Dear Diary

Chapter 12 - Cooper

Tell me, who is the stupidest person in this world? For me, it's Anastasia Love Sterling.

First, she misunderstands my relationship with MY SISTER. Treasure Charity, my ass! I take care of her since forever. I don't need anyone to tell me to treasure my own sister.

Second, she chose stupid J. Tate over me? If that's not the ultimate stupid, I don't know what is. I'm going to ruin this J. Tate's life. Fuck him!

"Cooper!" Anthony Lockwood comes to me. I'm having dinner with Tony today because his wife is  having dinner with her friend, and somehow Tony's other friends busy, so I think I'm his last resort or something. He did say that earlier on the phone.

He sits in front of me and orders his food. "You look bad. What's up, dude? Last time I saw you, you were fine. Miss me that much?" He jokes. For an IT geek he surely looks more like a bad boy with sense of humor. But so do I, lots of people still couldn't believe I'm a computer geek myself.

"Nothing."

He chuckles. "Which W?"

"Huh?"

"Work or Woman?"

I chuckle. "The latter."

"Ahhh, I see. Anyone that I know?"

I shrug. "I don't think so." Well maybe his wife knows Love Sterling. After all, women love fashion, and from what I read, Love Sterling is a superstar.

"Hey, that's George and Jonathan Sterling." Tony points with his eyes to the front door. "Let me introduce you to them," he says.

I'm not in the mood to socialize with people but these two is Tony's next target for our security system. But the mention of Sterling's name reminds me of a particular woman named Sterling too.

"Mr. Sterling!" Tony stands up.

"Oh! Anthony Lockwood!" An older man shakes Tony's hand, follows by the younger, Jonathan Sterling. He definitely looks like his Dad, a younger version with a hint of young mischievous.

"Mr. Sterling, Jonathan. This is Cooper Montgomery. My partner who is in charge in home security service."

"Ah yes. We met few times in events," Jonathan says and shakes my hand. We talk a bit about business. Jonathan and his dad definitely smart and good at business. I have good impression about them. And from the talk I know the feeling is mutual.

"Uncle George! Jonathan!" A woman's voice calls them, we all look at the voice. Ana????

"Stasia!" George Sterling comes and hugs her tightly. "I missed you so much!"

"Me too!" Ana giggles like a little girl.

Jonathan chuckles. "Let's have lunch sometimes. My cousin is here right now, I doubt my Dad prefers to spend time with two men more than his favorite niece."

Tony chuckles too. "It's okay. We got it. I'll text you for the lunch."

Jonathan nods. "You do that. Talk later."

Tony nods and I follow. But my eyes on Ana. As if she can feel it, she looks slowly to my way and her eyes widen. But before she can say anything George already say goodbye to us and pull her to their seat.

I sit down, trying to process things. Anastasia Love Sterling is the Sterling. Wait! Tony sent me a contact back then. I check my phone. Stasia Sterling. Damn! What a coincidence we have here. I have Ana's numbers all this time.

Someone clears his throat. I look up at Tony who is studying me. "That woman is..."

I look one more time at Ana, her back facing me. I sigh and nod. "Yeah, it's her. I didn't know, Tony. We met in Maui and we hit it off. But it was just a fling back then. We met again now and I found out she reunited with her asshole ex."

He raises his eyebrows. "Which one?"

"Umm her ex fiancé, Tate or something."

"Oh," he chuckles. "Cause she has another ex and that one definitely not going back with her."

"Who?"

"Ethan Hall."

My eyes widen. "Are we talking about Ethan Hall from Hall Industry?"

Tony nods. "They are in the same circle. They dated for a while back then. But it wasn't that serious as far as I know. They are friends now. Stasia was invited to Ethan's wedding."

E in Ana's diary refers to Ethan Hall? Damn! She definitely had a straight boyfriend, how come she fell to that gay! That fucker who worm back to her life.

"You are friend with Anastasia too?"

"Not really. But my friends, Meredith Hall and Ocean Roderick, are Stasia's friend. Love Sterling is using Lockwood Tech for their system but I never contact her myself."

I nod.

"Are you sure she is back with her ex? Because last time I met Ocean, she still joking about helping her find a boyfriend. And Amy did say your name as one of the candidates. That conversation happened less than 2 weeks ago."

I frown. "But he gave her flowers for the boutique."

Tony raises an eyebrow. "I think Ethan and his wife also sent flowers to Stasia's boutique."

"Well.." she neither confirmed nor deny about their relationship. Is it possible for them just being friends now?

"Check it first, Cooper. Don't make a stupid mistake just based on your assumption. Things might be different," Tony chuckles, as if he remembers something.

"You've been in that position?" I joke.

"Oh you wouldn't believe it, buddy!"

***

She is so damn beautiful! Not the models who walk in the lingerie but Ana. I'm in the fashion show of Y&S, thanks to Anthony Lockwood for giving me an invitation. It was unnamed invitation card. How he got it? I have no idea.

She isn't as tall as all the models but she is shining in her own way. I can look at this view for a very, very long time.

Dean Eisler comes to the stage and kisses his girlfriend, Celeste Young. A part of me wishes I could go to the stage and kiss Ana too. Congratulating her for her success.  I sigh, I need to corner her so we can have a real talk, not some misunderstanding.

She looks happy for her partner. The twinkles in her eyes are obvious. I wonder whether she also like this when she saw a bouquet I sent her earlier. Or did she throw it to the bin right away. But again, I only put my initial that I'm sure she thought it was from Charity.

Once Ana goes back to the backstage, I leave the room too. I need to finish my work before the after party later.

And Ana, we will definitely have a talk later.