Higher Stakes [Strings: Part 1]

Chapter 15: Truth be ... secret?

As if the time got slowed down and was pulling her back. Selena felt herself slowly moving away from the most endearing yet sudden motion. Moving her head from side to side to get glimpses of her two best friends, she finally realized there was an arm hooked with hers.

“Kelly?” she wondered, finding herself staring at a girl’s back.

“I need to talk to you,” Kelly replied, not looking back.

She tightens her grip on Selena’s arm and led her to the back of the restaurant into an empty office owned by her mother. Once both of them inside, Kelly shut the door close and said, “I have the juiciest gossip ever and I bet you’re going to love it.”

“Gossip?” Selena repeated. She chuckled. “Can we not talk about this now?”

“But it’s important Sellie.” Kelly assured. Quickly, she took out her Blackberry out of her small black purse and punched the keypads.

Sighing, Selena walked over to the bulky oak desk, sat on the edge and watched Bradley’s sister with her phone. Taking her gaze off from her to the desk, she began to examine the small decorations and ornaments. She picked up a small owl shaped paper holder and then picked up a mini size Leonardo Da Vinci’s version of a helicopter. The office sure has the Italian vibe to it. There were vintage sceneries painting hanging on the walls. Some were painted view of the farms. Some were painted of the ancient structure of the Rome’s building. There was one particular picture which consisted of the family members; the Watson family.

She glanced at the family portrait and quickly had her eyes set on Bradley, who was standing next to his older brother, Ciro, who was now a Psychology Professor at UCLA. Back to Bradley, he had this one sweet and familiar grin on his face which one of Selena’s favorite thing about him.

She smiled.

“Here; check it!”

Selena’s eyes swiftly moved from the family portrait to the small picture shown on Kelly’s Blackberry. Her eyes widen and froze. Her jaw dropped like a brick. “Whe- wher-where did you get this? When?” she asked.

“I am glad you’re here.” Bradley continued, looking down to the girl in front of him. He grinned a little and then chuckled.

“I don’t want to miss anything,” Demi answered, calmly. “I mean, you know… you know… ha ha.” She looked away and chuckled but turned back to him and introduced her younger sister. “My sister Madison is here as well, hoping you don’t mine.”

He answered, “Nah, It’s no biggie.” Kneeling down right by Demi’s side and in front of her sister, Bradley put his hand hanging in front of her and added, “Put it here now Madison. I’m happy to finally meet you in person. Such a huge fan.”

Madison managed to say, “Hi…”

“Let me introduce you to the birthday girls, they’re-“

“DEMI LOVATO!”

In a speed of light, two young girls both in matching pink gowns with their hairs loose rushed in, practically ‘pushed’ Bradley aside and hugged Demi, who was surprised and suppressed a chuckle. They then jumped up and down around her chanting ‘Sonny! Sonny!’ over and over again.

“Hi, you two must be Bradley’s sisters. Happy Birthday and-“

She bends down and showed them red wrapped with a bow present. “This is for you.”

“Thank you.” They both hold the gift firmly.

“What are your names?”

“I’m Nicole,” a girl at the right spoke out and rose up her hand. “But call me Nikki, and she’s Nattie.”

“I’m Natalie.” The other girl added.

“Aww, those are such cute names.” Demi smiled. “I would like you to meet my sister, Madison.” Placing her hand on her sister’s shoulder, she gently pushed her forward to the twins, introducing her.

Madison smiled and waved, “Hi.”

The twins quickly grabbed Madison’s arms. Nikki said, “Come sit with us.”

“Okay.” Madison replied. Eventually, the three of them walked off across the restaurant and sat at a round table with other children attending the party. Once they sat down, the others started talking with the twins introducing their new friend to their cousins and friends. Little waves here and there. They made Madison feel welcomed. And speaking of welcome…

Startled, Demi shivered when she felt a hand firmly clasped her back. That simple touch made her shiver. Taking a quick inhale of air, she tilted her head to the left slight and stopped when she caught a glimpse of him being close to him.

“You looked beautiful today.” He huskily drew out. Practically sending shivers up and down her spine, she lightly bit her lower and turned to him completely.

“Not bad yourself there, Watson.” She smiled. “Though, you need to fix your collar once in a while. Got to look sharp.” Her hands flew up and landing on his broad shoulder. She smoothes out invisible dust and proceeded to fixing his collar. “There…”

Looking up to him now, she finished. “All better.”

He smiled.

“Oh…” Selena was pacing the room with one hand on top of her head while the other holding up Kelly’s Blackberry. “My… Goodness! How did you get hold of this anyway Kels? I mean, I didn’t know you’re undercover paparazzi. Plus, who is the girl with him in this?”

“Selena, chill!” Kelly spoke out. “Why are you so furious about? You never been furious with any of the gossips I told you about. Always with the ‘it’s their business not ours’ stuff. But why you care about it now?”

“You have no idea the troubles I been linked to.”

“Linked to?” Kelly repeated, confuse. “What are you trying to say?” 

Author's note:

:D Read and Review folks.