Alyssa Mancini's Story

The presentation was bordering on vulgar. Alyssa scanned her surroundings with an eye of distaste she could almost taste. This place used to be an elegant stately home. Now it looked liked the epitome of Italian American Mobster Stereotyping. If you stole it, flash it. It never used to be like this. But then Claudia never used to be the Lady of the house.

Alyssa made her way through the house that had once felt like her home away from home. She had grown up running around in this very Foyer. It had been a safe haven. One would never think such terrible things and decisions had taken place within its walls. Then again that was the beauty of childhood, pure ignorance. Making her way through the household, Alyssa paid little attention to the staff running around like busy bees mostly likely on the orders of the Banshee. Practically family, no one batted an eyelid.

Dressing for the dinner party had been a simple matter. Her working clothes were just as acceptable for such occasions. It came with the territory of being a Lawyer; lots of working lunches. Dinners were no different. Plus, Alyssa had little interest in being at this little fiasco that Claudia had arranged, had it not been so closely related to business. Which in itself was a very bad idea, when Alyssa regarded it in a professional light.

Making her way to the West Wing where the Rick's Office was located, Alyssa let herself in. They needed to discuss certain matters regarding the Yakuza and this . . . arranged marriage. It wasn't as simple as it sounded. And although, the Yakuza had been good associates of the Falcone family . . . How did that age old saying going . . . Never mix business and pleasure . . . That was rather funny coming from her, Alyssa mused as she took a seat across from the large Rosewood desk, flicking through the file she had obtained from one of her many sources.

She was early, she would wait for him here going over the information. Focusing on every detail, every angle. It was a delicate matter, there was a lot at stake. Not a decision to take lightly or on a whim. Alyssa had not aired her opinion on the matter yet, there had been a lot of talk. None from her of course. She had observed. Observed and made deductions. In fact, sometimes Alyssa thought she was no longer able to think like a normal human being. However, in such matters, the Lawyer's voice was that of reason, maybe even caution. Definitely that of discretion.

Claudia had quickly applied some red lipstick and scampered on in front of Ricardo. It sounded as if guests were arriving early. Coming down the stairs she put on her black high heels, fluffed her hair, and put on that show stopping smile of hers. Before reaching any of the guests she noticed a red headed maid serving champagne. Claudia looked her over quickly, spotting a price tag sticking out of the girls outfit. The white piece of paper stuck out like a sore thumb against the girls black shirt. Claudia approached the woman. Something was familiar about the red head but Claudia did't want to bother to have small talk with the help. The brunette grabbed a glass of champagne, giving the girl an obvious look over.

"You must be new," she said suspiciously. Claudia had no real suspicions of the woman but that didn't mean she couldn't have a little fun. Though she wasn't suspicious she did think it a little odd. Olga rarely added anyone to the regular party crew, something must of happened. Claudia's hazel eyes searched the girl. Funny looking glasses. Poor child, unable to afford something better. She waited a moment before pointing at the white price tag. "Better fix that," she said cooly before turning around. Claudia would keep her eye on this new maid. She always kept her eyes on the newcomers.

Sipping on her champagne as she watched Ricardo speak with Hiroshi. Next to the Japanese man was a much younger woman but the way that they interacted had Claudia believing that this girl was the much talked about Dragon Princess. Ricardo's words with them were brief because of an interruption from his assistant. Ah, there it was. Claudia had known that Brianna would be surprising Ricardo tonight, Claudia had just hoped that this heart warming reunion would have taken place well before the guests arrived. That was fine though, not everything went according to plan with these sort of things. Claudia slowly walked up behind Ricardo and his dazzling smiling face. His happiness made everything perfectly okay. A small smile crooked her lips as she rubbed his shoulders lightly before lightly saying "I tried to get her here earlier, but you know, Brianna always likes to make an entrance."

Claudia gave Brianna a little wink, then she gave Ric a peck on the neck and a pat on the back. "I'll leave you two to catch up," she said as she trotted off to her next endeavor. Claudia counted all of her ducks. There were quite a few missing, but one that she had expected at least an hour early to the party. Alyssa. With a sigh Claudia asked one of the help if they had seen Miss Mancini. She was in Ricardo's study. Half out of duty and half because she was curious Claudia went to find her. Leaving the part wasn't something too uncommon for the hostess, just as long as everyone else at the party had something to do.

Entering the study quietly Claudia spoke first, taking the first jab at Alyssa. Claudia looked down at her nails almost as if disinterested as she said, "Planning on having a quick fuck up here before the party?" Claudia smiled viciously, "well, he's already downstairs," she said. There was no confirmed information that Alyssa had feelings for Ricardo but Claudia liked to poke sadistically.

Time passed, and the sound of music and laughter grew louder. Alyssa had just finished going over all the paper work, when the grating voice reached her ears. She smiled almost bitterly to herself. Cruel wasn't a strong enough work to describe Claudia. Yet, Alyssa was not one to back down. Both women had been rubbing each other the wrong way since Claudia had clawed her way into Ric's life.

"Claudia." Alyssa smiled overly friendly, turning to face the poignant woman. "Now, now. Green really doesn't suit you." Alyssa moved towards Claudia stopping before her. "Crass as always. It's nice to see you too." She continued to smile before her expression turned to that of mock shock. "You're wearing clothes!? Lovely dress. What is it? Walmart? Target? Definitely, a step up from the Thrift shop were you must of shopped before Ric decided to . . . Well," Alyssa continued with an amused twinge to her lips. She was not in a mood to take Claudia's shit tonight. "Ric has always had a place in his heart for the less fortunate. Charity starts at home after all. Downstairs did you say?" Alyssa brushed passed the absinthian woman, knocking Claudia's shoulder.

Alyssa was sure Claudia knew after her feelings for Ric. Maybe, she wondered as she made her way down the stairs; Claudia and she could have been friends, if they had not been in love with the same man . . . Alyssa smirked, realising her ideal thinking was exactly that. Ideal. And untrue. Claudia was gauche. She was so very . . . common. And nothing could ever change that. No matter how much she may try to elevate herself in the world. No matter how she tried to play the gracious hostess; what was out of Claudia's power to change was where she came from.

Standing on the fringes of the clamorous room, Alyssa grabbed a glass off the tray of a passing waitress. She was going to need it by the looks of it. The look of disgust of Nick Quinn's face as he entered matched Alyssa's own thoughts. What had she walked into? It was like she had walked into the Twilight Zone. Yukimura was there dancing with his daughter as if they were at her cotillion.

Her eyes searched for Ric but he was nowhere to be seen. Claudia's words rang in her ears. Claudia's jealousy did not give her the pleasure Alyssa had always thought it would. Because Claudia didn't matter. She was just a blip. And blips faded, in time . . . Or disappeared.

Claudia tapped her foot impatiently as Alyssa just kept blabbing at her. All of the words that came out of that cow's mouth were supposed to make Claudia tick, and they did... to a certain extent. Alyssa was one of the few people who knew (and cared) that Claudia was born and raised to be a lower-middle class Italian woman who would have six children and argue with her husband every night. She was by no means raised to live the life she was pursuing now. And yes it was strange that Ric and chosen little frizzy haired Claudia over smart Alyssa, but he had. Now Alyssa just needed to get over herself and accept that. For God's sake, Claudia and Ricardo had been married for eight years and Alyssa still wasn't over it. Somethings just need to die, and Alyssa's love for him is one of those things.

By now Claudia was used to the jabs that Alyssa took at her. Instead of furthering the irritation between the two of them Claudia, for the first time in a long time, decided to keep her mouth shut. Claudia did nothing as Alyssa barged into her and made her way down the stairs. Claudia stood in Ric's office for a moment, taking it's paperwork and metal kind of smell. Then she returned to the party. Her hazel scanned the guests as she defended from the staircase. A jumble of people Claudia didn't remember inviting were here, but that wasn't something unusual. Everyone was trying to get into these parties. Then she spotted the handsome devil on payroll.

"Nicky!" She exclaimed, swigging down the last of her champagne and putting it on a servers platter. Claudia cupped his face with her right hand and gave him a quick peck on the cheek on the other side. Pulling away she said "I wasn't expecting to see you here." If Claudia had lived another life she would have married someone like Nick Quinn. He was charming and had one of those cute little accents. He would have been something of a prize to her and her girlfriends back home. Something a little exotic, and if he wasn't involved in the mafia, something stable enough to raise kids with.

Claudia did a quick scan of his clothes. Underdressed, but she didn't mind. Nick Quinn never seemed to understand that these sort of things were a fashion statement for women and a time to show off for the men.

Nicholas scanned the crowd. Overdressed, overpayed. The words that came to his head. He pulled the flask out of his jacket and took a swig before placing it back into his pocket. He looked and thought he saw a spray of red hair disappear from him. It slightly intrigued him and he walked further into the party. He saw the champagne being carried around, looked down at himself and sighed. He could have atleast worn a nice suit. His eyes met with one Alyssa Mancini, he'd seen her around and he gave her a quick once over. Up and down. She was hot. He'd seen her around before and every single time he made that conclusion.

They'd never really spoken properly but Nick liked to think he'd made an impression. Atleast enough of one that if he wanted to go and talk to her, it'd be easy enough. It was then he heard a sound. A call. The homing signal. He knew who it was before he even looked. The wife to Ric Falcone. A smile summoned itself to his face. He heard his name and felt her hand on his face and her lips touch his cheek.

"Claudia! Baby!"

He exclaimed to her as he risked breaking a boundary, he wrapped an arm around her waist and gave her a quick squeeze. He winked at her and responded to her next comment.

"There's a reason for that...Probably because I wasn't invited but don't worry, I didn't bring my badge..."

He kept a hold of her waist and gave her an up-down look.

"You're looking good...More clothes than I'd like but I suppose that wouldn't be appropriate...With your husband so close and all.."

He took a step back and gave her another look and smiled then gave a mock paranoid look around the place. While he wasn't actually scared of Ric, he had heard stories and...If it came to a fight Nick REALLY wasn't confident. He'd probably be killed, dragged out somewhere and shot. Nick didn't wanna get shot. It wasn't in his plans for the next five years.

"I don't have to worry about being shot now do I? Because...How could I resist touching you?"

Nick stood and looked around, no-one else was particularly pulling him, he did notice that he couldn't see his sister but maybe she just decided not to come...Whatever. Claudia was entertaining enough...and....Alyssa was always an option...