I wasn't going to look back.
I can't go back to Kai or any members of the Deck of Cards unless it was a true emergency. I couldn't go back to so much pain and I didn't want to either, I was going to start focussing on more important things like getting my gang to the top. I was going to lead them to victory and show them that I am the one who can save them all. I turned the Shattered Jewels into something bigger, and better, and so many more things that the other gangs grew envious of. We were moving fast, and I guess gangs are scared of our speed.
I'm even surprised I passed my Winter Exams with all of this gang shit going on. I'm even more surprised with how I could even make it to school on time without any problems in the mornings. Though there were times I had to leave class so I could talk to Richard or Joe, but the teachers didn't mind.
The three boys have been calling me all morning, it almost grew annoying but I knew what they needed; an explanation. I wasn't going to give them one either, because I'm not going back.
I step out of the elevator and race Soldier to the penthouse door, but of course he wins. I walk in to be met with the sweet smell of pancakes and I follow the aroma to the dining room.
I walk in to see Joe and Richard stuffing their faces with the deliciousness and I sit at the head of the table ready to dig in as well. I pass Soldier a pancake and he catches it with his mouth and starts chewing on it quickly.
"You guys ready for tonight?" I asked as I munched on my bacon.
"Yeah, we're ready. What are we gonna do all day though?" Richard asks as he sips on his coffee.
"You guys wanna explore the city a little bit? We can show Diamonds the legal businesses we own now here," Joe suggested.
"Yeah, show me. I wanna see how they're doing," I said eagerly.
"Alright alright, we'll leave as soon as we're ready, good?" Richard chuckled.
"Yeah, good."
I know what you're thinking, 'How are you a gang leader but don't know any of your businesses?' See, that's where you're wrong. I do know my businesses, I just don't know where they're specifically located. I've never been out of my home state since I started leading, so I don't know the specific addresses and such. I just know the city and the state, and all of our discussions are always through the phone.
After I'm done with breakfast Soldier and I rush upstairs so I could get ready. I run into my bathroom and take a quick shower and soak in it before I start washing myself.
I blow dried my hair once I got out and slipped on my outfit for today and arranged it so it looked more presentable. I mean even though I'm the owner of these businesses it doesn't mean that I have to show up in a pencil skirt or pantsuit, I'd be damned if I ever had to do that. Before I headed back downstairs I put on some chapstick and placed everything I needed in my bag.
I hopped down on each step and jumped into Richard's arms and he carried me down to the BMW we would be taking around today. I wanted to go to Chinatown and try some sushi, maybe even visit the Statue of Liberty, oh and the dog park. Most definitely the dog park.
Richard placed me in the back seat where I pouted again but it soon wiped off once Soldier got in after me. Richard pulled out of the parking garage and started out to our first destination; fashion magazine headquarters.
We walked into the tall building and walked up to the woman at the front desk. She looked between the two men, completely ignoring me, and batted her eyelashes.
"Can I help you gentlemen?" She asked seductively. Wow, do the guys I hang around always have this effect on women? Like I get why she would act like this, because Richard and Joe were both like almost thirty but they looked like they were in their early 20's, they found the fountain of youth or some shit.
But anyways, Mental Note: Have this woman fired.
"Boss wants to see how business is going," Joe said with a blank face.
She looked over to Richard and bit her lip, "Of course boss man," she said lingering over Richard's body. She finally saw me standing in between the big men and scowled.
Richard chuckled and put his hand up, "I'm flattered, but she's the boss," he said pointing at me.
The woman looked up to me in surprise and her cheeks turned red with embarrassment and fear. "I-I'm s-sorry," she stuttered.
I scoffed and we started walking around the building, watching the people work and move around. We visited the editor and chief and he looked just as shocked as everyone else when they found out I was the owner, he even bowed at my fucking feet.
The rest of the day carried on like this, we looked over our business, I got some people fired, and I visited the managers. It was fun to see the people working so hard, I even took a mental note of some who were working a little too hard and decided to give them a little raise once I get back home.
After our long day we came home to start getting ready for the ball. Joe offered to carry me up to my bedroom because he said, and I quote, "Don't want me picking Richard as my favorite." I giggled at their behaviour but I know they were just messing around. It was really funny, but these guys actually felt like uncles to me. Uncles that work for me. It's weird to say.
I slipped out of my clothes and instead changed into clothes that I didn't care about getting dirty, and I decided to give Soldier a bath.
I filled the bath with warm water and got a small plastic container from under the sink. Since he didn't know what was going on, I had to carry him and place him inside the bathtub. He was freaking out at first but once the warm water hit his beautiful fur, he calmed down. I scrubbed his fur and cleaned him up until I was satisfied and he smelled like daisies. I even pointed the blow dryer at him and he absolutely adored it. I guess he was so tired of being in the cold he needed to be warmed up.
After him, I had gotten into the shower again myself and scrubbed, washed, exfoliated, and shaved until my skin was glowing. I really wanted to look my best since I had to make an impression if I were going to make my first appearance. I needed everybody to take me seriously, I needed people to understand that I am determined to get shit done and rise up from the dirt. We are not going to be Shattered Jewels, we're going to be Illiums.
I dried myself off and blow dried my hair until it was full of volume and curled the ends. I tied it into a loose low ponytail and left some tassels in the front. I moisturized my body well and brushed my teeth before I started doing my makeup.
My look was simple, and it looked natural. I wasn't going to go all in and try to make myself look 'different', because then I'd just look the same. I applied a small amount of foundation, contour, filled my eyebrows, and mascara. And abraca-fucking-dabra I already look good. I lastly apply some lip gloss before taking my dress from the suitcase.
I slid the shimmery creation onto my body and admired how good it looked on me. My breasts were exposed and there was a slit that ran up my thigh, and my tattoo of roses really made me feel like a badass. The clothing defined my curves and made my honey- like skin glow. I then clipped on the matching silver heels and gave myself a once over.
It was a coincidence how everybody knows me as 'Silver' and the store clerk handed me a silver dress. I think it was fate, this dress was just meant for me. (Note the sarcasm)
My hands started to grow sweaty at the thought of seeing the boys tonight. Being out today with Richard and Joe made me realize that I already missed my boys, and that all I really wanted to do was talk to them. Even though I said no looking back, I have to remind myself that I was the one who's at fault. I didn't tell them about the Shattered Jewels, I kept secrets and I lied to them about my whereabouts. I made excuses after excuses and all they were trying to do was respect me, when I couldn't even respect them. I was determined to apologize tonight, and to hopefully gain their forgiveness.
With that thought in mind I looked down at Soldier who already had his little tux on him. I smiled down just as he looked up to me and I grabbed my matching silver clutch and placed my phone and keys in. I attached his leash to his collar since we actually might end up losing each other during this thing and I don't want to risk him getting hurt.
I start walking downstairs where Joe and Richard were patiently waiting for me on the sofas in their jet black tuxes. Richard had a long tie and Joe had a black bowtie on, and they both looked quite dashing.
As I descended the stairs the clicks of my heels against the tile made their heads snap up towards me. They both hurried to the bottom and held my hands as I made my way down the last few steps.
"You look beautiful boss," Joe and Richard complimented in unsion with a genuine smile.
"Thank you guys," I said blushing. I haven't had anybody else call me beautiful other than Kai, so it was all still kind of new to me. I haven't been called beautiful in awhile since I've been hiding underneath my clothing.
"Here boss, we got you this," Richard said holding out a long white cardboard box.
I stared at it wide eyed and looked between them in shock, "You guys got me an Apple watch?" I asked as I gently took it from Richard.
"Yeah, so tonight we don't have to worry about anybody snatching our phones and figuring out some information about our gang," Joe explained.
I nodded my head and placed the watch onto my wrist, and synced it with my phone. I then went back upstairs to put my phones away and we set off into the BMW.
On our way there I bit my lip in nervousness about what I might say or do tonight. Many people might want to talk to me, and maybe even plot against me. Maybe I should say that it was all my brother with the thievery skills, not me. I started forming a speech and an explanation in my mind for when I make my announcement at the ball. I just hope that they choose to believe me, or else I will become everybody's new target tonight.
Richard pulled the car into a valet parking and looked back at me, "Here Silver, you need to wear this."
He handed me a silver diamond mask and I gratefully took it as he tied on his own black mask. I quickly tied it on just in time for Joe to open the car door for me.
Richard passed the keys to the valet driver and stood on the other side of me. I looked up at the gorgeous building in front of me, it almost looked like a museum with the pillars supporting it.
"You guys ready?" I asked as I took in a deep breath.
"Yep," they both said in unison.
"Great, because I'm sure as hell not," I said and started walking to the doors, Soldier's leash in hand.
I heard them chuckle behind me but quickly catch up as we started descending the stair case. I looked around the sea of people and recognized no one due to the masks that they wore.
But what I could see were feathers, many black tuxes, dresses of different colors, colors of different kinds, and waiters going around with trays of champagne. It all looked so formal and so elegant, it was almost scary and I felt so out of place.
"First time jitters?" Richards asked beside me.
"Shut up I got this," I tried saying confidently, but instead it came out as a squeak.
"Sure boss," he chuckled.
We merged with the people and walked towards the buffet. I grabbed a glass of water and sipped on it as I looked at the sea of people.
"You know, if everybody knew you were Silver, they would either try to kill you, or ask for your autograph," Joe said as he sipped on his champagne.
I looked up to him confusedly and he smirked, "You do realize you're the youngest, and only gang leader that's a girl, right?" He asked smugly.
I shook my head and let the information sink in. I was the only girl who held as much power as a few men in this room. I was the youngest yet I'm almost at the top, I turned this gang around and expanded our businesses and possibly created something bigger. I was making history, and I was carrying on Jewels' last wishes. I was saving them.
I looked around for any familiar silhouettes until I finally saw one of them. They had already been staring at me and tilted their head to the side, indicating for me to follow them.
"I'll be back," I said as I started walking away.
I followed him into an empty and dimly lit hallway until he finally stopped and turned around.
"Where the fuck did you go? And who are those guys?" He hissed.
"First, they're my second and third in command, second, I have a penthouse here," I answered, "How did you know it was me?"
He chuckled at my question, "You bring Soldier with you everywhere," he pointed out. I shaped my mouth into an 'o' and ran my fingers through his fur for comfort.
"How did you even get in here?" He asked curiously.
"I'm a fucking gang leader dude, you think I didn't get an invitation?" I deadpanned. Now it was his turn to shape his mouth into an 'o' and nod his head in understanding.
"Where are the others?" I asked nervously.
"Probably out mingling with the women, why?" He questioned.
"I need to explain everything to them Liam, they don't understand why I did what I did, and I need to apologize for keeping secrets and lying to them-"
"They know," he interrupted.
I stood there shocked in my position until I finally found my words again, "They what?"
"They know everything. I told them what you told me and they understood why you did what you did. We were calling you and looking around the city for you all day, we tried telling you that we understood but you kept pushing us away. We eventually stopped trying to find you when you drove away," he mumbled the last part but I heard him clearly.
I felt like a total bitch now. I thought that they were going to yell at me and scold me for my actions but all they wanted to do was tell me they forgave me already. They just wanted me back but I thought the exact opposite, they actually cared.
"I-I'm sorry Liam," I said softly. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes because of my stupidity, but I wouldn't let them.
"Hey, hey it's okay. It's alright we forgive you sissy, you don't have to worry about it," he said as he pulled me into his embrace. I wrapped my arms around his waist and listened to his steady heart beat, trying to sync my breathing with his.
"I decided I'm going to move in with Kai," he blurted out.
I pulled away from him to see if he was bluffing, but there wasn't a single trace of it. I jumped up and wrapped my arms around his neck and mumbled into his shoulder excitedly, "That's so great! Now all you guys need is Blake," I added.
He chuckled and pulled away, "Yeah, but let's go and find the others."
We walked side by side out into the party where we were met with women and men clinking their glasses together to say cheers, and laughs filled the air almost as loud as the orchestra.
He led me through the people until we ended up on the other side of the room, where we met with Blake.
"Hey man, look who I found," Liam called over to Blake.
He turned around and his eyes trailed up and down my body with shock, and then his eyes averted to Soldier for assurance. He placed his glass of champagne down and rushed over to me to wrap his arms around my waist and engulf me in a bone crushing hug.
"Holy fuck Dia where have you been?" He whispered into my ear.
"You have to call me Silver here Blakey," I reminded him.
He pulled away and arranged his tie, "Oh yeah, forgot." He shook a finger at me in a threatenly manner but miserably failed, "You missy, are not allowed to do that again, you hear me?"
I giggled at his attempt to scold me, "Yeah yeah, whatever. Sorry for everything," I said softly.
He tilted my head up to look up at him and nostalgia hit me like a bus from when Kai used to do this to me, "It's alright precious, you're forgiven. I just wished you had told us sooner," he said just as soft.
"I wanted to, I really did. I just didn't want to add more stress on to your plate and-"
Before I could ramble on he pulled me into his chest and rubbed my head, "Hey, it's alright precious, we understand."
I softly pulled away from him and looked up to his blue eyes, "Where's Kai?"
He smiled softly at me and kissed my forehead before grabbing my hand and leading Liam and I through the crowd.
Joy fluttered in my chest and gave me back my energy. Shock ran across my skin as the hairs stood up on my arm. I bit back a smile at the realization that these boys really and genuinely cared for me. I loved these guys and I love referring them to story book characters or old titles and I loved how safe they made me feel when I was with them. I felt relieved when the burden was finally lifted from my shoulders and I suddenly felt like I could breathe again. But all of the wind was suddenly knocked out of me once I took in the scene that was waiting to unfold.