Chapter 9 Curiosity

• The little girl hefted her head to look at Sia who stood frozen in shock. She raised her brows and asked, “you know our chaperone?”
• Sia was too lost in thoughts. Too curdled in shock to speak. After so many years of her departure she’s here? Ms. Celine is here? She asked herself.
• The girl was astonished as Sia stood frozen in place. She tugged her hands, trying to snap her out of her reverie.
• “Earth to big lady!!” The girl shouted as she tugged Sia’s hand. Just then her mind riveted back.
• “Oh um…sorry little one.” She said, shuffling her eyes between the woman and the little girl. She downed the liquid in her throat and asked, “you mean that woman there is your chaperone?”
• “Yes, that’s her. What…happened?” the girl asked. She started pulling Sia toward the woman. “Come. Come and see her face. Come and see our beautiful chaperone!!” said the girl.
• Sia’s heart started roaring in anticipation. She can’t wait draw Celine in her arms again.
• Celine is like the only surviving member of her family now.
• On getting closer, Sia blurted out, “Ms. Celine.” Before long she loaded the woman in her arms, shedding tears.
• “Excuse. Who are you?” Asked the lady who’s pressed against Sia’s body.
• Hearing her question, Sia pulled back and just then she saw the woman’s face, vividly.
• ‘She’s not Ms. Celine!!” Sia’s eyes dilated. She has just made a fool of herself now.
• “Am I seeing double? Or what?” she whispered under her breath, mortified.
• “Miss, who are you?” Asked the chaperone.
• Sia scratched her head, abashed. “Um…I’m so…so sorry I mistook you as someone I knew.” She said through gritted teeth.
• The chaperone stared at Sia, lost of words. “Okay, it’s okay. Just be more careful next time before acting all out.” The chaperone warned.
• “Chaperone!! This…big lady said to be friends with her!!” the little girl squeaked.
• “Shush…let’s go.” The chaperone shushed her and dragged the girl and a few other kids there away.
• Sia hasn’t recovered from her state of shock. She looked around, looking anywhere her eyes could bash while her mind spiraled with thoughts.
• ‘It seems those people responsible for the fire killed Ms. Celine. Oh no!’ can Ms. Celine be dead too?’ she wondered. Dreading the possibility of Ms. Celine being dead.
• Being burnt by fire too.
• Sia’s phone rang, drawing her out of her reeling thoughts and doubts. She craned the phone which she held firmly on her hand to her face and saw Raymond’s name flickering.
• She had almost forgotten the reason she’s here in the first place but now everything’s clear as day. She needs to focus on the issue at hand.
• Picking it up she asked in a steely voice.
• “Are you here already?”
• “Yes, Mrs. Monson. I can’t sight you anywhere.” Raymond’s dark voice boomed.
• “What are you on?” Sia asked fliting her eyes around so she can sight Raymond. Before Raymond spewed in details what he was wearing, Sia already sighted a guy on the walkway wearing a leather jacket and a club hat while answering on call.
• She finalized it’s Raymond given his outstanding physique, especially his height.
• “I’m wearing…”
• “Enough, I’ve seen you.” She interrupted him and hang down the call. Sia tersely crept over to him and upon seeing Sia, Raymond dripped smiles at her.
• “Good to see you again, Mrs. Monson.” He worded, walking in tow with Sia.
• “Good to see you too, Ray.” Sia rasped out.
• They plod into a nearby coffee shop and settled on a seat beside the floor to ceiling glass windows.
• Sia flopped on the leather seat and Raymond sat across from her, huffing.
• She glimpsed outside from the window and spotted people creeping about on the walkway.
• The coffee shop is very tranquil and only a few people were there. Exactly what Sia wants so this discussion will sink in deeply.
• “Two cups of coffee please.” Sia spat quickly as she saw the barista approaching from the corner of her eye. Hearing that, the lady drew to a halt, turned on her heel and walked back to get two hot cups of coffee.
• “So Raymond, what news do you have in store for me?” Sia’s voice boomed, seeping into Raymond’s ears.
• He cleared his throat and leaned forward.
• “The development is just a few, Mrs. Monson.” He whispered.
• “Here ma’am.” The barista said inaudibly as she set the cups of coffee on their table.
• “Thanks.” Sia gave the lady a cherubic smile as she looped her hand on the cup, taking a sip.
• “Enlighten me on what you’ve discovered then.” She spat, intrigued.
• “Well, I recently found out that the actual people paid to carry out that job was killed. They were thugs that live around that area. But immediately after setting the house on fire and took their leave they got shot.”
• “They were gunned down by another set of unknown people.”
• Sia curdled hearing the news. Her mind was reeling on what Raymond just spat. That means, whoever has a hand in this is very deft in wiping their evils off.
• “Did your parents in anyway owe a loan shark or worked with a mafia Mrs. Monson?” Raymond’s words blazed through Sia’s mind and she shot him a quick disbelieving glance.
• “Why would you say that, Raymond?” She asked, pinning her eyes on him.
• “Uh… well, Mrs. Monson things might have happened and you didn’t know about it all the while your parents were alive. There’s a possibility that your father owed a loan shark or worked with a Mafia which warranted such an act. “
• “And you must know, Mrs. Monson, all these Mafias are skilled in wiping off their terrible acts.”
• ‘Can this be true?’ Sia wondered.
• Speaking of her father, Sia have never seen the man they call father since he left them for over fifteen years ago.
• He wasn’t the best father anyone could ask for . He was a drug addict and he never really contributed in their lives talk more of borrowing money to help feed them.
• “This can’t be true.” She twisted her head in ardent disapproval. There’s no way a loan shark would strike without warning.
• “There’s more to this than it meets the eyes, Raymond. So I strongly believe this is not about loan sharks.”
• “But we still can’t neglect the fact that your assertions might have some ounce of truth. Therefore I insist in digging deep until the actual culprit is found. “ Sia demanded, voice steely.
• “If you so wish, Mrs. Monson.” Raymond bowed his head, revealing his teeth in a smile. “I need to leave and handle other things I’ve, Mrs. Monson.” He spewed, rising from his seat.
• “My commiseration for your husband’s death, Mrs. Monson.” He lastly croaked and made a beeline to the exit leaving Sia buried deep in her mind.
• ‘Could it be that our so called father is the cause of all this? Maybe he indeed borrowed some money from people and then got stuck in the end, leaving us to bear the brunt.’
• She rubbed her hand on her temple, frustrated. “Maybe he, too, is dead.” She said out loud.
• Her phone rang and Sia hastily picked the call as she saw Estrella’s name on the screen.
• “Hey, girlfriend.” Estrella’s voice echoed.
• “What’s good?” Sia asked, gulping her coffee.
• “I’m so angry…ugh!!”
• “Huh…why, what’s wrong?” Sia asked, dropping her cup to hear what Estrella has to say.
• “God, girl, I didn’t get a head start. I messed up big time.” She sighed, blatantly.
• “Head start on what? Accoutrement for your engagement party?” Sia’s brow bisected as she asked.
• “You’re quite smart.” Estrella cooed and Sia heard her chuckle. “Well, the actual problem is the dress I ordered from Italy. God, girl they haven’t finished making it. So practically, I don’t have a dress for my event tomorrow!!” Estrella lamented.
• Sia pitied her, pinching the skin between her brows, she asked, “What do we do?”
• “I already canceled the order. So I’m practically left to buy clothes here in the States.”
• “Oh…”
• “So girlfriend, I feel so angry and annoyed with them. I wanted that dress so bad and I don’t think anyone can make something related to that here and the material isn’t here too. Besides the occasion is just tomorrow.”
• “Okay, relax I have a mouthwatering suggestion. “ Sia quirked her brows and spat.
• “Oh, please help me with your suggestions because I’m so losing it.”
• “I’m glad I can help.” She giggled. “So the suggestion is, wear a Victoria’s secret lingerie then. And you’ll have it delivered to you in a heart beat.”
• Hearing that, Estrella flared up.
• “What!!? Victoria’s secret lingerie to my engagement party?”
• “Yes. And it’ll be delivered soon.” Sia smirked.
• “You’re crazyyyy, Sia. Damn, this isn’t a bikini party fish head. This is my engagement party.” Estrella erupted into laughter.
• “I...eh…I was trying to help. You know.”
• “Nonsense. Please I need you to accompany me to a boutique so I can procure a new dress. Real quick honey.” Estrella mewled.
• “Fine. Where do we meet?”
• Estrella told Sia the location and she zoomed off to meet with her friend.
• Before Sia arrived, darkness already consumed the day.
• Meanwhile, Lucas just crept out of the boutique carrying bags on his hands. He walked to his car trunk to keep his bags when Sia’s car passed by. While inside the car, Sia caught a glimpse of Lucas’s back.
• ‘Is that Lucas?’ she wondered and immediately turned back her head to get a clearer view but unfortunately, Lucas already shuffled into his car.
• “No it can’t be him. Besides people do have same physique.” She whispered under her breath as she whirled her head forward. “Wait a minute. Why am I being bothered about him?”
• Sia face palmed, cursing herself for thinking about her worst enemy. When the driver parked in the garage , she ploded out from the car and headed into the boutique.
• “Sia!!” Estrella called. “Thank goodness you made it in time. C’mon girl, come help me pick something awesome.” She led Sia to the section she’s in and they both selected a dress after hours of testing and re-testing before Estrella found one that soothes her taste.
• Sia equally used that as an opportunity to get herself a dress too. Afterward they moved out from the boutique and headed to their respective cars.
• “I'll send my makeup artist to your place Tomorrow so she’ll prettify you, hear me?” Estrella croaked before they moved to their cars.
• Sia’s mind was reeling with thoughts on the way home. She could feel chills building up in her body as thoughts about Lucas played in her mind.
• “I swear I’ll make him pay for everything. Lucas you won’t know peace. Trust me.”