Chapter 2

Nadia stood at the breakfast bar in the kitchen. A glass of red wine was in her right hand. Sydney was with her pouring a glass of white wine. Sydney finished pouring and put down the bottle and picked up her glass.

"All I'm saying is. That you've barely said two words to him all evening. I thought you liked him."

Nadia picked up her glass and took a sip from it and brought it down.

"I do. But it his party and his friends are here. I don't want to take up his time"

"I don't think he'll mind. And from the looks his being giving you tonight, he's interested to." Sydney took a sip from her glass before speaking again. "Are you usually this shy around men?"

"My sister Sydney. Are you sure want to be asking me that kind of question?" Nadia said these with more than an hint if sarcasm in her voice.

"Not in that type of way. I mean just shying away from talking to men and that such thing"

Sydney guided Nadia towards the empty couch in the middle of the lounge. They both sat silently for a few moments before Nadia started speak. The tone in her voice had changed slightly. A air of seriousness had come across.

"In answer to your Question. No, not usually but since all that has happened, I'm going through a readjustment phase. I'm not the person I once thought I was. Finding out about my parents has done that to me. And when Eric looks at me, he's not going to see just me. He's going to see Irina Derevko and Arvin Sloane as well. I'm just no good for anyone."

"Nadia. Just because you parents are like that it doesn't make you like that as well. You are nothing like Mom or even Sloane. You are so sweet. And any guy should be lucky to be with you. So…" Sydney said standing up and kissing Nadia on the cheek and running one hand through her hair as well. " Go get you man."

Sydney walked sway and left Nadia alone on the couch, the glass of wine loosely held in and hand as she sat contemplating her decision. Stay or speak. She brought the glass up to mouth and drank down the rest of the contents. To steady her nerves. She placed the glass on the table in front of her and walked slowly to where Weiss was standing.

She tapped him on the shoulder to gain his attention and then spoke.

"Eric. Happy Birthday!"

He turned round and faced her a broad smile on his face and greeted Nadia warmly

"Thank you. And thanks so much for this party."

"I had nothing really to do with this. It's mainly Syd's doing. I'm just here because I don't really have anything else to do or even know many people"

Weiss laughed slightly at the statement they had come out of Nadia mouth.

"Should I feel insulted that you don't want to be here?"

Nadia reciprocated the laugh back realising what she had said.

"No , I don't really mean what you thought I mean. I'm at this party to get to know other people apart Sydney, Michael and Jack."

"So how are you enjoying being here so far? Settling in?"

"It's okay from what I've seen so far. But it is different to Buenos Aires. As for settling in it is taking time. I seem to spend most of my time at work."

"And how's living with Sydney going? Slowly getting to know her?"

Meanwhile Sydney was over the other side of the room, less than stealthy trying to spy on her sister.

Vaughn came to her side and stood next to her trying to work out what she was doing before he spoke.

"Um, Sydney. What are you doing?"

"Spying on my sister" Sydney replied as matter of fact.

"Why?"

"Because it seems that my sister likes our friend Weiss and I'm just checking to see how they are getting on"

"Really? Because he's mentioned to me earlier that he liked her as well."

"He does? Hmmm. Maybe we can do some matchmaking between them."

"No Sydney. No Matchmaking. If something happens it will happen by it's self."

"Why not?"

"Leave it Syd. Anyway.." Vaughn said gesturing across Sydney. "She may have something more important to sort out."

Nadia has spotted him as well and the fact he was heading straight towards where her and Weiss were standing. Her hand slipped to he necklace without her thinking, fingering it, stress emanating from her causing this.

"Mr Weiss. If you could excuse us."

Weiss coughed before he spoke.

"Sure Mr Sloane." He turned and faced Nadia. "I'll speak to you later about what we were discussing"

Weiss walked quickly leaving them alone.

"Nadia. What was that about?"

Nadia releasing what she was doing with her necklace brought her arm back down to her side.

"I'm not sure if it's any of your business, but we trying to make plans for him to show me around LA the next time we are both free. But the question I need you to answer for me is why you are here?"

"To see you. I heard that Sydney took you to see Irina's grave. I thought you would be upset, but it seems I was wrong."

"I said when I came to LA. That me being in contact with you like a daughter would be on my terms alone. Do not try and push that relationship with me. There is so much that you need to make up with me."

"Do you not even want to discuss your mother with me?"

Nadia tucked her hair behind her ears. The action the identical of what Sydney and Irina both do.

"If I want to discuss her with anyone. I'll discuss her with Sydney. The only thing you could do for me would be finding out who killed Irina Derevko. If you want to do anything do that. Else leave me be."

Nadia turned away from him. Tears welling at the sides of eyes. She worked through the room and out the door. On to the decking outside house and just stared at the sky.

Sweetheart. I could do that. Betray a confidence. But at the moment for everyone's sake it has to stay secret. But one day I will tell you."