Cherry Bomb

“Oh, I’ve toasted myself plenty already,” Natalia said, “but that doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate more.” She gladly accepted the flute of champagne from the server, lifting her glass to clink it against Mia’s. “You could always order one of those fruity little virgin cocktails,” she said, shrugging as she sipped the champagne. “Sugary sweet instead of ice water.”

“Anyway, I’m sure the video will be fantastic; with your vision and Sofia’s designs I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets a Grammy nom,” Natalia complimented the woman with ease. When one had the talent and skill as Mia, accolades were inevitable. 

“I could but-” A smirk on her lips as her eyes wandered to those in attendance, like Eric. “-I prefer to have my sweets another way.” A wink in his general direction and at the other woman in his company before Mia turned back to Natalia to give the other woman her almost full undivided attention. 

“That would be an announcement to shock the world. Accolades and recognition are goals to strive for when one has spent as long as I have trying to prove themselves. Even if that doesn’t happen we both know that the way to garner any form of recognition or approval -for those that want it- is to go viral.” Mia was familiar with parts of her life going viral. Her mugshot alone offered some opportunities after she marketed it in a way to create a profit. It wasn’t a Kardashian sex tape -and Mia had plenty of her own she watched and then burned - but it was something to put a spin on.

“Chanel deserves the world,” Natalia said, speaking highly of the woman of the hour. Nat was flattered, considered family by Mia was the sort of approval that drove the young woman. 

“Leon’s agreed to let me orchestrate a new venture for the family,” Nat stated, matter of fact. She was proud of her pitch and was confident in her ability to execute her plan. “I was able to get your brother’s name on a casino license. I’m busy as hell but in the best way possible.”

“How about you?” Nat asked. “Sof tells me you’ve recruited her for some design work. Something about a music video? She seems excited for it.”

.

A new business venture with a high return value. Color her impressed. “That must have been one hell of a pitch, Nat.” Knowing her brother, Natalia’s pitch would have had to been iron glad for his name, let alone the family’s, to be attached to it. Should she have wished to be over the top she would have clapped at the feat of getting in front of Leon. It would be no mock clap either though the gesture was most often associated with her undermining another’s idea, notion or action. 

“You deserve a drink. Many, actually.” Mia flagged down a server and motioned for a drink. “I have enlisted my dear little sister’s help on a music video I am directing.” It was a good deal amount of work to be piled onto her already full plate but had always been good at multitasking. It is not as if her nights could be spent here at Sapphire with drinks and other substances flowing freely. All that time she once reserved for nights like these but not sober had been added to the time that she spent working on branching outside of the business that allowed her to prosper. “I am glad to hear that she is excited.” A broad smile on her lips just as the server returned with a glass of the finest champagne. 

“We should toast to the ventures we both have in store.” The glass was handed to Natalia for her to drink or not to drink. “You’ll have to excuse me toasting with water. Though it is poor form to do so water is all that I can have but I make do.”

Sofia loved her outfit; being one of Chanel’s Spice Girls for the evening was a blast. Especially because Sofia was Baby. Feeling cute and bubbly in her hand-made replica outfit and pigtails, she downed liquor like it was water. Though, as a birthday present for the woman of honour, Sofia was sure she wouldn’t get into too much trouble for the woman to deal with come morning.

No kissing Sinclairs. That was a promise.

She was drinking from the bottle when she felt an energy approach. Startled, Sofia pulled the bottle from her lips and laughed with a shrug. “Want some?”

.

Sober at Sapphire was still something Mia was getting use to. It was not that long ago that she was doing the very same thing. Drinking straight from a bottle, offering it to those that had accompanied her to the club or those she had just met to have some fun with. Oh to be that young again and run Sapphire with her gilded, dark, crimson crown once more. 

From the looks of things no ‘party’ favors had yet to be offered to her little sister. Mia would try to keep it that way for the most part. Would she outright keep her sister from having a good time? Of course not. Would she make sure that the unmentionables did not harm her by offering her spiked drinks or bad substances? Of course. Her siblings were entitled to have their freedom and fun as long as no one tried anything to hurt them. 

A cheshire grin on her lips as she said, “I’d absolutely love some but unless that is a non alcoholic beverage, which I know it is not, I must sadly decline my darling, little sister’s offer.” A pout on her lips done for dramatic effect. “While I cannot consume the fine beverage you are enjoying I will have the pleasure of your company and enjoy the night only the Costello siblings know how.”

Ambrya had been minding her own business, simply ordering a drink at the bar when two guys had come up to her and started very obviously flirting. She smiled and exchanged niceties but wasn’t quite interested in either of them. Tonight she was JLo, and unless one of them managed to be dressed as one of JLo’s love interests from the early noughties, she wasn’t looking to go further than a pleasant exchange among strangers before getting back to the dance floor and busting every move she picked up from the music videos she had scoured over the last week.

The two guys, however, simply didn’t quite understand that. The moment she had attempted to leave the bar with drink in hand, one of them had tugged on her arm and said they should dance together. The other one jokingly shoved the first guy out of the way and attempted to charmingly steal her partnership in dance for him instead. Guy number one did not see it as a joke.

Quickly the two guys went from tolerably pleasant, to awkwardly unstable. Ambrya could do nothing but stare as the two suddenly became heated over who had the right to dance with her. And what was worse, neither of them were even saying her name. They were calling her something else entirely, and she began to wonder if this was some deep seeded fight that they’d been waiting to pick at their whole lives.

Suddenly, Ambrya felt her arm being tugged at again, this time by a gentler touch, and she turned to see someone dressed as what she assumed was one of the Spice Girls. She could remember buying their cd as a kid and hiding it from her parents because they weren’t fans of that type of music. Plus she’d had a raging crush on Scary Spice.

“I honestly don’t even know if they realized I was there anymore after they got in to it. Which is fine by me, I don’t really plan on sneaking off to any corners tonight. JLo’s here to dance.”

.

Though the pair had never been properly introduced, Mia knew who the brunette was that stood before her. Ambrya Mardin, a social media queen that rivaled the woman of the hour tonight. Mia followed Ambrya on social media after one of her friends had shown her Ambrya’s body of work. Beauty and brains that was only a small part of the brand that the woman created for herself. Mia admired that. 

“No corners what so ever?” That had her brow raising. “I understand not wanting to sneak off into corners but dim light corners can serve their purpose when one wants to be alone with someone.” A smirk on her lips as she made sure to let her gaze linger on Ambrya’s features before it shifted from the woman to the crowd that filled the space those two men had left. 

Mia had chosen correctly for Ambrya. The role of JLo would not have fit anyone else. “If you wont sneak off to any corners. . .” A glint in her eyes as her gaze once more landed on the other woman. “Why not join me in the spotlight?” If JLo was here to dance then surely she would not pass up the chance to do the very thing she came here for. The dance floor was littered with bodies, some now covered in the black light paint and glitter she had her people put out as the party went later into the night. 

“What do you say, JLo?” Her hand extended out between them. “Care to join Ginger Spice on the dance floor?”

Natalia loved parties. Given her recent promotion, she’s been entirely too busy to indulge but a party hosted bu Mia in honour of Chanel was the perfect excuse Natalia needed to let loose. Her costume was suggestive, Christina Aguilera circa the Dirty Era. How iconic? Nat couldn’t waste looking so hot by not flirting. 

When the fight started, however, Nat couldn’t help but laugh as she was pulled away by the hostess herself. “Oh, Mia. I had no intention of going home with either of them,” she said, chuckling as the pair were escorted out of the party by security.

“I just wanted to have a bit of fun,” she smirked. “Cause a bit of harmless trouble between testosterone filled bros.”

“Great party,” Nat added, wrapping Mia up in a quick hug before letting her go. “Chanel’s having a blast. Well deserved given her work.”

.

Mia could not help but laugh at the way Nat’s mind worked. It reminded her so much of herself when she was Nat’s age and how she still acted now. “If you wanted to have fun with them-” Mia leaned in close to Natalia. “-you should have had another female with you. Nothing says harmless trouble like two females playing into the fantasy world they wish they were a part of.” 

A smirk on her crimson lips as she stayed close to return Natalia’s hug before pulling away and taking Natalia in. The Dirty era of Ms. Xtina was pure perfection. The transition from corporate bubblegum to embracing her sexuality and herself was something Mia always admired. It was a fitting choice for Natalia as she too was a woman who owned everything about her. 

“Grazie. I had to do something special for her after all that she has done for the family. She is family at this point, much like you are, though you have the upper hand on her. You’ve been basically adopted into this family; the pseudo younger sister of the bunch.”

“Now tell me, how are things for you? I feel as if I have not seen much of you as of late and something that should be rectified.” 

Leon: I'm dropping off Chanel's present, then I'm out.

Leon: Sorry, Mi. Not wearing an obscene amount of denim. Not even for you.

Mia: That's not how you celebrate a birthday. You've gotten boring with age.

Mia: You better be contemplating what look you're wearing tonight and that is why you are not here at Chanel's birthday party.

“Remember, plenty of the woman of the hour and not too many posed. If I wanted a plethora of posed photos I’d have rented a photo booth for the evening.” She shooed away the photographer, a close friend and one she trusted to be discreet, back into the crowd of bodies that littered the main floor of Sapphire. 

A drunk scuffle was already unfolding between the men of 90210 -the ones dressed as them- outside the roped area of the private section. Apparently the blonde one thought the brunette was sleeping with someone else and it was turning into a thing that was soon to involve the bystander who looked a little too much like the person they were fighting over - a trick of the light and large consumption of alcohol being the culprits- Mia grasped the individual by the hand and pulled them towards her before the security hired for the evening stepped in. 

She gestured with her hand towards the two men being escorted quietly from the party as she jokingly said, “Don’t tell me actually you are the one those two have been fighting over all night. Could have saved those two from a lover’s spat if you snuck off with one of them already.” 

Chanel Albright’s 29th Back to 90s/00s Costume Party

“I love Stevie Nicks,” Sofia said at the mention of Fleetwood Mac. She could envision a slew of different garment ideas in her head, the fabric and colors coming to her easily. “Well, I’d have to hear the song to really get the themes right, but I think I could put something pretty great together.” 

Sofia smiled wide, thinking of the opportunity her sister had for her; she wanted Mia to be pleased with her work and it would serve as perfect inspiration for her new line. Maybe it could be vintage-themed. How fun?

“Thanks, Mia…I’m really excited for this.”

Mia’s hands clapped together as her sister seemingly said yes to the job. “Fantastic!” A Costello project that the two sisters could collaborate on without their brothers - who Mia loved dearly but the three of them stole the thunder every now again from the sisters - and present another side to themselves that the media and society haven’t not already labeled them as. “Let me send the song to you so you can get the themes right.” 

Priscilla’s song had already been released on most music outlets but the song had yet to reach its height that Mia, Priscilla and many others who have collaborated with the up and coming artist believe it should be at. Finding the song, Mia sent the link to her sister. “No need to thank me,” a wave of the hand in the air, “you were the right person for this job and what better way to spend more time together than on a rock video shoot? I’ll send Priscilla your contact information and you two can coordinate a consult and fittings for the super creation I know you will make.” 

Sofia quirked an eyebrow when Mia mentioned designing clothes for a music video. “I’ve never considered costume design,” she said, cogs in her brain spinning at the idea. “What kind of music video are we talking?” Sofia asked, wondering if it would be adult themed. She had no qualms with her sister’s enterprise, Sofia just wasn’t sure her taste would suit something literally pornographic. Could her mind bend that way? She doubted it. It was like Sofia was missing a part of the Costello gene.

“I’ll listen to the song…does Pricilla have a concept in mind?”

She wasn’t opposed to the idea…it would be a challenge and would require Sofia to step out of the box. Maybe getting out of her comfort zone was the best way to inspire her new line. Besides, maybe she could start designing for movies with this added to her resume. Sofia always wanted to go to the Oscars for something…

“Rock.” Though both Pricilla and Mia worked together on adult films this would not fall into the tropes often associated with their industry. Patent leather, skin tight outfits with whips and chains were far from both of their respective interests. Pricilla may be open to a pair of leather pants but the rest would have to be left inside of someone else’s fantasy. 

“Think Fleetwood Mac meets The Who and a dash of The Rolling Stones. Her voice sounds like it is from that era where these bands were born and thrived. The song is a nod to the past and she’d like her wardrobe to convey the past but with a modern twist or eye on it. How would you dress someone whose heart and soul belongs in days gone by?”

Sofia looked up when she was approached by her sister. She smiled timidly at her compliment and lifted one shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “Thanks, Mimi,” Sofia replied, even if she didn’t agree with the sentiment. “I’m just stuck. Blocked.”

Sofia started doodling on her sketchpad, little hearts, stars and smiley faces, trying to loosen her wrist and open her mind. Forget about the fight with Luca and the distance growing between her and Natalia. 

“Distract me,” she said to her sister. “Maybe you’ll inspire me. How’s work?”

“Distract you.” A devious grin spread across her lips while her hands intertwined together as her elbows rested on the table between them. “There are many ways for me to distract you some that are too indecent for prying eyes and ears around us.” Her fingers tapped against their opposite knuckles as her gaze traveled quickly around the area. As fun as it would be to cause gasps and shouts from some in attendance now was not the time to make a scene. . . Even if it would be a good one.