Agatha's eyes widened in shock. "You know?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "You... you..." She stuttered, rendered speechless.
Kia's expression remained flat. "I caught them together in Sabin," she explained, her tone dull and lifeless.
Agatha's brow furrowed. "Sabin?" she repeated, as if trying to recall something. "Isn't that your condo in Country C?" she asked carefully.
Kia's silence was palpable. Agatha's gaze lingered on her friend, and as the silence stretched, her expression transformed from concern to outrage.
"What an imbecile!" Agatha burst out, her fury evident. "How dare he?"
"Pei!" Agatha cursed, her voice laced with venom. "If I could materialize right in front of him, I'd beat him to a pulp." Her words dripped with aggression, but as her gaze returned to Kia, reality struck. Calming down, Agatha paused, attempting to compose herself. "Kia, I'm really sorry," she said softly.
Kia's response was unexpected. "Hmm, let's do this: let's meet up tomorrow."
Agatha agreed, adding a condition. "Mm, let's do that, but on one condition: we're going to have fun. And if it's about Zaka, we'll go find him and teach him a lesson." A sly grin spread across her face. "Speaking of which, bring your pretty boy along."
Kia frowned. "What pretty boy?"
Agatha chuckled. "Your little bodyguard, of course."
Kia feigned ignorance, though she knew exactly who Agatha meant. For now, she didn't want to talk to him, face him, or even have his company.
"Which bodyguard are you referring to?" Kia asked, her innocence feigned.
Agatha's voice dripped with annoyance. "Don't play dumb, Kia. I mean Daniel, of course. He's the only handsome, charming one who shouldn't be wasting his time as your bodyguard. Bring him over."
Kia's gaze shifted, evading Agatha's piercing stare. She scratched the back of her ear, stalling. "Uh, Agatha, that wouldn't be a good idea."
Agatha's tone turned incredulous. "Why not? Don't tell me you've fired him?" The threat lingered in her words.
Kia hastily intervened, urgency lacing her voice. "Actually, Gath, let's talk about this tomorrow, okay? Good night, sweet dreams."
She waved hastily and made a swift exit, cutting off Agatha's impending interrogation.
Agatha stared at the blank screen, speechless. "What the...?"
Saturday morning dawned bright and beautiful, filling the city with soft sunlight and sweet bird songs. After a refreshing lavender and vanilla bath, Kia got ready, wearing a pastel pink top, distressed denim jeans, and crisp white sneakers, with her hair styled in a relaxed ponytail.
As she descended the stairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, baked croissants, fondue baked eggs, and bouquine omelets wafted from the dining room. Her parents sipped coffee, and her mother called out, "Kia, come over for breakfast."
Dave burst in, sweaty from his jog. "Heyo!" Kia exclaimed, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
Dave teased, "What's with the creepy smile?"
Kia replied, laughing, "You're stinking, go shower!"
Dave chuckled, "Later, I'm starving."
They joined their parents, exchanging cheerful morning greetings amidst the lively breakfast atmosphere.
After breakfast, Kia bid her parents goodbye and rushed out, ignoring the limousine and bodyguards. She hopped into Dave's red sports car and drove towards the gate. The gate man trembled, opening the gate after one cold glare.
As she drove out, guards scrambled to follow. Inside, the family heard the commotion.
A bodyguard reported, "Sir, young miss left without security." Mr. Wilson waved him away, instructing, "Inform Daniel; he'll handle it."
Dave asked, amused, "You trust Daniel that much?"
Mr. Wilson smiled. "Daniel effectively manages Kia's spirited nature, which most bodyguards struggle to keep up with. He thinks on his feet."
Dave raised an eyebrow. "Isn't a bodyguard with no rules dangerous?"
Mr. Wilson leaned in, his voice low. "Daniel owes me his life; I helped release him from prison. He'll never betray me."
Dave nodded, understanding. "So, he's loyal."
Mr. Wilson nodded. "And grateful."
With that, breakfast continued, the tension momentarily dissipated.
As the car glided smoothly along the murram road, Kia's head bobbed to the loud music. The winding road unwound before her, leading her to Agatha's apartment building. Minutes later, she stepped out, exuding effortless cool as she chewed gum.
Her demeanor was a stark contrast to the previous day's despair. With confident strides, Kia approached Agatha's apartment and rang the bell.
Agatha opened the door, disheveled and groggy, with dark circles under her eyes. She yawned, blinking away sleep. Seeing Kia's radiant smile, her jaw dropped.
"Kia?" Agatha asked, squinting to ensure it was really her friend.
Kia winked mischievously.
"The heck..." Agatha trailed off.
"Let me in, Gath," Kia said, pushing Agatha aside and entering.
Agatha's confusion lingered, but she closed the door and followed Kia into the living room. Kia lounged on the couch, eyes fixed on her phone.
"Hurry up, girl, we have lots to catch up on," Kia said, standing up and heading to the kitchen, still engrossed in her phone.
Agatha nodded, her eyes welling up with joyful tears, like a proud mother witnessing her daughter's growth.
Yesterday, Kia had been in tears, on the verge of a breakdown. Now, she glowed as if betrayal was a distant memory.
Agatha sniffled, dramatic tears streaming down her face. What a relief, she thought, heading to her room.
Once Agatha finished dressing up, she and Kia set off for a long day. As they drove, the loud music filled the car.
"Did Damien Vitz propose to you?" Agatha yelled to ensure Kia heard her.
Kia yelled back, "Ha... why?"
Instead of answering, Agatha asked another question, "Have you gotten over Zack?"
Kia rolled her eyes under her dark shades. "He's an ass. There are many pretty men in this world. Why should I hang on to one? Should I kill myself and waste my life just because some trash cheated on me with a green tea?" she said nonchalantly.
Kia smiled mischievously. "Do you remember our F.F rules, rule 9?"
In unison, they recited, "Men are like flowers that sway with the wind, they're to be pretty and satisfy us, else they're rotten garbage."
Kia grinned. "Since Zack is useless, I'll get another."
Agatha's eyes widened. "What?"
"I'll get a handsome hot guy who knows how to fulfill my commands," Kia said dreamily.
"Then, Zack...?" Agatha asked carefully.
Kia put on a playful face. "Of course, I can't let him go unpunished."
Agatha wondered, "Then...?"
"I'm going to seduce him," Kia said with an evil smile.
Agatha nearly spat out blood. "What?!"
The car sped off, and they headed to the mall for shopping, grabbing designer clothes that caught their eye.
Over lunch at a renowned restaurant, they reserved a VIP suite with a stunning view of City L's landscape.
As they dined, Agatha suddenly sprayed out the water she was drinking. "What the heck, Kia, a harem? What do you need a harem for?" she yelled, her eyes bulging in surprise.
Realizing the attention they'd drawn, Agatha apologized immediately.