Tiero looks at the time. Just twenty minutes past midnight. The hotel lobby has grown quieter though he can still see familiar crowds lingering around the coffee shop. Certain celebrities are still being interviewed though he can’t see either Tei Shakan or Hanne Tahn around. Maybe they’re tucked away in a corner somewhere or have somehow managed to get away. He can still see the co-founder of his company making conversations in the tea room, but all of it interests him little. He has his mobile phone in his hand, touching its smooth surface, wondering if the hour is decent enough for a call.

But it has been a bizarre evening and Sia is an insomniac after all. Maybe. He reminds himself that he no longer knows her the way he did back then, and a lot can change since then.

Still …

Tiero wanders slowly outside the hotel doors and spots his car driving up the entrance. There’s the after party at a club not too far away; there’s his lovely soft bed waiting for him at home; or there’s somewhere else he can be, only if he makes the call.

Which will it be, he asks himself? He toys with his thoughts for a moment and decides to dial her number. Despite his fatigue, he has gone beyond tired and his mind is completely wide awake.

He steps into his car, relishing on its comfortable seats and the cool surface of their soft leather, and tells the driver to take him home, her number still ringing in his ear.

“Hello,” greets a husky voice on the other line.

Tiero manages a smile. “Hi you.” He can almost hear her smile.

“Hi back,” Sai replies softly. She sounds tired but comfortably cheerful. “You all right over there? How was it?”

Tiero smirks. “All good. You pretty much stole the limelight but we all got through just fine. I guess you were pretty much It tonight. Everyone was buzzing about who you are but from what I heard, Tei Shakan and Hanne Tahn gave very little to the media. You should be safe.”

“For now,” she chuckles lightly. There’s a slight pause for a quiet sigh. “I’m very sorry for ruining things for you. I didn’t even know it was your event.”

“I didn’t think you would,” said Tiero consolingly. He notices the monsoon rain has subsided for the night and pauses for a thought. “But I’m glad. You looked absolutely stunning tonight. With the way you stood there and Moeya’s animation in the background, it was a perfect shot.”

“Ha-ha, funny.”

“Seriously.”

Tiero glances outside and leans his head on the cool surface of the window, watching streetlights paint blurry red and orange lights on his face.

“Seriously,” he repeats himself slowly, “You were immaculate.”

“Thank you,” Sia chuckles again. “I’m glad you got what you needed.”

“Are you tired?” he asks. “Seriously.”

“A little,” she replies, “But I can’t sleep. You know me.”

“You need company?” he asks, “‘Cause I sure can use some.”

“If you can find my little hideaway, then you’re more than welcome,” she smiles. “It’s short of an after party but I can make a mean vodka martini, or lychee, whichever you prefer.”

Tiero can feel a huge smile bursting across his tired face, the kind of smile that turns him red all over. God, she remembers! He can almost jump for joy but his legs are killing him from all the standing around and the running and the slipping … Completely embarrassing but it’ll make a nice story someday, he grins. Yes, someday.

“Tell me how I can find you,” he replies almost coyly.

“Let me speak to your driver,” says Sia, almost laughing it seems, “He still makes a better bet than you.”