- The next day, Veturia central airport, 6:20pm -
"Hi boss! Yes, I am at the airport... She should come out any time now... The bodyguards are at position," a man's voice could be heard talking through his wireless airpods. In one of his hands he was holding a bouquet of red anthuriums while the other hand was holding a sign with 'Siana Illes' written on it.
"Okay Derek. I am leaving her in your hands. Take her to the villa and make sure she doesn't encounter any problems. If there is anything, even the slightest thing, let me know straight away," said Alex in a hurried fashion. It was clear that he was in a rush.
"Noted," said Derek and was about to wait for further instructions from Alex when he noticed that a lot of people started exiting the arrival gates.
"Boss, seems like the passengers are coming out. I gotta go!"
"Sure."
Derek was looking at the crowd of people at the arrival gates. He suddenly noticed that a lot of people were stealing glances at a particular person. He followed their gazes and noticed someone who simply took his breath away.
It was a young woman in her early 20s. She was wearing grey tracksuits with a black crop top. She was around 170cm tall with long and slender legs. Though she was slim she had all the right curves at all the right places. To many, her figure looked even better than that of the models.
Her face was another asset that many would be jealous of: she had white, porcelain like face with blue-grey eyes, rosy lips and a small pointy nose. She had long platinum hair that was tied in a high ponytail.
However, what was outstanding about her was the way she carried herself. She looked proud but not arrogant. With her chin up, her shoulders back and her rhythmic and confident strides, she exuded a regal aura which made one subconsciously give way to her. However, what was unique about her aura was that it was dignified and did not carry any hints of scorn or arrogance in it. It was very probable that she was someone with not-so-simple background. However, unlike most of the socialites whose haughty attitude would push people away, hers instead made one feel drawn to it.
Thus, despite being dressed in simple low-key clothes, it did no justice in concealing her presence. Instead, the way she wore her clothes that were of a common brand, made one think that these clothes were custom-made for her.
With only a white carry-on luggage and a backpack in white, grey and black colour design, she was exploring her surroundings, seemingly in search for someone.
Derek was still staring at her when he realized something that made him furrow his brows. She stood out too much and, thus, he wasn't the only one who was admiring her. Even though her bearing didn't allow just anyone approach her, it didn't completely stop men from eyeing her with primitive desire in their eyes. His professionally trained eyes even noticed some guys getting a visible reaction to her.
What was even rarer, was that men weren't the only ones who were astounded by her. Older women were eyeing her with contemplating eyes, as if in assessing her for the position of their daughter-in-laws. On the other hand the younger girls had the most spectrum of reactions: for some it was awe and admiration, while for others it was jealousy and growing hatred.
It was evident that she didn't pay too much heed to people's reactions, instead she would even occasionally smile at those who were staring too much at her. However, the men's reactions still didn't sit too well with Derek. He was thinking of ways to help her divert the attention when he suddenly noticed her smiling at him. He confusedly turned to look at his sides to make sure that it was him she was smiling at and that he wasn't imagining things. But everyone around him was as as confused as him. Her smile grew brighter adding a sense of warmth and making one dizzy just by looking at it.
Derek realized that she was approaching his direction with a smile on her face. He could feel his own heartbeat and he was afraid that others could hear it too. He wanted to give his heart a light 'slap' to calm it down when he realized that both of his hands were full. It was now that he remembered why he was here. He had to stay professional. He was to meet his boss' and good friend's cousin, not to admire a random woman who was surely out of his league.
At that moment she was just a few steps away from him. He closed his eyes and when he opened them again his eyes had turned a shade darker and his focus was back. But what happened next shattered all the efforts he had just put.
She swiftly stopped right in front of him. With a bright smile plastered on her face and, with one of the most soothing and melodious voices he had ever heard, she said:
"Hello. You must be Derek, right? Thank you for waiting for me."
He looked with confusion at her trying his best to process what had just occurred. He could feel the slightly jealous stares of the men around him. But who cared: all he could think of right now was:
'Did she just talk to me? No, did she actually just say my name!?'
When Sia realized that the man was taking his time she continued:
"Anthuriums? Hospitality sign? Is it my cousin who is so thoughtful or is it you? Tell me the truth."
'Cousin? Wait does this mean that she is...?' Derek tried to gather his focus and confirm his suspicions, but instead ended up stuttering;
"Ar...are you Siana?"
Siana just nodded at him and extended her hand with a cheeky smile on her face. With confusion he looked at her hand not knowing what she was trying to do.
"The flowers," she said with a chuckle.
Coming back to his senses, he clumsily handed her the flowers and quickly took the suitcase from her hands. She smiled at him with gratitude and waited for him to adjust the belongings in his hands. After giving him a minute she said in a mischievous way;
"Let's go now and invade Alex's privacy! Shall we?"
And without waiting for the man to react she started confidently strutting forward towards the exit doors.