THE FIRST MEETING

KIARA’S POV

Exhaling deeply, I threw the brown paper bag on my bed. I was about to hop into the bathroom when my phone rang.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the caller Id. The phone almost slipped out of my hand as I tried to pick it up in a haste.

My voice shook slightly as I rasped, “Hello.”

“Honey… what took you so long to pick up my call?”

I licked my dry lips and stuttered, “I…I… was walking… I didn’t realize that…”

“Next time, I expect you to answer at the first ring, is that clear?”

I nodded but then I realized she couldn’t see me. So, I rasped, “Yes.”

The delay in response seemed to have infuriated her further. Her clipped voice rang in my ears. “Go to the Espanol Café right now.”

“Right now? Can I take a shower first?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“If you don’t reach there in five minutes, you will have to face the consequences.”

I picked up the bag and locked the door while she gave me instructions. She wanted me to get noticed by Alpha Kevin.

Exhaling deeply, I trotted to the café. Thankfully, it was just a few blocks away and I managed to reach there on time.

My phone beeped with a message, ‘Good Job. Now go and charm him with your looks.”

I rolled my eyes. How the hell did she expect me to do that? She didn’t even give me a chance to shower.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the glass door as I walked inside the café. Though my hair was slightly messy and the makeup had worn out, I did look quite enchanting.

People stopped their work and gazed at me as I walked to the air-conditioned section. I could sense admiration in their gaze.

I halted my steps as I spotted Kevin through the glass door. My heart fluttered and my stomach churned with a funny sensation.

He was even more handsome in person; sharp jawline, eyebrows arched by the right proportion. His hazel, brown eyes sparkled with a kind of honesty that could hold anyone captive.

“Miss, you are blocking the way.” The waiter’s voice sounded behind my back drawing my attention away from Kevin.

Damn! Why did Ariana have to target Kevin? Drawing in a deep breath, I blinked away the tears that had welled my eyes.

“Will you move?” The waiter’s irritated voice sounded again. He must have already asked me to move several times. Flustered, I stepped quickly to the side but as he was about to enter the other room, I stuck out my leg.

He stumbled, swayed from one side to the other. He couldn’t grab anything for support as both of his hands were occupied.

“Miss, please help him.” Someone shouted. I raised my eyebrows and pushed him lightly.

He fell flat on the ground with a loud crash. The plates in his hands shattered and the sauce splattered across the floor.

I laughed loudly and walked past him, crushing a saucer that had managed to remain intact.

“Why the hell did you do that?” Risha said, jumping to her feet. Hatred and fury were written all over her face. Her fists were clenched and her jaws were taut.

I expected her to attack me as she usually did at school but she didn’t. Probably because she was with her brother.

Risha was still glaring at me, waiting for a reply. I just raised my shoulder and said, “He was rude to me back there. So, I just taught him a teeny-weeny lesson.”

Then I turned away from her and proceeded towards an empty table. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Kevin and Risha help the waiter stand up.

I was so distracted looking at them that I miscalculated a step. My feet twisted and I stumbled. A scream escaped my mouth and my eyes closed reflexively.

I had expected to fall but a strong pair of arms grabbed and steadied me. My breath hitched as I raised my eyes to look at my savior.

“Are you alright?” his deep, husky voice made my heart flutter. His mesmerizing eyes held me captive and everything blurred in the background. The erratic thudding of my heart against my ribs drowned all the other noises. My lips parted and I leaned forward hypnotized by him.

“What were you trying to do b****!?” Risha shouted, dragging me away from Kevin.

My heart sank when I realized what I was about to do. I turned on my heels and walked away as fast as my legs would carry me.

F***! If Risha hadn’t stopped me on time, Kevin would have died. This couldn’t happen again. I should have better control over myself.

My heart twisted with guilt when I heard the manager’s booming voice. He was probably scolding the waiter for today’s mishap. I was tempted to go and apologize but I forced myself to walk away.

It was important that I hated myself as much as everyone did. It would remind me that I didn’t deserve anyone in my life. Only then could I save everyone else from me.

***

The next day…

I was seated at the table and was doing my homework when the bell rang. I really don’t know why I bothered about homework. Maybe because it helped me divert my mind from all the chaos in my life.

A knot formed in my stomach when I saw Ariana at the door. What did she want from me now?

She shut the door quickly and sauntered to my bedroom. I trudged behind her quietly, trying to prepare myself for whatever she was about to dole out to me.

She handed one of the shopping bags to me and stated, “Shower and  get dressed.”

I raised my head and looked at her questioningly. When she didn’t say anything, I walked into the bathroom quietly. Asking her questions was like stirring up a hornet’s hive.

A gasp escaped my mouth when I pulled out the dress. I ran my hand over the soft fabric of the black dress. The work on it was exquisite.

Tiny diamonds dazzled in the center of each flower that was embroidered into the lacy fabric. It looked too pretty to wear.

“Thirty… twenty-nine… twenty-eight…” Ariana’s voice sounded in the hall as she started the countdown.

F***! I had forgotten that she had given me five minutes to get ready. I pulled over the dress hastily and stepped out of the bathroom.

Her lips stretched in an appreciative smile on seeing me. if it wasn’t for the evil glint in her eyes, I would have thought she was really happy to see me well dressed.

She fussed over me for quite some time; doing my makeup, hairdo and making me wear jewelry.

My heartbeat accelerated with every passing minute. One thing was sure, she wanted to take me somewhere outside.

“This scent will create an illusion in Kevin’s mind that you are his mate.” She said, spraying something from a glass bottle all over my dress.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard this. She wanted Kevin to believe that I was his mate but why?

“What if he sees through the illusion?”

“Then, your parents will pay the price.” She said thrusting the bottle of liquid into my hands.

Exhaling deeply, I put it in my purse and wore my heels. I would have to think of a way to make the scent lose its effect.

She drove me to the location herself. So, I never got an opportunity. I would have to spill a drink on something at the party later in the party. Then, I could shower and change my clothes without her suspecting anything.