Sia was awoken by the repeated knocks on her door. She had almost forgotten what she had today.
Propping up from the bed with the word “debutante” escaping her lips, she propelled herself to her feet and raced to the door.
“You’re still on the bed, Mrs. Monson?” Michelle asked with dilated eyes. “I bet you don’t know what time it is. The reporters and paparazzi will soon be here.” She announced.
Hearing Michelle’s words, Sia became conscious of the time. Peering into her room she saw it’s almost ten in the morning.
A shuddering gasp rolled off her lips.
“The beautician is here, Mrs. Monson.” Michelle announced.
She gestured for the servant who neared the door with a cup of hot chocolate to walk into Sia’s room and keep it on the table.
The Monson villa is brisk with activities. The servants are hurtling to décor the house, mow the lawn, and other necessary things needed to be done.
Sia slipped into the bathroom, hastened her bath, and brushed her teeth. By the time she rounded up, the beautician and his colleagues already prepared to accentuate her looks.
She got a massage, waxed, hair revamp, pedicure, manicure, facials and the last of it all is the almost natural makeup.
The bronzer on her face highlighted her sharp cheekbones and the nude lipstick outlined the curvy edge of her lips. Her hair was revamped to coils and gathered in an updo with the hem of the coils framing her face.
Sia was already looking perfect without donning her dress yet to highlight the makeup.
The reporters already clustered in the villa announcing the current situation to the whole country. As expected everyone glued their eyes on the TV to get a glimpse of the potent woman.
Liam arrived at the villa as scheduled but Rebekah stayed at the Monson group from whence she watched the news.
The servants aided Sia in fitting into her forest green strapless taffeta gown that has a long slit by the left, spilling her long tanned leg. Her bare neck was adorned with a matching diamond necklace and stud earrings in her ear.
She climbed onto her glass stiletto that’s five inches long. Her wildflower-scented perfume inroad her nostril as the servants dabbed it on her.
Today, she’s not only doing this for herself but for her late husband, Mr. Monson. Today she’ll become the spotlight in the whole state. Everything she does will spread on the media.
This time her privacy will be cut off, that’s one con of being a celebrity or the center of attention.
Sia stared at the girl in the mirror and a gracious and encouraging smile graced her lips. Peeling her eyes off, she let the servants shoo her downstairs.
Flashes of light homed in on her immediately she assembled at the top of the stairs. She was overwhelmed by the sea of reporters and paparazzi yelling and exclaiming her name as they took pictures of her.
She spotted Liam at the base of the stairs and a dazzling smile divorced her lips. Michelle blew kisses to her, making Sia’s eyes misty.
If Mr. Monson was here, walking her down the stairs with her arm looped in his will light a spark in him. He’ll go down there and rain praises on her like he always does. That’s one of the quirks about Mr. Monson Sia acknowledges. Monson’s way with words is unbeatable.
One at a time, Sia clambered down the stairs and each step she took is met with flashes of camera.
When she assembled at the base of the stairs, the ring light by the corner shimmered on her face. They took more pictures of her as they shepherd her to the living room where she settled on a couch.
“Tell us, how do you feel showing the country that you’re the mysterious widow?”
With a chuckle, Sia answered. “Overwhelmed. I feel a cluster of different feelings inside me.” She laughed lightly. “It’s too much I can’t explain.”
“Tell us, how you feel knowing you’re the richest person in United State.”
“Tell us how you were made the leader of this great family.”
“How do you plan to rule?”
“What are the changes you’ll implement?”
“Tell us, do you plan to remarry? If yes, then who are you going to marry?”
A barrage of questions was thrown at Sia and she was more than patient, giving them strong answers, smiling from ear to ear as they interviewed her. She told them marriage is not her priority now but if it happens she falls in love, she might consider marrying again.
She told them Silas’s proclamation that she jinxed her late husband, Mr. Monson was never true but it’s a word spread to taint her image. She told them how she plans to influence not only the Monson family but also the whole country, of course in a positive way.
“And yes, I am the anonymous buying the shares of the Evangelista group.” She said, hoping Lucas sees this. She wonders if Lucas is actually watching this live interview.
“Why did you?” The interviewer asked.
“Well, because I want to stake a claim of the company. It has long been my dream.”
“Were you the one who sent the weird message? ‘Your Days Are Numbered Mr. CEO?” The interviewer asked.
Chortling Sia inclined her head in a nod. “Apparently, yes. That’s because I want to own the company and of course, eliminate their current CEO as the head.” She answered.
“If that’s your claim. There must be a reason you want him removed. What’s your reason?”
“Yes, definitely there’s a reason but the matter is more personal. I’d like not to dig deep into it.” She said gingerly not willing to remember her past.
**
At that moment in the Evangelista group, Grey waddled into Lucas’s office releasing shallow pants.
Lucas hefted his head from the computer and locked eyes with Grey.
“What’s the problem?” He asked the wobbling Grey.
“Mr. CEO, the widow is making her debutante right this minute.” Grey hooted.
Lucas wanted to ignore him but remembering Liam’s words in the bus shelter nudged him to watch the live interview. Besides he’d love to see that widow who acts like queen Elizabeth.
“Put on the TV.” He ordered in a thick voice.
Swinging to the desk, Grey clutched the remote control and powered on the TV.
About five news channels displayed the interview.
Lucas pinned his eyes on the TV, waiting to see the widow.
A startled gasp pulled off Lucas’s lips. His pulse spiked and his heart launched into a sprint.
Sia is on the TV.
Sia is the anonymous.
Sia is the richest woman in United State.
Sia is Mrs. Monson.
It’s a fucking lot to guzzle down. The information hung in Lucas’s throat.
The admission that she wants to take over his company constricted his heart.
Estrella’s words flay into his ears, penetrating his pores, banging his head.
Sia is the widow.