#fransiscovidal

[msmelissalin]

Melissa had not forgotten. Every corner they turned, every member of this room might as well be a killer. Most had blood on their hands, including her. While she may reside behind a desk now, she had witnessed things as they'd fought their way to the top. As Vidal also had.

"Trust me, I haven't forgotten, Vidal." she sighed. Her temples ached, and she knew another drink was the only way to get rid of it. "Konstantin is just as unpredictable, but right now, I think he'd be the more sensible. Oliver just lost his wife. He's out for blood."

He knew what she meant. "Well, you said not the head and I doubt he'd be thinking with his heart too much." Though his heart was definitely involved. "I'm sorry, I think you're being delusional because you've described the Russian Shrek instead of Olivier." He had to laugh at that, though the worry for her was still there, in the back of his mind. "I feel you have somehow decided to forget all the things that he's done, too."

[msmelissalin]

FOR: @franciscovidal WHEN: NYE 2023.

"I tell you now," Melissa said over her drink. "I won't be indulging in any...exotic cocktails if presented to me this time." although, the corners of her lips worked their way to a smirk. She'd be a liar to claim that she hadn't enjoyed Adriana's birthday — but her body the week after had told her enough. She was far too old.

[msmelissalin]

FOR: @franciscovidal

WHERE: Halloween. Spencer's Party.

Melissa made her way through the crowd, admiring the intricate details of each costume, her eyes suddenly fell upon a figure that had her lips curling at the corners. Vidal, dressed in a meticulously crafted ensemble, stood at the center of the room. She'd done her rounds by now and had made small talk with everyone of importance. Now, she could let her hair down a little.

"I think you should go play," Melissa urged Benjamin away from her side, he took the bait a little quicker than she'd like, watching him scurry away in search of whoever he'd befriend on the evening. Melissa found herself drawn towards Vidal, navigating through the throng of partygoers.

"Well, look who it is," Melissa purred, lips curling into a smile.

[msmelissalin]

FMK: Ayaz, Johnathan, Vidal.

Fuck: Vidal.

Marry: Johnathan.

Kill: Ayaz. ( she does NOT want to put him here and she really battled it out between Vidal and Ayaz because Vidal gives her so much lip. But also, he’s JJ’s best friend so she couldn’t do that to him. )

[msmelissalin]

"Agreed." unfortunately, the fact that Johnathan was gone could be a blessing or a curse. She wasn't going to ponder on it until it was called for. Not that they'd been on the best terms, it'd been far better in the recent months after the incident with Vincenzo. "We can't afford to underestimate the risks this time," Melissa said. "No room for uncertainty, especially in the current climate."

Melissa reached forward and took a calculated sip of water.

"I'll also reach out to our contacts for any intel on potential threats. Business can be just as detrimental. We need to be proactive this year," she continued, her mind already formulating a strategy. It was where Melissa worked best, under stress and pressure. "And perhaps more people on Lara. With what happened...we can't take any chances with her again"

@mobscene-starters

It was coming to that time of the year when he knew shit was going to hit the fan. For how many years had London suffered, had the Rutherford organisation suffered when it came to events? How many times did they ever become cautions and think perhaps it was better to play it safe? None. This year, was like no other, plans were still happening.

With a sigh, Vidal threw his tablet on the table with a heavy sigh. "We're going to need to make the security better." Now that Jhonathan was away on yet another trip, Vidal wanted to make sure things were going smoothly - as smoothly as it were possible. "Any bloody person who is unstable - out."

[msmelissalin]

Smash or Pass + Vidal

Smash(ed.) ;)

[msmelissalin]

franciscovidal​:

“I believe this is one of the few times you would be able to do it freely.” Not only did Adriana hire the best security for the event - for once in her life, the girl did not invite the Russians. It was a first, and it definitely surprised him, but he would have rather been surprised than alert at every second of the party. Sure, the Italians and the French were here, too, but those tended to be more strategic about their attacks. Which meant that the night should mostly contain intoxicated drama. 

Vidal hoped it wasn’t only a fool’s hope. 

“Me? A special cocktail? Why not?” After all, he was allowed to have some fun too, was he not? “Wait here.” He said, getting up from the chair and going to the room which harbored those said special cocktails. He assessed the assortment of drinks and picked up two green ones. By the looks and the smell of them - it seemed to be absinthe. Also, knowing Adriana, it wouldn’t be the watered-down versions that were usually sold in the market. Other drinks he didn’t want to risk, not knowing exactly what was in them, was too big of a risk for him. 

Once back to Melissa, he handed her the glass. “You ready to enter a dreamland?”

.

When he got up Melissa took to a table towards the back of the room, allowing herself a moment to breath and cool down. It’d been so long since she’d actually got onto the dance floor instead of watching from a distance. Always calculating, always prepared. And tonight she didn’t have to. When he finally came back she offered the same overly wide smile. Eyeing the vibrant green liquid swirling in the glass. The playfulness of the moment was a welcome contrast to the tense atmosphere that had lingered between the two for sometime. She took the glass from Vidal's hand, kinking her brow at the color. 

"I guess it’s now or never, then," she responded with a teasing grin, her voice laced with excitement. Bringing the glass to her own lips, taking a small sip. The unique bitterness of the absinthe dancing on her tongue, humming in surprise. There was one thing she did know, this was going to be the type of drink that took her from tipsy to off the wall. "Heard the rabbit hole can be quite a ride," she quipped.

It wasn't just the potent drink in her hand; it was the rare instance of letting go, of embracing the unpredictable. "You know," she mused, "I’ve missed you." Side-eyeing him for a moment, although that smile stayed. ‘’Feels like it’s been a long time since we’ve just been...I don’t know? Friends?’’

[msmelissalin]

Melissa blanched. "God, no." Her eyes closed, wishing to banish an image she never wanted to consider from her mind. "No. I think he thinks with impulse and emotion. Which is ten times more dangerous. He doesn't care who gets hurt."

"You want to tell me Parra thinks with his dick?"

[msmelissalin]

Melissa's games had some winnings and some losses. Sometimes major. The gambles she took were always in faith that there'd be a salvageable outcome. This time? Not so fucking much. "Honestly, I would. Oliver Parra is..." There weren't words. "With Konstantin, he thinks with his head. Parra never does."

"Your aim was off this time." Vidal couldn't stop chuckling. "They say don't play with fire or you might get burnt. You put your head in it." Vidal would have taken the French anytime, over the Russians. It was exactly what worried him when it came to Melissa at times. "Really?"

[msmelissalin]

Melissa looked at him with a bored and equally unamused expression. "I thought I might end up with someone French. Not Oliver fucking Para." Melissa rarely swore, but it crept up before she could stop herself. "This was...unexpected. I'd have rather tried my luck with Konstantin."

@msmelissalin

"It's like you didn't know what Paris would attract."

[msmelissalin]

franciscovidal​:

“Roads less traveled?” He laughed. “Well, before we go there, you’re going to have to tell me exactly which roads you have traveled, so we wouldn’t come at some crossroads.” This was definitely amusing.

As Vidal leaned back, he took a sip of his drink, watching Melissa go through a wide range of emotions. The good thing was - she wasn’t beating herself down about it, otherwise, she would really have a bad trip. Not something she would likely forgive, either. “You want me to get you another cocktail? Try your luck and see where it lands?” He teased. 

“i think you should embrace it. How about it? There’s music everywhere - you’re about to have the night of your life, Melissa Lin.”

.

The world around her seemed to swirl, colors more vibrant than before. This was like no trip she’d ever had before, and it took her a moment, glancing back down to the drink on top of the table. Another giggle erupting from her. Oh, this? This was fun. The music pulsed in her ears, each beat resonating. It was as if a new energy had surged within her, breaking down the walls of reservation that had kept her confined for so long. 

She leaned back in her seat, a playful smile dancing on her lips and for a moment she felt like she was sinking. "The night of my life, huh?" she repeated, her voice laced with intoxication. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and sensations, a kaleidoscope. "Maybe it's time I let go of the reins for once and see where it takes me." Sitting bolt up right, she reached for her glass, her fingers wrapping around it as she lifted it to her lips, mischief in her eyes. 

‘‘Are you going to get a special cocktail?’‘ She challenged, urging him to join her. ‘’If you do, I’ll do it. You know what they say -- spontaneity at it’s finest.’’ Narrowing her gaze she pointed in his direction. ‘’When was the last time we did something crazy, huh?’’

[msmelissalin]

franciscovidal​:

“I’m not trying to be modest. I am trying to be truthful.” A grin crossed his features as he moved in to kiss Melissa on the cheek. 

Sitting down next to hear, he leaned back, his eyes quickly scanning the room. Even though the security was there, people could never be trusted. “Am i?” He laughed, almost surprised. He wouldn’t have called himself radiant. “You look absolutely stunning. What are you prepared for tonight? Because it sure as hell does not look like a quiet evening with a bottle of red.” 

.

‘‘You are,’‘ She smirked. "Well, truth be told," she began, her voice tinged with a conspiratorial tone, "I've had my fill of quiet evenings lately. After my dealings with the French, and being rendeared useless with my mouth, you can say it...left me yearning for a night like this – I’m here to go all out for once.."

She took a sip from her glass, her gaze sweeping across the lavish surroundings. The grand chandeliers, the exquisite artwork adorning the walls, the glass overlooking the city and the well-dressed guests all painted a picture of luxury that was as mesmerizing as it was intoxicating. "Tonight, I've decided to embrace the old me," Melissa continued, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "No spreadsheets, no conference calls -- might even indulge a little more out of comfort zone for the first time in a few years."

[msmelissalin]

franciscovidal​:

@mobscene-starters

The whole thing was a bit uncomfortable for him. Everything looked not just riches, but wealth. Vidal wasn’t sure how Adriana had pulled this, but he obviously wasn’t going to ask. The reality was, his people were still struggling, were constantly trying to build things that were destroyed or taken away from them… But here they were.

With a sigh, he took a gulp of his drink, feeling out of place more than usual. The parties in London he was used to, it was nothing new. He just felt different here.

“Don’t I look pretty?”

.

Melissa chuckled softly, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, don't be so modest. you live to impress."

Leaning back against the plush couch, her delicate fingers tracing absent patterns on the glass in her hand. Melissa knew Vidal well enough to understand that part of him, the smug exterior he wore – a mask but also not? It was inherently him. And truth be told, she wasn't much different. This party had a level of riches only those at the top would ever really know in the business. The kind that set them apart from the rest. 

"If I didn't know you better, I'd say you're positively radiant tonight." The alcohol was already coursing through her veins. She, herself, had felt the need to let go after her recent run in with the French. Tonight business was a thought of the past. One night only.