door.

      Shortly thereafter she opened the door dressed simply in a turquoise colored backless halter , a pair of low slung gray skinny jeans, and a pair of turquoise Versace sandals. A pair of intricately designed earrings fell from her ears while a rather large semi precious stone dressed her middle finger. She glanced at her wrist to check the time on her watch before looking at me.

      "Can I help you?" she asked me.

      "Will you please talk to your father," I asked her as she grabbed her cell phone and began to dial some numbers.

      "I really don't feel like speaking to that man right now," she answered stubbornly.

      "But..."

      "Can you hold on a minute? I have a call to make," she replied before walking out of ear shot and speaking to the person on the other end of the line.

Manuello

      I clipped my diamond scorpion shaped cufflinks before glancing at the clock on the bedside table. The clock stroke midnight, letting me know that my party had been in full swing for the last hour and, of course, I had yet to make an appearance. Camille sat at her vanity dressed in a black and gold outfit that had been designed specifically for the shoes adorning her feet. A simple pair of gold south sea pearl and diamond earrings dressed her ears while a simple diamond necklace dressed up her neck. The only other jewelry she wore was her engagement ring and wedding band. She looked simple and classy; just how I liked her.

      "Can you get Emmanuelle for me?" I asked her. Camille just nodded and left the room.

      My daughter still wasn't speaking to me and it annoyed me to no end. She just didn't want to see reason. Miami's School for the Visual and Performing Arts was a great school and in a good neighborhood but I didn't trust anyone when it came to my princess's safety and while she thought I was being overbearing she would be thankful later.

Emmanuelle

      "And I think we're done," Pati replied as he moved back and Christian nodded in agreement.

      I stopped spraying my Quick-Dry over my nails, they had been done only ten minutes earlier in a black/purple color with crystals glued on, before turning around to look in the mirror and gasped slightly when I saw my reflection. Okay so I've always been told I was attractive but anyone knows that with the right make up an average person looks like a star and thanks to Pati's expertise, and Dior's fabulous products, I was looking flawless with my Matte finish. It had cost quite a bit to get Pati Dubroff to drop everything and fly out to Miami to do my make up for the night but it was worth it. You couldn't even tell I had on any make up, well except for the dark eye shadow that made my light eyes pop and the crystal lined eyelashes around my eyes. My lips were covered with Dior’s Addict lipstick, the rose mirage shade, and just looked kissable. Damn, I was tempted to forgo my father's party and hit a club but knowing him he'd find me and have security pull me out.

      Christian had given me a deep condition treatment earlier at his hair salon and then came by to style the hair he had blown out earlier. Without my signature curls, my hair stopped at me waist and was just too long to manage so it was understood that I would have an updo. Christian curled my silky straight hair into loose ringlets before twisting it up into a classy chignon using a beautiful mother of pearl and diamond accented hair clip my father had given me years ago as an accent.

      "Oh my God," I whispered.

      "I take it you like it?" Pati asked me with a smile on her face.

      "No, I love it. Thank you so much," I replied while staring at my reflection in the mirror.

      "No problem," Christian replied before starting to pack up his supplies.

      I finally pulled myself from the mirror and ran my finger lightly over my nails to make sure they were dry before excusing myself from Pati and Christian so that I could get dressed. Just as I was buttoning my black gown I heard a loud knock at my door. I placed my head out the door and asked if Pati or Christian could answer the door for me.

Camille

      I waited for Emmanuelle to open the door; only when it opened it wasn't her on the other side but an attractive man who had to be in his late twenties/early thirties. The only thing that saved him from me calling Mannie was the fact that he was gay; his eye liner, pink glossed lips and spiked hair said it all.

      "Come in," he replied and moved back so that I could enter.

      I walked deeper into Emmanuelle's suite to see a woman about my age packing some things in a huge traveling cosmetic case. "Is Emmanuelle in?"

      "Yeah," she replied before waving over to a door that I knew was Emmanuelle's walk-in closet, "she's in there."

      I headed over to the closet door and knocked on it lightly before opening the door. Emmanuelle was sitting on a circular cushion in the middle of the room fastening the strap to her black, crystal studded, sandals before standing and turning to me. My mouth dropped when I sat the full frontal image of the dress.

      It was a simple enough black silk gown but it was the cut that would cause some problems. The gown was designed to have a kimono style that wasn't really represented with the wrap-around look but the falling sleeves. The front cut was done in a simple v-neck that, while it wasn't dangerously low, did show off the curves of her full c-cup breasts. The line of the inner sleeves, as well as the second strap next to it, was lined in clear crystals. In all honesty the dress was beautifully made and clung to the curves of her body but like I said earlier, I knew there was going to be problems.

      "Your father sent me to collect you," I replied as she turned and headed over to her dresser and pulled out a pair of flawless diamond drop Harry Winston earrings. It was then that I was able to take in the back of her dress and my mouth dropped at the dangerously low cut of it and I just had to say something. Her and Mannie were already going at it and the last thing we needed was another fight. "Don't you think you should change?"

      "Why would I?" she asked me as she grabbed a beautiful diamond necklace from the velvet coated drawer under the one she'd previously been using and expertly fastened it around her neck.

      "Because we both know that Manuello is going to pitch a fit," I answered.

      "That's his problem," she retorted as she slid a priceless twelve carat diamond right hand ring on her right ring finger.

      "Please..."

      "I'll handle my father," she replied cutting me off before walking out of the closet, leaving me behind.

      "But.."

      "We both know that he's a bit over the top," she started as she grabbed her Clive Christian no.1 perfume and sprayed is on her neck and wrists. "But I can handle that. You just do what you do best and keep your mouth shut."

      I wanted so badly to tell her ass off but she was right and I knew my place. Unfortunately there was only room for one person in Manuello's heart and that was Emmanuelle. I knew it, understood it, and accepted it. He would believe anything that came out of her mouth, as I'd learned early on, and decided just to go with the flow. In the end, it was better for her to be on the end of his anger than me.

Jarell

      "What's good pimpin'?" Druex asked me as he walked over, dressed simply in a pair of baggy fit dark blue Rock & Republic jeans, a pressed white dress shirt with a blazer over it.

      Druex was never one to wear a suit and this was as close as he'd get. Anyone who knew him knew that and understood it. There were the snobbish people who stared in disdain but the corporate thugs like myself, and others, just took it for what it was.

      "Chillin'. Manuello throws the best parties but right now I'd rather be out there," I replied pointing to the secluded beach the club sat on.

      "I wouldn't mind a little sex on the beach myself," Druex replied with a wink as Sylvia walked up.

      I had to admit that Sylvia looked good and you could tell that she and Druex were together. Most of the women were dressed to the nine in couture gowns while she adorned a simple cream mini dress and simple gold Gucci sandals. Large, but thin, gold hoop earrings hung from her ear and a matching gold and diamond accented name plate was around her neck.

      "What up Sylvia?" I asked her even though I was still pissed that she had given her girlfriend my private cell number.

      "Nothing, just doing me," she replied.

      Just then a round of applause was heard and I glanced around me to see where it was coming from. Walking through the door was Manuello Suarez with two women at his side; one I was familiar with and one I'd never seen before and I knew every attractive woman (especially important ones) in my state. All three of them were dressed to impress but again it was the 'new' girl who caught my attention. I watched, and especially took in Camille Suarez's expression when the girl leaned over to Manuello and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and she smiled widely before walking off.

      "Who is that?" I asked O, who had just walked over from the bar.

      "I don't know," he replied with a shrug before taking a sip of his Hennessy. "I've never seen her before."

      "I don't even know why you care," Sylvia replied with an attitude.

      "And I don't see how you got in my conversation," I said pointedly before turning to Dru to let him know to keep his bitch on a leash.

      I like Sylvia but if she kept fucking with me she'd find my size 12s up her ass. One thing I didn't tolerate was mother-fuckers in my business. That's probably another reason why I don't have a girl; hoes were just nosey by nature.

Emmanuelle

      I headed over to the bar, knowing my father it was open and since I'd come in with him, no one would as me for an ID. It was just understood that anyone at his parties were of the legal age. A smile was flashed at the various men taking me in as I slid onto one of the barstools and crossed my legs while I waited for the bartender to start servicing me.

      "And what can I get you tonight mam?" the cute guy asked me with a thick Italian accent.

      "How about some Bubbles 'n Blue?" I asked him.

      "Coming right up," he replied before licking his lips.

      While the bartender filled a flute with my concoction someone slid into the seat next to me smelling deliciously of Burberry for men. The bartender handed me my drink and I thanked him before taking a sip. I was contemplating whether or not to glance to my left and see if the guy beside me looked as good as he smelled. That was one of my weaknesses. A good smelling man; there was just nothing like it.

      "And what's your poison?" the bartender asked the guy next to me.

      "Louis the XIII," his baritone voice replied.

      It was then that I turned to take the guy in. Sitting next to me was an attractive dark skinned guy with silky smooth skin, dark eyes, and long eye lashes. He wasn't the hottest guy in the world but he had that Diddy aura. You know, just really well put together with a swagger that was unmatched. Even though he was sitting I could tell that his slacks were tailored to perfection as was his white jacket, and in effect his black dress shirt. A simple pair of diamond studs graced his ears and a black and platinum Audemars Piguet watch dressed his wrist.

      "I'm Jarell," he introduced himself and offered me his hand, "and you are?"

      "Pleased to meet you," I answered and shook his hand before releasing his large appendage and raised the cool crystal of the glass to my lips and took a sip of my drink.

      "What?" he asked me amused, "no name?"

      "That's something you're going to have to work for," I replied with a smirk before sliding off my stool and heading over to the VIP section so I could relax without people all in my face.

Manuello

      I watched my daughter walk off and turned my attention back to the guy she had been talking to, Jarell Houston. Jarell was one of the few people I had respect for but I had to make sure that there was nothing building between him and my daughter. He was just too mature for her and while he didn't have a record, I knew his real business. Car detailing has provided a good living for some but it wasn't his chain of shops that had him living the life he did.

      "Will you excuse me?" I asked the mayor before heading over to a private elevator that would take me to the VIP section.

Emmanuelle

      I on the make-shift dance floor with this attractive guy with fresh cornrows. The two of us were getting into it when my father came over and cleared his throat. My dance partner must have known my father and his reputation because he stiffened up a bit and moved out of my personal space.

      "Omari," my father said staring at my dance partner.

      "Mr. Suarez," he replied with a nod before walking a few paces away.

      "Did you need something?" I asked my father pissed he was messing with my flow.

      "I don't want to catch you in a situation like that again Princess," he replied.

      "Like what?" I asked with the roll of my eyes, "Dancing?"

      "Princess," he started in a warning voice.

      "Whatever," I replied before turning and walking away. "I'm out."

      "Princess!"

      "Don't Princess me Mannie," I replied with the role of my eyes. "You want to rule over everything but you can't always get what you want."

      "Why must you be so difficult?" he asked me as he grabbed my arm to keep me from leaving.

      I could feel the eyes of the few people in the room but I wasn't concerned with them right now. My father had my undivided attention, "Because I'm just like you." With that said I snatched my arm from his hand and stormed out of the room.

Jarell

      "Yo, you missed it," Omari replied as he slid into the booth I was sitting at and sipped on his drink.

      "What did I miss?" I asked him not really caring what he had to say. O was my boy but other than making money, all he cared about was bitches and I just didn't have patience for that.

      "You know that young girl who came in with Manuello?" he asked me.

      "Yeah, and?" I asked him.

      "Well I was dancing with her in VIP and then Manuello comes in there tripping and shit. You know how Manuello is in public but him and Princess..."

      "Princess?" I asked him.

      O shrugged and said, "That's what Manuello called her and she answered."

      I nodded before waving for him to continue what he was saying. "The two of them were arguing and she turned to leave but Manuello grabbed her."

      "Word?" I asked shocked. This just didn't should like the Manuello I had gotten to know through the years as he played the part of my coke connect.

      "Yeah," O replied before inconspicuously pointing her out. "There she goes now."

      I turned to see the woman O identified and Princess walking briskly towards the front door. Manuello looked as if he was tempted to follow her but just shook his head and headed over to his wife who was conversing with the police chief's wife.

      "So what is she? His mistress?" I asked curiously.

      "I don't know but if she is, then that nigga is a pimp. How you gonna bring your mistress to a party like this with you wife and not have her bat an eye?" Omari replied as an attractive dark skinned woman walked by in a black and white gown.

      Omari barely lifted a hand as he followed her. That nigga was a mess but I had to admit that at least this particular female was attractive. I shook my head and nursed my drink as I waited for Manuello to give me my introduction into high society. Tonight I was leaving the small fishes and saying hello to the big boys.