"Are you sure this isn't too much?" Rafaella turned towards Russell. His eyes staring at the basket then at her. Raf watched as a smile formed.

"I just don't want to try so hard. I don't even really know Ana that well." Rafaella sighed.

"She'll love it!" Russ exclaimed. "And if she doesn't then can I have it?" He laughed. Russell kept picking up the items, reading the labels and then putting them back down. He really was childlike at times.

"I don't think this would work for me" he said, his eyebrows arched. A wink halfway there. Rafaella turned towards him. He was gingerly holding up a slinky dress. "Ana would be crazy not to keep this" he then stated while putting it back into the ever growing pile in the basket.

Rafaella really outdid herself. The dress, a few massage gift certificates to Tega Massage, coffee mug that had a cute saying on it. A bottle of wine. Some chocolates, some pamper items. An album Rafaella thought she might enjoy and a few other nick nacks.

/// at the party

Russell held the basket in his hands. He held it like it was a bomb and he was willing it not to go off. Or coddling it like a newborn baby. Why did he have to be so sweet? Most guys probably would have not even held the basket, not wanting anything to do with it. He was careful that nothing came undone.

"You know you can put it on the table now?" Rafaella teased.

"Yes, your majesty" he teased back. Rafaella flinched but then stood taller. A quick inhale and she was good. Russell didn't notice any of that, he was too busy arranging a spot for the basket and tidying up the messy ones.

"Oh, here" a girl said giving him a gift to arrange on the table. Russ took it and then walked away from his masterpiece, knowing full well that it wouldn't remain neat for much longer.

"That was nice" Raf commented, unsure of what to say. Her father in her mind. The time that he'd said those same words to her: Yes, my majesty. In a halfway kidding yet serious tone. It made her feel uneasy but she made a promise to herself that she wouldn't fuck up anymore parties. Or so, she told herself. Rafaella went around in circles hoping to find people she actually liked or tolerated.

“Hello, stranger,” I commented to Ana. She turned around and gave Rafaella a kiss on the cheek. Ana gladly accepted the tall drink that Raf carried. "Happy birthday!" I proclaimed.   “I keep buying you drinks, Ana, I think we need to make this even,” I stated.   Ana gulped it all down. Rafaella was expecting a different reaction but instead Ana groaned, “Why is your sister here?”   Rafaella looked back to see that her sister was indeed there. A martini glass in hand.

  “You seem a little tense, birthday girl.” Rafaella led Ana to the back room behind the stage. Luckily, there was a chair there. Ana sat down and Rafaella got to work. She could tell how tense she was and how hesitant she was at first. My hard fingers warming her skin and dug deep into the muscles.   “Ow,” Ana yelled, but didn’t stop her.   “Oh, stop being a baby,” Rafaella retorted. Her hands spread across her shoulder blades and up onto the sides of her neck. My hands working efficiently and deeply. Ana couldn't help but groan again. Rafaella lost control and before she knew what she was doing, her lips grazed Ana's exposed shoulder blades and traveled to her neck.

“Raf—” The deep voice came from the doorway. Shit, it was a voice Rafaella knew all too well. It belonged to Russell. She didn't even have to look at him to confirm. Raf kind of wanted to continue but then Ana had to utter the words; “Oopsies, there’s your boyfriend,” her laughter echoing off the stage.   Rafaella corrected her. Rafaella no longer had her hands on Ana. Surely, her lips weren't as well. Raf was happy that her lipstick didn't mark Ana's body. Rafaella watched Russ storm out.

"Well, I guess you really wanted that massage" Rafaella snickered. "I guess you'll use the gift certificates then" She smiled wickedly and went after him. He most likely didn't enjoy the view he got or the correction that he wasn't her boyfriend. Rafaella couldn't keep up with him. So, she went and got a drink to nurse her mixed up emotions.

Rafaella didn't smoke but sometimes felt the strong need to have one. She figured that someone outside would have a cigarette and left El Sol. She ended up going into the alley. Rafaella heard footfalls coming towards her - it was Maite. She looked so grown up in her lovely outfit. Legs looked miles long. Raf bit her lip remembering how long those legs really were, the last time that they were wrapped around her. Rafaella inhaled. The need for oxygen now plagued her. The two grinding together connecting their pussies as one. The liquid that would finally coat their legs. The wicked looks Maite would give Rafaella. Like Maite was a school girl who did bad and Rafaella had to punish her for the sins they committed - together or alone. Rafaella missed her dark hair swirling around her when things got hot and heavy between them.

Rafaella couldn't help it. She kissed Maite then stepped back to understand her reaction, if there was one. Rafaella was still thinking of the good times they shared, about what could have happened with Ana if Russell didn't break them up. Then thoughts of Russell came, good ones.

"I didn't come out here to do that" Raf started to proclaim. It was no use because Maite found Rafaella's lips. Rafaella needed more. She made the kiss deeper. Maite was now her oxygen for the night. She breathed her in. They staggered into the dumpster and continued spiraling until they were pushed up against the brick wall. Hands exploring each other as if it was their first time. Well, technically it was. Those two never did anything so risky in an alley before. Moans filled the darkened alley.

A light came on. The sound of someone walking. The sound kept getting closer. The two quickly embraced from one another. It was too late. The birthday girl was staring at them.

Rafaella was about to ask if she wanted to join but the look on Ana's face told her it would be no use. She looked betrayed.

Rafaella knew they were friends. She kind of got the message that they might have been more than just friends. Shit.

"You should go after her" Raf suggested. Rafaella looked down at herself. The straps of her dress hanging down exposing her boobs for the world to see. She quickly put them back in place. Rafaella straightened the rest of the dress as well.

"But you might want to fix your hair first" Raf told her as she did the same to her own hair. Rafaella didn't realize how far they went until Ana came along.

They went their respective ways. Rafaella needed another drink and to find Russell and get the fuck out of there.

"There you are" he said to Rafaella, grabbing her hand lightly. He took in the flushed cheeks, the hair that was now in a ponytail, slightly messed up. "Did you end up going back to Ana?" He stated plainly but to Raf the tone was hostile.

"No" she told him trying to get out of his grip. He was barely touching her but it was too much. Everything was ruined and the guilt swam at her. She didn't want to answer a thousand questions.

People started singing happy birthday but Ana wasn't even around to hear it. Raf needed some air. Wanted out. Felt trapped. They went outside together, ready to leave.

Rafaella staggered then fell down. Her purse landed with a thud. Most of the contents were on the ground. Russell bent to help pick the spilled contents.

"What the fuck is this?" It was like a switch was awoken. Rafaella wasn't sure what he held but then the rattling noise made her perk up.

"It's only valium" she stated. "It's even a prescription" she pestered on.

"Like that makes it all better" he raged. "Fuck, what other secrets do you have?" He uttered more to himself than to her. He then looked down and saw a flask. Russell picked it up.

"Give me that" Rafaella screamed at him. He tried uncapping it but Raf lunged for it. At that moment Russ moved it out of reach.

"Russell, give me it" she squealed. Then the floodworks came. "It's my dads" Rafaella preached. "It was my dad's flask" she amended. "I don't even drink from it. It is one of the only things I have left of him" by this time the words came out hoarse. Rafaella sunk to the ground. She didn't care about messing up her dress, her makeup, if anyone saw her emotional outburst over a fucking dead man's flask. Russell continued putting everything back in her purse then scooped her up in his muscular hands and into the car. He figured they'd talk in the morning when Raf was sober.

Russell took the valium with him. He didn't want her to depend on it. He needed to see her cope like a normal person. He'd be there if she needed to cry, to punch someone, anything. He wanted to be there for the good, the ugly and everything inbetween. He left one pill on the nightstand, some aspirin and water then left. Russell figured she wouldn't be happy with him but needed to tackle the battle that was brewing.