Meeting Sia

After what seemed like a long while, Ford, unable to contain his impatience any longer, hurriedly checked his phone. His heart pounded as he unlocked the screen, only to realize that she hadn't even read or seen the message. A deep sigh escaped his lips.

"So, what did she say?" Kelvin asked eagerly, his curiosity evident in his wide eyes. He was anxious to know Sia's reply.

"She hasn't even seen the message or read it," Ford complained, his frustration growing.

Without thinking twice, he dialed her number. He watched as the phone rang, each second stretching painfully. Had she already reached his house? Was he too late? His mind raced with the worst possibilities. He couldn't shake the gnawing fear of what could unfold if Sia and Elena were to meet.

Sia was a wild, unpredictable force—impossible to control. She was spoiled, reckless, and lived by her own rules, never caring about the consequences of her actions or who got hurt in the process.

His frustration deepened as his thoughts drifted to Elena. He vividly recalled the night she had nearly killed a man for calling her a psycho and insulting her mother. The memory sent a chill down his spine.

Ford knew, deep in his gut, that Elena needed serious mental help. She lashed out at the slightest provocation, her rage uncontrollable. He had reached his limit—he wanted nothing more to do with her. But it wasn't that simple. Her mother was one of the most influential figures in the state, and cutting ties with Elena wasn't just about walking away—it came with consequences.

His eyes flickered back to his phone. Still no response. She wasn't answering. Frustration clawed at his chest as he slammed his fist onto the table, the loud bang echoing through the room.

"Calm down. Try calling her again," Kelvin urged, his voice steady as he tried to soothe his agitated friend. He knew Ford's frustration wasn't just about Sia not answering or even about her coming back—it was something deeper. The panic in his eyes gave him away. This wasn't about Sia; it was about Elena. If Sia found out about Elena, the situation could spiral into something far worse, and Ford was doing everything in his power to prevent that from happening.

With a clenched jaw, Ford dialed Sia's number again. This time, to his surprise, she answered immediately. He exchanged a quick glance with Kelvin, his brows furrowed.

"Hello, baby! I'm almost at your house. Where are you?" Sia's soft, feminine voice rang out through the phone, laced with excitement.

Ford's grip on the phone tightened. "Turn back. I'm not at home," he snapped, his frustration slipping through.

Sia chuckled lightly. "Calm down, baby. Why are you getting so worked up? I just want to see you. It's been a while," she said in a soothing tone, completely unfazed by his irritation.

Ford exhaled slowly, forcing himself to rein in his anger. He needed to be careful. If he pushed too hard, she'd grow suspicious. Taking a deep breath, he softened his voice. "Sia, I'm not home," he repeated, this time with forced calmness, doing his best to mask his growing agitation.

"So, where are you?" she asked, her voice dripping with curiosity.

"I'm at work," Ford lied smoothly. "I have a very important meeting coming up soon." He hoped the excuse would be enough to make her back off.

There was a short pause before she responded, "Okay, baby. Then I'll just wait for you at home."

Ford's body went rigid. His pulse spiked. "No!" he barked, unable to hold back the panic in his voice.

Kelvin shot him a warning glance, subtly signaling for him to calm down.

"I mean, I'm not at home. Let's meet somewhere else after work," Ford quickly corrected himself, trying to sound casual.

"Oh. Okay, if you say so. In that case, I'm changing direction to your workplace. We can sit out somewhere when you're done," Sia replied, her tone light but decisive.

Before Ford could protest, the call ended abruptly.

"Sia," he called out in frustration, staring at his phone. But it was pointless—the call had already been cut.

"She wouldn't even let me finish," Ford complained, his irritation clear.

Kelvin chuckled, shaking his head. "She truly hasn't changed."

"Well, at least she's not going to the house anymore," Ford sighed, letting himself fall back onto the plush sofa in his office.

Kelvin leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "Let's hope she sticks to that. You know how unpredictable she can be." His lips curled into a knowing smile as he watched his friend, who was still staring at his phone screen, deep in thought.

"Right?" Ford muttered, glancing up at Kelvin, seeking reassurance.

"Exactly, my friend. And, well… sorry to say this, but you're in for a long ride," Kelvin teased, chuckling as he stretched and stood up. "Good luck with that." With a final amused glance, he strolled out of the office, leaving Ford alone with his thoughts.

Despite the brief relief, Ford couldn't shake off a lingering sense of unease. Sia was impulsive, and trusting her to follow instructions felt like wishful thinking.

Without wasting another second, he grabbed his phone and dialed the number of his butler. It barely rang before Morgan picked up.

"Good day, sir," the butler greeted in his usual formal tone.

Ford didn't bother with pleasantries. "Morgan, listen carefully. No one is allowed into the house today. No visitors. Absolutely no one until I get back."

"Understood, sir," Morgan replied promptly.

Ending the call, Ford let out a slow breath. He could only hope that this would be enough to prevent whatever disaster was brewing.

"Yes, sir," the butler, Morgan, responded, his tone firm yet respectful.

"Morgan," Ford called again, his voice sharp with emphasis.

"Yes, sir?"

"I repeat—no one is allowed inside. Not even Sia," Ford instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Miss Sia?" Morgan echoed, his voice laced with surprise.

Ford's patience snapped. "Morgan!" he scolded.

"Apologies, sir. Understood, sir," Morgan quickly corrected himself, his voice now composed.

Leaning back into his chair, Ford allowed himself a moment of relief. Finally, a sense of control.

Just then, the sharp chime of his alarm interrupted his thoughts. He glanced at his phone—a reminder flashed across the screen. Visit Mom.

A small smile formed on his lips. The entire ordeal with Sia had momentarily made him forget about his scheduled visit to his mother. Straightening up, he began gathering the essentials he would need for the visit. As he packed, a thought crossed his mind—Sia was bound to show up looking for him, but at least now, she wouldn't find him. That thought alone brought him a certain level of satisfaction.

Exiting his office, he stepped outside and stood by the curb, waiting for his driver to maneuver the car into position. As the sleek black vehicle reversed toward him, he reached for the door handle, ready to step inside.

Then, a voice—soft yet unmistakable—called out his name.

His body tensed instantly. Slowly, he turned toward the sound, his eyes locking onto a familiar figure waving at him from a distance.

Taking a closer look, his suspicions were confirmed.

"Sia?" he whispered, his breath hitching.

She was smiling as she approached, her confident strides making it clear that she had been waiting for this moment.

Ford stood frozen in place, a mix of shock and frustration bubbling within him. Of course, she was supposed to come, but not this early. He had meticulously planned to leave her waiting, to make her chase after him.

Yet, here she was.

As she drew closer, he felt an unmistakable pang of disappointment. His escape plan had failed before it had even begun.

Finally, she was standing right in front of him. Without warning, Sia lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him in an embrace.

"Oh, my baby, you've grown even more handsome and manly," she purred, pressing herself against him as she tightened her grip. "I missed you so much."

Ford stood frozen, caught off guard by the suddenness of the hug. He hadn't expected this level of enthusiasm—not from her. His arms remained stiff at his sides, making no effort to return the embrace. There was no warmth in his posture, no inclination to acknowledge her affection.

After what felt like too long, she finally released him, stepping back slightly to study his face. A playful pout formed on her lips.

"Looks like you're not very excited to see me," she teased, her voice soft as she reached up, gently brushing away the stray strands of hair that had fallen over part of his eye.

Ford immediately recoiled, pulling his face away from her touch. His expression remained unreadable, but the message was clear—he wanted distance.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone cool and unwavering. "I mean, you weren't supposed to be here this early."

Sia simply grinned, completely unfazed by his lack of enthusiasm. "Oh yes, I was already near your workplace when you called," she replied, her excitement evident.

Ford's eyes narrowed slightly. "But you told me you were at my house. And the last time I checked, my house is at least thirty minutes away from here," he pointed out, suspicion creeping into his voice.

Sia let out a light laugh, tilting her head playfully. "Oh? Was that what I said? Ignore me," she said dismissively, flashing him an innocent smile.

Ford studied her carefully. The same sly smirk, the same evasive charm—she hadn't changed one bit.