The Ex-Wife's Billion Dollar Comeback - Chapter 21: Chapter 21

~ Soraya ~
Seraphina Retreat Spa.
“Oh my freaking god! Who are you, and what did you do with my friend?!” Lyra reacted, her voice loud and clear.
Silas, on the other hand, had a look of adoration in his eyes. His usual playful self had turned into a man who seemed smitten. His blue eyes glistened, his dimples showed, and his chest puffed out as if taking in all of Soraya.
“Really, Soraya, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met,” Silas remarked.
“You guys are exaggerating,” Soraya said, shaking her head. However, when she looked at herself in the mirror, she was equally stunned. “Oh my god! Is this me?”
She usually wore her hair down or in a simple ponytail, but that day, after the treatments, the spa stylist swept it up into an elegant bun. The stylist applied just enough makeup to enhance her features while keeping her face soft and angelic.
And the dress? That maroon lace dress? It hugged her curves perfectly.
Soraya had always been beautiful, but that day, she looked exquisite!
“And to complete your look—” Silas’s smile deepened as he took out a velvet box from one of the bags around them.
He presented it, making both Lyra and Soraya gasp.
“Oh my god!” Lyra exclaimed. “You are going all out, Silas!”
“I guess you would. Our goddess Soraya is finally single, after all,” Lyra added with a laugh.
“This is my welcome-back gift for you,” Silas said.
It was a diamond jewelry set, probably worth more than $100,000.
“No!” Soraya objected.
“Have you ever heard the saying that refusing a gift is an insult?” Silas said with a frown. “If you don’t take it, I’ll throw it away.”
While Lyra laughed, Soraya let out a sigh of surrender. She said, “Fine. I’ll take it!”
Standing before the mirror, Silas clasped the necklace around Soraya’s neck. He looked over the moon for her, and for a fleeting moment, Soraya swore there was an unknown flicker in his blue eyes. There was something deeper, something unspoken.
It made her feel nervous, but thankfully, Silas went back to fetch the bracelet. He said, “This is perfect because you’ll be meeting some of our old teammates who are now executives in the company.”
“At least I know some of them. I won’t be out of place,” Lyra remarked.
“You will never be out of place,” Soraya responded with a smile.
Soraya met Lyra Hayes during her first year of college, and they have been close ever since. Lyra also knew Silas from the same school. Her older brother was actually Silas’s classmate.
Oddly enough, Soraya and Silas never met back then. It wasn’t until Soraya started working full-time at Aegis Core Systems that she finally crossed paths with him. By then, Silas was already a senior tech engineer at the company.
When Lyra discovered that Soraya was working under Silas, the three of them began having meals together and slowly formed a strong bond.
Lyra was cheerful and full of energy. She had short, golden-brown hair and always wore a bright smile. Soraya used to think Lyra would be an excellent match for Silas. Lyra was one of the few people who could challenge Silas, despite being younger. However, as time passed, it became clear that their friendship remained just that—a friendship. Soraya supposed some relationships were simply meant to be platonic.
“We’re all good? Everybody looks good?” Silas asked.
Yes, everyone looked amazing. Lyra was in a yellow-gold dress. Silas wore a beige suit. It made him look innocent, but his killer smile always gave away his flirtatious side.
Half an hour later, they arrived at their destination.
The Velvet Hour was a famous restaurant and bar within the Prima Hotel, a five-star property located at the heart of Cedar Heights.
Their group occupied two half-circle booths with chairs made of premium leather. They dined, chatted, and updated each other on the latest developments at Aegis Core Systems.
As they dined, a pianist played live modern melodies, accompanied by a singer who added a soulful touch to the performance.
“Soraya, we’re so happy to hear you’ll be working for the company!” Andrew, a senior tech engineer, said.
George, the IT Manager, remarked, “With Soraya on our side, we’re going to dominate the security systems market!”
“Miss Azar, I look up to you,” Marcus Guzman, Silas’s assistant, praised.
Silas raised a glass of champagne, saying, “To Soraya!”
“To Soraya!” Lyra, George, Andrew, Marcus, and two other male executives echoed Silas’s words.
Soraya and the others gulped down their liquor. She smiled after realizing her face was burning. “I think that should be my last one.”
“Yes, I agree,” Silas said, his hand on the small of her back, urging her to sit down. “Drink more water and relieve your bladder. That will help you feel better.”
Moments later, Soraya felt the need to use the restroom. Lyra wanted to freshen up. They excused themselves, but Silas insisted on accompanying them.
It was very gentlemanly of Silas. He stood outside the ladies’ room, guarding.
When Soraya stepped out of the restroom, Silas offered his arm to her, asking, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I feel better,” Soraya said, smiling. She gazed at his hand, wondering.
“What’s wrong with holding me?” Silas asked. “It’s just a precaution. You might drift somewhere and sleep with someone.”
He smirked.
Soraya rolled her eyes.
“It’s not funny!” Soraya smacked his arm, but still, she took his hand.
“You’re cute when you’re angry,” Silas said.
“You two make a perfect couple!” Lyra remarked behind them.
“What?” Soraya snapped. “No! Don’t put malice into this good friendship, Lyra!”
While Lyra laughed her heart out, Silas simply smirked.
They made their way back to the Velvet Hour with smiles on their faces, but just as they were about to approach their seats, Soraya froze.
She saw familiar faces!
Calum.
Rose.
Jacob.
Melvin.
Claire and Roger.
It wasn’t just them. There were two other guests in their circle, and Calum’s group was seated right across their booths.
No, Soraya said in her head. She instinctively pulled her hand away, but Silas held her tight.
“What’s wrong? Do you still want to get back with your scumbag husband?” Silas asked.
“Of course not!” Soraya objected.
“Then,” Silas smirked, “keep holding my hand, Darling.”
Soraya: “...”
~ Calum ~
Meanwhile, on the other side of the booth, Calum had just settled in with Rose. He was meeting a potential new business partner, Mr. Edward Wright, and Mr. Peter Jones. They were co-owners of a programming company.
“Mr. Montclair, this must be your girlfriend. She is lovely,” Mr. Jones remarked.
Calum gave a half-smile. “Thank you.”
“These are my friends, Jacob and Melvin. Claire and Roger are my cousins. They’ll accompany us tonight as we talk business,” Calum said.
“It’s nice to meet everyone,” Mr. Wright said.
Rose had ordered food for the entire group, and just then, Peter Jones turned to the Velvet Hour’s entrance, his mouth dropping.
“Oh my god. I just saw an angel!” Peter remarked. “I can’t breathe! She’s so stunning!”
When Calum turned to see who it was, he stopped breathing altogether.
The woman was Soraya, his soon-to-be ex-wife. And she was walking with her arm interlocked with Silas Ward’s.