Chapter 28

“Now whoever said that time heals the pain must be a severely patient person. For the inpatient people like you and me, retail therapy always does the trick,” said Julez with a big smile. She twirled around in front of the massive mirror, admiring the aquamarine Alberta stiletto from Jimmy Choo she was wearing.

Julez has already chosen 2 shoes and was contemplating on a third one. Sienna was sitting on the suede stool; legs stretch out as she stared at the burgundy Bodie peep toe shoes from Steve Madden that was strapped to her feet. Sienna had to admit that the best therapy for a girl is shopping. But during certain moments, she would suddenly remember the despondency in her heart.

Julez’s optimistic attitude stayed plastered to her since they left the apartment in the morning. Sienna could not bare to let her despair ruin her best friend’s mirth. Julez was just trying to cheer her up by taking her out to town and shop till they could shop no more. Which would never happen.

As they both entered the limo, Julez’s cell phone started to ring and she started to rummage through her enormous grey Chloe Paddington bag. Sienna observed Julez’s face when it suddenly lit up with joy but a few seconds later those hazel eyes where on her and the expression was not jovial. Then she ended the call, let out a sigh and turned to face Sienna.

“Ok, so I know I told you that we are going to spend the whole day together but something came up. There is this really cool producer who I have been dying to work with and the only time he can squeeze some working time with me is this evening. I have been waiting for him for a long time Sienna… So could you…,” said Julez pleadingly but was interrupted.

“Julez you don’t have to baby-sit me 24/7. This is about your work so go… You don’t need my permission. I’ll just hang out at your apartment; it’s no big deal,” said Sienna as she patted Julez’s knee.

After dropping off Julez at the recording studio, Sienna headed back to the apartment. Sienna entered the apartment doors swiftly and placed the card key on the marble table next to the it. All she wanted to do was take of her heels and lie down. Then she heard sounds coming from the living room and thought for a second who could be in the apartment. Housekeeping was out of the question because they usually do their jobs in the morning. For a while she felt the fear creep up her skin.

“I’ve been trying to call you all afternoon. Were you in the recording studio?” asked the familiar voice. Tiny senses of relief pass through Sienna as heard those words. It was obvious that the unidentified person in the apartment was looking for Julez and not her.

“Sorry for the sudden intrusion but I need to pick up some of my things,” he continued again without revealing himself. As close as she is with Julez, she never had the chance to get to know all the men in her life except one. But after processing his every word, Sienna was positive that it was not Alex because the person did not spoke in a Spanish accent.

Sienna stood there perfectly still, not knowing what to do. She would either get out of the apartment or gallantly face the mysterious person. In her mind, Sienna hoped that miraculously Julez would have another man in her life instead of Alex. Besides, what Julez and Alex are going through could hardly be called a relationship. It was more of secret liaison.

“Julez? Why aren’t you saying…” said the voice as he uncovered himself from the walls of the living room. He stopped speaking instantly when he saw the sight of Sienna.

As the frisson of emotions swirled inside her, Sienna could not believe whom she was seeing. Standing perfectly in front of her was Jesse. He was naked with only his distressed jeans on. The dim rays of the sun crept through the window and accentuated his divine upper body.

“Sienna?” he asked in a tone of bewilderment. With no lucid response, Sienna started to feel queasy and her heart was beating frantically. She was instantly terrified of the beautiful beast in front of her because after the incident with Lexy, Sienna never thought or looked at Jesse the same way.

After gaining conscious of her feet, Sienna stepped back a couple of steps and slammed the door shut. As she tried to control her breathing, Sienna walked hastily towards the elevator. She could hear Jesse calling her name from behind but tried to zone it out. Jesse quickly put on his red polo and ran out the door to catch up with Sienna. But as Jesse arrived at the front of the elevator, it was already closed shut.

The air condition blasted Sienna’s face with cool air as she entered the lobby. The sound of her Sergio Rossi heels echoed through the hall as she walked with speed. Once outside, Sienna did not hesitate to cross the street and get lost in the park. She quickly rummaged through her Prada tote to find her cell phone and call someone.

As she crossed the street, she heard the screeching sound of tires and smelled the burnt fetor of rubber. Then her body was suddenly yanked backwards and her hips barely touched the side of a very fast car.

She opened her eyes to the adorable face of Jesse. Under all the fear and rage, she forgot how enchanting her ex-boyfriend was. His hazel eyes looked playful and babyish but Sienna knew better that he was far from innocent.

“What are you doing? Let me go!” forced Sienna after realizing how close they were from each other. She started to feel infuriated as the flashes of memories came back to her, the memories of her happily with him. But those reminiscence were overshadowed by his cruelty. Sienna loved him but he betrayed her.

“A simple thank you for saving you would be appropriate,” said Jesse as he let go of her waist. Sienna walked to the pavement and leaned her body against the stonewall. Jesse on the other hand was just standing by the road, staring at the direction of the car that almost hit her.

“That was not an accident. Lexy knows you’re here,” said Jesse as he took Sienna’s wrist and escorted her speedily to the lobby of the apartment. Once in the lobby, Sienna instantly pulled her hand away from Jesse’s grip.

“Why are you doing this Jesse? Just leave me alone,” said Sienna as she walked back to the elevator. They both stood at opposite ends of the elevator and the anger between them could be cut with a knife. Sienna averted her eyes from Jesse but Jesse still kept a close eye on her.

When the elevators door opened at the 3^rd floor, Sienna felt a little relieved. The ride upstairs seemed so long even though it was only 3 floors up. But before she could exit the lift, Jesse grabbed her wrist.

“Let go of me Jesse,” said Sienna sternly as the warm hands of him gripped her wrist tighter.

“It’s not safe here. Don’t you get it? You should come with me,” he said as the elevator door closed and they were both still inside.

“Aren’t you and Lexy supposed to be a team? Didn’t the both of you tried to kill me before?” said Sienna with a raised voice. Already annoyed, Jesse once again yanked Sienna and pressed her against the back of the elevator wall. He then pressed the red emergency button that instantly made the elevator stop.

“I am not with Lexy anymore. She has no power over me now. I am deeply sorry about that incident. But you need to remember that I saved you. I will not bring you to Lexy and I’m not going to kill you, Sienna. Will you relax? If I wanted to kill you, I would have left you by the road just now,” said Jesse.

~*~

Sienna stood frantically by the door of the apartment basement. She could not believe what she was about to do. She was only doing it because she was out of options. It killed her that she was not able to take care of herself and that she needed to depend on others for her safety. How could she survive the society when she could not even take care of herself?

It burned her heart to think of Darius, think of Harlow wrapped safely in his arms. She deeply missed the great shield of safety that could only be felt when Darius was near her. Now she is in danger again and the only person she could turn to was Jesse. He was the last person on earth Sienna would trust but he was the only one available. Sienna secretly hoped that Jesse’s soul was not as dark as she thought it was. She prayed that what she was about to do would not turn into a grave mistake she would regret.

The sudden roar of an engine snapped back Sienna into reality. A maroon colored Audi TT Coupe came to a halt right in front of her. Doubts and vexations aside, she could not help but basked at the beautiful speedy automobile in front of her. It was sleek and from her enthusiasm to high-speed cars, she knew it was undeniably fast.

Jesse then opened the passenger window with a push of a button and cocked his head to get a clear view of Sienna. Sienna crossed her arms in arrogance as she turned her fascination into a blank expression.

“Would you please get in the car,” said Jesse as he gripped the steering wheel harder.

“I have doubts about his,” said Sienna in a bitter tone. Jesse let out a sigh of frustration and tried again but with a different approach.

“Your boyfriend is not here to save you anymore,” said Jesse mockingly, emphasizing on the word boyfriend. Sienna was smoldered with wrath as she heard those word being spoken with scurrilous meaning. But with those words, Sienna got in the car. As afraid as she was, Jesse actually had a point.

“Where are you taking me, Jesse?” asked Sienna as she vigorously crossed her arms like a stubborn child. Jesse did not respond, instead he adjusted the collar of Tommy Hilfiger polo and continued to drive faster. His expression was unreadable thanks to the Armani shades he was wearing.

“ I want to tell you something, something I’ve been wanting to say for a while but never had a chance. I just want you to calm down and hear me out, could you do that?” asked Jesse finally as he took of his sunglasses. Sienna contemplated for a second and slowly let out a sigh. She then gave a nod of approval for Jesse to begin his elucidation.

“I owe you a big apology after what happened before. I was acting like an idiot by letting Lexy get to me. It was wrong to listen to her and you almost got hurt that day. Its alright if you don’t forgive me, its understandable. I just want to let it out and say my peace. I am truly sorry Sienna,” he said, sincerity glowing in his hazel eyes.

“Why did you do it, Jesse?” asked Sienna finally. Her heart stung in pain at the thought of Jesse’s betrayal to her. There was a long pause and Sienna could clearly see the guilt and remorse in Jesse.

“I was excited to be the next ruler of the society. I was not happy sharing the throne with Cuza but I was somewhat grateful. Then you came along and I had not the slightest clue that you were a member, let alone a daughter of Masenfer. It was a revelation to find out and I was happy because then I would not have to hide secrets from you,” he said calmly but refusing to meet her gaze.

“So what was the problem?” asked Sienna with narrowed eyes.

“It started when I saw you during your initiation at the ball. You were gracefully walking down the grand staircase, looking like an angel but your arms were wrapped around Cuza’s hand,” he explained painfully, his tone turning dark as he said the name Cuza.

“The anger arise from there and Lexy fueled it even more by saying that you would take away my throne in the society because you are a Masenfer. Your arrival would make my stature in the society erratic. I guess I was so caught in rage and jealousy that I forgot to think rationally.”

Jesse then pushed the pedal of the car further down as if the speed would be able to control his irritability. He effortlessly swerved left and right on the familiar streets of London. Sienna knew his story did not come to an end yet. Jesse just needed to calm himself down before he could continue.

“Killing you never crossed my mind. Lexy only wanted me to lure you in, I didn’t know Lexy was plotting to murder you. I guess before you, I had bad taste in girlfriends,” he said with a little laughter, trying to lighten up the mood.

“But when I saw you pinned down like that, it was too much. I couldn’t just stand there and watch my girlfriend die just so I can be the sovereign of the society. That is why I let you run,” he said finally. Sienna ruminated Jesse’s vindication for a while. But before she could fully forgive him, she needed to know one thing.

“Did you ever loved me?” she asked suddenly.

“Of course I did. Everything that happened between us before the sudden fight for power was real. I fell in love my sister’s best friend, a talented New York girl with a smile that can light up the darkest of days and ignite the faintest of hopes. How could you think that my feelings for you were fabricated? I’m not as dastardly as you think I am, Sienna,” he said with an arched eyebrow. With that, all of Sienna’s questions about Jesse were at long last answered. Jesse’s honesty mitigated her fear and confusion.

“Thank you for being honest but you’re not off the hook yet Jesse,” she said with crossed arms. Jesse let out a chuckle and drove faster.

“At least I’m getting somewhere.”