RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
Arin scowled at the man sitting in front of her like he was her enemy.
"I can't tolerate this any longer" she finally breathed out and the middle-aged man stared at her with indifference.
They have been together for thirty minutes but still, he didn't answer any of her questions, rather he treated her like she was some sort of irritating fly, ignoring her completely.
"What do you want to know Arin?" he eventually declares.
"Why did you evacuate your men from looking after Kiaraa?" she asked.
"Because she's safe" came the brief reply.
"How are you so optimistic, when the people she is with happen to be your number one rival?" she queried.
"Years ago, the Kim and the Lee family had an agreement" he spoke calmly.
"What agreement and what does this have to do with Kiaraa?" she looked at him expectantly for an answer but the place grew silent and the tension evolved with each passing second.
He paused for a long time as if anticipating how to answer the question and finally he mumbled, "It's all about Kiaraa, Arin."
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"Can you lend me some money?" Kiaraa asked and acted cutely to obtain tenderness from her companion.
Mj gaped at her disbelievingly. She couldn't understand this teenager at all. A few moments ago, she seemed helpless when she inquired about her problems.
"What do you do when a guy tells you you're ugly?" Kiaraa replied when she asked about what was irking her and looked up with sad eyes like it pained her.
"How old are you?" she asked and Kiaraa fell silent contemplating whether to say her real age or not.
"Don't lie Kiaraa" Mj added and Kiaraa sighed.
"I'm 17 going to 18", she replied and looked down as she fiddled with the hem of her T-shirt. It was a little bit big for her as she had a small built and she could guess that Adrian's sister was a little bit older than her.
"Ok, then you are still growing Kiaraa" Mj replied cautiously. She didn't want to believe that Kiaraa was bothered about the situation but she just had to play along.
She has worked with Lili for years and noticed that both the Lee sisters were extremely confident with their appearance. They believed they were beautiful and they were correct, so that boosted their confidence a lot.
"I don't believe that you are bothered about that Kiaraa, Lili always told me how confident you are with your looks," she said and stared at her with raised brows.
Kiaraa cursed Lili inwardly.
....
At the same time in a quiet study room, Lili sneezed heavily, "Oh my, who must be uttering profanity at me? I am a very good sister" she muttered as she rubbed her chest.
....
Back to Treasure Gem Restaurant,
"Well, the way he said it had hurt my ego and I want to get back at him any way I can. You're mischievous so you can give me some ideas" she grinned widely.
Mj smiled, "I don't have any ideas Kiaraa except you plan on whacking him " and Kiaraa's face beamed. Mj didn't expect that outcome as she was only joking but she just shrugged and focused more on eating when Kiaraa asked,
"Can you lend me some money?"
Mj paused in her eating and stared at her. So many questions surfaced in her mind but she couldn't voice them out.
'Is she stranded? Did she just act pitiful so that she could ask for money? But she's rich, then why is she asking me?'
Before she could refute, Kiaraa answered all her questions
"I'm just coming from a friend's house and I left my bank card at home and I need money to get something for a friend before traveling back to Austin" Kiaraa explained.
Mj nodded and handed her a card, "The pin is 77232", she said and continued chewing on her pastries.
"Thank you Unnie, you're the best" Kiaraa exclaimed and got up. She walked to the door and waved at her before stepping out while chuckling.
Initially, she just wanted to spend some time alone and clear her head before facing her family, but who knew that she would find Mj there. She decided to use the opportunity wisely.
She remembered that she promised Yuna a gift and looking at things, she'll soon be leaving. She knew today was going to be the only free time she would have but she didn't have any money at hand and she forgot her card at home.
She didn't just want to ask for money immediately and decided to indulge her in a conversation for a while and it worked.
Now she had the money and she quickly drove out of the restaurant with a satisfying smile without noticing the car following behind her.
....
Thick clouds covered the sky and the whole place turned dark as if a storm was approaching. The bright and cheerful day was gone and was soon replaced with a gloomy atmosphere.
Kiaraa who had been wandering around the city finally made a stop in front of a gift shop. She stepped out of the car lightly and walked in.
The place was huge and only a few customers were seen, she walked over to the attendant and she directed her to different sections of the store. She was preoccupied with finding a perfect gift when an old man walked in.
By now, the rain had started drizzling and most people were looking for places to get shelter for a while before the storm started.
The attendant walked up to him, "Sir can I help you?" she asked politely but the old man just cast her a glance and waved his hands indicating that he didn't need any help. The attendant just nodded thinking that he just came in there for shelter.
"Young lady, Niara is asking for you."
Kiaraa glanced up at the old man.
'Niara?, Did this old man mistake me for someone else?' she looked up into the man's eyes but somehow she couldn't find the right words to reply.
Her head was hazed, 'Why am I feeling this way?' she asked herself, 'Do I know him?' and she looked up again but she didn't feel any familiarity.
As she stared longer, a wave of pain surged through her head and she closed her eyes and hissed. Just then a loud shrill was heard.
"Oh my gosh, Kiaraa it's you" came a girl's cry and then Kiaraa felt herself being enveloped in a hug. Kiaraa felt the pain subside a little and she could think properly. She was about to open her eyes when she heard a faint whisper that only her ears could carry.
"Don't open your eyes Kiaraa. The minute I let you go, run for your life....."