Arden Romano

“I promised my daughter,” Gabi said quietly. “She wanted to go to her school party and told me I had to come to this one tonight and bring back a full report. She picked out my dress and everything,” she gestured to the purple dress; the party had been worth it if only for the bonding time they shared while going shopping. “This is the happiest she’s been since the riots - it’s so hard for me to let her out of my sight anymore and I hate being away from her but I’m trying to let her have fun still.

“If that’s not what we are, feel free to correct me,” Lucio said, smiling and raising his glass as well. His gaze then returned to the party, to the decor and the guests and the catering and the many other preparations that had to be happening behind the scenes. “It’s lovely. I would be surprised if the Romano family did not come up with something impressive.” 

Megan’s expression was one of confusion as Arden brought up Oz.  His question appeared a loaded one though she wasn’t entirely sure why or perhaps she was just hyper sensitive about anything to do with him she reasoned.  “He is fully aware of my condition,” she confirmed with some hesitation.  “He was the one who stayed with me when I was in a coma and was there when I got my diagnosis.”  Suddenly a thought crossed her mind and she added, “He doesn’t know I was just back in hospital though.”

Her eyes immediately scanned the room at the mention of Carlo, seeking him out as if seeing him would explain his brother’s words.  Quickly turning her gaze back to Arden her eyes narrowed as she sat up a bit straighter, “I have no intention of causing Carlo any stress, that was one of the reasons we split.  Neither of us need the extra stress in our lives so you don’t have to worry about me corrupting his morals or whatever it is you seem to think I would do.  The last thing I want to do is hurt him more than I already did.” 

“Well she’s a lovely person.” Sandro assured with a nod. “Oh how wonderful. Winter ceremonies are a personal favourite actually. Something about snowfall during a ceremony. Beautiful.” He murmured in agreement. “Ariella and I have only been seeing each other for a few months but I am …. hopeful.” Sandro admitted with a small smile.

Arden nodded, taking Sandro’s word. He, personally, didn’t have a desire to meet many Montagues, but he supposed their submissives were harmless enough. “Well, here’s to hope then,” he toasted, raising his glass. “I think we could all use a bit of hope after the last few weeks.”

“Oh no. That’s a pity. I only rarely have days like that. When closings occur and large purchases, for example. Then I need to a-game it all day. Fortunately tomorrow nothing so sophisticated is n my schedule.” He nodded at the question, “Yes I am here with Ariella Montague. She is …. “ He glanced around, “She must have stepped into another room. Pity. She looks rather stunning. And yourself? I believe if I recall correctly you are planning a ceremony with Carlisle Capulet.”

“Ariella - hmm, I’ll admit, I don’t know an Ariella Montague. Then again, I don’t know too many members of the family as whole. Though I’ll assume at the very least, she’s pretty,” Arden replied, giving Sandro a small smirk. “Yes - We hope to have the ceremony by the end of the year. We’re ready for the rest of our lives. How about you and this Ariella? Something serious or merely a date for the party?”

“Well you look good, even if you didn’t lean into the whole Halloween part of the party.” Georgie complimented before a frown tugged at her lips. “Were you okay? Did you get caught out in it? I did and it… well, it wasn’t pretty. Was Carlisle hurt?”

Arden shrugged. “I went all out for Halloween last year. Besides, we were putting our best foot forward as a family this year. I wanted to look respectable and presentable.” A little smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth while he took a sip of his drink.

Lucio chuckled. “We’re hardly about to be choosing dates for our ceremony. And I have no interest in stealing anyone’s thunder, especially Carlisle’s. Or yours for that matter.” He smirked. “Of course, if and when Lord Capulet and I reach such a point in our relationship, you will receive an invitation. I am not one with an abundance of friends. I’m not about to make cuts.” 

Evie nodded in understanding. “Oh there are more than us. The flame hair is a Capulet family trait,” she said. “Lovely to meet you, Sir. It’s a lovely party. All of Verona seems to agree based on the attendance in there.”

Angelica couldn’t help but laugh.  “No, I’m afraid that’s not really my scene out there either.  And I’m quite content with comfortable silence if I’m not disturbing you.” Dino had wandered off towards the bathrooms and Angelica wanted to stay close but without hovering.  But the Domme had almost hit her fill of socializing for the evening. 

Megan cringed internally at his tone, Capulets maybe were welcome but she was feeling distinctly as if he didn’t include that warmth necessarily to them all.  Her eyes widened in surprise as he mentioned Carlo being concerned about her, unsure whether he knew that his brother had visited her in hospital or indeed if he knew Carlisle had been in.  “I was fortunate to get treatment swiftly and have had a lot of care shown to me by a large number of people,” she replied in a sort of compromise.  “I hope you and Carlisle don’t have to stay until the end and perhaps you can get some of the quiet night together.  It is a good chance for her to show her designs again though.  I must admit it is good to be out of the hospital and not confined to my room at the Estate for the evening as well.  I don’t imagine I will be staying too long though.”  While there was security and family all around she was still nervous in the large crowd and the masks concealing faces had her somewhat on edge.

“I expect you would have. How about your former dominant? Was he aware of your illness?” Arden asked, cutting his eyes over to her. He had little trust that Meg was fully cut off from the Montague criminal. For his brother’s sake, he wanted to know.

Angelica couldn’t help but laugh.  “No, I’m afraid that’s not really my scene out there either.  And I’m quite content with comfortable silence if I’m not disturbing you.” Dino had wandered off towards the bathrooms and Angelica wanted to stay close but without hovering.  But the Domme had almost hit her fill of socializing for the evening. 

Gabi nodded hesitantly, not sure if she ought to respond or not. She wanted to be true to her word and not cause any problems, but it seemed rude just not to answer at all. “Well, I truthfully didn’t come looking for company. The mask hinders my peripheral vision. I’m not looking forward to getting up and baking in the morning but it’ll have to be done.”

“But you have to say that. I mean, she looks incredible but she’s not really in a costume… Unless she’s trying to be like… an Oscar or something? But then, neither are you, so i guess it works.” Georgie on the other hand had decided to go for matching costumes with Celia; herself as a fallen angel, Cel as the devil. “So you’re really just going to stand here all night, just watching her talk and dance with people? You don’t think she might want you to join her?”

“To be fair, you have to admit, tired and broody look a lot alike,” Evie said, still smiling as she shrugged. The red hair. It was always a dead give away. “Indeed I am. What gave it away, the irrepressible wit?” she dead panned. She extended her hand to the stranger. “Ev-…” she said, pausing, “Juliet. Juliet Capulet.”

“Not to worry. Lord Capulet is adept at hiding it. You couldn’t have possibly known,” Lucio replied, not meaning to make Arden feel bad. “Ah, that’s good news. I’m happy for both of you.” He’d met Carlisle on a few different occasions, and had always found her to be lovely. “Yes,” he said with a chuckle. “I am still content. I cannot say we will be in a claim by the end of the year, but…I’d consider it for him.” 

“No? And why’s that?” Georgie asked curiously as she settled herself beside her cousin, watching the crowds as she did. “Don’t you want to go enjoy your time with your fiancée?” She said the word teasingly, still in some disbelief that Arden had actually settled for someone. 

Megan had been unsure about attending the party.  Halloween was not a holiday she liked any more, everything had changed after last year and then the event was at the Romano estate where she wasn’t totally sure she would be welcome.  However everyone else was going and she really didn’t want to be alone at the Capulet estate for the evening with memories going through her head and she knew the party would be very safe with all the security the Romano family had.  Encouraged by Carlo’s visit at the hospital which showed they were on friendly terms again she hoped that would be enough to soften any lingering bitterness.

While she had seen Carlo at the party she had not yet had a chance to talk to him and had gone out of her way to avoid Lord Romano.  Grabbing a glass of apple juice Megan spotted a free table and made her way over, feeling the need for a moment’s peace.  She was surprised as someone appeared before her but she shuddered internally when she realised who it was.  “The whole family were invited,” Megan pointed out quickly, not surprised to find that Arden knew she had been ill.  “I’m getting there thank you.  Still not quite back to full health but on the way.”  She glanced around in hope that Carlisle was actually just coming but there didn’t seem to be any sign of her.  “Are you enjoying the party Sir?” she asked politely in return.