For the past few weeks, Estrella has been playing the role of middleman between Sia and Lucas. Ever since she stamped Sia’s feelings for Lucas, she went all out to make things work out between them.
It’s obvious they both are still into each other despite the fact that Sia has countlessly denied it. Estrella understands Sia’s attitude, of course, Sia is only trying to withhold her pride and keep her head high, plus the fact that the onslaught of pains she feels isn’t something that can be riddled off easily.
It’s going to be a slow and steady process but without doubt, Estrella knows feeding Sia with words will make her heart begin to expunge the pains Lucas caused her and slowly give in to her feelings for him. Hence, for the past few weeks, Estrella has been watering Sia’s mind with words.
In between, she hung out with Lucas to hear his own side of the story. In all that Lucas said, Estrella all but chastised him for ever taking such measure.
*
“You were wrong. Yes, you so desperately wanted to secure your family’s legacy but you ended up hurting the girl you claim to love.” She huffed, resting her head in the palm of her hands. “It’s not my story to tell neither is it in my place to forgive you. I will do my best and see if Sia can give you a listening ear.”
“Thank you, Estrella. This means so much to me.” Lucas said that day before they parted ways.
*
Like a firestorm, the news about the Monson group’s centennial party has spread in the media, much to Sia’s expectation.
She has invited Monson group’s important personnel from and outside the State. Today is going to be a big day and Estrella had spurred Lucas to action.
It’s time for them to work things out. Estrella’s uncertain about Sia’s reaction but she told Lucas never to back down today.
“Once you see she’s done welcoming the guest and other important things go to her and have a word with her.” She told Lucas over the phone early this morning. So now, Lucas is more than prepared. It’s either today or never.
Back at the Monson villa.
Sia was awoken by the light knock on her door. Shooting to her feet, she bustled to the door, and on flinging it open, she saw Michelle all smiles, standing outside.
“Good morning, Mrs. Monson. Are you ready? The masseuse is here.” Michelle said, wrinkling her face when Sia let out a loud yawn.
“Okay, she should wait for me at the gazebo. I need to freshen up.” Sia replied with sleepy eyes.
Quickly, she went through her morning routine before heading downstairs to the gazebo where the masseuse and the beautician are all lined up.
Sprawling on the bed, the masseuse gave Sia the best, longest massage she had ever received before the beauticians took over. The manicurist and pedicurist handled Sia’s fingernails and toes with caution and affixed artificial nails to hers.
The makeup artist molded Sia’s face like a work of art. She dabbed her lips with pink lipstick, her eyes with brown eyeshadows, her cheeks with bronzer and her brows were carved and décor with an eye pencil though it’s barely palpable.
Her brunette hair was styled in a chignon style. Sia was barely recognizable as the makeup piled up her look of sophistication.
She donned on a pink mermaid-style cocktail gown that has a long, translucent lace sleeve with her back exposed. Her black Louboutin heels highlighted the beauty of the dress likewise her black clutch bag.
The servants dabbed her wildflower scent on her dress and with a last peek at the mirror, Sia made an exit from the room.
“You look so beautiful, Mrs. Monson. Remind me again, Mr. Monson’s words on your wedding day?” Michelle praised with smiles on her face when Sia stepped on the base of the stairs.
“He said. You’re the queen that will rule this family with me. Heavens specially made you for me.” Sia sputtered, repeating Monson’s first comment when he sighted her on their wedding day.
“You’re indeed a queen, Mrs. Monson.” Michelle leaned in and whispered, “Men won’t be able to cut their eyes off you.”
Sia erupted into a fit of hysterics upon hearing Michelle’s comment. She need not to be told that. Men will fixate their eyes on her.
Liam acted as the chauffeur tonight, however, his mouth sagged when he spotted Sia prancing out of the house, looking like a queen, only she doesn’t have a tiara on her head.
The drive to the Monson group hotel was injected with silence. Sia was lost in her dream world. Estrella’s words lately crammed her head.
“You still love him, Sia. I know you’ll deny it. I know you want to uphold your pride but you need to give your heart its craving. Your heart longs for Lucas. And only if you listen to him will the conflict between your mind and heart cease. Give Lucas a listening ear.”
Sia was still deliberating on giving Lucas a chance or not when they arrived at the hotel. Without coming to an obvious conclusion, she filed outta the car. The bouncers stationed themselves on either side of her as she made an entrée into the ballroom.
Apparently, many people have brimmed the ballroom while others are yet to come. With the bouncers stationed in different positions in the ballroom, Sia felt safe.
She began greeting the guests and getting introduced to faces she hasn’t seen before.
“You look exquisite, Mrs. Monson.” Sia heard someone sputter behind her. Whipping around, she spotted Hera in a black taffeta gown with a black, round hat.
“Oh, Mrs. Woods I’m glad you made it.” She said, clamping Hera in a tight hug.
“Decided to show my face. We’re business partners after all.” Hera gushed, her fiery eyes glued to Sia’s innocent ones.
“It’s an honor to me. Thank you for showing up.”
After Sia mouthed this, she moved on to greet others. Honestly, it’s a tiring work but Sia managed to do it. Affluent people indeed suffer a lot. These kinds of things are one of the sufferings they face.
While Sia was sipping a drink and drowning in an interesting business topic with one of the tycoons, she felt someone trailing their fingers on the small of her exposed back.
Sia veered around and met Silas’s exposed dentition.
He was smiling down at her. Gross!
“You look ravishing, love.” He said, hunkering low, he dabbed his lips on her cheeks and a little at the corner of her lips.
Sia tried to extract herself from him when her eyes traveled to the entrance and met a pair of coffee-brown eyes. Seeing that, her heart slipped into her stomach.
Like a statue, Lucas pinned his eyes on her, unmoving.
‘He’s here.’ She muttered inwardly.
Silas erected himself and stared down at her but he caught Sia staring at something in particular.
Following her trail of gaze, he sighted Lucas, the guy that hit him standing not far away from him. Silas’s nose flared in utter anger.
Rage built inside him as images of the fight flickered in his mind.
Whipping his head back at Sia, he curled his lips up and asked, his voice taking on a note of pent-up rage.
“Who is he to you?”
Sia brought her eyes to meet Silas’s. To think he has the balls to ask her such questions erupts anger inside her.
“Who are you to ask me that?” She barked.
Silas gnashed his teeth, clenched and unclenched his fist, and snapped. “I’ve not forgotten what he did to me and he’ll definitely pay, I swear.”
“You’ll do nothing, Silas Monson.” Sia dared him.
“I don’t make empty threats, Sia. Mark my words.” He said.
“In due time, Silas. We’ll confiscate her pride and everything from her.” Someone said behind Silas.
With a smirk, he turned so Sia could see his mother.
“Wonderful attempt. You and your son are a bunch of losers.” Sia whisper-yelled, careful not to draw attention.
Silas’s mother wheeled forward and tipped her face up to Sia’s. They were just one breath away from each other when she mouthed, “You’ll end up being the loser, slut.” She told Sia.
“And I’ll end you before you make me a loser.” Sia threatened. The words, fly off her lips without caution and Silas smirked.
“I love this banter.” Silas winked at Sia.
Having, had enough of their scorching presence, Sia pranced away.
Silas pinned his stare at Lucas, eyes fiery, lips drawn in a harsh, tight line.
The guy who hit him.
For now, Silas wants to get a hold of Lucas’s relationship with Sia before letting hell lose.