TWO.

Alyona's voice held a hint of apprehension as she inquired about Elon's call. Ida, seated elegantly with her legs crossed, took a sip of her coffee, her captivating light blue/green eyes sparkling. "Oh no, instead I got a call from a secret admirer," she confessed, a blush coloring her cheeks.

Alyona's surprise was evident in her raised eyebrows. "That's—that's a new one. What did he say his name was?" She asked, intrigued by this unexpected development.

Ida's lips curled into a playful smile as she replied, "He didn't say; he said he was a secret admirer and was withholding his name for now." Her giggle echoed through the room, adding to the mystery surrounding the caller.

Alyona couldn't help but tease her friend. "Ah, I guess Mr-secret-admirer blew you off your feet; that's why you're all smiling today."

Ida rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, come on. Don't I smile regularly?" she countered, taking another sip of her coffee.

Alyona chuckled. "Urgh, tell that to the dogs," she retorted, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

The conversation shifted as Ida leaned forward, and her curiosity piqued. "How's the boyfriend doing?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.

Alyona's expression turned slightly somber. "Zac, he's fine. But I moved out to my own place. I needed space from his downgrading comments and all," she explained, her voice tinged with sadness.

Ida nodded understandingly, her empathy evident in her eyes. "I know it wasn't easy, but sometimes creating distance is the only way to protect yourself," she said, her voice filled with support.

Alyona's heart swelled with gratitude for her friend's understanding. "Thanks, Ida," she murmured, her voice laced with appreciation.

Their conversation continued, and their friendship was a source of solace and strength for both women as they navigated the complexities of life and love.

"No offense, but that guy doesn't deserve you," Sarah said, her voice filled with conviction. "Who could pull up what you just did? Start your own brand, and in less than 5 years, your brand will be on everyone's lips. Besides, you're now a stylist. He's just a sour pussy."

Ida's words were like a splash of cold water on Alyona's face, jolting her out of her self-deprecating thoughts. She had been so focused on pleasing Zac and trying to fit into his world that she had lost sight of her own worth.

"He doesn't know about the stylist part, and I want it to remain that way," Alyona confessed, her voice laced with a hint of apprehension. "In fact, you're the only one who does. Please let it remain within us, please."

Ida's eyes softened as she saw the vulnerability in Alyona's gaze. "Sure, sure, baby. I gotcha," she reassured her, her voice gentle and understanding.

Alyona's heart swelled with gratitude for her friend's unwavering support. Ida had always been her rock, her confidante, and her cheerleader. She knew she could always count on Ida to be there for her, no matter what.

"Here," Alyona said, handing Ida a small card. "What's that?" Ida asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Elon's card," Alyona smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Ida's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the elegant black card with Elon Musk's name embossed in silver.

"But..." Ida began, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the right words.

"Aw, come on. Just give him a call. You need to start somewhere," Alyona shrugged, her tone light and encouraging.

Ida hesitated for a moment, her mind wrestling with doubts and uncertainties. But then she looked into Alyona's eyes, and she saw the unwavering belief and encouragement reflected there. With a newfound determination, she took a deep breath and nodded.

"Fine, I'd call him and thank you," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Alyona beamed with pride. She knew that Ida was capable of achieving anything she set her mind to, and she was determined to be there every step of the way, cheering her on.

"I got you," she said, her voice filled with unwavering support.

~

~

“ Dad,” she called while sitting beside him.

“ Gia, what do you want?” Kai rudely asked. He was having a migraine and didn't want any disturbances.

“ It's --- it's fine,” she said, walking away hurt.

“ Kai, you didn't have to be rude to her,” Xara pointed out.

“ Woman, I have a migraine. A splitting one. I am in no mood for all of this'' he said as he walked out of the house. Xara sighed, climbing up to her daughter’s room. Giada wasn't a cry baby but emotional. She cared about everyone, but when it came to her, no one did except her mom and brother, Elon.

“ Baby, open up; it's me,” Xara said as she unlocked the door

.

“ Mom, why do dad, Jax, and Alyona hate me?” she asked the question that has always been on her mind.

“ Baby, don't say that. They don't hate you. They love you."

"No, mom, they don't. Especially Dad. I don't know what wrong I did to him. He doesn't love me.” she poured out her heart.“ Gia, he doesn't hate you; he's just going through some things right now. Okay?” She assured her.

“ What things? Is he okay?” She forgot that she claimed her dad hated her.

“ You know what I love about you? Your selflessness means you care about everyone, irrespective of how you're treated. But baby, sometimes you've got to learn how to balance it or people will take advantage of you.”

“ Yes, mom,”

“ So what did you want to tell your dad?” she asked.

“ Mom, can I get my car? I have a driver's license..” she paused.

“ Why? I thought you preferred riding with Jax,” Xara inquired.

“ I did --- I do but I just want my car, please?” she begged.

“ Fine, you can use my Jeep Wrangler if that's okay by you,” she agreed.

“ Thanks, Mom, you're the best. I love you,” she hugged her.

“ I love you more baby, let me go check on your dad to see why he's grumpy,” she pecked on the temple while walking out of her room. Xara headed downstairs to the garden to see if her husband was there.

Kai was seated in the garden lost in thought. He did not hear her approach him until she covered his eyes with her hands.

“ Hey babe,” he smiled as she took off her hands. He knew her scent and how her hands felt.

“ How's that migraine?” she asked.

“ It's fine. How's Gia?”

“ Kai, she thinks you hate her,” he turned to face her.

“ What? Why?” he was shocked as to why she would think he hated her.

“ That's because of the way you treat her. She is comfortable around me and Elon. She thinks Jax, Alyona and you hate her...especially you. She just wants to have that father-daughter bond you have with Aly, but you keep pushing her away,”

“ I-I-I don't hate her, why would I do that?” he stared into her eyes.

“ You should be telling her that, not me.” Xara was about to walk off when he pulled her back into his arms.

“ Babe, I’m sorry for how I treated you. You and the kids are my life. I can't imagine life without you or them,” he confessed.

She was lost in silence for a while. She tilted her head to look up at him taking a deep breath, she asked a question that brought chills to his spine.

“ Am I your biological child?”

A deafening silence took over the room as Kai stood perplexed, not knowing what to say or how to answer her. She was his biological child, his flesh and blood.

“ Baby, look at me,”

Giada slowly turned towards him waiting to hear what he had to say to her to justify his actions.

Maybe, just maybe he wasn't her father as he claimed to be, or he just didn't like her.

Kai let out a breath he was holding in before speaking.

“ Giada Ellie Maximilian, you are my biological child. You weren't adopted. You're my flesh and my blood, and I love you more than you could ever imagine. I know I haven't been the best dad in the world but I am willing to make it up to you, I'm sorry I've treated you differently all this while without noticing it. Please find it in your big heart to forgive your old man, please.” he begged.

She threw her arms around his neck hugging him as a few stray tears fell from her eyes.

“ I love you, Dad,”

“ I love you too, Baby,” he rubbed her back.

*****

Would he remember me?

Enough of the questions and just call him already…

The phone rang for a while until the call ended, yet no answer. She dialled the number again for the second time, yet no response.

Why on earth did I get my hopes up?

Ida dropped her phone on the table and headed to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water just to calm her nerves down. Why did she let Alyona talk her into calling her brother when she knew that Elon wasn't interested in her, he never was and probably never will. She heard her phone ring after a while.

She reluctantly walked into the living room to get the phone hoping it wasn't one of those men who wouldn't let her be.

“ Hello,” she answered without checking the caller ID

“ Elon speaking,” he replied.

“ Oh, umm, hey Elon it's umm, Ida. How have you been? It's been a while,” she tried not to fumble with her words.

“ Oh, Ida...I’ve been better and yes it's been a really long time. How bout we do dinner tonight? Just to catch up, for old time sakes?”

“ Is that a date?” she couldn't hold her excitement in.

“ You can call it that,”

“ Okay, what time and where do I meet you?” knowing fully well that Elon would never come to pick her up.

“ Don’t bother, just text me your address. I’d come to pick you up at 8 pm.”