“No thanks. I’ve been staying at Diana’s place. I can manage on my own!”
Bianca ended the call abruptly, leaving the line silent.
It was unusual for anyone to hang up on Dave, and she was the first. Dave sighed in frustration, feeling at a loss.
He was a titan in the business world, but matters of romance were unfamiliar territory. Bianca was his first real love interest, and he hadn’t even had a close female friend before her. He had been studying books on relationships, trying to understand what makes women happy, but putting theory into practice was proving challenging.
An idea struck Dave. He picked up his phone again and dialed Michael. “You mentioned a gathering with Brandon recently. I actually have some free time tonight.”
“Great, let’s meet at Champs Le Bar at 8 PM,” Michael responded.
Bianca wasn’t intentionally trying to ignore Dave, but her frustration was with his lack of acknowledgment of his past actions.
She simply wanted an honest explanation and an apology, things Dave seemed to know but chose to overlook.
This thought only intensified Bianca’s anger.
Sophia had quietly left to change while she was lost in these thoughts.
Ruby, who had been occupied with a group, noticed Bianca deep in thought near the stage. She approached her with a warm smile. “Bianca, what’s on your mind?”
Snapping back to reality, Bianca quickly took Ruby’s arm. “Ms. Garcia, what brings you here all of a sudden?”
Ruby’s eyes softened with concern. “I wanted to make sure you and Sophia weren’t having any trouble. Am I intruding?”
Bianca hurried to reassure her, “No, not at all! We’re honored by your presence, and I’m truly grateful for your support. Let me treat you to a meal sometime when you’re available.”
Ruby gave Bianca’s hand a comforting pat and suggested, “I enjoy social gatherings, and a friend of mine is returning soon. Why don’t you join us? Would you like that?”
“Of course, I’d love to,” Bianca replied with a smile.
A knowing smile twinkled in Ruby’s eyes.
Vincent, observing Bianca and Ruby’s interaction, joined them. “Bianca, it’s surprising to see you know Ms. Garcia. It’s not often we meet someone of her stature.”
Vincent was intrigued. He had seen Bianca as a typical girl from a modest background, but seeing her with Ruby elevated his opinion of her.
Just the other day, his wife mentioned that Bianca had a boyfriend and tasked him with finding out who he was.
Paige was eager to pair Bianca with Blake. If Bianca turned out to be a wealthy woman incognito to experience life, she might surpass Blake in status.
Based on what Vincent saw, Bianca’s mysterious boyfriend might be someone important, making him doubt Blake’s chances.
Ruby smiled wider at Vincent’s comment. “Life brings surprises. Bianca helped me recently, and I’ve grown fond of her. She’s kind and charming. I have some free time, so I agreed to coach Sophia.”
Vincent nodded, taking it all in, but he couldn’t ignore how warmly Ruby seemed to feel towards Bianca as if she were a grandmother doting on her granddaughter.
Maybe there was something about their connection that they couldn’t reveal to him.
After a moment of consideration, Vincent shifted his focus to Sophia. “The film is ready to start production. Since you’re the lead actress, let’s sign your contract to avoid delays.”
Sophia smiled brightly and responded, “Bianca takes care of all my contract stuff as my agent.”
“Okay, Bianca, bring the contract to me once it’s ready,” Vincent instructed. He then turned to Ruby and Louis, saying, “Ms. Garcia, Mr. Watson, I have some work to attend to this afternoon, so I’ll be heading out.”
Ruby smiled and responded, “I could use a break too. Louis, let’s get going.”
Bianca quickly offered, “I can give you a ride home.”
But Ruby waved off the offer playfully. “No need, I’ll go with Louis. We rarely get a chance to catch up. I’m not letting him slip away so soon.”
Understanding Ruby’s sentiment and mindful of her own workload, Bianca didn’t insist further. Securing Sophia’s deal with Phoenix Entertainment was urgent; she needed to focus on that.
She decided she would discuss it with Josh later that day.
With reporters swarming the theater’s main and side entrances, they eventually slipped out through the fire escape, guided by the staff.
After changing, Bianca and Sophia were the last to exit the theater and spotted a sleek sports car with Michael casually waiting beside it.
Seeing him, Bianca nudged Sophia with a knowing look. “Looks like someone’s here for you, Sophia. I’ll leave you to it. I’ve got to hurry back and finalize that contract!”
“Wait, Bianca!” Sophia tried to stop her, but Bianca was quick on her feet and slipped away before she could.
Michael moved quickly, reaching Sophia, gently grasping her shoulders, and checking her for any signs of injury. “Sophia, are you okay? We should go to the hospital just to be sure,” he said with concern.
Ever since Sophia’s accident, Michael had been worried about her, staying by her side.
He had seen the crash happen and knew how serious it was. Sophia had barely escaped from the wrecked car.
Sophia shook her head, insisting, “I’m fine, really. There’s no need for all this.”
But before she could walk away, Michael took her wrist, turned her around, and gently but firmly pressed her against the car window.
“Why are you acting so defiant?” he asked, his eyes showing a hint of frustration.
Back at the Hayes’ family place, Michael often used to playfully tell her, “Sophia, just listen to me.”
Every time he said those words, no matter what it was about, she happily did as he asked.
That even included the night she was kicked out of the Hayes’ house. Michael, a bit tipsy, had held her close and whispered, “Just listen to me.”
She had obeyed every command he gave. But all that obedience led to the night when his mother slapped and scolded her, and Michael stood by silently, not defending her at all.
Sophia leaned against the car window casually, a faintly mocking smile on her face. “Michael, wake up. I’m not your family’s servant anymore. Why should I listen to you?”
The woman standing before him now radiated a confidence she never had at the Hayes household, but her eyes were cold and lacked their previous warmth.
Michael felt a surge of anger. He grabbed Sophia’s arm, opened the car door forcefully, and pushed her inside.
“Michael Hayes, stop! I didn’t agree to go with you. Let me out!” Sophia protested loudly.