Chapter 12 — Confrontations

Greg clenched his fist when he realized the scheme that Steffy planted for him. ‘I should have known. She tricked me!’ It was not long when Steffy excused herself to go to the washroom. But when he checked her there, she ditched him!

“Dude, get out of here. We need a little privacy!” He looked at the man and the girl in front of him. They were making out, and he was standing right in front of the couple, disturbing them when he barged in. He then scoffed at the couple and walked out, slamming the door.

Greg quietly went out of the bar and walked towards his motorcycle. Midnight breeze kissed his cheeks, reliving memories of him on the streets. He lost both of her parents at a very young age and the pain that it had caused him to cut deep to the core of his heart and mind. Hazy memories of dark, foreboding experiences propelled him to be the man he had become. He hated being cheated on and he never accepted defeat. Blowing a sigh, he could not still believe that his new student let him put his guards down.

Steffy differed from the girls he met. And each encounter with her proved to be such a challenge. “I’ll give you this one time, Steffy Rivera,” he said to himself. “Just this once.” He moved towards his motorcycle, then it roared back to life.

The familiar sound inside the casino made Tiffany’s head throb some more. Her father once again made a phone call, telling her they summoned her. So, she immediately arranged her travel and as she just got out of the airport, she felt an extreme migraine.

Bodyguards immediately gathered around her as she stepped out of the car her father sent for her. A man got her baggage, then body guards came and immediately led her inside the casino. It was a Tuesday evening, which meant the casino was full of badass business executives and slutty mistresses. Such people were more than willing to gamble their fortunes for the sake of their egos and stupid entertainments. And since they reserved Tuesday nights for the VIPs, she saw a lot of faces who were prominent in the business sector. Tiffany also encountered celebrities. No wonder paparazzi were scattered just outside the building.

The building itself was enormous, standing like an enormous ship in the city's heart. His father used to say that his love for his wife inspired this casino, and she cringed at the thought. She knew he only married her mother because of the stupid arrange marriage drama in the Alpha brotherhood.

Even she was born not because of love. Her mother confessed that the Don raped her the night before the wedding. Tiffany heaved a sigh as she took her sunglasses off her eyes. She handled it to her bodyguard along with her Versace coat. Her red stilettos made a tapping noise as they walked nearer to her father’s door.

“What’s the fuss all about?” she grimly asked her father when she reached his office inside the casino. It turned out his father was being entertained by a famous model. The poor lady, who was already half-naked, scurried off her feet as she made a run towards the dressing room. “Stop,” Tiffany said, giving the model a haughty stare. Confused, the lady darted her eyes towards the Don, then back to his intimidating daughter.

“E-Excuse me?” she squeaked. “I said stop. Let me look at you closely,” she replied as she rolled her eyes.

“I-I don’t understand. Why would I let you do that?” Tiffany only let out a sarcastic laugh.

“Hija, what’s the drama? Let the lady go.”

“Oh, come on, Papa. You paid for her service tonight, but I accidentally barged in. Why don’t we make it worth for a moment, eh?”

The Don shook his head and replied, “You’re crazy. Alright, do whatever you want.” He then grumpily gulped his whiskey. Steffy sashayed towards the girl and ran her finger on her soft skin.

“I often see you wearing those slutty outfits on the runway. I admit they look good on you.”

“T-thank you? I don’t know what to say,” the model replied with an unsure tone in her voice.

“Hmm,” Tiffany ran her eyes through the girl’s body as she started touching the small of her back, then down to her busty ass. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-five.”

“And how many stupid gentlemen have got you into their beds...let’s say, including my father?” The Don let out a loud grunt as the lady looked at Steffy with fear in her eyes.

“I’ve heard so many things about you, Miss Tiffany.”

“You did? What stories did you hear?” Tiffany asked mockingly.

“T-That you’re ruthless especially to those people that you don’t like.” Tiffany laughed loudly at that, making the girl looked more worried. Judging from her flustered face and uncomfortable demeanor, Tiffany could sense the fear and intimidation. “Are you afraid that I’m going to kill you?” Tiffany whispered to the girl. The model only let out a small whimper as Tiffany’s nails buried through her arms. “I’m going to ask you again, how many gentlemen have fucked you in their beds, including my father?”

The lady fell silent, making Tiffany more irritated. “Tell me!” Tiffany roars when she senses her silence.

“I-I can’t remember. I-I’ve been doing this since I’m eighteen and—”

“Wow!” Tiffany replied as she gave her slow claps. “Such an acceptable strategy to get to the top, huh!”

“I-I’m sorry, I have to go,” the lady pleadingly replied. “Please…”

“Why? Are you shy?”

Another silence filled the air, but in a split of a second, Tiffany’s hand flew to the lady’s face! Both the Don and the lady have gone shocked by her action. “Sluts don’t feel ashamed, woman!”

“Tiffany, that’s enough!” the Don roared, his voice echoed all over the room. Tiffany only glared at her father, then at the lady.

“Get out of my sight,” she eventually said in a low voice, but with authority in it. Whimpering, the model hastily ran towards the dressing room, crying. Blowing a sigh, Tiffany casually sat on the couch in front of her father. She stared at him with disgust as the old man stood up to get another glass for her.

“You shouldn’t have done that. She’s one of my best girls.”

Tiffany scoffed, “Best girls, my ass.”

“Come on, hija, stop scowling now. Here, drink up.” The Don shoved her a glass, but she hustled it back to him.

“I am jet-lagged, Papa. I’m not in the mood for whiskey. Besides, I am not here to have a drinking session with you. I just want you to tell me why exactly I am here. I’m on a mission!”

The Don heaved a sigh before answering. “It’s taking too long, Tiffany. I need to know your progress.”

“That’s it?” she replied with a scowl on her face.

“Dear, maybe it’s time for you to understand that the Alphas do not have their trust in you. They are just siding with you because you are my daughter.”

Tiffany clenched her fist. “That’s cruel, Papa.”

“I’m sorry, unica hija, you know how much I adore you and I believe in you. But you have to do this right, otherwise—”

“Otherwise, Yuan Lloyd Marquez, the mayor’s son, snatches the position. Am I right, Papa? Wow, so unpredictable.”

The Don was quiet for a moment. “So, you already knew.”

“Of course, I am not a dumbass, just like what the brotherhood believes! I know you don’t trust me, Papa. because if you did, you will never make me marry that politician’s son! He’s in school with me, so tell me, Papa. Did you send him there to sabotage my mission?”

The Don took another gulp from his glass before answering. “Yuan has another mission. Just like you, it’s part of his initiation. But child, I am just doing what’s best for you!” the Don snapped back.

“No, Papa. you are doing this for the sake of the brotherhood and your stupid pride. None of this is for me.” She angrily stood up, then walked towards the window. City lights flickered, and the sight left a longing hole inside her heart. She was always a dutiful daughter, but she was never enough. “I want to rule the brotherhood,” she said with such intensity in her voice. “I tried my best to be Miss number one in the Academy, and I have proven countless times to you I can do it. Besides, you promised me, Papa! I gave you everything, and you assured me I will be your only heiress. Do you still remember what you did to me when I was sixteen?”

The Don only replied with a scoff. “Even if you prove everything, Tiffany, I cannot decide only for your sake because the brotherhood has a council.”

“Then do something about it! You said you have the power,” Tiffany replied in an angry voice.

“I cannot do that, Tiffany. I shouldn’t have given you false hope.”

A scream escaped from Tiffany’s mouth as she tossed the glass table upside down. Some things placed on top of it shattered into pieces. “You always think that women cannot become a leader. Your patriarchal ideals are so out of date!”

“Never say such blasphemy to the brotherhood, Tiffany!” the Don replied furiously.

“So what?” she screamed. “You know how much I worked hard for it, Papa. I may not be a son, but I am still your child. Your unica hija. Your heiress!” Steffy could hear her father’s ragged breathing that also mirrored hers. She couldn’t believe that her father did this to her. But she wasn’t giving up. “I’m still going to rule the brotherhood, Papa. I’ll bring Lucio’s head and shove it to the council’s faces.”

The Don was silent as she walked out the door. But his silence even broke her heart more. He could have at least stopped her from leaving or even consoled her. But he didn’t even flinch.

Closing the door behind her, she tried to hold back her tears knowing that bodyguards were surrounding her at the moment. ‘I mustn’t cry. I will get the position no matter what. You’ll see, Papa. You’ll be proud of me.’