Author's Note: Short chapter, but things will pick up! Thanks for hanging in there and being patient. I appreciate it so much!
Since the late dinner last night, Sisi couldn't take her mind off Ike. She was gaining more serious feelings for him and she didn't know if the feeling was mutual enough for Ike to take the next step with her. Though, despite the age gap, he was also her Professor. She found out that the famous Miramar Playa was owned by him and that he had three children.
Sisi had a friend that she met through class that lived at the Miramar Playa. She didn't know if that meant the two were related or not, but either way, meeting up with Danny at the famous hotel excited her because there was a possibility that she may bump into Ike. She grabbed her bag and things and left her apartment, heading to the lavish hotel on the beach.
After paying the driver, she climbed out of the car with her bag in tow and entered the hotel once the the doors opened for her. Standing in the middle of the lobby, Sisi couldn't help but gaze around in awe. Ike had really done a great job with this business of his that many have been flocking to. He even had Frank Sinatra sing at one of his ballrooms a few months ago. It was amazing. It opened her eyes that if Ike could do it, then so could she.
Danny Evans spotted her in an instant, grinning as he walked over to her. "Sisi," he smiled.
"Danny!" she returned the smile, wrapping her arm around his in a one-armed hug. "You're looking good. How's Mercedes?"
He blushed, looking down at the ground and bringing a hand to rub at the back of his neck. "Still working on it, but we're getting there. We kissed the other day."
"Look at you, Mr. Suave," she teased.
Danny laughed quietly, looking over at Sisi with a shy smile. "Okay, okay. Enough. You ready to study?"
"Hell yeah, though, I'm a bit intrigued with this place. How about you give me a tour then we'll get to the serious stuff?"
"Sure, of course. Come on. Want me to take your bag?" he asked.
"No, no. I've got it. Thanks. Lead the way, charmer."
Danny led Sisi throughout the hotel, laughing alongside with her. To anyone, it looked like the younger Evans was hitting it off with a beautiful woman, but to them, they were simply friends. The attraction had never been there and Sisi always had her interests in older men; Ike was proof of that.
Once the tour was over, Danny was leading Sisi to the elevators to lead her up to his room to study. However, Stevie, his older brother, accidentally bumped into Sisi without watching where he was going. His hands instinctively rested on her hips to keep her steady, but she kindly stepped back and smiled politely.
"Stevie," Danny sighed. "Watch where you're going."
Stevie looked over at his brother and smiled, turning his attention to Sisi. Though, his smile just broadened and a flicker of familiarity flashed in his brown eyes. After finding out that Ike was the owner of the Miramar Playa, she realized that Danny Evans was his son since the younger man lived at the hotel like it was his home.
"You're from The Havana," Stevie smirked, turning his charm. "You were great."
"Thank you. The rest of the girls too," Sisi nodded.
"Yeah, but you're different. You're somethin' else," he winked.
Danny narrowed his eyes, looking between the both of them. He could sense Sisi's urge to leave, so he gently rested a hand on her lower back and stepped into the elevator which Stevie stepped in as well.
"We're going to study."
Stevie leaned against the railing, grabbing a cigarette and placing it between his lips. To Sisi, he wasn't attractive, but she did give Ike and his late-wife for birthing such beautiful sons. She was sure that there had been countless of women throwing themselves at Danny and Stevie.
"I didn't know you knew Danny," Stevie chuckled. "Why are you hanging out with him when you can out with me?" he winked.
Sisi arched a brow, looking up at him. "Danny's my friend and I'm sure I'd have a much better time with him than you," she bit back.
The doors opened and Danny chuckled, allowing Sisi to step off the elevator. Stevie narrowed his eyes; he wasn't used to women turning him down. In fact, he had gotten used to the fact that he had more women than his younger brother. Following the pair out of the elevator, Danny walked to his room and pulled his keys from his pocket.
Stevie lit up the cigarette and looked down at Sisi, tilting his head. "Can I take you out? Give me a chance to show you that I'm much more fun than my younger brother."
"Stevie, knock it off. She isn't interested."
Stevie rolled his eyes. "What do you care? You've got Mercedes."
"I'm actually seeing someone, but thanks," Sisi smiled. She heard the sounds of the elevator doors opening once more and when she looked up, her eyes met Ike's. She bit her lower lip and blushed to herself, dropping her eyes to the floor.
"Boys," Ike called, stepping closer to Danny's room. He looked down at Sisi, trying to hide the confusion in his face by masking it with an unfamiliar gaze. "Who's your friend, Danny?"
"Oh! Dad, this is Sisi. She's a friend of mine."
Sisi licked her lips slowly, extending her hand. "We've met," she replied.
"You have?" Stevie asked.
"She's my student," Ike nodded, shaking her hand slowly.
"Remember her from The Havana, dad?" Stevie smiled.
Danny arched a brow, holding his door open as he allowed Sisi to talk to his father and brother. "I'm going to clean my room up a bit," he told Sisi.
"Oh, okay. Messy room?" she teased.
Danny playfully rolled his eyes and stepped into his room, shutting the door behind him. Sisi looked up at Ike, trying to avoid his gaze before turning her attention to Stevie.
"Yes, I am from The Havana… You've already said it," she teased.
Ike chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I can't necessarily think back to that night, son. She's my student. It's a bit inappropriate."
"Well, you saw her dance. Nothing wrong with that. Besides, it was before school started."
"I'm flattered that The Havana attracts all kinds of people," Sisi replied, interrupting the conversation.
Ike arched a brow, looking over at Stevie. "Anyway, can you go run down to the bar and cover for Adam? He's out sick."
"Again?" Stevie groaned. "Sure, fine. I'll go there right now and set up. It was nice meeting you, Sisi. Maybe I'll see you around?"
"Of course. See you around, Stevie."
He grinned, exhaling a puff of smoke into the air. "And when you change your mind, I'll be right here. I can guarantee you a good time."
Ike narrowed his eyes, a flood of jealous rushing through him. "Stevie, now."
"Okay, okay. See you later, Sisi. I'll talk to you later, dad."
Stevie walked down the hallway to enter the elevators. Once he was out of earshot, Ike looked down at Sisi and cleared his throat.
"You're friends with Danny?" he whispered.
"We had a few classes together last year, that's all."
"Just a friend?"
Sisi stepped forward, resting a hand on his chest. She played with the end of his tie and licked her lips, "Getting jealous over your own son, Ike?"
"I just want you to realize that what we're doing is dangerous territory, Sisi. Not only because of the age gap, but also because you are my student," he reasoned.
Sisi sighed, "We haven't done anything but dance with one another. Stevie's right. That was before I even knew you would be my professor, Ike. So, calm down."
Ike leaned down to kiss her forehead, pulling away gently. "I think it's because I want more," he admitted. "I want more and I know I shouldn't - we shouldn't."
"I get it. I understand," she replied.
"I'm sorry. I'm just a bit stressed out. I'll leave you to it," Ike said, turning on his heel to walk towards the elevators.
Sisi looked over her shoulder to see if Danny had left his room and when the coast was still clear, she took his hand and turned him around to kiss his cheek. "I want this too. So, Professor Evans, if you're free later, I'd really like it if you could help me with the homework you assigned," she whispered, "And also help you de-stress."
Ike cleared his throat, biting his lower lip. "I'm busy until late tonight, Sisi."
"That's fine with me. I'm a patient woman."
Ike smiled, deciding to agree. "I'll see you then. Go up to the penthouse at nine tonight."