“What happened to you, Raymond? Was it…you?” Sia demanded and her tension grew since not getting a word from the man in front of her.
Raymond put on his façade immediately he sensed the suspicion growing inside Sia. No matter what, she shouldn’t find out the truth. It’ll ruin him.
“About what? What are you saying, Mrs. Monson?” His voice dropped to a whisper. He held Sia’s gaze not wanting to give her any impression he has a hand in the attack.
“I mean, what happened to your neck?” She put it rather mildly, so it wouldn’t sound as an accusation. She believes Raymond has nothing to do with Silas, he works for her and he’s reliable.
Raymond grazed his fingers on the gauze to feel the wound Sia imposed on him. Although, he aims to make her pay in spades. “I had an accident a week ago. In my apartment, actually.” He answered, evasively.
Sia mentally lashed on herself for thinking otherwise. She swallowed thickly, brushing the awkwardness away.
“Oh, that’s sad. I’m so sorry you had to face that.” She uttered. “I believe it’s not a deep wound, is it?”
Raymond shook his head ‘no’ and they began moving back to the dining hall. By the time they arrived, the second course had already been served.
“Were you dining here?” Sia asked him as she plopped down in her seat across from Estrella.
“Not at all. I just came in to use the restroom. I should be on my way.” Raymond uttered. As he was about to leave Sia called him back. Raymond bit on his lips before turning to face her.
Estrella, however, examined his looks and wonders what Sia has to do with someone like Raymond. His handsome no doubts but the evil that lies underneath him is way too much and doesn’t go unnoticed by Estrella.
“Any progress so far?” Sia asked when he swirled around.
Raymond offered her a wistful grin and shook his head. “Nothing solid have been seen. But I’ll let you know once I find something tangible.”
Sia took his words and nodded. “Fine I’ll keep on waiting.” She uttered. Raymond nod and exited the restaurant in a haste.
Estrella followed his steps with her eyes as he walked down the road through the floor to ceiling window.
“What are you looking at, flirt?” Sia teased, riveting Estrella’s mind back. She tore her eyes from Raymond’s ebbing figure and moved it back to Sia’s.
“Did you notice his uneasiness? Like your presence gnaws his skin? I think he’s hiding something.” Estrella rasped out.
Sia erupted into laughter. She laughed so hard, tears began to form at the fissure of her eyes.
“What’s so amusing?” Estrella asked.
“Girl, you seem to see one thing about any guy I talk to. You either find fault or something that spurs your likeness for him. Are you a demigoddess or what?” Sia rambled before spearing her fork into the meat in her plate. This is her first time trying Russian cuisine and she likes the taste.
Arching her brows, Estrella gushed. “I’m just looking out for ya. I don’t want any just guy around ya.” Her words made Sia chuckle. “But seriously I don’t like him. At all. He’s eerie.” She grumbled.
“Relax he’s just my investigator. Not some kinda dude I’d fuck.” Sia said, teasingly. “But he sure would know how to worship a woman’s body. I mean, look at his waistline…”
“Oh, stop. Not like you can let him fuck you if I call him over.” Estrella rolled her eyes. “What is he investigating for you?” She asked.
“The arson years ago. I believe someone has a hand in it.” Sia said, chewing on her meat.
“Oh.” Was all Estrella could say before facing her food again.
They rounded the second course and the waiter served their dessert. Baklava, a pastry filled with chopped nuts and honey which happens to be the best to Estrella.
“Hmm.” She crooned on the first bite. “I guess I’m going to come back here to get more of this. It’s too mouthwatering.” She hummed, grinding the pastry with ease.
“Their meals are delicious. I guess Russian cuisine deserves the hype they give it.” Sia murmured.
Estrella plod her eyes outside through window and saw Jake shutting his car door before making a beeline into the restaurant.
“Omigod.” She exclaimed drawing Sia’s attention.
“What is it?” Sia asked, staring at Estrella.
“Do you remember Mercy’s brother I told you about? The CEO of Perez Ltd?” The words ran fast off her lips as she was breathing heavy and excited. She couldn’t string the words gently.
Sia inclined her head in a nod but narrowed her eyes to understand the reason Estrella brought up the topic all of a sudden.
“Well, he’s just waking into the restaurant now. I’m going call him, now. You need to meet him.” She gushed and whirled around in her seat.
“Wait…wait.” Before Sia could stop her, Estrella already called Jake and waved him over.
Sia face palmed at her friend’s fastness. She made a mental note of how she’d whoop Estrella’s ass later.
Jake came over with smiles etched on his face. He tugged his hand forward and entwined it with Estrella’s in a handshake.
“Nice to see you again, Mr. Perez.” She muttered, blinking rapidly.
“Estrella. Mercy literally informed me of the pool party but I was unable to make it.” Jake rasped out. His eyes met the woman covering her face like a baby and he asked Estrella who she is. “Your colleague?”
Estrella shook her head adamantly. “No. That’s my friend. Her name is, Sia.”
Sia shyly raised her eyes and it collided with Jake’s.
“You?” They both yelled.
Jake couldn’t hide the grin from his face seeing Sia whereas Sia cringed knowing Jake is the CEO of Perez Ltd. Sia finalized Jake is nothing Estrella described him as. He’s not prissy, is he?
“You’ve met before?” Estrella asked shuffling her eyes between Sia and Jake. Jake glued his eyes on Sia, unable to look away. The woman has mesmerized him and all he could think is to hold her, touch her and kiss her.
Still trapped by Sia’s gaze, he hummed. “Yes, we’ve met before. In a gym.” His voice held Sia in a trance. This is her first time heeding the sweet undertone of his voice and it sent shivers down her spine.
This dude is something else. She murmured inwardly. However, Estrella gaped her eyes at Sia when Jake spewed the last words. She then knew Jake is the gym guy she had been taunting Sia about.
Ecstasy hovered over Estrella’s heart at the realization. She dreamily imagined how cute the prissy Jake and the reserved Sia would look like if they become couples.
Hot. They’d look hot. She beamed at Sia and wagged her brows.
“It’s nice meeting again Estrella and…Sia. I’ve to be on my way. I just came to order a takeaway, there are lots calling for my attention at the office.” Jake said and threw a wink at Sia before leaving.
“Alright see ya.” Estrella rambled and veered back at Sia. “Fucking hell…you never told be Jake is the gym guy, Sia.” She whisper-yelled.
Stuffing her Baklava into her mouth, Sia crooned. “How I’m I supposed to know he’s the person you’re referring to?”
Estrella beamed, crazily. “Tell me you like him. He’s cute. And will definitely have good bed skills. Tell me you like him please?” She rambled on.
“I don’t…like him.” Sia wheezed. “I mean, that guy is just the opposite of the prissy guy you defined him as. He’s a…flirt.” She mouthed.
Sia’s last encounter at the gym roved her mind. Her drenched yoga pants and Jake’s words when she stepped out of the toilet made her face palmed with a long sigh.
“Nah, nah, nah. He’s prissy. Sexy even. You just met the bad side of him. There are good sides you should meet. That’s if you give him a chance.” Estrella pinched Sia’s nose from across the table, making her yelp.
Estrella and Sia stayed outside until nightfall before Sia went back home.
Upon her return, she saw all the servants acted so quiet and mute. Even Michelle didn’t say much to Sia like she always does.
Sia ignored that and climbed up to her room, only to meet Silas sprawled up on her bed.
“What are you doing here?” She asked, voice chilly.
Silas rose to his feet and eradicated the distance between them.
“To prove to you I’m not the mastermind of the attack.” He said and aimed for Sia’s lips.