Chapter 13 Coincidence

• Lucas is here!
• Lucas is here!!
• Of all places!!
• Sia’s felt an unsettling mixed feelings in the pit of her stomach at the sight of him. Her worst enemy. Her ex lover.
• It now dawned on Sia she knows Ethan but actually didn’t think deep about it when Estrella mentioned him before.
• That day her mind swayed to a whole different angle because of the urgent call she received and was forced to leave Estrella, hence she didn’t probe further about Ethan.
• Other days she and Estrella met, Sia didn’t remember to incite the topic. She knows him. She knows Ethan, Lucas’s right man.
• ‘I should’ve known better!’ she screamed inside her.
• Standing on the same stead with Lucas brought feelings of rage, irritation and another feeling she just can’t lay a finger on.
• The air around them entirely sizzled as they bore into each other’s eyes.
• Here stands the man that once brought bundles of joy, happiness and everything she could ask for in her love life. The man she first fell in love with years ago. The one that gave her a promise ring and gave her his word that he'd be with her, he'd love her. He'd cherish her.
• That man is in the clutches of another woman. That man she once yearned for, looked forward to see every single day they wake up is now the one she detests to see the most.
• The sight of him makes her boil in fierce rage. Her blood has turned a mixture of rage and hatred.
• He looks more matured now and his beauty has added one touch. She can’t deny it, but Sia just don’t want to feel any tug of attraction toward him because he's nothing but a spaz who plays with one’s emotions.
• “It was all a game!!”
• This sentence became the reason she hardened her heart. The reason she built a wall there. It needles her pores, breaks her mind and encase her in a pool of hatred.
• “Ahem!” Estrella cleared her throat to draw back Sia’s attention as she got lost in her own thoughts.
• Just then, Sia swirled around, a deceptive smiles on her face as she looked at Ethan. Hand stretched and they both shook hands.
• “Congratulations, Mr. Ethan. You’re so lucky to have my friend as your woman.” Sia said, voice deep.
• Ethan understood the silent eye-war that occurred but decided to mute. He looked Sia on the face, a grin tugged his lips apart.
• Shaking his head he worded, “Thanks Sia. Estrella has said a lot about you. I can feel the proximity between you two.” He cooed. Inwardly, he felt sorry for his pal but doesn’t understand how Sia changed over night.
• The Sia they knew six years ago had blossomed, no more freckles on her tanned skin. No more acne brimmed her face, tousled and tangled hair, tattered clothes that’s always littered with charcoal.
• She looked pathetic then but now things are on a different angle. The change is completely visible.
• Sia’s skin is now more creamy, silky- from the looks of it, and stunning. Her hair wavy and soft in the eyes, more neat. Her once parched lips are now luscious and delectable- Yes because it looks soft and more…kissable for lack of better word. No more blotches of insect bites on her body and no more acne.
• ‘Did she undergo a surgery?’ Ethan wondered, eyes scanning Sia’s body.
• “Oh, don’t mention, Mr. Ethan. Estrella made my stay in Stanford amazing and unforgettable.” Sia commented.
• ‘Stanford!?’ Lucas wondered hearing that. ‘Sia attended Stanford University? Where did she get money to afford such a high class university that rarely admit people?’ Curiosity ate Lucas up. He wants to squashed her in his arms and interrogate her.
• The Sia he knew six years ago is so much different now.
• Polished English.
• Luscious skin void of freckles.
• Dresses well and smells good.
• ‘Everything about Sia has changed.’ He whispered, inwardly. He’s still dubious of the fact that this is Sia Macalista. ‘am I sure this is Sia? She doesn’t even acknowledge me.’ Lucas’s mind spiraled in doubts.
• The Sia he knew once would at least acknowledge his presence. But this woman here totally ignored him.
• Meanwhile, Danika was still trying to process where she had met Sia before. All these while, she kept mute to process the familiarity of that name and face-though slightly changed now. Immediately she fixed the knot together, Danika routed.
• “The slum girl!”
• She began to flit her eyes around Sia’s body. Everyone looked at her, including Sia who wore a complacent smirk on her face.
• “It’s she…it’s the slum girl!” Danika snapped, starring pointedly at Sia. A wave of shock washed through her.
• “How!? How did you change…”
• She attempted to continue with her question, but Lucas squished her to his side, shushing her.
• “Shut up, Danika. Act sensible for once, woman!!” He whispered in her ears but Danika nudged herself away from his vicious grip.
• “Leave me, Lucas.” She glazed her eyes spiced with anger and jealousy at him, ready to bare her teeth.
• She turned to Sia again, tugging her arms.
• “Ain’t you the slum girl?” she asked.
• “Slum girl? What do you mean?” Estrella is utterly floundered with what was transpiring. Since Sia stepped in here, the look on everyone’s face changed to some unreadable expression even Ethan’s.
• ‘Do they know each other before?’ Estrella mused. Then with bisected brows, she began slicing her eyes on everyone’s faces, inwardly demanding answers.
• “Yes, she’s the slum girl from six years ago.” Danika rambled on, appalled by what she’s seeing.
• “I don’t understand?” Estrella shook her head reflexively.
• Sia was mute but you can smell the blazing anger rolling deep in her body. Her heart was constricting, making it unable for her to breathe and her stomach churned, hearing Danika referring to her as ‘the slum girl.’ She wants to bare her teeth but no she decided to play mind games.
• Real mind games with them.
• “Well, It’s crystal clear that she has gotten a big-wig as her sugar daddy that she afforded attending Stanford University of all universities. The slum girl with blotches on her tanned skin.” Danika slurred, gnashing her teeth.
• She gravitated toward Sia and gripped her jaw. She inwardly marveled at the intense silkiness of Sia’s skin and felt downright inferior.
• ‘What the hell does she maintain her skin with?’ Danika asked, a surge of shame seeping insides her.
• “Why don’t you tell us who your sugar daddy is?” she spat.
• “Stop saying nonsense about my friend, Danika!!” Annoyed by Danika’s gibberish words, Estrella butt in. You can’t miss the anger surging through her.
• She can’t stand it when someone slurs her and knowing that Sia’s like a sister to her , she felt angered, hence her retort. “Do you know who you are talking to?” She flared up, locking eyes with Danika.
• Danika felt a shudder drizzle down her core at the fierce response of Estrella.
• ‘Who has she become? I know it’s the slum girl.’ Danika’s mind swarmed with thoughts.
• “Do you know Sia can get you locked up in a fingers snap?” Estrella continued.
• “Who is she? Who's her sugar daddy?” asked Danika. The air around them stiffened.
• Lucas who was equally shuddering and wondering how Sia abruptly changed became eager to hear the truth likewise Ethan.
• “Sia is…”
• “Sia!” Sia butt in, silencing Estrella from speaking on.
• She slapped Danika’s hand away from her face and reiterated, coldly. “Sia is Sia. Satisfied?” Sia asked the shuddered Danika.
• Meanwhile, it then dawned on Estrella that Sia loved keeping her identity concealed right when they were in college. Therefore, she decided to play along. But that irritation seeping through veins because of Danika’s words couldn’t trickle down.
• “I know you’re lying. I know you have someone you stashed away that graces you with money. You think I don’t know the game? I know everything…”
• “Danika stop!! Enough of that okay?” Lucas’s words startled Danika. She looked him from over her shoulder and balled her hands into fist.
• Lucas is always good in painting her black in the house and if she doesn’t stop he'll definitely continue to paint her black and Danika knows better than to lose her pride to Sia. Hence she swallowed back her words and stepped way from Sia’s overbearing presence.
• “Thank you, Mr. Lucas for acting like a man.” Sia slurred and Lucas caught that in a grasp.
• ‘For acting like a man? Was I never a man before?’ He questioned himself, feeling utterly ashamed at what Sia just said to him.
• Maybe she’s correct he never did act like a man. If he did Hera and Danika wouldn’t have him wrapped in their fingers. It’s all because of this dead contract. He wailed inside him.
• “Um…please, let’s start with the party. Our guest have begun to troop in.” Ethan suggested and they stalked toward the stage while the others stood by the table at the corner.
• Lucas just can’t seem to peel his eyes off Sia. He’s fawning over her and yearns to touch for a tinge of time. He kept stealing gazes at her direction as he sipped his wine.
• ‘Sia. How have you been? I wish…I just wish you could put the past behind. I need to talk to you.’ He air quoted.
• “I can see she’s the reason you’ve been weird these years, Lucas.” Danika spat sardonically. Jealousy constricted her heart at the moment.
• Grunts, Lucas peered at Danika, exasperated. “I don’t wish to discuss anything with you. That’s my life and I’ll live it how I deem fit. Understand?”
• You’d notice the hatred that spiced his words. He gave Danika a dreadful look but she wasn’t fazed at the slightest. She’s used to this attitude already.
• ‘I’m not going to let this slide. You’re mine Lucas and as for this girl? I'll make sure I eradicate her from your life so you’ll focus on me.’ As Danika spat this inside her, her eyes mistakenly locked with Sia’s, making her grit her teeth.
• Estrella began to introduce Sia to her other friends and this lasted for a couple of minutes.
• Sia felt her body sweltering and she knew it’s really going to ruin her makeup, so she excused herself to use the restroom to adjust her makeup.
• While she was treading to the rest room’s direction, Danika stretched out her leg which was concealed by her fish tail pitch-black gown. Sia’s phone was ringing inside her bag and she proceeded to bring it out as she was still working.
• The moment she inched closer to Danika’s side, she stepped on her outstretched leg and tripped off.
• “Ahhh!!” a loud whimper escape Sia’s lips as she plopped down on the hard floor. Her face hit the ground and blood slightly gushed out.
• Upon seeing this, Lucas rushed to Sia’s side and held her arms.
• “Are you okay, Sia?” he questioned, voice laced with concern.
• Still feeling dizzy, Sia wrapped her hand in her forehead to recollect herself.
• “Oh my God!!” The guests there screamed.
• “Is she okay? She landed heavily on the floor.” They rattled on, looking to see Sia’s face. Meanwhile, Estrella and Ethan rushed there immediately.
• Estrella held Sia’s arms, looking worried.
• “Are you okay, girlfriend?” she asked.
• Sia felt her eyes smudging with tears but she endeavored to blink it back.
• “Poor slum girl.” Danika babbled. “Tsk..does that hurt ?” She added.
• Lucas shot her a hard fiendish glare but Danika wasn’t scared.
• “Are you the one that pushed her?” His deep, hoarse voice reverberated.
• Everyone around got curious about what was transpiring and glued their eyes at them.
• “Did you see me touch her? Oh don’t lash out on me, Lucas.” She shrugged.
• “I’m fine. Just want to go to the restroom.” Sia managed to say. She felt like what happened to her at the Evangelista's villa reoccured but in a twisted angle.
• “We just want to throw the trash away.”
• Mike’s words seeped through Sia’s veins, making her irritated. That day, she huddled on the floor when Danika stepped inside and now same thing repeated in a different angle.
• “Are you sure? Let’s call a medic?” Lucas suggested but Sia spared him no glance. Estrella helped her off the floor and she gravitated toward the restroom.