FRIDAY NIGHT

THE M FAMILY EVENT

Noa's POV

"Kevin, would you just stop?!"

"Noa, you know what we had was unmatched!"

"Kevin, you are simply being delusional. We broke up months ago. I know your agenda. Don't even try to deny it."

"Please, princess-"

I dropped the call and took a deep breath. Kevin was becoming an annoying pest. Blowing up my phone with tons of phone calls. I was at a secluded corner of the event when I forced myself to answer his call. Though I had to be wary of Kevin, now that he was fully on Alaina's side, my thoughts went back to Fred's words.

"He's asking for another chance and... it isn't nice. This Kevin guy might become physical if you don't comply." 

Anything could happen when Kevin is involved. Luckily, Ria and I were prepared. Just then, another call from Ria came in.

"What's up?"

"It's Irina."

"As expected."

"She sent to CFN. The whole confession video."

"I saw. It's trending on social media.
For someone like Selene who wants to get revenge,
Irina is surely getting in her way."

"And Kevin is coming too."

I widened my eyes. 

"To where?"

"To the event. Be alert."

Before I could ask, Kevin's presence shut everyone's mouth and turned to me. With a groan, I folded my arms. Mom was next to me, but I told her that I will handle it, just as I have always been.

Just like how the M family does it.

***

Selene's POV

I looked at myself one more time before Ramiro came in. He looked smitten by me, though I hated admitting how much I enjoyed his reactions. I smirked as I walked to him, fixing his tie and collar.

"You look sharp, Ramiro."

"You look stunning as always, Selene."

He then took out a pendant and put it on me. It was a design of S and M in a clean logo design. I thanked Ramiro and took my bag. Jana was coming with us too and I had her team up with Ria so that they could enter.

"It's showtime. After months of the whole video."

"And I am ready to face my dear family."

With that, we walked out and got into Ramiro's car, driving to the event. I looked under the seat, strapping the equipment we got on Thursday underneath. Anything could happen; we had to be ready and prepared.

Noa's POV

It was a crazy thing dealing with Kevin, I had to get security to escort him out. I apologized for creating a commotion and excused myself to the balcony, which I was thankful that it was empty. 

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Noa M."

Beckham Derez.

My cousin and Selene's brother. He disappeared without saying a word and suddenly reappears now. I wondered what brought him back to the South. Selene? Or Irina? I turned around and faced him.

"Beck?" I called, shocked to see him in person. "As in Beckham Derez?"

"One and only," he said, opening his arms in a hug, which I happily accepted. My thoughts, as much as were happy that he came to visit as he always does, suspicion was always there. It has been years since he visited. What was the agenda? Could he be linked to Irina? 

"What brings you here?"

"I wanted to see you."

"You sure?"

"Why wouldn't I be? Are you suspicious of me?"

"You just exposed yourself."

I chuckled as I led him to the patio. I got him a can of RedBull and together, we looked at the horizon as we leaned on the railing of the balcony. I looked at him.

"I saw your video on Cybric Flash News," I spoke. "You did quite the opening."

"That was nothing," Beckham replied. "I wanted to help out."

"Even though it isn't your battle to fight?"

"Noa, Noa," he said, leaning in, "Don't forget you are not part of the family, let alone a biological sister to Selene. If there's anyone who should be wondering about motives, it's you."

I laughed, a smirk on my lips. "Oh Beckham. You meant to say that you are not part of the family," I replied. "I am my father's daughter, and I fully belong in the family. While I may be kicked out of the family, I got the upper hand on the M family."

He folded his arms, "Speaking of having the upper hand, you and Kevin surely had a lot of history together. I mean, hey. For a daughter of the M family, you seem to making quite the entrance like the others, if you know what I mean."

"Says the brother who is sabotaging his own sister to exposing the news to CFN."

He widened his eyes at my last words. "I know you and Irina are very, very close," I said.

"It's none of your business Noa," Beckham replied.

"Oh it is now my business Beckham. We may be cousins, but no one comes in the way of the M. Especially backstabbers. You got that? Besides, what can you do? You have Irina to depend on for your information."

I lowered my voice. "I imagine what Selene's reaction when she finds out about the two people who have been sabotaging her from the start."

"..."

"Who's business will that be now?" I asked. "Don't give us problems we already have and are dealing with okay?"

"... Yes."

With that, I walked away, looking over at my shoulder, "By the way, my business has nothing to do with your life. So stay on the Derez lane."

He looked at me, eyeing my coldly. "And I will stay on the M lane."

Selene's POV

I walked in with Ramiro and of course, no one wanted to chat with us, except for aunt Tessa. I asked for Noa and soon enough she appeared from the balcony, waving at us. She welcomed us and I asked if there has been any suspicious activities. Except for the fact that Alaina and Summer were no where to be found, nothing was worth finding out.

Before we could settle into the event, an explosion occurred, causing everyone in the event to be alert. Noa muttered to herself and walked away. Soon after, gunshots were heard, bullets flying randomly - or rather in a calculated way. We went under the desk and alerted Jana and Ria, who were kept outside the event, considering it was for family only. 

Noa came back and a gunshot was fired, aiming and headed towards Noa's head. I purposely did not warn Noa, wanting to see her reaction. What seemed like milliseconds, she had fired back at the same direction it came from.

I looked at her, somewhat impressed by what just happened. Noa M's colors had come to the light - the not-so-innocent sniper, also CEO of NM Corp. Silence filled the room. I waved my hand lower so as not to attract attention. With a glance, Noa knew what to do. Creating more chaos, Noa randomly shot up in the air, getting the enemy snipers on the edge. Noa walked quickly to the exit and came to a halt as she saw Ria tied up along with Jana, with Alaina, Summer and none other than Kevin in front, as if waiting for us.

As much as it was fixated on us, some part of the cold blood war was also on Noa. Whatever happened to Noa and Kevin was huge that no one in the family can move on. Of course, as expected of typical Alaina - anyone with loaded pockets are considered family. No wonder Summer, Richard and Scarlett are Alaina's favorite.

"Put the weapons down," Kevin spoke, his gaze soft on Noa. "Please."

Instead, Noa's hand gripped firmly and tight on the trigger. "Don't, push it."

"Let's talk about this Noa-"

"I said there's nothing to talk about Kevin!" Noa's voice cracked slightly, but cleared her throat to cover up her breakup.

"Was I too harsh? Did I do something you didn't like? We can work around-"

"You think your gaslighting techniques will work on me Kevin?" Noa spoke, taking one step forward. I wanted to stop her but Ramiro grabbed my hand to stop me.

"I have got to be the best person for you."

"You need me."

"You are too sensitive."

With a cold voice, Noa added, "You want to know how I actually never got affected by your narcissism Kevin?"

She took another step closer.

"It's because I have been manipulated very much that not only do I know the tactics, but I can play them," she said. Noa let out a chuckle. "You better get your filthy hands off the girls, or you won't like what my other side can do."

"Of course you need me, Noa! You are my fiancee-"

She shot in the air once more. Alaina and her troop startled. "Man," her voice now turned sympathetic said. "You need help Kevin."

Kevin played the game. "I really do."

She lowered her weapon down slowly. "You know what might help?"

"What?"

Within a split second, her expression turned dark. "Best you go six feet underground."

*Bang*

Within that very moment, Noa fired, and Kevin fell to the ground.

*Relentless gunfire*

And that was how it turned into a cold blood night war.