The social media world was figuratively on fire and neither Sterling nor Phoenix was aware of it; not until both their phones rang at the same time making them break up from their hug. Sterling couldn't help but curse whoever that was in his mind.
They both picked up their phones and took three steps away from each other.
"This had better be good Denzel,"
"Uhh, boss, where are you?"
"What is the matter? I cancelled all my business meetings for today; I told you, push them forward to Monday,"
"It's not about work sir; just where are you?"
"I'm at the mall with Phoenix, why?"
"Well, a photo of you both have surfaced online and the netizens are going wild with comments and reactions,"
"Oh really, I'll take a look. Thanks for the heads up,"
On the other end, Phoenix checked the caller ID and saw that it was Olivia..
"Hey Ollie, what's up?"
"Hey, where are you?"
"I'm out with Sterling; we are at the mall. What's going on?"
"Well, have you gone online lately, like check Twitter,"
"No, I haven't. Why, what's going on?
"Check it out as soon as possible. Twitter is basically buzzing with comments about a photo that was posted about you guys,"
"Alright, I'm going to check it out now,"
After Phoenix ended her call, she turned towards Sterling's direction and found him looking at her.
"Well, is this a problem?"
"I don't think it is but I think we need to get out of here for now because it won't be long before the paparazzi's find us,"
"But I thought this whole thing was settled when you did the interview with Christian Moss,"
"Us being together is one thing but them seeing us with baby stuffs is a whole different story. I really do not want the press to know this yet,"
"Oh, yeah, that's true; well, what should we do?"
"It's best if we get out of here. Hey, what about the surprise you said you had for me, I think it's best if I get the surprise now,"
"Yeah, about that, your surprise is at SweetBrew Café. I want you to meet someone,"
"Oh, okay, let's go then,"
*******************************
SweetBrew Café
"Okay, we're here; who are we meeting here,"
"Don't worry; they'll be here soon,"
"They,"
"Yeah, my family; don't worry, you'll hear all about them when they get here. They are a part of my few secrets," Phoenix gave a somewhat sad smile; a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Oh wow, I see, that's okay then but while we are at it, let's check the comments online, I mean, it can't be that bad,"
"Yeah, let's do that while we wait,"
20 minutes later and a cup of coffee gone, a man was spotted making his way over to their booth in the VIP section.
"Baby Nyx!! It's so good to see you. I thought you'd never call. You went off to build an empire for yourself and I couldn't be any prouder,"
"Don Luca, it's so good to see you. I missed you so much,"
"Not more than I do, you've always been a good kid,"
"Are you sure, I think I was a rebel or I'd rather think that I was one in my head,"
"Yeah, you're a rebel; you haven't offered me a seat neither have you introduced me to who you have here,"
"My bad, please have a seat. See, that's why I miss you because you make me forget time,"
"That's funny,"
"Well, this is Sterling Tyrell and he is a very good friend of mine. Sterling, this is Don Luca Ross; he's been the father figure in my life since I was a teenager,"
"That's fantastic, it's a pleasure to meet you sir,"
"Same here,"
"Sterling, I said I'd tell you a secret today, well, Don Luca is one of my secrets. Like I said, he is the only father figure in my life and he has treated me like his own. Don Luca was the boss of a drug cartel until he decided to dissolve the group and start a legit business,"
"I did it because of her and for the members. I didn't see it needful that the lives of young people would be wasted for a show of power. Call me stupid but that's what I thought; it will probably be unheard of that a cartel boss retires and decides to start a legit business. Lucky enough, my cartel wasn't that big,"
"Oh papi, you really didn't do that. I mean, there's always Oscar, Dean, Felicidad and the others,"
"Enough of us, Phoenix tells me a lot about you. I want to thank you for helping her out just when she needs it. Phoenix tries to be strong most times, so she hides her pain and portray strength; that's been her all along,"
"I'm just doing my job sir; I'll protect her every day,"
"It was nice talking to you Sterling but I have got to run, remember I have got a legal business to run now. Baby Nyx, I'm sorry I couldn't bring the others in, I didn't want to cause a scene and I know that you don't like the attention that much,"
"Thanks pa, I'll call you soon,"
"Sure, do that and don't forget to get better and get back to hosting the show. Your mamacita literally forced everyone in the neighborhood to watch it but now they love it, especially the older ones,"
"Yes sir!! I love you,"
"Me too,"
After watching Don Luca leave the café and still couldn't believing his eyes and what he just heard, he turned towards Phoenix and found her staring at him.
"So, what do you think?"
"I wouldn't lie to you and say that I saw that coming because I didn't. True, he didn't scare me because I, Sterling Tyrell do not fear anyone and I could literally make anyone I want disappear but since you came into my life, you have been melting the ice which had already formed a fortress round my heart; so if you think that you showing me this would scare me, then you're dead wrong. It was nice of you showing me your family,"
"It was worth a try," Phoenix chuckled at Sterling's sincerity.
"I guess there's nothing to tell you about my family. it's probably all over the news, you should have heard about it,"
"No, I haven't. I was only concerned about your business feats and don't forget that when we met, I couldn't place the face to the name,"
"That's true. Well, my mum died when I was young and I'm not exactly in good terms with my dad. Watching my mum die was a horrible thing for me and the fact that I had to deal with it alone because my dad wasn't always around and he played a major role in her death; that's why no one has seen me with him before,"
"Oh, that's terrible, how did you deal with it though,"
"I didn't deal with it in the best way possible and that's why I turned out this way; the heartless Sterling that everyone fears at the mention of his name,"
"But I don't see that part of you,"
"That's because I choose not to show that part to you,"
"That's true. Well, it's getting pretty late and I suggest we go home now, I'm tired and there are some other stuff I'd like to discuss with you before you go to the studies to do your work,"
"Sure thing ma'am; I'll just call Denzel and Olivia to come get the baby stuffs later or should we still do the shopping ourselves or we could order them online when we get home,"
"Sure, whatever you decide,"