Chapter 51: It’s Better to See Ghosts Instead of Real People

“Raemon,” Octavia said, “uh…you’re…um…here.”

Raemon’s mouth twitched at the corners. “At an event for my own company? Yes, Octavia.”

“Ha-ha. Yeah, sure. Duh.”

Why did she feel as if everyone in the room knew they were fuck buddies? Raemon certainly wasn’t giving away anything by his demeanor. Still, Octavia couldn’t shake that nervous feeling.

“They’re doing press interviews for high-profile employees,” Raemon said, “you should get one done.”

“Why do I have to get interviewed?” Octavia demanded.

Raemon shrugged. “It would be good to get the perspective of the people on the ground, the ones who are driving this whole venture.”

Octavia had on her annoyed face. “Dammit. If have to be on camera, that increases the likelihood of something spilling on me by at least twenty-five percent.”

Raemon didn’t know what to make of that, but he did not comment on her words. Instead, he said, “It was Indira’s idea, not mine.”

“Oh,” Octavia said, “then I’ll be right there.”

Raemon nodded, then started to leave.

It was at that moment that Sierra, who had been standing in the same spot through their whole exchange, suddenly came to life.

“Raemon…Kentworth!” she exclaimed, launching herself at him. She moved so fast that she nearly knocked Octavia and Lauren over. She jumped in his face and grabbed his arm.

Raemon looked down at her and raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

Sierra stared up into his face, her eyes wide, glowing orbs and her deep-red lips caught between a broad smile and a gaping jaw.

“I…I…I…,” Sierra stammered. It seemed she had trouble forming sentences in that beautiful man’s presence.

“This is Sierra,” Octavia supplied.

Sierra snapped her open mouth shut and nodded vigorously.

Raemon looked to Octavia, then back at Sierra. “I see,” he said slowly. “Nice to meet you, Sierra.”

He moved to walk away again, but Sierra clutched harder onto his arm.

“Wait!” she pleaded. “I…I…I…”

“She’s my housemate,” Octavia again supplied. “We live in the same apartment.”

Raemon was now looking down at Sierra as if she were a curious specimen in a lab. One that he would rather not have touch him.

“That’s nice,” he said. “Well, I’m Octavia’s boss.”

Octavia cleared her throat.

“That is,” Raemon began again, “I was her boss. We are now colleagues.”

“Much better,” Octavia said.

“I’ll be going now,” Raemon said slowly, waiting for Sierra to release him.

“I LOVE YOU!!!” Sierra suddenly blurted out.

Standing behind her, Lauren gasped. Octavia started coughing, trying her best not to laugh.

“I’m flattered,” Raemon said, unfazed. He reached a hand up and gently pried Sierra’s fingers off his arm. “Enjoy the evening.”

Sierra stood with a dazed, stricken look on her face, her hands still curled in the position they’d been when she was clutching Raemon’s arm.

“No…,” a tiny voice whispered from Sierra’s still face.

Octavia stepped forward. “It’s okay, Sierra. At least he knows your name, right?”

But tears were welling up in Sierra’s eyes.

“Oh shit,” Octavia sighed. She put a hand around her shoulder. “Here, I’ll walk you to the bathroom.”

“No,” Lauren said, “I’ll do it. You have an interview.”

“Are you sure?” Octavia asked.

“Go on, I can manage,” Lauren said, replacing Octavia’s arm around Sierra’s shoulder with her own.

Octavia wanted to protest, but Lauren confidently led Sierra away. She watched them go, then went over to the spot where several reporters were, recording devices in hand.

Raemon and Indira were standing near the area with a few of the Icarus and Curie designers nearby. She noticed Quentin was absent.

Octavia was only asked a few questions, which she felt she answered well enough. She then walked over to Indira to say hello.

They chatted for a bit. Indira was pleased by the whole success of the event, and the great press they were getting. She even mentioned wanting to introduce Octavia to some people.

Eventually, Octavia excused herself. She made her way to the bathroom, hoping that Sierra hadn’t completely fallen apart and that Lauren hadn’t had to deal with it.

She burst into the ladies’ restroom but found the place empty. A quick scan of the stalls revealed there was no one in the room. Octavia frowned, wondering where Lauren had taken Sierra.

She heard the door behind her swing open, and she turned, expecting to see Lauren with Sierra hanging limply on her arm.

But it wasn’t either one of them who strode into the bathroom, high heels clicking against the floor in short, vengeful beats.

“Well, if it isn’t the little assistant,” Lila’s voice purred menacingly.

Octavia stood numb in surprise.

“Lila Scott? What are you doing here?” Octavia asked.

Lila sneered. “If you were smart enough to know who the Bridlington-Scotts are, you wouldn’t ask such dumb questions.”

“I know your dad was on the list,” Octavia said, “but you weren’t.”

Lila gave Octavia her coldest look, then crossed the room to stand in front of the line of mirrors above the marble-basin sinks. Her long dark-red dress swished at the hem as she walked.

“I don’t need to be on the list to get in anywhere,” she said, pulling a gold tube of lipstick from her purse. She uncapped the tube and meticulously applied it to her lips.

“I’m Lila Scott. It’s an honor to have me attend any event.”

“Okay,” Octavia said slowly, “well, enjoy the food—gotta go.” She started for the door.

“Wait!” Lila commanded.

When Octavia turned back, she noticed the angry blush that had risen onto Lila’s cheeks.

“I’m not done with you,” Lila said, walking over to stand right in front of Octavia. With her heels, Lila was much taller than Octavia. She looked down at her with a scornful expression.

“You may think you’ve won just because Raemon chose you over me back at the Golden Cove,” Lila began.

“Please,” Octavia said, “‘chose me’? The fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“Keep up, you ignorant slut,” Lila snarled.

“I’m a slut now?” Octavia said. She frowned in mock dismay. “I can’t imagine what I did to deserve that.”

“Don’t think that just because Raemon wanted to play savior back there it meant he could ever want you more than he wants me,” Lila said.

“You are nothing to him. You’re like a pet dog that he has to take care of or else…or else some workers’ union might gang up on him or something.”

Octavia couldn’t help the slight smile that came over her face. “Impressive. You know what a union is. Aren’t you a knowledgeable little elitist?”

“I’m warning you,” Lila said, taking a menacing step closer. “Don’t get in my way. I’ll have what I want. Raemon is mine.”

Octavia exchanged her sarcastic smile for a bored expression.

“You can have him,” she said bluntly. Then she turned and walked out of the room.