Minutes after Lucas zoomed out of the club, Sia and Estrella drove in. More accurately speaking, Estrella dragged Sia to the club to party.
When she saw Sia on the TV, joy folded her heart and smiles adorned her face. Not only did Sia show the whole country who she is but she looked like a Disney princess. She spoke with authority and her words commanded attention.
Rarely does any presidential candidate or gubernatorial candidate exude such confidence when being interviewed but Sia smashed it.
Her debutante is the sizzling topic raining the whole country now. Her fortune leaves the people in a paralytic-shocked state.
Estrella is overjoyed and she wants tonight to boil down well. She wants it to be wrapped up with a booze.
As the driver stopped the car in the driveway of the club, Estrella hopped down and tugged Sia’s arm.
“C’mon, don’t be silly.” She urged.
Shying like a high school girl. Sia pouted, “Seriously Estrella. This isn’t necessary. We could have boozed at my place.” She spat, stepping outta the car with her lower lip pushed forward.
“I have a fantastic wine selection, Estrella. Coming here will attract more attention than I already have.”
“Yes. Yes. I want you to be the spotlight throughout today!” Estrella exclaimed in glee, pushing Sia forward toward the threshold.
As they trailed into the vociferous clubhouse, a notification popped on Estrella’s phone.
Halting in her tracks, she glanced at her phone and a shrilled noise bounced off her lips.
Turning around, Sia glanced at her with a cocked brow.
“What?” She asked.
Dreamily, Estrella gushed.
“The Forbes magazine already ranked you as the richest woman in the state and the second richest in the world, girl!”
Estrella fanned herself as though she’s sweating but it’s the joy suffocating her about Sia’s spotlight and success that chokes her.
“Really? That’s…too much.” Sia drawled.
Jesus! Never did she imagine she’ll appear in Forbes magazine. Gosh, this is too much.
Only if her mother is alive. Only if her brother is alive. Only if her baby had survived she’ll be more than elated.
But Fate already harnessed things beforehand. That’s why everything is the way they’re now. Sia assumes.
“Yeah…too much indeed.” Estrella said teasingly and dragged Sia into the building.
Bustling with activities and brimmed with noise, Estrella whispered into Sia’s ears. “You deserve to be happy, girl. Promise me you’ll get spoiled tonight?”
“No. No. I’m just going for a glass of wine. That’s it and I’ll be out.” Sia said, objecting Estrella’s words.
“Huh…” Estrella scoffed.
She looked at her phone and typed something. Discreetly, she flit her eyes around and spotted Jake.
Dragging Sia by her wrist, they edged toward Jake who sat on a couch in the dark corners of the club.
When Sia spotted him, her heart leaped to her stomach. Balls of chills blasted through her veins.
Estrella set her up. Fuck!
She shouldn’t have agreed to come here.
Sending Estrella a lethal glare, Sia mouthed. “I’ll deal with you.”
Estrella chuckled, “Would gladly accept.”
Meeting Jake’s gaze again, their kissing session replayed in her mind.
“C’mon, pretty chick. Have a seat.” He offered with a gorgeous smile.
Sia plunked down next to him and the waitress served her a glass of wine. Her eyes move to the counter where Estrella is with Ethan and Adriano.
Her heartbeat quickened. She already thought Lucas was with them. For some reason, Sia wants to get a read on the look on his face after probably watching her live debutante or hearing about it.
What was his reaction after hearing she is the anonymous? Was he sad? She wonders.
Sia was pulled out of her musings when Jake spoke up.
“So, I watched your interview…” He flashed his pearly white teeth at her and Sia cackled.
“I never thought it’d hold your interest.” She said smiling. Apart from Estrella, Michelle, and Liam no one else has told Sia how terrific the interview was. So hearing that from Jake
made her cheek flush a darker shade of red.
“Astounding. It really held my interest.” He commented and earned a ‘thank you’ from Sia. “What made you change your mind? I thought you wanted to keep a low profile?” He asked.
Wiping all traces of smile from her face, Sia shrugged and said, “it wasn’t the right time then but it is now.” She peered at Jake and spotted him sending a heated glare at her.
He was looking at her like a predator watching and monitoring his prey. Sia already knows what’s running through his mind. It’s about the kiss. The fucking kiss. She knows Jake still remembers it all. And she does too. The sweetness of his lips and it’s warmth is mind-blowing.
Sia knows Jake might make a good partner but right now, she can love someone. She doesn’t know how to explain it. No matter how much she wants to love, the fear she’s grappling with will negate her from taking chances with anyone.
The walls in her heart are still strong, despite having cracked a tad.
“Were you hiding from something or someone?” He asked. Shivers raced down her spine like bolts of lightning at the mention of that. Sia is surprised at Jake’s wild guesses about her hiding from someone.
She could see the curiosity on his face but she’s definitely not going to spew the details.
“Not at all.” She said, beaming smiles at Jake.
“Oh, I see.” He shrugged.
While they were talking, Mercy pranced into the club with her friend or rather girlfriend. When they rounded their corner, Sia got a glimpse of the girl she’s with and remembered it’s the same person she fucked beside the pool at Estrella’s pool party.
“Hey, bro. Surprised to see you in the club. What brought you here?” Mercy said when she sighted Jake. Her eyes plodded to Sia and she shriveled her face as recognition flashed in her eyes.
“Are you Estrella’s friend?” She asked.
“Yeah.” Sia said briskly.
“Wait a minute. She’s the widow!” Mercy’s girlfriend exclaimed in shock. She inched closer to Sia with her phone and took pictures with her. However, the girl’s exclamation alerted a few others by their side and they all looked over at Sia.
She frighteningly shook her head and pled Jake to take her outside of the club. Taking her head shake as a cue, Jake shot to his feet and smoothed the invincible crease on his shirt, gripping Sia’s hand they projected outside of the club.
Sia gulped a huge breath when they got outside. She fanned her face with her hands, waiting for the shy sweat to wear off.
“Sorry about that…”
“It’s not your fault.” Sia interrupted hastily. “I already knew this is how it’s going to be. Being the spotlight in the country. It’s fun!” She spilled jokingly but Jake could see the sheer discomfort on her face.
“I think you need to rest…”
“Absolutely. I need one.” She interrupted him again.
Actually, Estrella is the one that hooked them up but right now, seeing the crease of stress and discomfort on Sia’s face, Jake feels guilty for accepting to come and even putting Sia through the stress. Today was hectic for her he knows for sure and he’s willing to let her go.
“Sia…” He inched closer and held her wrists. Looking down at her, he hefted her hands and kissed her knuckles. “I know this might be the weirdest way for one to confess their feelings but no day or place is perfect. We only grab the chance we’ve got. So, Sia I just want to tell you, I like you.”
“Jake…”
Sia wanted to protest but Jake put a finger on her lips, silencing her.
“I’m not expecting you to have the same feelings for me. Neither am I forcing you to I just want to let you know I’ve a thing for you. And I’m ready to accept you when you’re willing to accept me.”
Hunkering down to her lips level, Jake squished his lips on hers, giving her a warm, gentle kiss.
“Thank you.” Sia murmured, feeling awkward.
“Any time, pretty chick.” He led her to the car and flipped it open.
All the way back home, Sia’s mind was submerged in thoughts about Lucas and now about Jake.