Chapter VI: The Ball part 3

                “Babe! Look what I got for you!” Matt said as he hurriedly ran while his palm gripped the rings inside his coat-pocket. He saw Marian on the other side of the room, a smile on her face as she conversed with someone Matt can barely make out who. The crowd seemed to thicken.

                He saw her fiancé look at her, a pumped-up smile on her face as she excitedly waved at Matt. It seemed comical for him, the girl waving at the other side as the boy desperately tries to make his way across the sea of trials—only to find his worst nightmares waited for him behind the shadow of his lover. Matt found half of the truth on his thoughts for Marian was having a conversation with none other than Jack Santino.

Chapter VII: The Ball Part 2

               Standing by the bouncers, sipping what looked like some sort of cocktail, was none other than Frank Moreno. He wasn't in his regular tropical tourist look—he looked sharp as ever, just like any other gentlemen inside the party.  He glanced over each person that passed. The bouncers were doing their jobs, checking the invitations, frisking the guests. Some were a bit too happy copping a feel as their sleazy hands wandered over silken feminine skin.

Chapter VII: The Ball Part 1

                The night sky glittered like black velvet above the busy streets of Manila. Inside one of the oldest and grandest hotels in town, distinguished guests gathered like moths to a flame. The night was young and busy; valets took care of their guests as one by one, people dressed in silk and velvet treaded across the red carpet.  The streets sparkled more than the stars above as countless cameras flashed, capturing moments of what could be the grandest gathering of the year. Alphonse Santino, the head of Santino Corporation and rumored mob boss, hosting a charity ball attended by names everyone knew.