Chapter 14

Kia I sat down, groaning with a headache. I was wondering how much alcohol I had digested in my system. The memories of last night flashed in my mind. God, what have I done? It was embarrassing. I had embarrassed myself in front of Vivian. I had revealed to him my weak side. He hugged me and even I hugged him back. How could I let him be so close to me? My eyes caught something shiny and black on the table. I approached it and grabbed my new phone.

The phone rang, and Alice’s name appeared on the screen. “Hey, Alice,” my voice was rough because of a sore throat.

“Kia! Are you all alright? Are you sick? You’re sounding weak,” her soft voice came through the phone.

“Yes, I just woke up and your number was displayed on the phone screen, so I didn’t get time to wash my face,” I said while rubbing my forehead. I lied skillfully.

“Oh, Vivian has given me your number. He didn’t get ready to let me know your number, but in the end, I took it.” How would he give me my number? I didn't even have my phone. I came to know why he left me this phone. “He is being very possessive of you, Kia,” she giggled.

I didn’t want to do this, but I rolled my eyes. She knew nothing about us. But she was behaving as if she knew everything. I didn’t know what to say to her, so I kept silent on the phone.

“I’ll pick you up at 11, then I’ll show you across the city. After that, we’ll go shopping and dining. I’m very excited to spend time with you.”

“Me as well,” I said. “Then I’ll get ready soon. It’s already ten.” I didn’t give her my address because I didn’t know the name of this place. “I guess Vivian has already given you my address, too.”

“Yeah, I have your address,” she said. There was a masculine voice in the background. I guessed it was her husband’s voice. “Shut up Henry! I need to get ready. I can’t....” she was whispering, but still I could hear her, “Come on baby, I’m already naked,” Henry’s voice erupted, and I quickly hung up the phone.

I had seen Henry in many magazines and on television. I had heard a lot about him. He was an arrogant bastard even though he had betrayed his girlfriend and all. Many of my classmates were crazy about him. Why weren’t they? He was such a hot piece of ass. I couldn’t believe he had a wife, and he was asking her like that. I sighed and placed my phone on the table and headed to the bathroom.

I dressed in jeans and a red tank top with a dark leather jacket. After yesterday’s incident, I didn’t want to wear sexy clothes. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and kept my face plain. I didn't bother to put on makeup except for concealer to hide the dark circles under my eyes. I wore a pair of brown boots and put a knife in the back pocket of my jeans. Before I left, I grabbed my phone and purse.

A familiar figure in a black uniform approached me. He had a sturdy physique. “Good morning, miss Stefan. I’m Max,” he said politely. He was the man who had given me money yesterday and also helped me in the club.

“I suppose you’re here to guard me 24/7?” I said in an indifferent tone and stepped into the elevator, and he did the same, following me. “Listen, I don’t need your protection. I’m capable of doing things on my own.” I narrowed my eyes on him. “Now I’m going shopping with your boss’s friend, so you don’t need to guard me around.”

The elevator door opened, and we stepped out. “I can’t leave you alone until my boss’s next order. And I can’t risk my job and life as well. Then I’ll get the car,” he said and walked away.

I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest. Now my plan has become even more difficult to achieve. How did I work out my plan under his guard? The next moment black Mercedes stopped in front of me, and Alice poked her head out of the window, “Hey, Kia,” a beautiful smile plastered on her face.

Before I could approach her, Max pulled the car next to her. “I don’t know which car I should choose?” I pointed to the next car. “Vivian assigned one of his men to look after me.”

Alice glanced behind her car. “Let me ask Vivian,” she said, and pulled out her iPhone and phoned him. I waited a few minutes. “Kia, you’re coming with me.” I opened the door and slid in and clasped my seatbelt. “I’m glad you accepted my offer,” she said while starting the car. I nodded at her and gave her a soft smile.

First, we visited Times Square because it was the closest to our houses. I had never been to New York, so it was obvious I had never seen that street. The brightest and busiest place with many billboards and advertisements. After that, we saw several museums and historic sites.

She parked her car in front of one of the high-class boutiques. “We’re going to Robinson’s boutique,” Alice killed the engine before climbing out.

We went into the boutiques. I gasped at the sight of luxurious, elegant, and classic only words I could describe the boutique. “I don’t think this is a good idea. You’ve brought me here. I can’t spend Vivian’s earnings on designing dresses! I don’t want him to see me as a gold-digger.” I had already messed up with him yesterday. I didn’t want to spend a single penny. I knew he was rich, but it didn’t mean I would use his money for my good. And I hated the fact that men would see me in this way. I was strong and self-dependent. I didn’t want to win the title of Gold-Digger.

“Are we friends?” Alice asked me softly.

I nodded, “Of course we are,” I said hesitantly, wondering if she was my friend?

She grabbed my hand. “Then follow me. Can’t you accept my gift?”

“But Alice...”

She didn’t give me a chance to complete my word.

“Show me the finest piece of dress for her,” she said to one of the young ladies, who were in some sort of uniform.

“Sure, Ma’am,” the Blonde woman smiled, checking on my length.

“Kia, you’re beautiful and suitable for my model.”

I raised my brows. “Model?”

She nodded. “Do not think that I’m getting you this free. I assume Vivian’s girlfriend attends many parties and social gatherings. One day will come when you wear this dress, and it will help us advertise our designs.” she winked.

I let out a soft laugh. “Do you think Robinson needs this type of publicity? Your husband has already won the best designing brand.”

“It doesn’t mean we don’t need advertisements. We have many competitors.”

“I don’t think Henry would appreciate it,” I was trying my best to convince her. I didn’t want to take anything from her. And I didn’t deserve her gifts because I wasn’t real. I was pretending to be the person who was not me! Alice was just kind to me. How could I break her trust and friendship?

“Kia,” Alice dragged me into reality, “What do you think about this dress?” She picked up one of the gorgeous dresses. It was a light red and knee-length dress that had a deep neck gracing with a lustrous pearl.

“I guess your favorite color is red because I always see you in red.”

“You’re a great observer.”

After shopping for a few things, we went to a little restaurant. Alice sighed, “After a long time I got free time to spend besides family and work.”

“I don’t like shopping and travelling. Maybe because I didn’t meet a friend like you before,” I said honestly. People didn’t bother to make me a friend because I had poor family status and my brother was a criminal.

“I’m glad you liked it.”

We ordered pizza along with coffee. Alice was an honest and sweet woman. I didn’t know her that much, but she was talking to me like we had known over the decades. I had no friends except Lucian, but spending time with her seemed like she would become my second friend.

She took a slice of pizza. “I’m missing my baby.”

I frowned, “Baby? I guess it’s Henry.”

She shook her head. “No, my son Kelvin.”

The slice of pizza slipped out of my hand. “Your son!” I was surprised. “You have a son?” She raised her brows. “I mean, you don’t look like a mother type.”

“Really!” She frowned and looked down at herself and laughed softly, “He will complete his one year next month.”

I sipped my coffee. “I’ve heard many bad things about Henry. I couldn’t believe he has a wife and son." Did I sound rude? Because Alice’s face fell into sadness. “I’m sorry. That was rude. I shouldn’t have said that.”

She shook her head, “It’s alright,” she smiled but didn’t reach her eyes, “What my husband is I accept it and what my husband was in the past I accept that too. I don’t have any problem with my husband’s past life as long as we love each other.” I could see the fierce love beneath her hazel eyes.

I hate love.

And I hate the people who fall in love.

“Love makes people weak.” I didn’t understand why I was talking about love?

“No. Love makes people stronger, Kia. You’ll understand it when you fall in love. I guarantee you you’ll not think twice about sacrificing your life for that person. And I wish you’ll find your true love,” an unexpected jerk on my back spilling the coffee on my dress.

I quickly stood up. Alice grabbed a couple of napkins from the holder and passed them to me.

“I think I should go to the washroom,” I said and headed toward the washroom. I was getting frustrated with Alice’s words. I wouldn’t fall in love. I would rather die than fall for someone.

Before I could step into the washroom, someone caught my wrist and twirled me around. “Here we are,” he snarled. I raised my eyes at him, seeing the dark eyes and two men in the black jacket came behind him. “Indeed, beautiful, but bad to say that today will be your last day. Remember my brother yesterday,” his lips stretched into a cruel smile, “Now it’s your turn to pay back.”

He twisted my hand, and I was struggling with his grip, “Let me go,” I hissed. “I didn’t kill your brother. It was Vivian. Your brother was trying to take me against my will. And I had warned him I was Vivian’s whore...”

He frowned in confusion. “Whore? You’re Vivian’s woman. Don’t lie to me, bitch!”

“Do you think he would ever come into a relationship knowing that he is the boss of the mafia? I’m just his whore. Your brother was trying to rape me, and Vivian couldn’t bear it and killed him,” I was telling him like I was forecasting weather. Seeing his expression, it seemed like he was believing me. I looked past him. Those men were waiting for his order to kill me, “Can you come with me? I need to talk about some other things,” I pointed to the washroom.

“Why do I believe in you?” He barked.

“Because Vivian killed your brother and my brother as well. We have the same enemy. Maybe I can help you approach him. I assume you want to avenge your brother.” I was relieved when his grip loosened around my wrist.

For a few minutes, he was searching my face as if he could ever read my emotions. I had learned how to mask my emotions during these four years. “Are you coming?” If he would come, he was the most foolish person on the planet, and he did.

My lips turned into a smooth smile after my victory. I walked in following him. I closed the door silently and now we were alone in this small room, “Do you want to kill Vivian?” I went closer to him, fluttering my long lashes. I was trying my best to seduce him.

His hands clenched into fists, “I want to kill him, but he is much more powerful than me,” he said through teeth.

I ran my hands over his thin chest, unbuttoning his shirt. He wasn’t even half of Vivian. He was tall, but not muscled. “I’ll do it. I’ll avenge your brother, my brother,” and my father. He let out a raspy breath, affecting my touch.

He caught my wrist, stopping me from moving farther. “What are you doing?” lust clearly on his face.

“What your brother wanted yesterday. I had given him willingly. He shouldn’t have forced me. I hate being dominant,” I moved my hands behind his neck, bending his head, and kissed him. He could not resist me and immediately his tongue slipped into my mouth. My one hand went to the back of my jeans, pulling out my sharp knife. God would give him peace. And the next moment, I sliced his throat deeply and fiercely.

“What......” his words died in his mouth and his skinny body crashed against the hard floor. I had claimed his mouth so that I could stop him from screaming. The blood flooded through his neck gracing the white floor. All red. And I love red. He was still breathing, but he would die within minutes.

I knelt, “I’ll avenge your brother” his bloodshot eyes were staring at me like a ghost, and he was gasping for breath. “I’ll kill Vivian, trust me” I stood up and crossed his body, moving toward the door. My next predator was his two pets.

I opened the door quietly, “Your boss wants one of you to come inside,” the bald man stepped in first. I opened the door for him, welcoming him to hell. He walked in and I closed the door. He was a short and thin man, my easy target. I pulled out one of my solid boots. He stepped farther and froze at the sight of his boss, “What the fuck...” he was successfully snapping out these three words before my boot hit his bald head. He wouldn’t die by my boot, but it would help me faint him down.

He clutched his head, glaring at me with his bloody eyes. “Bitch!” his voice was barely bearable. I didn’t have enough time to kill every person, so I went out. I stumbled to my foot when the last man attacked me. Probably he would realize the threat. I collapsed onto the harsh floor, grimacing with pain. But before he could attempt his second attack, I rolled to the other side and quickly stood up and jabbed him in his ribs. I didn’t give him time to feel pain and stuck my knife right against his abdomen. He paused for a few seconds before slumping against the floor. I wouldn’t have killed him, but he had chosen it. I wiped away his blood. Victory is mine. Victory is my crown because I’m the blood queen.

From behind, I heard someone’s footsteps. I clutched my bloody knife even tighter. I didn’t know who that person was, but if she was Alice, then this would be my last day in New York. And if he was Vivian, then this would be the last day of my life. I slowly turned around and was ready to face that person. Her eyes dropped to my bloody knife, then my bloody boots, then my face. I met her gaze, and her eyes were wide open due to shock. Harmony.

“H-Harmony,” my voice was barely audible. I knew she wasn’t Alice or Vivian, but it didn’t mean she would spare me. She already hated me now, she loathed me.

“Who’re you?” The only word came from her mouth, “I know you are not what you are pretending to be!”

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