Chapter 30

Kia “Are you sure about your decision?” I looked at Vivian, who was typing something on his phone. “You are the boss of the Mafia, and I don’t think it would be okay for you if you take two days off.”

These words blew him up because he was giving me a hard glare. “Can you shut your mouth for a few seconds so that I can call off all my previous meetings?”

“I’ll shut my mouth only if you spell everything out for me.” I placed my hands on my hips. “Now tell me, where are we going?”

He ran his fingers through his hair. “Southampton.” He caught my reaction. “After two days you will leave for your place, so I thought why don’t we make your two days memorable? I have owned my house there and we’ll stay there until the day before you leave. I, Harley, and you only.”

I held his gaze and felt slight happiness in my heart. But after a moment I looked away because I couldn’t hold his softness for me. I should have hated him. I was going to kill him. I could not feel it for him like that. It was wrong. I fucked him because I wanted to bait him. But now I am enjoying him every moment. What was that? How could I not resist this feeling?

“Kia, are you listening to me?” Vivian’s voice rang out.

I looked at him. “This sounds great,” I said, smiling. “Then I must get ready.” I didn’t wait for his reply and walked out of his way.

I dashed to the bathroom and washed my face before looking into the mirror. It was not me. This was not Kiara. I had never smiled. I had never laughed before. I had never felt happier in my heart. I had never enjoyed sex. I had never slept beside any fucking men. I had consoled none damn one. My heart had been emptying since the day when my father left me alone. It felt nothing except anger, vengeance, and hatred. It had burned out due to so much pain. Then how come I was feeling this way? It seemed like it was healing.

I had never felt safe in my house. I had always dreamt of him. Dream of my hunter. He had been hunting me for four years. He had raped me, they beat me, they raped me. I had told no one what he did to me. And from that point, he had been chasing after me. All this happened because of Vivian. He was the reason for my loss. He was the reason that fucking bastard raped me. Then why the hell did I feel this way?!

I used to fear a nightmare, but it vanished after that moment when Vivian’s powerful arms wrapped around me. When his finger touched my skin, I liked it. I liked his deep blue eyes. I liked his masculinity. Everything about him made me like him. He was like my knight and my protector.

“Kia.” Harley knocked on the door. “Are you inside the bathroom?”

Your father isn’t enough to give me heartache and you come next.

I opened the door and looked down at her. She was wearing blue jeans and a pink top and white shoes, looking so pure and beautiful. “Let’s go. We are getting late.” She checked me up and down before peeking my face up, “Haven’t you got ready yet?”

“I’ll be taking a few minutes.” I went to the wardrobe and pulled out a pair of faded jeans and a blue tank top with a denim jacket.

“Viv will be freaking out. He doesn’t like to wait. I even got ready half an hour ago.” She said, glancing outside.

After a while, I pulled my hair into a tight bun. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

She opened her mouth after seeing my hairstyle, but Vivian’s loud voice echoed in the hall. “You ladies can’t cover your makeup.”

“Ladies?” Harley giggled.

“He is also including you in ladies.” I teased her, and she laughed in response. We went downstairs, where Vivian was waiting for us with a dark scowl on his face. His men had already loaded our luggage in his car.

Harley quickly ran out excitedly.

“I’m sorry,” I said and headed towards the car, but Vivian grabbed me by the elbow. I said nothing and waited for his next step.

He turned me around, making me look at him. There was displeasure in his eyes when he looked at my messy bun. He lifted his hand and freed my hair and let it fall over my shoulder. “That does not look good on you.”

I breathed in deeply as my heart was racing because of his proximity. He was something that took away my breath and froze my next moment. I had never experienced such a thing before. It was foreign to me. His every move seemed romantic. He bent down a bit, gazing at my lips intently, and I closed my eyes as if waiting for his kiss. “Let’s go.” He whispered.

My eyes flew open. I watched him for a moment before giving him a curt nod. “Let’s go.”

********

After changing, we went out. The first thing that hit me was salty air. The polished deep blue ocean and fluffy white clouds give the view of the majestic beauty of nature. Waves hit the rock and generated music. The dazzling sunlight was making the sand shine like a thousand tiny jewels. It looked incredibly beautiful. I drew a deep breath, inhaling the natural smell of seawater.

“First thing I will do is build a sandcastle,” Harley said excitedly.

“We are going to have so much fun,” I said with the same excitement. “Have you ever built a castle?”

She nodded, looking up. “Viv is a great builder. I cannot build without him. He always helped me to build castles.”

I looked around for him. “Where is your dad?”

She glanced over her shoulder. “Over there.”

I glanced at him. He was talking to a redhead woman. She was in a black bikini, looking gorgeous. My blood got boiled when I found both of them laughing together. She poked his naked chest with her slender finger before bursting into another laugh. I couldn’t stop myself after seeing this and jogged towards them.

“Baby, your daughter is asking you. If you are done with her, then shall we go?” I said sweetly and plastered my sweetest smile. I turned to that woman and gave her a scathing glare.

Vivian looked at me, shocked, but after a moment, the corner of his lips turned into a smile. “Of course.” He glanced at her last time. “Don’t worry, Ari. I’ll inform Caleb that you are missing him.”

Her face blushed, not because of Vivian but for Caleb. “That’s so kind of you.” Her eyes turned to me. “You have a sweet girlfriend.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist and gazed at me. “Her name is Kiara.”

She pushed her hand forward to me. “Hello, Kiara. I’m Ari. Caleb’s wife.”

I gazed at her shockingly before offering her my hand. “Caleb’s wife? Umm, sorry I was too rude. I mistook you.”

She shook her head, still smiling. “Never mind. This is natural for every girlfriend.” She glanced at the other side, where two little boys were fighting. “I need to break this up before they can break each other’s nose.” She said and rushed off towards her boys.

“Are you feeling jealous of her?” Vivian said, smirking.

I rolled my eyes. “Why would I? It was just. Umm...” I couldn’t understand what to say and it amused him more. “Leave it and let’s go.”

I gasped when Vivian’s hand squeezed my butt lightly. “You won’t take your t-shirt off.”

I looked down at my loose T-shirt. “Are you asking me or ordering me?”

“I’m warning you.”

“Are you crazy! How can I swim in a T-shirt? I’ve worn a bikini under it. Not that I’m naked.”

He glowered at the group of men who were checking me up and down. “You won’t go in the water then.” He said in an authoritative tone and walked away without waiting for my reply.

What the hell?!

Harley and Vivian built their castle, and I took a place beside them, watching them. Seeing them together, I remembered my childhood and my heart warmed with those memories. When I used to go to the beach with my father. He loved nature and had spent half of his life at the seashore. I used to jump off into the water and sometimes I brought my favorite book and read it there. There were a lot of beautiful memories my father had left for me. My dad used to say that the best stress relief wasn’t popping pills or smoking but enjoying the company of nature. The natural sound of crashing waves and the gentle touch of salty air gave you great peace of mind.

“Done.” Harley jumped joyfully. “We have built the biggest castle.”

I eyed the sandcastle, which stood high and beautiful. “This castle is for my beautiful princess.” Vivian stroked her daughter’s cheeks lovingly.

“Stop it, Dad! You are dirtying my cheeks.” Harley said and cleaned her cheeks with a forearm.

Seeing them like I couldn’t help but smile silently.

********

I had been tossing and turning, unable to catch sleep. I had used the whole day despite this I wasn't able to sleep peacefully. Snorting, I stood up and walked to the window, which was overlooking the beautiful ocean. It was completely dark, which made the moon so beautiful. I grabbed the jacket and wore it over my nightgown. Vivian and Harley had fallen asleep long ago. I had spent one of the memorable days with Vivian and his daughter. It was amazing. I had never experienced so much fun and happiness in my life before. We had spent half of our day on the beach. After that, I cooked a special meal for the three of us and ate together with tons of jokes and laughter. I could never erase all these memories from my brain and heart.

I stepped out silently, keeping in mind the two unique creatures who were sleeping peacefully. The beach was empty. The sand on the ground felt warm against my bare feet. I sat down, pulling my knees together and looking at the stars. It was impossible to find out the exact number of stars in the sky. I smiled sadly. The wind was blowing lightly and was caressing my bare legs. I was sad, but I didn’t know why. Maybe because I could never see Harley again after that, or maybe because she would be an orphan after the death of her only father.

There was nothing I could do about it. I had sworn that I would kill Vivian at any cost, no matter if I had to put my life in danger. But here, my heart could not accept it.

I had never thought that I would ever enjoy my enemy that much. I had never expected that he would ever be good to me. He was nothing like I thought he would be. He was too good, too gentle, and too charming.

“Aren’t you feeling cold?” I heard Vivian’s deep voice.

“No,” I said without glancing at him.

He sat beside me wearing a black t-shirt and sweatpants looking like a Billboard model.

God. Stop it, Kia.

To my surprise, he wrapped his muscular arm around me and pulled me to his firm chest. “You’ll catch a cold, baby.”

I made myself comfortable in his warm body. “I thought you would be sleeping.”

He stroked my hair lovingly. “I’m not able to sleep in any other place except my mansion.”

I peeked at him. “Really? Then how are you able to sleep somewhere other than in your mansion? As far as I know, you have a business across the world. Have you ever been to other cities or countries?”

His eyes kept staring at the ocean water, which was shining through the moonlight. “I have been to other cities, but not countries. I have a daughter and I couldn’t leave her alone. And about the business, I have crews in different countries who are working for me and in exchange, I offer them fat money.”

“What if they are disloyal to you?”

“They know the consequences then.” Threatened rang in his voice. “I have never spared the single man who has betrayed me. And this has been an example for everyone who has been working for me. Trust is the only thing on which the Mafia World works, Kia. After all, we are not bound by the law.”

“For the sake of money, you also kill innocents, don’t you?” I said bitterly.

He smiled wryly. “Money is not my priority. What I have always been craving is power. And I have already controlled what you are calling innocent people. Why would I kill innocent people?”

I quickly pulled myself from him. “All innocents are not weak, Vivian!” I said with slight anger.

“There are no innocent people in the world, Kia.”

“Not even your daughter?”

He held my gaze while breathing deeply. “I don’t know what you are talking about?” He quickly changed the topic.

I wanted to ask him why he killed my father. He was innocent, but not helpless. I wanted to clear up with him everything about my family. I wanted to hear from his mouth the truth of that night.

Because my heart didn’t want to kill him.

I closed my eyes for a few seconds before lifting at him. “Vivian, I’m going to tell you something, and I want you to be honest with me. After that, I’ll tell you my whole truth.”

His brows raised as he was gazing at me. “Kia, what are you talking about?”

He didn’t take me seriously.

“Vivian, I’m....” Before I could explain to him, the gunshot flew in the air.

********