Chapter 40

Lila's POV:

The very next day, Dean uploaded another video explaining all of the mysteries of yesterday but leaving out my name. As expected, fans were more than curious to know who the real daughter was since they had already ruled Ximena and Alya out. Dean suggested a dance off featuring Alya, Ximena, and me as the mystery girl.

They heartily agreed and even set the date! It was crazy just reading all of their reactions. When I asked Dean how this was going to help us, he'd told me this way, Beamlights Entertainment would have no choice but to meet the demands of the fans or risk being closed because what they were addressing was a major scandal. I'm sure Nikita wouldn't want the latter. Sure enough, just like Dean said, Nikita had no choice but to agree to the dance off.

That's where the real work began. I began practicing like crazy. Although I had some form of training, they were looking for a girl member to join the Beamer girls, so it still wasn't enough. Both Mira Song and Sparks spent the next few days teaching me everything all over again.

After Chad had regained consciousness, he significantly got better and I know this sounds weird, but I think he and Zoey got closer as well. Don't ask me how I know, but I once caught them kissing. Anyway, I'm happy for them, whatever it is they have together. With the way things are going, it feels as if finally we're going to nail Nikita down. I just hope it'll all be worth it.

***

Nikita's POV:

I called up the girls, Alya and Nikita, so I could have a discussion. Ever since the uproar online, I've been forced to decide I wouldn't normally I've done if I had my way. One of it includes the dance off that I set to take place a few weeks from now. The girls all looked skeptical, and you could tell they were really worried.

"Okay girls, I know that the past few weeks have been tough on us, but we can't give up just yet. As for the dance off happening a few weeks from now, I want you to practice really hard do you can win that thing. It's the only hope we have now."

Ximena shrugged.

"I'm not so sure about that. Lila is fantastic. The competition will be a breeze for her."

"That's why you have to practice." I stressed." Go back to your dancing rooms and practice the hell out. We can't afford to lose this thing or we will be sent to jail. Now do you want to go to jail?" I asked, and they shook their heads.

"Then do what is needed," I said, and they murmured in reply.

"That's it. Our meeting is done here. You may leave now."

The girls grudgingly got up from their seats and walked out of the office, leaving me alone in my train of thoughts. I had better find a way to put that dance off to my favor or else it'll be doom…

***

Lila's POV:

I, my mom and Natalie were having a meeting concerning the investigations.

"Do you think what we have will be enough to pin Natalie down?" My mom asked.

"I think so, but I wished we had more concrete evidence, something CG himself wrote that says Lila is his real daughter, instead of just assumptions."

"Mom… You think Dad might things like that?" I asked.

"I think so, but it must've burnt down with the fire that Nikita planned that night. And even if there's still extra, I'm pretty sure she must've extracted everything and destroyed it."

"Let's keep looking. Who knows, we might find something that would help." Natalie said.

"I hope so." I muttered. "This case has dragged on for far too long."

"I have to go now. I'll call you if anything comes up."

"Okay, bye." We said and waved at her. We watched her go, and I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck.

My mom came over and hugged me, patting my hair.

"You think we'll win, mom?" I asked.

"I know we will. Just have faith, have faith," she said as she patted my hair. I took in a deep breath and tried to relax on her.

***

Two weeks later.

We just had dinner, and I was going to my room to get some rest, my mum beside me. The dance off stage has already been set and in the next few days I'll be going out to prove that I was CG's daughter.

"Are you okay, honey?" My mom asked, noticing my drooped shoulders.

"I'm fine, mom, just nervous." I replied to her and she smiled, squeezing my hands reassuringly.

"But mom…" I began." Have you found anything to really pin Nikita down yet?" I asked.

"No not yet, although Natalie has been listening to CG's last album hoping to find some clues there. Let's hope there is or all of this will just go to waste."

"It won't." I affirmed, equally smiling.

She kissed my forehead and moved backwards.

"Have a good night, Lila," she said.

"You too, Mom," I said, and she walked away. I sighed and went to my room, closing the door behind me. Time to her some rest.

I laid down on the bed, but for some reasons, sleep wasn't forthcoming. I just kept tossing and turning.

I heard a knock on my door and went over to open it. Thinking it was my mom, I flung it open without bothering to check who it was.

Well, it wasn't my mom. It was Dean.

"H-hey," I greeted, startled.

"Hi."

"What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?" He asked instead.

"Y-yeah, sure. Come on in," I gestured in. He nodded and walked in. I closed the door and went to seat beside him. We've become closer we ever since I've started training for the dance off. He's been really helpful. We wouldn't be where we are now if it wasn't for him.

"Are you Okay?" He asks after staring at me for a while. I sighed and played with my fingers.

"To be honest, I don't really know."

"Why? You've prepared." He said.

"I know that I've prepared. But I'm still nervous. What if it doesn't work out or worse, what if Nikita has planned something to happen on that day?"

"She wouldn't dare. The entire world will be watching on that day. There's no way she'll be able to pull that off. The entire world is watching, remember?"

"That's true…" I mumbled. "How do you prepare to mount the stage, anyway?" I asked.

"Well…" He began. "I'm usually nervous before I mount the stage but once I'm there my troubles just melt away. I'm sure it'll be the same for you."

"Okay…" I said, and we lapsed into silence.

After a while, I spoke up. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything." I said.

"You're welcome." He replied. "I-I have to go now. Have a goodnight."

"You too," I replied and watched him stand up. He got to the door and hesitated a bit, then turned the doorknob and walked out of the bed.

I laid on the bed again, but I still couldn't sleep. Okay, this might be slightly annoying. Why isn't sleep coming?

"It must be nerves." I muttered to myself as I turned for the umpteenth time. Frustrated, I wore my flip flops and headed out of the room, walking mindlessly. When I finally got myself together, I realized I was right in front of Dean's door.

'What am I doing here?' I asked myself. 'I don't know,' I replied to myself.

But, since I'm here already, I had better make myself known.

I knocked on the door quietly so it came as a surprise to me when I heard the door unlock and open as well, with Dean's head peeking out. It could only mean one thing: he wasn't asleep as well.

"Can I come in?" I asked, and he opened the door wider, inviting me in. I got in and look around. I glanced around and noticed his room was dimly lit with his laptop on.

"What are you doing here?" He asked. I shrugged and smiled sheepishly.

"I don't know?" I whispered back. Why am I whispering?

When I finally had the courage to look up at him, I realized his gaze had dropped and he was staring at my body. In his dimly lit room, my night gown had become quite see through. I immediately became self-conscious, but I tried really hard not to wrap my hands around myself. My throat immediately dried up, my heartbeat racing, and a permanent blush on my cheeks.

Dean had walked up to me, his hands caressing my cheeks. The desire level in me rose.

"You can leave if you want to." He whispered softly, but his eyes and his desire laden voice sent another message which sent another chill down my spine. I swallowed and caught his gaze in mine.

I-I don't think I want to." I whispered back, my voice shaking.

"Well then Lila, you leave me no choice." He muttered as he leaned in. I closed my eyes, and his lips met mine with a kiss.

Something tells me it's going to be more than just a kiss.