Chapter 146

***KARA***

Monday's just had to be my worst days. It came with no warning. It was always so close and yet so far. I had barely had two hours of sleep yet the sun threatened to rise in its full glory and cast its golden rays on my face.

I stretched in bed and blocked out the golden rays with my palm as my eyes adjusted to the brightness. Why does anyone have to work? I wondered. Couldn't they just get paid just because they were alive? I was among the 2 billion people who wanted to be a billionaire but were too lazy to put in the effort.

Naturally, I could spend the whole day in bed munching on snacks, watching TikTok and laughing at the multiple reels Annika sent me. Or I could laugh at my messages too because I was funny. It was agonizing that an adult had to work so hard for the money that could vanish from a Birkin bag.

“Even if you're not ready for the day, it can't always be night,” I whispered one of my favorite sounds from TikTok that I could relate to.

I stretched in bed and got on my feet, glancing around my room, and taking in its disorganized state. I rubbed my forehead hard. How did I wear this much clothes?! I was sure I only left my house thrice this week yet about twenty clothes were waiting to be attended to. A part of my bed was for work. It had everything I used; sunscreen, toner, MacBook, eye mask, body gel, lip gloss, half a bag of Cheetos, my headphones, camera, and an open novel.

That was where the question came in— where do I start from? I hate packing up and leaving for a new place. The stress that came with it was agonizing.

Mateo knocked on my door and waited for a “Come in” before walking through the open doors of my room.

“Oh my God, Kara. Did you just turn this whole place into a mini house? Why is everywhere so rough?” he gasped as he glanced around.

“Mind your business,” I growled.

“Okay okay bear, calm down. I'm just saying this is the worst you've been, Jesus Christ. Do you even clean this room at all?”

“It's not dirty. Just disorganized like every girl’s room,” I pointed out.

He smirked, “Is that an excuse for bad behavior?”

I groaned in exhaustion. “I've been packing up and I don't even know what to take with me. If it was in my power, I would take everything here with me. I love California.”

Mayeo grinned in excitement, surprise etched in his voice. “You've finally made up your mind?”

“I don't have a choice. Maybe changing places would help after all. My therapist has been persuading me and there's you who can't do without me.” I said.

“You know that’s not true,” he said.

“Oh yeah? Then why haven't you left me behind?” I teased.

“Go away from me, woman,” he said playfully. “Anyways, I'm taking us out. You can't say no. A day off from work wouldn't hurt.”

“But there would be losses in profit,” I pouted.

“We'll be eating out with Annika and her sister today. You need to meet with her. She's a huge fan like her sister but now I don't know who is more obsessed. You're not thinking about it, you're going. This evening we’re meeting with them. Thank you.”

“You’re not giving me freedom of speech?” I asked in between laughs.

“On this, no,” he said. “Take today off. Get that massage and get your nails done too. Go shopping. By 8 pm, we'll leave.”

“This is crazy,” I yelled in excitement. “I would have objected but you did save my ass. I need this day off. Thank you, Teo.”

He beamed, “Whenever I tell you I read minds, don't argue with me.”

“Oh shut up,” I said and burst out laughing. “If you'll excuse me, girls’ day off is about to begin.”

***

***ANTRA***

“They’re here,” Annika said as she glanced up from her phone.

My heart thumped loudly in my chest, so loud I was scared it would burst open. I was excited yet scared at the same time. I didn't know how to react to meeting her properly the second time.

“Why're your legs shaking?” Annika asked as she eyed me, “If we didn't dress together I’d think you have a vibrator up there.”

“Annika!” I almost yelled as I rolled my eyes at her, “That’s perv talk.”

She chuckled, “Then steady your legs, princess.”

“You’re so disgusting,” I said and hid my legs under the table.

The moment she stepped in, there was an aura of power and fierceness that exuded her. Even if she covered her face like she did the first time, I could tell that she was the one. Her presence was intoxicating.

I squeezed my sister's wrist so tight I was scared I would break the bones when they approached our table.

“Hi, sorry for keeping you waiting,” Mateo said as they took their seats.

Kara smiled warmly and hugged Annika, “I'm the reason we got delayed. My order came in late. I'm sorry.”

“No, It's alright. Don't apologize,” Annika said and withdrew.

Kara’s eyes darted to mine. She paused before taking off her glasses, “Oh my days. It's you.”

Before I could think of what to do, she pulled me in for a warm embrace. A smile tugged at my lips as I hugged her back shortly and she broke the hug.

“You know her?” Mateo asked.

Kara nodded, “We’ve met before. I can't remember your name though. I'm sorry.”

“It's Antra,” I said shyly.

Kara smiled, “Wow. I'm surprised. So you're Annika’s sister?”

“Yeah,” I said and beamed at Annika.

“She’s obsessed with you. She talks about you every time, so Mateo and I decided to make you guys meet.”

Kara smiled in gratitude.

The conversation went on as we ordered and I got to know more about Kara. She was a fun person but also very quiet. Sometimes she zoned out and I did notice some eye bags from under her eyes. But she still maintained beauty. The more I watched her, the more I noticed she looked like the woman in Jaxon’s picture.

Thoughts rushed through my mind. If she was one of them, why did she leave Jaxon? Why did she have a secret family? How was Mateo connected to her?

“This may be our last outing together,” Mateo announced, his words ripping through the dead silence.

I sat up and stared at him with curious eyes.

“What do you mean babe?” Annika asked, confusion swirling in her eyes.

Kara cleared her throat. “I'm relocating. I don't know where yet. I'm indecisive, but then I think I should change locations.”

“How long have you had this planned out?” Annika inquired. “I'm sorry I sound interrogative but I never expected that. It's all so sudden. Do you have to go?”

Mateo opened his mouth to answer but Kara answered just in time before he could say a word.

“I have businesses elsewhere so I have to move,” she explained.

Annika sighed deeply, sadness displayed over her face, “Just when I decided to make a friend. She's leaving.”

Mateo gave a small smile, “Kara and I are leaving together. But we'll be in touch with you all, always,” he assured.

I leaned back quietly as I listened to their conversation. Then it occurred to me. I should let Jaxon know Mateo lied. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and hid it under the table to text, otherwise, my sister would scold me for using my phone.

As quickly as I could I texted a multimedia message that said ‘he lied. We are together and Kara is leaving for another country.’ Then I attached a picture of us all and sent it to him.

I sucked in my breath when it was delivered and slipped my phone into my pocket. The moment I lifted my head, I caught my sister staring at me with suspicion in her eyes.