How does it feel like being broke?

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

I walked into the mall with Chloe as we talked about today’s practice. It really did feel like old times.

Emily was so out of shape. it was so embarrassing. I pitied her.

Apparently, she was too stubborn to keep listening to Chloe, so she trained all by herself.

I can tell we all think whatever she was doing was whack because she was not getting any better, only fatter.

Today, Chloe and I were trying out a new luxury store. I was going to use this opportunity of mom and dad not being around to go on a mini shopping spree. I couldn’t go shopping for awhile because I didn’t want to see the look in dad’s eyes when I drag up my luxury bags upstairs.

When we walked in, the sales lady quickly approached us.

“I think you entered the wrong shop. The things here are quite expensive. I know a good place for some replicas though. I can…”

“That bag just came on the market three days ago. It’ll totally go with your black low cuts.”

I ignore the sales girl and say to Chloe.

This was a method they always used to try to get people to buy more things just to prove them wrong. This was such a poor strategy because although it might work for a first time customer it’s bad for customer retention and returns.

“Omg, yes. It’s totally my style. I’ll have it.” Chloe says and hops off and I follow her as we buy heels, clothes and jewelry. Piling them on the sales girls arms. I might have also been getting extra stuff just so she suffers. I didn’t care about the extra money.

Our shopping sprees were crazy.

And dad had extended my limit on my card because they were traveling. Hence, the impulse to shop. I collect don savarin shoes and boots and continue to pile them on the sales girl’s tired arm. I could see the distaste and envy behind her eyes but she kept a tight smile on.

She was unnecessarily rude when we came in.

I see a smaller pair of boots and get Kirk and I a matching pair.

He’d love it. I planned to surprise him with it when I picked him up today.

“So how are you and Tyler?” I asked Chloe.

“I don’t want to talk about him.” She groans.

“Waoh girlie, how many chapters did I miss? Last time you wouldn’t even shut up about him and now you don’t want to hear his name?” I asked with a frown, half worried and half teasing.

“Emily keeps trying to get in between us and he is letting her do it so easily, but when I mention it he acts like I’m the problem. Can you believe he picked Emily up for class this morning just because I said I didn’t want to come over last night? I was dog tired from all those classes. Besides we are not dating. So why should I give him my sleep or rest time?”

“I think he’s only using Emily to try to make you jealous and it’s clearly working. You should make him know you’re not an option and that you have other people in your life too.” I say to her, throwing a purse onto the sales girl and she scrambles to catch it.

“Well, that’s the thing. I cut ties with all the guys for him.”

“Chloe! That’s a bit too much from you. I can’t believe he’s doing this after what you’ve done for him. Get someone new and maybe you might end up liking them instead."

“I can’t get over him. I've tried it already. It’s so annoying and frustrating.”

She says as the sales girl rings our stuff. Chloe pays for hers and I hand over my card next, still talking to Chloe.

“Umm, your card, declined.” She says, but that sentence had never been directed at me before, so I didn’t realize she was talking to me.

“Your card has been declined, miss.” She said a bit too loudly and I heard the other workers whispering and giggling all over the mall too.

I think she's just taking out her jealousy on me and prepare to make her regret this moment for the rest of her life but i looked at the machine to see that t was actually true.

I called mom but the call didn’t go through. I check my network. It's not my network either.

"Try this." I offered her my other cards but it's still the same thing.

“Miss, if you don’t have the money, just place the stuff back and stop wasting my time.” The worker says and I try not to get angry at her.

I have never been so humiliated in my life because of money.

I called dad but it didn’t go through.

What the hell is going on ? Something is just not right.

“Um… is everything ok? I can pay for you and you’d just return it later.” Chloe says, giving me a concerned look.

But my brain can’t fully process what she’s saying.

My phone rings and I pick it up immediately.

“Hello, Daddy there’s..” I begin but an unexpected voice scoffs. I pull the phone back and look at the screen.

The name Kieran Castles stares back at my wide eyes because I instantly realized that Kieran was not done with me. It was stupid of me to just think he’d let me go. He has definitely been bidding his time. I closed my eyes and did a quick breathing exercise

It was not a coincidence that my parents were out of the country, my cards weren't working and Kieran called me right after they declined.

"What do you want from me?" I say calmly trying to not let my teeth chatter in fear. How does he have access to my finances ? How is he able to cut cut connections to my parents and know exactly what I’d do and that I was calling them at this time?

I might have underestimated Kieran.

" How does it feel like being broke? Are you enjoying the experience? Is it humiliating not being able to afford your luxury shit? " he taunts.

"What did you do to my accounts?"

"Just a little something here and there.” he says like i'm asking about his stupid basketball practise

"Kieran, that's going too far!" I grip the phone tighter.

"But throwing my drive away and ruining a business proposal, isn't ?"

"Restore my accounts or I'll tell dad and mom and your parents."

"You might but the message would never get to them. I'd just intercept it."

I hung up the phone. I knew he wasn't joking. Kieran doesn't make jokes. He states facts.

I bid Chloe a quick farewell before getting into my car and driving off nearly hitting the SUV that was trying to get into our parking space.

I hear the driver curse loudly before rolling up my windows.

I was going to make him hand it over. I don't know how he got that information on me.

I don't know how he managed to get control of my communication with my parents, but he wasn't going to win.

I'll end him before it even begins.

"Wait, Liya. What's wrong? " Chloe calls but, I don't have the time right now. I'm currently boiling with anger and simmering with the need to chop Kieran's head off.

It is unhealthy to think like that, but I just can't help it.

The drive to Kieran’s is nothing along the line of safe but I’m clouded and fuming with anger to care. It’s a miracle I get there with all my limbs intact and no scratch on the car.

Well, except when I hit the curb on his drive way. I ran to their house and pushed the door open. It was unlocked as I headed inside, calling Kieran's name.

"Kieran, come out and answer me you asshole."

I yelled, but there was no reply. I'm about to leave and come back later.

It seemed he was not making any plans to come out and i didn't want to search the empty house.

It was disrespectful to Aunt Stella and Uncle.

I turned back, going the way I came. I open the door and I’m about to slam it shut hoping Kieran gets scolded for any damage when a hand grabs me by the hair, dragging me back into the dark living room.

I let out a scream

"Kieran, this is not funny. You're sick in the head."

He only laughs.

"Your vocabulary is very limited, princess. You've thrown the same words at me over and over again. It’s quite boring, just like you.”

He's voice was deeper and more gruff than i remember.

It was more bitter and wicked with promises of hell.

It was too much to bear and fear siezed my throat spreading goosebumps and stiffening my spine.