Episode 3
1289 Words
SIA…
Three years later…
“Don’t go in there, Danny, you’ll stain your uniform!” I called out to Danny, the second of my twins. I went after him and took him out of the kitchen which was in a mess.
Chris hurried down the stairs, carrying Diane in his arms.
“Thought you spoke with a nanny two days ago,” Chris said, dropping Diane as we proceeded to the garage.
“She’s not taking the job again,” I replied. We sat the twins at the back of the car and Chris helped me open the driver's door. I sighed, trying to hide the small smile that crawled up my lips.
We had stayed together for three years, helping each other build and stabilize our different companies. Unfortunately, the presence of the media made our little promise develop a shaky foundation.
Chris Declan was a household name. Our marriage became the talk of the town for a full month. It was spread alongside rumors, none of which we ever addressed in any interview.
The paparazzi gathering in front of our gate had become a norm. Everyone knew my father, likewise Chris. And the union of our families just made us ye most talked about couples.
“The kiss, Sia,” Chris reminded me. I forced a smile, stole a glance at the paparazzi who were gearing up for when the gates would be opened before I kissed Chris.
Somehow, I was able to keep our love life and business affair apart, I wasn’t sure about Chris. He seemed to have gotten lost in the pretense of being a happy couple just to keep our names and brands on the headlines.
“Safe journey, love,” he said, returning the kiss. My phone rang that instant, disrupting us. The number looked very familiar. I stared at it for sometime before Chris called me out of my thoughts.
“Is everything alright?” He asked.
I shrugged, then answered the phone. “Hello?”
“Sia?” The feminine voice called, causing my heart to skip a beat.
“Danna?” I recognized the voice immediately. She exclaimed over the phone, her sobs grew loud and I think she burst into tears. I glanced at the paparazzi who were already taking pictures of us.
“Sia, it’s really you. What happened? You just disappeared and now I’m seeing you on tv. You’re married? To Chris Declan? How? When? Sia I…”
“Danna, Danna…” I interrupted her. I was already in tears, and Chris gestured for me to go into the car. He stood by the window, listening to us. “It’s a long story Danna. I…I urmm…”
“I’m getting married this Christmas. I’d love you to walk me down the aisle. As my best friend. You can fill me up on whatever happened when you arrive in Chicago,” she interrupted me.
My efforts to hold back my tears failed the moment she broke the news to me. “Lucian?” I asked.
“Yes, Lucian. I’m getting married to Lucian,” she broke down with laughter. I joined her, sharing in her joy of getting married to the man she had been with for eight years.
“I’m so happy for you, Danna.” I muttered.
“Promise me Sia. Promise me you’ll be here to walk me down,” she blurted. I glanced at Chris, who nodded at me.
“Go ahead!” He said voicelessly.
“I promise I’ll be there,” I told Danna.
*****
“Our contract ends in four months,” Chris handed the document to me, a sad smile on his face as he walked me down to the plane. “Nice playing couple with you, Sia,” he said, opening his arms for a hug.
I embraced him, shutting my eyes and letting him have his final hug with his fake wife. At least we had achieved a lot in three years. My father’s company was stable now, and I left it in uncle Alejandro’s care.
“I hope you find a real one in Chicago,” Chris said as we separated. He kissed my forehead before handing me the kids bags. “Take care of them,”
“Of course I will,” I said to him. He stood there until I went into the plane. It was a private flight, owned by my fathers’ company. We kept waving at each other until the plane took off.
If anyone told me I’d miss Chris one day, I’d have locked him up. Especially given the fact that our first year together was rough, filled with misunderstandings and misplaced priorities.
The twins were asleep, and I couldn’t just wait to arrive in Chicago to see Danna again. After three years, I was finally going back to a city I thought I would never step foot in again. Most especially, during this Christmas period. The same season I walked away from Jamal.
******
The town of Illinois was as picturesque as I remembered it. Fresh snow blanketed the streets, and garlands adorned every lamppost. The distinct sound of a Christmas song drove me into the Christmas spirit.
I had booked a cozy rental where my kids and I would stay for the next few weeks into the new year. The uber just arrived and I woke the twins from their sleep.
“Alright kids, wake up,” I said, nudging Danny and Diane. They stirred, their sleepy face lighting up as they saw the cabin.
“Mum, Is this our new home?” Diane asked, seemingly interested.
“For the next few weeks. We won’t be celebrating Christmas with daddy this year,” I said, watching her excitement drop. Danny couldn’t care less as long as he had all his play tools with him. The Uber driver assisted with offloading the bags and drove off.
Standing before the cabin, I felt an odd mix of nostalgia and apprehension. The last time I spent Christmas in Chicago, I left with a broken heart. This time, I was clinging onto Chris’s prayer. Finding the right one.
After taking our things in, I began arranging the bags. The house was clean already, like they’d sent people ahead of us to clean it up. They left a few clothes behind which I began packing out of the wardrobe. They were masculine, probably belonging to the former occupant.
“These are designers. Who forgets such expensive clothes behind,” I muttered as I packed all of it into a bag, creating space for my kids and I. I had just started sorting into the pantry when a loud noise jolted me.
A clatter coming from the back door. My heart raced as I began searching for a weapon.
“Stay here,” I hid my kiss perfectly behind the door. I picked a fireplace poker, holding it above my head as I crept to the back door.
A thief? This early? I wasn’t even given to e to settle in and I was already getting robbed?
I waited patiently for the door to open, and when it did, I charged at the intruder.
“Whoa…whoa…easy there!” The man grasped my hand in the air, his other hand lifted as well. Snow dusted his dark curls, and his face bore a look of genuine surprise. “Sia?” He called in a questionable manner.
I took my time, trying to recognize the familiar sea blue eyes and dark curly hair. After a few seconds of analyzing, it struck me.
“Austin? Austin Morales?” I called the name of the least person I expected to see in Chicago—My father’s best friend.
******
- Writer
