Chapter 51 A Narrow Encounter with an Old Foe

Silas's Perspective:

I was just sitting there, staring at my computer, but work? Nah, I wasn't feeling it.

Ever since that night with Stella, I couldn't get her outta my head. No other chick even came close.

Every time I thought about her, I got all hot and bothered. It pissed me off, but I couldn't just go chasing after her. My status and all that.

Stella was playing the long game, way more patient than I thought. I didn't go to her, and she didn't come to me. It wasn't until I hit the hospital that I saw how hard she was grinding.

Was she dumb or what? One word from me and all her problems would vanish, but she never asked.

I heard that after I called her my fiancée, her job got way easier, and she even scored a swanky office like the director's.

I figured she'd be grateful, but nope, she never showed up, not even a thank you.

Stella was so ungrateful!

Thinking about it just made me more pissed.

Was she dead or something? It had been ages without a peep from her.

"Silas," Harris walked in right then.

I glanced at him and asked, "Hey, anyone trying to see me lately? Or hit you up with a message for me?"

"Nope, not really," Harris shook his head, adjusted his glasses, and started rattling off some work stuff in his usual stiff way.

"Uh-huh," I wasn't really listening, my mind was all about Stella.

"But Cecilia called earlier, inviting you to a masquerade ball," Harris said.

"Tell her no," I shot back without thinking.

Saying yes would just make her clingier. She'd finally stopped being so obsessive, so while I could throw her some cash, I wasn't giving her any hope.

"Got it," Harris said and turned to leave.

"Wait!" I called him back and then changed my mind, "Tell her I'm in."

Harris looked surprised but nodded, "Yes, sir."

Watching him leave, I smirked.

'Stella! If you won't come to me, I'll make sure you know that there are plenty of women around me. If you don't want me, there are plenty who will!'

Cecilia's Perspective:

Barry filled me in on everything that went down at the hospital.

Damn Stella, taking the spot that should've been mine. I thought she was just a fling for Silas, and he'd forget about her soon enough.

But no, Silas went and announced in front of everyone that she was his fiancée. If this kept up, things were gonna get outta hand.

Fortunately, ever since Silas started thinking of me as Alex's savior, he had been way nicer to me. He even agreed to take me to the ball, which means I still got a shot.

I was gonna use this ball to show Stella and all those werewolves that I was the perfect fiancée for Silas!

With that in mind, I happily went to find Ophelia. We planned to check out some new high-end fashion releases and totally outshine that wretched woman.

When Ophelia and I got to the store we booked, the doorman welcomed us in with a big smile.

But then, surprise, surprise, there were some unexpected people in the store that was supposed to be all ours.

I frowned at the little girl among them, narrowing my eyes.

Where did these two kids come from? What bad luck!

What was this store thinking? We had a reservation, so why are there other people here getting in my way?

But that kid looks familiar, like I've seen her somewhere before.

Saki's Perspective:

Castle! Ball! Princess!

When I heard mom was taking us to a ball, I immediately thought of those romantic scenes from TV shows. So when we passed a store and I saw a princess dress in the window, I stopped dead in my tracks.

"So pretty," I said, pressing my face against the glass, practically drooling.

"Saki, that's an adult dress. You need to go to the kids' section," mom said, squatting down and gently touching my hair.

"I know, but it's so beautiful," I pouted, wishing for the first time that I could grow up faster.

"When you grow up, I'll buy it for you, okay?" Mom said softly.

"If Saki can't wear it, you can," Lucas said with a grin.

"I can't wear it; it's too flashy," mom said, a bit embarrassed.

"Saki is your daughter. When she grows up, she'll look just like you. If Saki can't wear it now, you should wear it for her," Lucas insisted.

"Yeah, yeah!" I agreed excitedly, nodding my head.

Mom wanted to say something, but Lucas and I each grabbed one of her hands and pulled her into the store.

"No more buts, Mom. You'll look beautiful in that dress!" I said to mom.

We didn't give mom a chance to refuse. As soon as we entered the store, we asked the saleslady to get the dress and then pushed mom into the fitting room.

"I can't wait to see Mom in that dress," I said, rubbing my hands in anticipation.

"Cecilia, welcome," a saleslady greeted.

"Oh no, why is she here?" Lucas was stunned.

I heard Lucas say, and then he crouched down as if hiding from someone.

I found it strange and looked towards the door, where I saw two well-dressed women walk in.

When one of them looked at me, I saw disdain and anger in her eyes.

Did she know me? Why was she looking at me like that?

I found it very strange.