Page 22 of Divine Obsession

She waved it off, flipping her hair out of her way, which was back to curly. “How did try-outs go?”

I smiled proudly, pulling the pompoms out of my pink, athletic bag. “You’re looking at Columbia’s new cheerleading vice-captain!”

“Yes, girl!” She squealed, slapping the table, before jumping on me to give me a hug. “Now we’re celebrating tonight!”

“Ugh, I don’t know.” I took a deep breath as she returned to her seat opposite me. “Dad doesn’t like me being out late.”

“Dad?” She raised an eyebrow, sipping from her drink.

“What? He is.”

“Right.Technically. Biologically.” She twisted her face, raising a shoulder. “Morally?Eh…”

“He’s trying,” I responded, biting into my raspberry pastry. He’d already accepted me into his life and family, took care of me financially, gotten the Columbia headmistress to accept me mid-academic-year into their most elite program, and paid off my tuition. He was also doing me a huge personal favor by filling the NYPD’s pockets so they’d prioritize the search for Maria.

It’d been almost two months since her disappearance. Everyone told me there was no hope, but I wasn’t giving up. It couldn’t be real.It. Just. Couldn’t.

This wouldn’t be the first time she’d left with no warning. But I thought we were past that. The last time something like this happened, we were in grade school, and she’d promised to never do it again.

She was out there. I knew she was. I could feel her twin flame burning in synchronism with my own.

In other matters, all my debt was paid.

I lived in a multi-million penthouse on the Upper East Side with a wardrobe full of designer clothes.

I had a wallet filled with hundred-dollar bills.

My name carried power I hadn’t ever tasted before.

And I never had to worry about ending up at the bottom again.

There was no chance in hell I was going back.

And Kali knew it.

Something elusive passed through her doe eyes. “Just be careful, okay?”

I smiled, frowning slightly. “Of course.”

“And call me anytime, anywhere if you ever need anything.”

“Yes–”

“Anything.” She pressed, taking hold of my hand.

“Yes, yes, I know.” I laughed and changed the subject. “You mentioned something about celebrating?”

Kali brightened up and her whole body language changed. She raised a brow, smirking.

“I know that look. I’m scared.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Oh, my God…” I laughed, running my hands down my face.

“Do you trust me?” She asked me again, laughing too.

“No,” I giggled.

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