Chapter 5
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In the posh Azure Elite lounge, Tiana was catching up with her best friend, Aurora Ember, tucked away in a cozy private. booth. Aurora, the lounge manager, breezed in with a bottle of ’82 Lafite, a rare treat.
Tiana shook her head as Aurora approached. “I’m off the sauce from now on.”
Aurora slid in next to her, eyeing the shadows under Tiana’s eyes. “You tossing and turning over Simon’s no–show at the engagement bash? I tried to stick around, but you shooed me away. So, what’s the scoop with your bodyguard?”
Tiana grimaced. “Aurora, I… I slept with Enoch.”
At that, Aurora nearly choked on her sip of wine, spewing it out in a fit of surprise. “What?! How was it? He’s got to be a beast in bed, right? Tall, strong-
This is my best friend? More like a gossipy aunt!‘ Tiana rolled her eyes, thinking. “I was plastered and all over the place. Honestly, it’s a blur. But I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck.”
Just the memory of Enoch, who had the gall to record a video, made her blood boil
“Honey, you’ve been mooning over Simon for ages, and look where it got you,” Aurora said, grinning. “Enoch’s got the looks and the bod, no contest.” She winked. “Though I guess he’s not exactly in your social league.”
Tiana remembered the black card Enoch had flashed yesterday, her brow creasing. Those cards were exclusive, a symbol of status and worth. How did he swing that? Oh well, we’re just in a contract marriage. His personal life is his own business.
“Oh, and Enoch’s never been with Jocelyn, right?” Aurora asked, her grin widening.
“Nope,” Tiana replied, deadpan, “And he says I’m his first.”
Aurora’s eyes sparkled. “Girl, you’ve struck gold! A mid–twenties guy who’s still a virgin? That’s a unicorn these days!”
Tiana shrugged. “Well, I’m a first–timer too, you know.”
“Well, it looks like Jocelyn can’t get her claws into Enoch, and Simon’s just blind for letting a catch like you slip away,” Aurora said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
As she was wrapping up her sentence, the booth door burst open. In walked Jocelyn, clad in a pristine white sundress, her arm in bandages.
Jocelyn was a Starlight Entertainment starlet, famous for her delicate features that made her the poster girl for every guy’s dream. Thanks to a hit teen drama, she’d become the nation’s sweetheart overnight.
“Ms. Schneider,” Jocelyn began, her voice sugary sweet with an undercurrent of apology, “a friend spotted you here, so I came straight from the hospital to say I’m sorry.”
Tiana, with a mix of confidence and poise, crossed her arms and leaned back into the sofa. Her usual smile was gone. replaced by a stern, unapproachable look.
Aurora wasn’t buying Jocelyn’s act. She arched a brow. “Oh, sure, because those excuses are as genuine as a three–dollar bill.”
Jocelyn’s face drained of color. “I swear, I didn’t mean for things to happen! I had a car accident, and I wasn’t myself. I called Enoch, but he didn’t pick up, so I reached out to Simon. After he took me to the hospital, I asked him to the engagement, but he said he was worried and would reschedule for another day…”
16:24 Fri, 14 Feb M
Chapter 5
Tiana’s eyes turned to steel. “Cut the act
Feeling the chill from Tiana’s words, Jocelyn dropped to her knees. “Tiana, I’m just a nobody from a regular family. I could never compete with you. It’s just that Simon feels sympathy for me, that’s why he looks out for me?
Tiana wasn’t buying Jocelyn’s victim act. It seemed more like a boast about Simon’s affection.
“Are you on something? You’re acting like I’m the one messing with your love life. Okay, I hope you two have a love that’s stronger than steel, end up in each other’s arms, and finally go to hell!”
“Tiana!” The door to the booth slammed open, and Simon stormed in, his face dark. He’d heard her bitter words
Tiana rolled her eyes, not surprised that Jocelyn had brought Simon for her act of remorse.
Simon barked, “You’re too harsh! Jocelyn came here to apologize, even though she’s still healing, and you’re just lashing out. You’re being unreasonable!”
Simon’s icy tone sent a shiver down Tiana’s spine. She wasn’t as gentle as Jocelyn, and she had her own strong personality She’d loved Simon for years but never gave in to a disagreement.
Simon had always said she was too strong, that her fierceness could be tiring. ‘But if you truly love someone, don’t you accept all of them? It is clear Simon has never truly loved me, Tiana thought bitterly
“Well, it seems you two are a perfect match, just like trash belongs in the recycling bin, Tiana retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Simon frowned, trying to ignore Tiana’s sharp words. “Tia, I know you’re still upset about yesterday. Jocelyn and I are colleagues; as her boss, I need to look out for my artist. Please don’t make this more difficult-
azing Jocelyn. 5
The room echoed with a sharp crash as Tiana flung a wine glass, just leaped forward to protect her, his face a mask of alarm. Tiana let out a scornful snort at the sight.
Seeing the look on Tiana’s face, Simon felt a flicker of panic. Just as he was about to say something, Jocelyn fainted and collapsed into his arms.
“Jocelyn?” Simon called out, but there was no response. Jocelyn had fainted, collapsing into his arms. His expression taut with worry, Simon looked at Tiana. “Tiana, we’ll talk tomorrow,” he said firmly, then carried Jocelyn out, leaving the room silence.
Aurora turned to her, noticing the tears welling up in her eyes. “Sweetie, if you need to let it out, my shoulder’s here. Simon will realize his mistake sooner or later!”
Tiana wiped her nose, shaking her head. “I won’t cry. I should be glad I saw Simon’s true colors before it was too late.”
It was late, past 10 PM, when Tiana finally made it back to her apartment. She seldom stayed in her family’s villa. Ever since she’d declared her intention to join the entertainment industry, her father, Cedric Schneider, had made it clear he wouldn’t support her.
Her mother, a former star who had abandoned her to run off with someone else, was a figure her father despised.
Tiana hadn’t heard from her mother in years. Many thought she was gone for good, but Tiana clung to the hope that she was still out there. She dreamed of becoming a star, reaching the pinnacle of success, hoping that one day her mother would see her achievements and return.
16:24
Fri, 14 Feb
Chapter 5
7
Memories of her childhood flooded back, of her mother being her biggest cheerleader. She couldn’t fathom why her mother had chosen to elope and why she had been absent for so long
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Tiana kicked off her shoes and flicked on the lights as she entered her apartment. She was about to step into the living room when she spotted a tall, imposing figure lounging on the couch. The man’s handsome face was partially obscured by a veil of smoke, giving him an air of mystery.
Tiana furrowed her brows. “Enoch, what are you doing in my apartment?”
Enoch turned to her, his deep eyes meeting hers. “Tonight’s our wedding night,” he said, his voice steady.
