Part 18
944 Words
“ Where did you move from? “
“ Chicago “
Taky and Mirza exchange an indecipherable glance. A flicker of suspicion appears in Taky’s eyes. “ Why did you move? “
“ Um… my parents were killed in a car accident “
“ An accident? My sincere apologies for your loss “
“ It was a long time ago. I’m sorry. What does this have to do with opening a bank account? I’m not trying to be rude. I’m just exhausted “
“ Shopping does that to you “
“ I’d say Mirza does that as well “
“ Very funny. Get a move on, Taky “
“ All right, all right. Miss Zemira, was it? I’ll work my magic and open the account without your social security number “
“ Thank you “
“ Thanks, Taky. See you Sunday “
“ Don’t forget the time, or your pops will throw a fit. Bye, Kirania. Hope to see you again “
“ Um.. I hope I see you again, too “ Kirania smile at Taky. He returns her smile.
“ Come on, Kirania. We gotta get back to school “
Safely ensconced back in the Escalade, she has quiet for a few minutes. But there’s something on her mind.
“ Mirza, something isn’t adding up for me “
“ What is it, Kirania? “
“ Well. A few days ago, you were basically telling me that I was the cockroach beneath your shoe. And now, you’re taking me shopping? It doesn’t make any sense. None of this does “
“ Yeah, well. Life rarely does. And just because I’m being nice doesn’t mean you can stop following the rules “
“ I’m so sick of the rules! Any time I ask you a question you don’t want to answer, you bring up the rules “
“ The rules are your answer. The Elect exists because of them. I am here because of them. “
She sighs, wondering how to articulate her concerns better.
“ I just want to give a choice “
“ Any choice you had was gone the minute your gramps dropped you off at Elite “
“ Oh God, why are you so cryptic? “
“ Take a wild guess “
“ Uh, you’re.. the president’s dirty little secret? “
“ Not the president’s, and not so little “
“ So it is a secret? “
“ I may be cryptic, but you are nosy, Kirania “
“ I have to be! You don’t tell me anything “
“ I tell you plenty of things “
“ Like what? “
“ How much I like you “
She blushes, even though she knows what he’s doing. “ Mirza, stop changing the subject “
“ I will, if you kiss me again “ she gape at him in shock.
“ I don’t think we should “
” Your choice, Kirania “
She shifts away from Mirza, disappointed in herself. “ Look, it’s for the best that we don’t continue this. I hate getting close to people. And I’m usually nauseous when people touch me. It’s been that way since I was young “
“ You’re touch-phobic? “
“ Hence, the no-touching rule “
“ But not with me “
“ The one exception to my rule “
A second later, her drive knocks on the shield separating the backseat from the front seat.
“ Boss. We’re almost there “
“ Where? “
Mirza smiles, his eyes suddenly going cold. “ To handle Dito. It’s payback time “
***
Mirza tells her that she has about to go handle Dito for drugging her, the night of the Elect party.
“ What do you mean, handle? I thought you knew about it. I thought we moved on “
“ And I thought I made it clear that I didn't know. About what Dito did. Did you really think I am such an ass that I would drug you and set you up to look like the school slut? “
“ Well… I thought it was punishment for breaking the rules “
“ And I was upset, Kirania! But I would never throw you to the wolves that way. You have to believe me “
***
Mirza shakes his head in frustration. A second later, she arrives outside Elite. But instead of heading to the dorms, she drives across campus. A moment later, a dark, abandoned warehouse appears outside the Escalade windows.
What on earth?
Mirza leads her into the abandoned warehouse, just as the lights flicker on. Kevin waits at the center of the room, with Vidi sitting on the chair, tied up and shirtless.
“ Mirza… where is Dito? “
“ All in good time, Kirania. Patience “ Mirza nods at Kevin
“ Vidi. Do you know why we’re here? “ Vidi nods, eyes flickering to hers and then back to Mirza’s
“ Words, Vidi. I need you to use the words “
“ Yes “
“ Kirania, do you have any questions for Vidi before we get started? “
“ Who paid you to do this to me? “ Vidi swallows, avoiding meeting her eyes
“ Dito. He said Mirza wanted this “ Mirza gazes at Dito with stone-cold fury
“ Kevin. I think it’s time “
- Writer
