Chapter 29

Ximena's POV:

I stepped into my mom's office and was shocked at the sight that greeted me. My mom and Mr. Roberts making out, right there in her office? Unbelievable! They quickly disengaged, and after some hesitation, Mr. Roberts finally walked out of the office, leaving me and Mom alone.

Mom did her best to tidy herself up and went to the seat. She gestured for me to as well. I finally sat down and stared intently at her. My mom glances at me and looks away.

"Why are you here?" She asks finally.

"I wanted to talk to you." I said simply.

"About what?"

"It's about Lila…" I answered and I heard her sigh. She ran her hands through her hair and looked at me.

"What is it this time?" She groaned out.

"Well, she's staying with the Sparks. I wanted to know if it's proper."

"She's staying with the Sparks? Of course not! How come?"

"I don't know, but I want you to get her out. I already tried, but the guys stood up for her. They said it was fine." I muttered, as a matter of fact.

"I'll do what I can. She's definitely going to leave… She doesn't belong there."

"So I thought."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, I'll be leaving now. You can continue whatever it is you were doing before I arrived," I said and stood up. I felt my mom glares at me, but I ignored it.

Walking out of the office, I met me Roberts at the reception. I'm surprised he still waited. What relationship does he have with my mom, anyway? Isn't he Alya's dad?

"Ximena." He calls out. I stop but didn't turn.

"Yes?"

"How are you?" He asks, I spare him a glance, why is he asking me that?

"Fine." I reply. He nods but doesn't look away. Uncomfortable with his stares, I walk away. Leaving him.

***

Nikita's POV:

It seemed like every other day, things just went from bad to worse. First Lila, then Ellen, now Ximena finding out about my relationship with Mason. Someone knocked, and without waiting for my reply, they walked in. It was Mason.

"You haven't left yet?" I ask.

"Not yet." He replies and puts his hand in his pockets, not leaving the doorpost.

"What is it?"

"You know, I was thinking… It's high time you get Ximena know my paternity to her. She needs to know who her real father is."

"What?"

"I'm pretty sure you heard me the first time." He said firmly. I facepalmed myself. Of all times to bring this up, it had to be now. Raising my head up, glanced at him.

"Mason, can you please leave my office?"

"What?"

"I'm pretty sure you heard me the first time too." I said back. He scoffed and sneered.

"So you're not going to tell her?"

"I will, but not now. There's too much at stake." I replied to him.

He gave me a forlorn look before finally leaving. I rubbed my forehead.

***

(The next day at the Sparks' penthouse)

Chad's POV:

I had just come out of the bathroom when my phone rang. Patting my face dry, I went over to pick it up. It was Mira, the dance instructor. Frowning slightly, I picked it up.

"Hello, good morning. Mira."

"Good morning Chad. How are you?

"Good. Why did you call?"

"Well, I'd like to see you. It's super important."

"You want to see me? Can't it be said on the phone?"

"Unfortunately, no. Are you coming?"

"Um… Yeah. Where are we meeting?"

"My house. You know it right?"

"Yes."

"I'll be expecting you. Bye."

"Bye," I said and hung up. I had no plan to go out today, but with this coming up, I guess I had to.

***

I had finished dressing up and gone to the living room. I noticed Minho and Nico were dressed up as well.

"Hey, you guys going out as well?" I asked.

"Hmm… Yes. Suddenly came up. The clothing brand we are ambassadors of would like to have us in attendance in the launch of their new clothing line." Min ho answered.

"Well good luck. I'm heading out as well."

"Wait… Are you guys now going to leave me alone, then?"

"There's Dean…" I said.

"And Lila." Nico added.

"Oh great…" Jayden huffed and focused on his TV. I smiled and picked up my car keys. Walking out of the house, I gave it to the driver and got in the back seat.

"Take me to Mira Kentucky's house."

"Yes sir.". He replied and started up the car, driving off.

***

Lila's POV:

I heard cars leaving the house and I hurried towards the living room. I met only Jayden, and he was sitting, watching TV.

"Um… Where are the rest of the guys?" I asked him. He glanced at me and shrugged.

"They all went out. Nico, Minho and Chad."

"Chad too? Where did they all go?"

"I don't know." He muttered.

"Thanks anyway." I said and walked towards the window. That means it's only I, Jayden, and Dean left in the house. I pursed my lips and sighed.

I heard movement and turned back. Jayden was already standing up.

"Where are you going?"

"To my room. The house is awfully boring. Without them in it."

"Oh… Okay." I said, and he nodded. I watched him disappear into one of the rooms.

Well, I guess I better head to my room as well.

***

After a while I got bored with staying in my room and needed something to eat. I wore my flip flops and headed to the kitchen. Since most of them had already gone out, the house was dreadfully quiet. I walked into the kitchen and poured some apple juice into a cup and took some chocolates cookies as well. I have to say this, the Sparks kitchen was really well-stocked. How did they even finish all of this?

Once I was satisfied with what I had took, I made to leave the kitchen. Only to bump into someone at the doorway, spilling my juice on him. I looked up at the person and my tongue tied. It was Dean! Seriously? Why is our meeting always accidental?

He had his headphones on. Maybe that's why he couldn't hear that someone was already in the kitchen. Out of shock, I had already dropped the cup and cookies on the floor. I hastily picked it up and set it on the counter, picking up the counter.

"I'm really sorry." I muttered as I tried to clean my mess but he said nothing, he just stared at me He should really stop staring at me like that. I'm already having goosebumps. After a while, he sighed and walked past me. I turned to look at him. He brought out a bottle of wine and a glass cup. Pouring some content into the glass cup, he drank from it. Then he picked up the bottle and tried to leave, completely ignoring me.

Angry by his behavior and totally not thinking, I hurried past him and stood in front. He stopped and frowned.

"Why are you being so mean?" I asked aloud, even though I knew he wouldn't hear me.

He perked up his brows and tried to walk past him. I stopped again. Infuriated by my actions, he removed his earphones.

"What?" He asked icily. I shrugged it off.

"Why are you being so mean?" I repeated. "What did I ever to do to you?" When I saw he wasn't ready to say anything, I continued. "You're not leaving until you answer my questions."

"Look, I don't have time for this… Can I go?"

I shook my head, and he rolled his eyes. Once again, he tried to get past me. As he tried to leave, I dragged him back. Maybe a little too hard because he tilted backwards and slammed himself into me. That resulted in him falling on me… Yeah, we landed on the floor.

Looking into Dean's eyes, my cheeks flushed as I saw what I had done. I knew instantly that I got myself into a new round of trouble. Dean, the leader of the Sparks is on top of me… And I caused it. Completely embarrassed at the situation in sight, I tried to scurry out of his hold.

Then the unexpected happened. Dean held me in place and lowered himself… His lips on mine. I opened my eyes in shock.

Is Dean kissing me?

***

Chad's POV:

I arrived at Mira's house and was welcomed in by the maids. They directed me to a sitting area which had been prepared and made me seat, telling me Mira would arrive soon. I checked my watch as I heard footsteps approaching. It was Mira and a lady I didn't quite recognize.

"Hi Chad. Thanks for honoring my invitation." She said and sat beside me. The lady sat in another corner and when I glanced at her, she waved at me. I gave Mira a questioning look.

"Who's she?" I asked.

"That's Natalie Maddox. But you're not here for her. I'm actually introducing you to someone else. I hope you recognize her."

Then Mira beckoned on a maid to call someone else, and she nodded and walked out of the room. After a while, another woman appeared, and she sat directly in front of me.

"Hello Chad." She greeted.

I stared at her for a while before her familiar face clicked. I knew this woman!

"Wait… Aren't you the woman Lila called her real mom?"

"Yes…" she answered simply.

"I've seen you somewhere else before… Just don't remember where." I added.

"You must have met me some time when you were much younger. When CG was still alive, I guess."

"That might be true… That is true. I've seen you with my uncle a few times before."

"Thank God you remember. My name is Ellen Turner. Chad, there's something I'd like to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Nikita isn't the only woman CG married. I don't even think CG married her at all. He has another wife."

"He does? Then who is she?"

"That would be me." She said, and I stared at her in disbelief. She brought out her wedding ring and gestured for me to take it. I took it, and even though it looked really expensive, something about it stood out as well. It was custom, and it had CG's signature. It meant she was someone really special to him.

"You're his wife? How come nobody knew this?"

"Cage didn't want to tell anyone they until later on. But I didn't bring you here to talk about me. I brought you here to talk about my daughter."

"You have a daughter?"

"Yes. And you know her."

"I do… how come. Have I met her before?"

"She's Lila. The girl who stays with you. But her real name is Lyric."

"Wait… Hold up a bit… Lila, is your daughter?"

"Yes, she is."

"What does that have to do with me?'

"Do the math, Chad. If Lila is my daughter and I am CG's wife, that means Lila and you are…"

"Cousins." I muttered. This was unbelievable! Lila and I and were cousins. No wonder the familiarity.

"Nikita already knows this, and I fear she might seriously hurt Lila. It's why I need your help. Now that she stays with you, please help me keep her safe till I can bring Nikita down."

"Nikita knows?"

"Yes, that's why Lila got disqualified from the training. I'm sure you must have gone to ask for the reason and she didn't give you a tangible one. Well this it."

"What about Ximena?"

"I'll explain her relationship to you later. But first I need to know if you're going to help me out with this." She said earnestly.

I looked at her as I thought it over. In a way, I felt glad. Glad that Ximena wasn't my cousin, but Lila. But why is all of this coming now and no one was aware?

"Oh… and more one thing. Promise me you won't tell anyone this, not even Lila. If they have to hear. It'll be from me."

"Okay… I'll do it." I said, and she heaved a sigh of relief.

"Thanks Chad. You don't know how much you've helped me."

"Well it's not like I have any choice, anyway."

"You can go. If there's anything I need to tell you, I relate it to you through Mira."

"Okay…"

"Once again… Thanks."

"You're welcome."

***

I went back home and met Dean looking out the window, lost in thought. He didn't even notice I had walked in.

"Hey, what's up?" I called out to him. He turned to me and shrugged. I noticed his expression and couldn't help but ask…

"What happened? Did you see a ghost?"

"No…" He muttered and changed the topic." Where did you go? You didn't see you wanted to see anyone yesterday."

"Yeah… It just kind of happened that I needed to go out." I stopped and looked at him. I wanted to tell him about what I had found out so badly, but just like Ellen had said, I had to keep it to myself.

Better if they all found out themselves.