Tangled Hearts

Chapter Six

THE STAR SISTER

The warm glow of the restaurant lights danced across the faces of guests as soft jazz filtered through the air. The celebration was in full swing. Catherine and Raymond were beaming with joy, seated at the center table with family and close friends gathered around. Laughter bubbled in the air as servers weaved through the crowd, balancing trays of wine and appetizers. Tamara sat beside her parents, sipping a mocktail and watching the guests mingle.

She noticed Patricia a few feet away, standing by the window, speaking softly into her phone. Her brows lifted in curiosity when she caught a name: “Jason.”

When her sister finally returned to the table, Tamara gave her a playful nudge. “You know, for someone in love, you’re keeping your man a big secret,” she teased.

Patricia rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, come on, it’s not like that.”

Tamara leaned in, grinning. “So... who’s Jason? And why is he not here?”

Patricia sipped her wine, glancing around before answering. “He’s busy, Tam. You know how it is, meetings, responsibilities. Jason is one of the youngest billionaires in the country. He doesn’t really have the luxury of leaving work just like that.”

Tamara blinked. “Wait, billionaire?”

“Mmhmm,” Patricia said, nodding casually.

Tamara’s grin widened. “Wow. So that’s why your skin has been glowing lately. Money and love, what a combo!”

Patricia laughed, brushing off the compliment. “We’re just… seeing where things go. It’s still early.”

“Well, I hope it eventually goes to the altar,” Tamara teased. “Let’s meet our in-law at the end, shall we?”

Their giggles blended into the sounds of the celebration as a server arrived with a tray of desserts. Catherine and Raymond stood to give a heartfelt thank-you speech, acknowledging everyone who had come. When Raymond said, “And to our wonderful daughter Patricia, who made all of this possible,” a round of applause erupted. Tamara clapped along, though the acknowledgment left a small ache in her chest.

She hadn’t known Patricia footed the bill for the entire event.

After the speech, guests moved toward the dance floor. Tamara stood at the edge, watching her parents sway gently to a slow song. Patricia had disappeared again, possibly off to another phone call with Mr. Billionaire.

A warm breeze drifted in from the open terrace doors. Tamara stepped outside for some air, leaning on the railing as she took in the night sky. Despite the ache in her chest, she was happy to see her parents smiling again, holding hands like newlyweds.

Just then, a familiar voice called her name. She turned to see Candace, casually dressed but charming as ever. He handed her a drink. “Figured you might need a break from all the family love.”

Tamara smiled, touched by the gesture. “Thanks. This is the perfect distraction.”

They sat by a low-lit fire pit, chatting about everything from work to favorite travel destinations. The chemistry between them was undeniable, though Tamara still wasn’t sure what to make of it.

The night wound down, and as the crowd thinned, Tamara joined her parents for a final toast. She caught Patricia’s eyes from across the room — her sister winked, raising her glass. Despite everything, Tamara couldn’t help but smile.

The night had been beautiful.

And as she crawled into bed hours later, she found herself thinking not just about Candace… but about a man with soulful eyes and a crooked smile who had slipped into her life like a storm and disappeared just as quickly.

Jay.

She frowned, pushing the thought away. “No,” she whispered to herself. “Jason is Patricia’s. Jay was just… a one-night mistake and definitely not a billionaire.”

Still, as she drifted off to sleep, that name echoed in her mind.

Jason. Jay.

Was it just a coincidence?

Or something more?