The opulent ballroom of a luxury hotel is buzzing with high-profile guests. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the crowd, and the atmosphere is electric with laughter and chatter. Ensley enters, a vision in a stunning gown, soaking in the attention and flashing her best model smile. Josiah, dressed in a tailored suit, stands off to the side, nursing a drink and scanning the room with a critical eye.
As Ensley poses for photographers, she turns, oblivious to her surroundings. She bumps into Josiah, causing her drink to spill down the front of her suit. Her face contorts in anger. “Can you not pay attention for one second?” she snaps.
“Maybe if you weren’t standing in the way, I wouldn’t have,” she shoots back, her tone dripping with disdain. Guests nearby glance over, intrigued by the heated exchange.
Tensions simmer as they both vie for the same item at a charity auction a weekend getaway to a luxurious resort. When the bidding begins, they each raise their paddles aggressively, exchanging glares. “Do you really think you deserve this?” Josiah challenges, her voice low. “What do you even do besides pose for pictures?”
Ensley retorts, “At least I bring joy to people’s lives. What do you do? Draft boring contracts?” Their argument attracts attention, with other guests whispering and watching the drama unfold.
Just as the bidding reaches a climax, the fire alarm blares, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Ensley and Josiah find themselves pushed together as guests scramble toward the exits. Josiah instinctively grabs her wrist, pulling her away from the chaotic throng. “Stick close if you want to survive,” she orders.
Once outside, they find themselves amid a crowd of anxious attendees. The tension between them is palpable, but they share a brief moment of silence as they catch their breath. The chaos forces them to drop their defenses for a moment. “You’re not as insufferable as I thought,” Josiah admits reluctantly.
“And you’re not as boring as you look,” Ensley replies, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. The unexpected camaraderie is tinged with lingering resentment, but it sparks a curiosity about each other.
As the night winds down, they part ways, the air thick with unresolved tension. Both are left wondering if their next encounter will be another clash or an opportunity to peel back the layers of their animosity.
Ensley sits in a cozy booth at a chic restaurant, her fingers nervously tapping on the table. The ambient noise of laughter and clinking glasses surrounds her, but she feels isolated. Ariah, her supportive sister, sits across from her, sipping a glass of wine.
“Okay, spill,” Ariah prompts, sensing the tension in her sister. Ensley takes a deep breath, her eyes flickering with frustration. “You won’t believe what happened at the gala,” she starts, her voice low.
“I can’t handle any more drama today, Ensley. What did that stuck-up attorney do?” Ariah asks, leaning in.
“She, she spilled her drink on me after I bumped into her. And then, we just... started arguing,” Ensley explains, her voice rising with emotion. “she acted like I was just some clueless model, and I just ugh! He has no idea how hard this life is!”
Ariah raises an eyebrow. “What’s her deal? Sounds like a classic case of lawyer arrogance.”
“Exactly! She thinks she’s better than everyone else. But there was something about her like, despite how infuriating she was, there was a flicker of something real underneath,” Ensley admits, her frustration mixing with confusion.
“Sounds like you’re not just annoyed, you’re intrigued,” Ariah teases, a knowing smile forming.
“Maybe. But I can’t stand the guy! I don’t need any distractions right now,” Ensley sighs, running a hand through her hair. “It’s just... this industry is so stressful, and I’m constantly feeling like I’m under a microscope.”
Ariah reaches across the table, squeezing Ensley’s hand. “You’re allowed to feel overwhelmed. Just remember, you’re more than what they see on the outside. That attorney may be a pain, but maybe she’s not the worst thing that could happen.”
Ensley nods slowly, the weight of her sister's words sinking in. “Thanks, ate Ariah. I just need to sort out my feelings. I can’t let her get to me.”
As they share a moment of understanding, Ensley feels a little lighter, ready to face whatever comes next be it more encounters with Josiah or the challenges of her career.
The atmosphere in the restaurant is warm and bustling. Ensley and Ariah continue their conversation when Ariah’s phone buzzes on the table. She glances at the screen and smiles, answering the call immediately.
“Yes,yaya Ruth?” Ariah says, her tone brightening. Ensley leans back, watching her sister with curiosity.
“Ma'am Ariah. It’s Iyah. She’s been asking to go out,” Yaya’s voice comes through, slightly muffled. “I thought I’d check in with you.”
Ariah’s expression shifts. “Oh, really? What does she want to do?”
“Iyah wants to hit the park and maybe grab some ice cream afterward. She’s been cooped up all week,” Yaya replies, her voice warm and patient.
Ensley raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “How old is Iyah now?”
“Just turned eight! Full of energy,” Ariah says, chuckling. “She’s been dying to hang out. I guess I could take her.”
“Sounds like fun! You could use a break from all this,” Ensley encourages, gesturing to their surroundings.
Ariah nods, turning back to the call. “Okay, I’ll come by in a bit. Thanks for letting me know, Yaya. I’ll make sure she’s back before dinner.”
After hanging up, Ariah beams at Ensley. “Iyah’s excited! She always brightens my day.”
“Kids have that magic,” Ensley agrees, smiling. “You should take her out more often.”
“Definitely. It’s easy to forget to relax with everything going on,” Ariah replies, glancing at her watch. “Wanna join us? Ice cream could help ease the stress.”
Ensley hesitates, then shakes her head. “I think I need some time to process everything. You go have fun.”
“Okay, but let me know if you change your mind,” Ariah says, standing up. “I’ll fill you in on all the kid chaos later.”
As Ariah heads out, Ensley watches her sister leave, feeling a mix of gratitude and loneliness. She takes a deep breath, ready to confront her thoughts about Josiah and the unpredictable future ahead.
YOU ARE READING
La Familià (Lim X Vergara Family) Au
Fanfictionwhen Selah (🐰) the daughter of Charles and loyden Vergara, she is an only child who grew up with a luxurious life but also grew up as a spoiled brat, a bully who likes to insult Others , she has everything and her life is almost perfect, but one da...
