Amelia’s POV
“so, how has it been like working for kai?” Bianca asked as she picked up a blue dress
“well, it hasn’t been that bad to be honest, the longer i work for him the more i realize that he is not as scary as people paint him to be” i said pushing the trolley. I and Bianca were out shopping together, it’s been almost an hour and Bianca was still yet to find a dress she likes, although i was already done shopping, i couldn’t leave her behind because we came together.
“i’m glad you think so. The western media is actually bias, i hate the way the make people think he is some dangerous criminal” Bianca said as she placed the dress back in the line
“his father is not exactly my favourite, but his sister is the sweetest” i said while Bianca paused and glanced at me. did i say anything wrong?
“you met his family already?” she asked, clearly in shock
“yeah, a few times” i answered
Bianca bit her lower lip, a subtle tension flickering across her expression. She hesitated before forcing a smile as she picked up a pink dress "Well, that's interesting. Not many get to see that side of him."
I picked up a dress from the rack. "Yeah, it was unexpected, but they seem like a complicated bunch. Kai's sister, Natasha, is really nice though."
Bianca nodded, still wearing that strained smile. "I bet. It's just, you know, Kai doesn't usually mix his personal and professional life. It's a bit surprising to hear that you've met his family."
I shrugged, "I guess it just happened. Natasha invited me over a couple of times, and I couldn't say no."
I pushed the cart forward when my eyes caught a pretty green dress, it looked like it will look really good on Bianca, i could as well help her make choices since she was still confused,
“Bianca, i think you’d really rock this dress, it so cute” i said as i grabbed the dress, but there was no response from her, i looked behind only to find her still behind me, she was still holding the pink dress on her hands. She seemed lost in thoughts as her fingers tightened around the dress she was holding. What was wrong with her, she was fine a minute ago before we started talking about kai, was she ok? I walked up to her and tapped her softly on the shoulder, but she wasn’t responding, so i called her name.
“Bianca?” i called out, making her snap out of whatever she was thinking about
“are you okay?” i asked but she smiled at me
“i’m fine. I am just so confused about what to pick. Well, let's keep looking for a dress, shall we?" she said with a smile, but for some reason, it didn’t seem genuine, maybe it was and i was just being an overthinker.
As we continued shopping, Bianca was unusually quiet and only spoke whenever i asked her a question. The atmosphere between us shifted imperceptibly, but I attributed it to the stress of finding the perfect dress.
Despite Bianca's subdued demeanor, we managed to find a dress for her. She settled on a lavender gown that complemented her features beautifully. As we made our way to the checkout, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, was it something i said? I could be a bit of a talkative sometimes and completely forget about the feelings of the person i am talking to.
Once we were done shopping, we headed back to the car. Bianca seemed lost in her thoughts again, and this time, I decided to address it.
"Bianca, is everything okay?" I asked, genuinely concerned.
She sighed before speaking, “amelia, i’m just worried about you”
“worried? Why?” i asked
“how close are you and kai….. do you guys share any relationship… you know, some kind of intimate relationship?” she asked, and for a moment, i found myself thinking about her question. I also didn’t know the answer to that either. Yes, we had sex once, but that doesn’t mean we share any sort of intimate relationship, does it? And where was this question even coming from?
I went quiet for a while before finding my voice, “no, we don’t. why do you ask?”
“well, you know, i just feel like you should keep your distance from kia, be professional and don’t try to involve in anything outside work. Because, there are still a lot you don’t know about him. I am telling you this because i genuinely care about you, amelia. Take what i told you just now as an advice from a big sister” Bianca said, and for a moment, i felt like i was about to tear up. She was just too sweet and kind to even be real, at this point, i’m beginning to believe that she is an angel who was unfortunate enough to be working for kai, i really hope he treats her well and not the way he treats me, because with this heart of hers, she deserves the best.
"I appreciate your concern, Bianca." I finally replied, breaking the silence that had settled between us. "But Kai and I, we're just colleagues. There's nothing more to it."
Bianca nodded, her eyes focused on the road.
Kai’s POV
I was seated inside my car with a cigarette on my left hand and the document on my right hand, why was she taking too long to get ready? I needed to hand her over to mariano so i can get this document signed real quick, i don’t have all the time in the world. Soon, i sighted her walking towards the car, so, i took out my cigarette.
“can you ever take a break from cigarette?” she said as she opened the door to enter the car
“can you ever learn to mind your business?” i answered. I wasn’t about to let anyone tell me what to do with my life
“i thought carlos was supposed to be the one driving me to Mariano’s estate?” she asked
“i can ask carlos to take you if you don’t want me to do that” i said as i started the engine
“so, what am i supposed to do there?” she asked as she puts on her sit belt
“when you get there, Mariano will let you know” i answered while she nodded. I drove off. The silence in the car was tense, i wasn’t really sure of the decision i made, was it even worth it? And why the fuck am i not willing to hand her over to Mariano in exchange for a once in a life time deal. I stared at her from the corner of my eyes, she was staring out the window, she seemed oblivious about what was going on. I stared at her for a while but turned when she looked back at me.
“why are you staring into my soul?” she asked with a smile
“Just wondering if you're going to make it through the day without causing any trouble," I replied, she chuckled, seemingly unfazed by my words. Silence stepped in again as she fiddled with the hem of her shirt, i didn’t need anyone to tell me that she wanted to request for something that would probably be impossible to deliver.
“what’s on your mind” i asked, my gaze fixed on the road ahead, but a fraction of my attention devoted to her, and if i was being honest, i didn’t really know why i cared.
A flicker of surprise crossed Amelia's face at my unexpected question. She hesitated for a moment, then blurted out, "My mom. I haven't seen her in weeks and I'm worried about her. I know it's crazy to ask, but would it be possible to... to maybe pay her a visit tomorrow? I promise, i wouldn’t run off”
I kept my eyes on the road, masking any flicker of surprise. The request was unexpected. I let a few moments pass, contemplating the implications of granting her this detour. It wasn't like she was going to try to escape, i know that for sure, not when her mother’s life was on the line. Even though i barely know her, i was sure of one thing; she would not want to act out of impulse and end up hurting her mom. But it still wasn’t save for me to just let her go alone, whoever attack that night was definitely there solely to kill her, and for some reasons, i still have a feeling that they were out there, probably still following her and she doesn’t know that.
Shit!...why should i even care about what happens to her after today, i am literally trying to trade her for some deal with Mariano, after this is done, i would have no business with her or whatever happens to her.
“fine, you can go tomorrow” i said.
Yeah, she can go, that’s if she’s still alive by tomorrow or if Mariano lets her go. She nodded with a smile, a subtle expression of gratitude. Soon, we arrived at Mariano’s mansion and she got out of the car. As soon as she got out of the car, i started my engine and was about leaving when she stopped me.
“wait!...... are you leaving? I thought you were supposed to be waiting outside till i get back?” she asked with her hands leaning on the window
“no” i replied bluntly
“so, what about back up? Don’t you think it’d make sense if i can atleast have backup outside considering that i am going in there alone?” she asked again, her voice barely above a whisper
“i’ll send for backup, go inside” i said, but it didn’t seem like she was ready to go any time soon. For a moment, i almost changed my mind and asked her to get back in the car, with the way she stared at me, i might end up giving in if i don’t leave soon.
“get going already, don’t look at me that way” i said with a scowl. She took a step away from the car and muttered something underneath her breathe, probably a curse, before walking away. I watched her walk away and only left when i was sure that she was inside Mariano’s estate. I felt like a bad person, but i needed to do it to get what i want.
Sorry Amelia, sometimes, you just have to use whatever you have to get what you want, because to me, people has always been tool for me to use, and will always be.