Chapter 5 Kiara's decision

• TEXAS, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA
• KJ BEAUTY EMPIRE: KIARA’S OFFICE
• “First thing first, you can’t say no to me.” Lila pointed out.
• “Spill it.” Kiara breathed out heavily.
• “In a bid to not wallow in self pity for getting fired at work, Daniel made a reservation at the biggest club in town so he asked me to bring my friends. And I do not have any friends except you. So you are hanging out with us at the club tonight.” Lila stated in excitement that one would doubt she had just lost a job.
• Kiara rubbed her temples gently. She hadn’t seen that coming if not she would have come up with a better topic to distract Lila. But at the same time, Kiara know that wouldn’t work on Lila who can get too persistent whenever she wants something to go her way.
• “You can’t say no...remember.” Lila rushed to sit next to her.
• This isn’t the first time Lila was asking her to hang out with she and Daniel. Ever since Kiara divorced Carlos Osvaldo, Lila had made it a point of duty to make her happy and all smiling again. Lila would always asked Kiara to go clubbing or have dinner but her response has always been a big No. Even dinner and dates with ladies from college, Kiara would say no.
• Why is that? Aside the fact that Kiara has to be at work every day, she would rather lay in bed and have a good rest from the day’s work and possibly dream about expanding her business.
• Kiara still cried herself to bed every time because of her failed marriage and she lives with no excitement in her life. Everything about her life now has a routine. Wake up at five in the morning, get dressed, have a simple breakfast, leave home to work at seven, do what’s necessary during the day and then head back home at 7:00 p.m. She makes sure that she doesn’t keep late night because she is still paranoid that Carlos might show up out of nowhere to hurt her again. She had installed extra security at her house and always make sure to keep her windows and doors locked before going to bed.
• But that doesn’t guarantee the safety within herself. The time spent with Carlos Osvaldo still haunts her in her dream. She hasn’t stopped seeing Carlos showing up in her sleep with those devious grin and ready to pounce on her. That last night especially has become a nightmare to her.
• “Come on Kiara, you should spend some time out today! Crawl out of that shell of loneliness and have some fun please.” Lila’s voice pleaded with her. “Try to loosen up a bit...at least for me. I will be able to get over my situation if you come with me.” She pouted.
• “Lila—“
• “You can’t say no!” Lila cuts in. She was pretty determined today to make Kiara say yes.
• Unknowingly to Lila, Kiara was simply hiding from the world because of her past with the Osvaldos. She was still scarred and broken and haven’t gotten over what she went through in her previous marriage. Her therapy session was going well though and she was trying so hard to be better.
• Kiara had shut herself out of association completely, she has vowed to never have anything to do with marriage again and she has embraced loneliness. She has taken solitude and solace in herself alone. The marriage with Carlos Osvaldo had left a void in her heart that can never be filled.
• “I don’t have anything to wear to club.” She said, hoping that would discourage her best friend.
• “I came prepared. I went shopping before driving down here.” Lila grinned widely. She had expected that Kiara would make up all sort of excuses to ditch her this time.
• “Listen, I have planned tonight so well and you must come with me.” Lila coaxed.
• One long look at Lila, Kiara knew she would end up crying and would never talk to her again if she turned her down and she doesn’t want that to happen. Kiara values her friendship with Lila more than anything in the world.
• “It’s not bad to have fun. You are still so beautiful and with some touch of make up, you would be able to cause traffic at the highway and turn heads at the club.” Lila pressured her. She has no plans of letting Kiara off this time.
• “Okay. Fine...” Kiara said.
• “You are coming right?” Lila bit on her lower lip. She wanted to be sure she heard her best friend correctly.
• “Yes.” Kiara agreed.
• Lila cheered in excitement. “Yes! Yes! I love you best friend!” She kissed her hands.
• “So what did you get for me?” Kiara eyed her suspiciously. She could already picture what sort of dress Lila got for her.
• “Trust me to always buy right. You can’t change your mind after seeing the outfit.” Lila pointed a finger at her.
• “Stop being dramatic. I already agreed to come along.”
• Lila smiled deviously and Kiara could easily picture what was going on in her head.
• “No hookups!” Kiara pointed out.
• Lila giggled. “What do you take me for? I have no plans of hooking you up with anyone. But God in Heaven might have other plans for you because it has been so long since you got laid!” She huffed.
• Kiara shot her a glare. “I don’t have any interest in having sex with any man.”
• Lila tweaked her nose. “So you have plans to celibate till your dying days?”
• Kiara shrugged. “I would rather not think about it at all.” She stood up and went back to her desk.
• “Seriously?” Lila followed behind her. “You won’t even consider it one bit?”
• “No.”
• “Did you just get a sex toy without me knowing? A big dildo? Does it gives enough satisfaction for you to give up on a cock?” Lila teased her intentionally. She knew exactly why her best friend doesn’t want to be involved with men again. She doesn’t want to get hurt again. The thought of going through marriage again with another man scares Kiara more than death itself.
• “I don’t own any sex toys. And I have no plans of getting one. Lila, I just want to be alone.” She settled back on the swivel chair.
• “I guess it’s time for me to take my leave.” Lila picked up her hand bag on the desk.
• “Don’t get me wrong, Lila. I am not saying you should leave.”
• Lila smiled. “I know. My mission has been accomplished so I should take my leave.” She winked.
• “Alright.”
• “I’ll ask Jessica to bring in your outfit. Make sure wear it or else I’ll be pissed at you.” Lila said with a serious look on her face.
• “Noted ma’am.” Kiara did a salute to her.
• “I’ll come pick you up by 9pm.” And with that, she turned away and walked out of the office.
• Kiara heaved a sigh of relief. Lila could be such a talker and have a habit of getting whatever she wants or set her mind on but she is also nice and adorable.