Shuffle Playlist: August by Taylor Swift.
After a hearty chat, the men were ready to leave. Stevie was obviously interested in Sabrina so he tried to talk to her some more.
''So, how long will you be here for?''
''I really don't know yet. I came to help a friend out.''
''I see. Then, if you don't mind, may I have your number? I want us to meet when you have time.''
''Stevie, I'm sorry but I'm going to be pretty busy the rest of my stay here and I will leave right after. It was nice meeting you though.''
''No worries. Since I know where you are staying, I will wait at the lobby to see you.'' Stevie replied.
''Honey…'' Pat got out of the car and called. Adelaide and Sabrina immediately turned and saw Pat and Vincent together.
''Mr. Maraj…'' Sabrina stood up.
''Are they your friends?'' Stevie asked Sabrina.
''Our husbands, sorry, but we have to leave. Sabrina, let's go.'' Adelaide held Sabrina's hand and they walked towards the car.
Vincent looked past Sabrina and gave Stevie a cold stare. He shifted his gaze to Sabrina and asked. ''Who is that man?''
''That is Stevie. He is interested in Sabrina. He even asked for her…''
Pat pinched Adelaide's hand and shook his head. Sometimes, his wife could be so clueless. Obviously, the question Vincent asked wasn't directed to her but to Sabrina.
''Vincent, Adelaide and I will take out leave first. Honey, where is the car key?'' Pat looked at Adelaide.
''It's here!'' Adelaide removed the key to her Bentley and Pat handed it over to Vincent since they came together in Pat's car.
''Sabrina, see you later.'' Adelaide spoke as Pat dragged her into the car.
Stevie and Danny walked away, leaving Sabrina and Vincent alone.
''We came to eat and they joined us.'' Sabrina spoke. She noticed the frown on Vincent's face and lowered her head.
''Drive!'' Vincent threw the car key at Sabrina before getting into the front seat.
Sabrina caught the key and quickly joined him. She placed her purse at the side and started the car.
''How did the meeting go?'' Sabrina decided to initiate a conversation.
''Is he your type?'' Vincent asked.
''Huh? No! I didn't give him my number.'' Sabrina replied.
Vincent sighed and undid his necktie. Earlier on, when he heard Adelaide's words over the phone, he couldn't concentrate. He didn't know why he hated the idea of another man sitting next to her.
''How is your hand?'' Sabrina looked at his palm.
''It's healing!''
''That's great…'' Sabrina nodded her head. Inside the car became silent again. It was a little awkward and she didn't know what to do to uplift the mood.
Vincent was a man of few words. Unless he was doing business, he hardly communicates with others. When he saw how awkward the atmosphere was, he decided to ask.
''Don't you find it unfair that you were given the role of Stefani instead of Gwen? You did well in the audition.''
''Are you asking because you feel guilty giving the role to someone else when I deserve it or do you really want to know my thoughts?'' Sabrina looked at him for a second and concentrated on her driving.
''From a business perspective, I did what was best for the company. Apart from that, I am genuinely curious about what you think. Does changing the role for you make me a bad person?''
Sabrina chuckled and shook her head. ''Mr. Maraj, you are making me feel like my opinion of you is very important.''
''What if it's important?''
''Well, you don't have to feel bad about the role changes. As an actress, it is expected to be able to fit into all and any role at any given point. From a business perspective, I don't blame you. Even I would pick Celia over another actress as the lead.''
''Why is that?'' Vincent became curious. He always felt that Sabrina was an interesting character and each conversation with her proved to be so. She was full of layers.
''Celia is well-known in terms of popularity and she has gained a lot of fans over the years. A lot of people love her because of her angelic image. Compared with the character Gwen, I think Celia matches that image. I know I have an image that makes me seem fierce, but that is just how I am. Because of some reasons, I've always competed with myself growing up.''
Sabrina chuckled. ''I just want to do what I love doing and leave a mark. Tomorrow isn't assured. So, I might as well take charge of the opportunities that I get today.''
''That's an interesting take. But, why does it sound like you are going to die soon?'' Her words suddenly reminded him of what he heard at the cemetery when they met for the first time. It was as if she was preparing for something crucial.
''People die every day. It's normal to think about death. I just feel that we must be prepared for it…'' Sabrina paused when her phone started ringing.
''Excuse me!'' Sabrina pulled over to answer the call.
''Miss Sabrina, this is Alex, the gravestone inspection and sales officer.''
''Yes, I remember you.''
''I've finished the paperwork. Should I mail it to your home address or work address?''
''You can mail it to my home address, the name is Luna Estates, Block B Villa 9, the name is Tia Carpenter. You can send mail it to that address.''
''Luna Estates…'' Vincent looked at Sabrina.
''Thank you, thank you, bye, bye.'' Sabrina hung up and placed the phone in her purse.
''You stay at Luna Estates?'' Vincent asked.
''Yes.'' Sabrina started the car again.
''How long have you been there?''
''About five years now. It has a good ambience.''
''I see.'' Vincent chuckled.
''Why are you laughing?''
''Nothing!'' He didn't want to tell her that he also lived there and he has been staying there for the past ten years. He was just surprised that he hadn't crossed paths with her yet, but then again, he didn't really live there most of the time.
He had a room in the office that he used most of the time.
''You bought a grave stone?'' Vincent asked. He overheard the conversation.
''Yes.''
''Why?''
''Mr. Maraj, when are you leaving here?'' Sabrina changed the conversation.
Vincent smiled and decided to let the matter go. After all, it is her private business. ''When do you plan to return?''
''I came to help you, right? I can't leave without fulfilling that.''
''You don't have to stay here for long. I will conclude my business tomorrow. We will take the evening flight back to California.''
''Alright!''
They soon arrived at the hotel and got down. Sabrina handed the key to the valet before going inside with Vincent.
At the lobby, the man from earlier in the day was sitting with another man. When they saw Sabrina arriving, they stood up to catch up with her but as soon as they saw her talking with Vincent, they returned back to their seats.
''Go in a get some rest, I want to make a call first.'' Vincent turned and said to Sabrina.
''Okay, then, I'm going in first.'' Sabrina replied and walked away. Vincent removed his phone to make a call and saw the two men following Sabrina. He furrowed his brows and decided to follow Sabrina, just in case.
Sabrina turned left and walked towards her room at the end of the hallway. She noticed the two men following her and hastened her steps. She didn't know who they were, so she was extra cautious.
''Sabrina, right?'' One of the men called and Sabrina stopped. She turned and recognized the one who mentioned her name. He was in a purple shirt and looked a little rough with tattoos all over his arms and neck.
''I knew it was you. It's been…. Almost five years, right?'' The man in purple shirt asked and stepped towards Sabrina.
''You… what are you doing here? How did you find me?'' Sabrina asked. It was obvious she knew the tattooed man in purple shirt but they didn't have a good relationship.
''I saw you earlier on this morning and informed big boss immediately. What are you doing in Milan?'' The other man asked.
''What I am doing here has got nothing to do with you. Leave me alone!'' Sabrina replied.
''How can I leave you alone after you stole my niece after your brother's death? Don't you know we are still looking for Bia?'' The tattooed man asked.
''I have full custody over Bia. She is my niece and I am her legal guardian. If you still have issues or dissatisfaction about that, take it up with the court. I will never let you hurt Bia again.''
''You bitch! Bia is my niece too. How can I hurt her?''
''You constantly took money from me and used her to threaten me. You never took care of the child and she almost lost her life at a tender age. What right do you have to call her your niece. Leave this place before I call the security.'' Sabrina opened her purse to take out her phone and the tattooed man snatched the purse.
''Sabrina, we are still family. Don't make things difficult for both of us, sister-in-law.''