Sierra

Cam took me, James, and Kirsty to Georgie, which was located inside the Montage Hotel. We had been there before and he really enjoyed it. But I was shocked because of how pricey it was.

“I would have been happy having Danny’s Tacos,” I spoke as we were seated.

Kirsty and James both shot me a look.

“Are you saying that because you think I can’t afford to take you here for dinner?” Cam asked.

“Of course not. Don’t be silly.”

“Then why would you say that?”

“Why are you being oversensitive?” I cocked my head as he sat next to me.

“I’m not. I just have no idea why you would say that. This is a celebratory dinner, Sierra. I wasn’t about to take you and our friends to a damn taco truck.”

I gulped at his attitude.

“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

He dropped it and so did I. James and Kirsty intervened with a funny story that happened to them the other day at the furniture store. As they were talking, I looked around the restaurant and noticed a man and a woman leaving and heading towards the lobby. No, it couldn’t be.

“Excuse me for a moment,” I spoke as I got up from my seat.

“Where are you going?” Cam asked.

“I’ll be right back.”

I followed them to the lobby, took my sunglasses out of my purse, and put them on before stepping inside the elevator with them. The man pushed the button to the fifth floor and then proceeded to ask me which floor I was going to.

“Same as you.” I smiled.

I stole small glances at her as she had her arm hooked around his and they were playing kissy face while we rode the elevator. The doors opened and I followed them down the hallway to see which room they were heading to. They stopped at room 512. I continued walking down the hall as if I was going to my room. Once I heard their door shut, I turned around and took the elevator down to the restaurant.

“Where did you go?” Cameron asked.

“I was following Milania and some guy who wasn’t Don up to a room on the fifth floor.”

“Shut up!” Kirsty’s eyes widened. “They’re getting married tomorrow.”

“Obviously, they shouldn’t be,” Cameron chimed in.

“Two peas in a pod.” I rolled my eyes.

After we finished dinner, I had the waiter bring us an unopened bottle of champagne, which I paid for. Taking Cameron, James, Kirsty, and the bottle of champagne with me, we boarded the elevator and headed to the fifth floor.

“Sierra, I can’t believe you’re doing this,” Cam spoke.

“Oh, I can.” Kirsty grinned. “Haven’t you learned by now there isn’t a dull moment when you go out with her?”

Cam let out a heavy sigh as the elevator doors opened. I lightly knocked on the door of 512 and spoke, “Room service. I have a gift for Milania.”

The door opened and there stood the guy dressed in the white robe the hotel provided. I pushed my way through and found Milania sitting up in bed, holding the sheet over her.

“Excuse me,” she spoke. “Wait a minute. I know you.”

“Of course you do, darling. The name is Sierra Adams, CEO of Adams Advertising and friend of your fiancé, Don, aka, The King.” I smirked. “I just wanted to give you this lovely bottle of expensive champagne to celebrate your upcoming nuptials.” I looked over at the guy and then back at her. “I can see you’re already celebrating.”

“Umm. Umm. This isn’t what it looks like,” she stuttered.

“Let me see.” I brought my finger to my chin. “You’re in bed naked. The sheets are a mess from wild and crazy sex, and this man right here is naked underneath that robe he’s wearing. I would say it is what it looks like.”

“You don’t understand. I’m getting married tomorrow. This was my last hoorah. Please don’t tell Don. If anyone were to find out.”

“Don’t worry your pretty little head. I won’t say anything to Don about this. Ta ta, Milania. I’ll see you tomorrow at your wedding.” I winked before leaving the room.

Now I was off the hook. If Don wanted to cheat on Milania, I gave him full rein to do it. The both of them deserved each other.

****

I tossed and turned all night at the thought of Cameron’s parents coming to visit. I had to break the news to Rosa and she wasn’t going to be happy.

“Good morning.” I smiled as I lifted my head and gave Cam a kiss.

“Good morning, baby.” He smiled.

“Are you ready to tackle our busy day?”

“I am.” His grip around me tightened.

We snuggled for a few minutes before climbing out of bed and getting dressed. As I walked into the kitchen, I found Ava sitting at the table, eating breakfast.

“Don’t get too full,” I spoke. “We’re having brunch at the house at eleven.”

“I don’t want to go. In fact, can I just live here with you and Cameron?” she asked.

“As much as I would like that, Delia wouldn’t allow it.”

I poured myself a cup of coffee and took a seat across from her.

“Listen, Ava. I get it. I really do. Don’t forget I lived with her.”

“But you had an escape. You went to live with your dad most of the time. I can’t do that.”

“That’s true. But I have your back, little sister. Do you think I’d just go to brunch at Delia’s house for no reason?” I smirked.

“Thanks, Sierra. I know if anyone can make her change her mind, it’s you.”

“You’re welcome.” I smiled as I got up from my seat and kissed the top of her head.

****

The three of us walked into Delia’s house and I could hear her and Clive arguing.

“Great.” Ava rolled her eyes.

Cam placed his hands on her shoulders and told her to relax and that everything was going to be fine.

“Why the hell are you so optimistic?” I whispered as we walked into the kitchen.

He just looked at me and smiled.

“Nice of you to return home, Ava,” Delia spoke as she met us out on the patio. “Cameron. Sierra. Nice to see you.”

Clive walked over to Ava and gave her a hug.

“Hello, darling. Cameron, good to see you. Sierra.” He nodded at me with a look of shame in his eyes.

“Welcome home, Clive. How was Paris?” I arched my brow.

“Paris was fine. Thank you.”

As soon as brunch was served, we all took our seats around the patio table and I inhaled a deep breath, preparing myself for the argument that was about to arise with Delia. I just needed to come out and say how I felt.

“Mother, not too long ago, you had Ava in beauty pageants. How is the audition for an Abercrombie ad any different?”

“Beauty pageants are different, Sierra. And anyway, she lost.”

I looked over at Ava and saw the disappointment in her eyes. I couldn’t believe Delia said that. Actually, I could believe it because any chance she got to bring someone down, she did.

“So what if she lost? What does that have to do with this audition?”

She set her fork down and got up from her seat.

“You know what?” She looked over at Ava. “If you want this so badly that you had to drag your sister into it, then go. Go to your damn audition. I don’t have any fight left in me anymore to deal with you kids. If you want to drop out of school, do it. If you want to go off and be the object of desire for men, be my guest, but when you lose, don’t say I didn’t tell you so.” She threw her napkin on the table and went inside the house.

The four of us sat there in disbelief.

“Is she having a nervous breakdown?” Clive asked.

“I’m not sure. I’ve never seen her act like that before,” I spoke.

“Perhaps I should go talk to her,” Clive spoke.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” My eye narrowed at him. “Maybe it would be a good idea if you flew with Ava to New York for her audition. Spend some quality time with your daughter since you work so much.”

He cleared his throat and then looked over at Ava, who looked down at her plate.

“When is the audition, Ava?” he asked.

“Thursday at two o’clock.”

“Okay, then. We will fly out first thing Thursday morning and spend a couple of days sightseeing after your audition.”

“Really?” Her face lit up with excitement.

“Yes. It’ll be fun.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” She threw her arms around him. “Thanks, Sierra. I’m going to go call Bella and tell her the great news.”

“Thank you, Clive. I know it means a lot to her. It’s the least you could do, considering…”

He looked over at Cameron.

“Of course he knows. We share everything.”

“I’m not proud, but you don’t understand,” he spoke.

“Oh, I understand. Never underestimate my ability to understand. In fact, that’s the same thing everyone who gets caught cheating says. It’s really annoying.”

“I’m going to go check on your mother.” He got up from his seat and walked away.

Cameron sighed.

“Well, what a great way to start off the day.” He stuck his fork in his eggs.

“Bet you don’t have this kind of excitement back home.” I smirked.

“You have the most dysfunctional family of anyone I’ve ever known.”

“I know.” I sighed.