Chapter 24 - Spotlight

Aila took deep breaths to steady her heart while leaning on the door. She can feel her face heating up again recalling Calvin's last action and words before leaving.

***

After passionately kissing her, Calvin reluctantly let go and was looking at her quite intently. His thoughts unreadable.

Calvin traced her lips with his thumb, Aila's heartbeat increased with the intensity of his stare. After a prolonged silence Calvin finally opened his mouth and said:

"Do you know that sometimes I dream about you at night?"

"What...are you trying to say?" Aila asked breathlessly.

Calvin smiled mischievously.

"Unfortunately, I can't share the details of my dreams honey. It would scare you away from me."

Aila smacked his arm annoyedly.

"Then why open up the topic in the first place if you're not going to even share it?"

Calvin chuckled amusedly.

"You have that kind of effect on me, it drives me crazy at times. I wonder if you've put a spell on me that I didn't notice?"

"You're talking nonsense!"

"You're right, I'm probably already crazy about you before I knew it."

Aila caught her breath, Calvin's tone was a little different than usual. Like a calm before a storm.

Calvin then planted a lingering kiss on her lips and said:

"I'll see you later, my little enchantress."

He then walked away while she was staring at him stupidly as he went inside the Bentley that was waiting for him nearby.

****

Aila covered her face with her hands. She had to remind herself that this is a romance novel that she went into, although her expectations went off the mark since the beginning.

Her life before had seemed set up, predictable. Ever since she arrived here, it was one surprise after the other. She wasn't even interested in finding romance, she just enjoyed reading them to pass the time.

Now she is living it, she's experiencing emotions that she hasn't experienced in a while: laughter, frustration, annoyance, love...don't even go there, Aila.

Aila sighed frustratedly, she walked to her room absentmindedly. She doesn't know how to process her feelings right now for Calvin. She is undoubtedly attracted to him, or those intimate moments would not happen in the first place, but at the same time, she couldn't say it was real love. For one, she has not experienced it and couldn't tell.

Her compass was that of the love she had seen with her parents when they we're still alive. As far as she knows, Calvin and she were not there...yet.

What am I thinking? have I gone crazy too?

A gurgling sound interrupted her thoughts which reminded her that she hasn't had a full meal in a while. Aila went downstairs to find something to eat and to walk off her stress.

*****

A week had passed by, and the news outlets finally calmed down. Aila became a star overnight without even doing anything. Meanwhile a lot of backlashes was thrown at Hanna during that time and before they knew it the day of her birthday had arrived.

It was still quite a high-end party with much of the second generation rich being in attendance but the mood was quite pronounced when Calvin and Aila did not arrive for the event.

Rumors and gossip can spread quite fast in such a tight knit circle. The women who were jealous of Hanna since high school even fired it up more. They look up to Aila quite positively, finally someone who had step over this green-tea sea queen.

"Did you hear about that news?"

"Oh! I know this one. The fiancée of Calvin Harrison, right?"

"Have you seen the pictures? my goodness. She's so pretty!"

"I wasn't able to see her on the Harrison banquet I'm afraid. Is she really that gorgeous?"

"You wouldn't know, but everyone was shocked to see her that night. Who would've thought that underneath that weird make-up she had before was a stunning beauty."

"Although it's a bummer that we would not have a chance with Calvin, I'm happy he gets to find his happy ending rather than hanging on a dead tree."

All of them snickered, they're voices loud enough for anyone nearby to hear.

Hanna had been hearing Aila's praises non-stop throughout the week. She felt frustrated that she could not fight back as Calvin himself had drawn the line.

Although her other admirers and friends console her, it's not enough for them to interfere.

Afterall, the Harrisons are no joke. And the Carters are no small-time family either.

Her mind is telling her to let go already but her heart just won't settle.

Her pride of being the center of attention wherever she goes since she was young was terribly hurt.

How could he do this to me? It was just being gone for a weekend, and everything had turned upside down!

Hanna tried hard to keep her expression neutral but all those who knew her to some extent could tell that she is hanging by a thread.

"Hanna, it's time to cut your cake." Markus interrupted through Hanna's destructive thoughts.

At least Markus is still quite loyal to me.

Hanna smiled brightly at Markus.

Markus's vision was only filled with Hanna's warm smile. It's been a while since she smiled like that at him.

"Thanks Markus. I'll be there shortly." Hanna said while toning down her voice and making a sad face.

"What's wrong?"

"I just thought...everyone seems to not like me right now. Maybe I should've not gone through the party after all."

"Nonsense, we've had this planned for weeks. Don't worry, I'll get them to leave so you can enjoy your birthday." Markus said vehemently.

Hanna felt happy knowing that Markus is on her side this whole time.

"No don't, I invited them in advance and besides it would not look good on you to shoo these people away." as much as Hanna would love that, these are not some random people on the street. They are scions of their own empires, the future bosses or madams for a lot of big time industries.

Markus's expression softened.

"You are really kind Hanna." He took her hand into his and kissed it.

"Don't worry, this will all be over soon."

"Really?"

"Have I ever lied to you?"

"No, you've always been good to me Markus." Hanna responded blushingly.

"Then this time it's the same thing, no need to worry about it." Markus said with intensity.

****

Somewhere near the coastal area of Walden City.

Aila's mother took her for a getaway vacation on their own villa to make up for overreaction regarding the headlines she had strewn all over the city.

They are currently sitting by the veranda just sipping cold drinks and admiring the ocean view.

Aila hasn't seen Calvin in a week, although he calls almost every day, she's starting to kind of miss him...

Whoa Aila! pause there!

Sighing heavily, Aila thinks she has too much time in her hands that's why she is having these thoughts lately.

"Mom, I should probably start working. I've been idle for too long."

"Nonsense! what could you even do, dear?" Mother Carter asked incredulously.

"..." right, this Aila here only studied for fun.

"Well...I could learn with dad or brother step by step, no?"

"Dear, you should be focusing on your wedding plans. By the way, shouldn't you have a date set by now?"

Aila laughed awkwardly.

Me and my big mouth. Why does it go full circle to what she wants to talk about anyways?

"We...we're busy. We haven't talked about it yet. Anyway, I'll ask dad about it ok? I can learn fast mom. I'm just so bored staying at home all the time."

"We can always travel dear, we can go to Paris to shop, no?"

Urgh, no. I don't want to feel that sick again.

"Maybe another time mom."

"Well, I won't stop you, but you have to prioritize Calvin at all times."

"Mom, really?!" Aila asked frustratedly.

"Dear, listen to mother. This is the most crucial time right now. You are not officially stamped yet as Mrs. Harrison. A job can wait but a good man only comes once in a lifetime. You better hold on tight to Calvin or you'll regret it."

"Alright, alright! I get it already!"

Sometimes she wonders if her mom's brain is only filled with romance.