Perfect Villain (Dark Lies Duet 1)

Her cat is at the bottom, hissing at me as he did earlier, but when I get closer, it backs away. I round the corner, stopping in front of the console table that houses the pictures. I stare at the image of her and Kyla, my blood boiling again when I remember the deceit from the two people who are supposed to care for her. I guess I was right after all. A girl like Kyla always has something to hide.

A car door slams from outside, and it sounds close. A second later, Kyla’s voice travels inside, and I decide to push it all away. The time will come when I deal with her, but for now, I’ll let it be. I make haste and use the pen and receipt to scribble a note, tuck it under the picture frame, and bolt toward the back door. I make it out as Kyla swings open the front door and turns on the lights. I watch her remove her shoes and carry them into the kitchen. All it would take is a few measly seconds to end her right now and make her pay for ever betraying my topolina.

10

SIN

Is it possible to be addicted to a person? I’m sitting at the kitchen nook, staring down at my phone with a stupid smile on my lips that won’t go away.

I’m sure I look insane, smiling at nothing, but it’s not nothing. It’s someone. He messages me every morning and night. He takes the time to ask me how I’m doing throughout the day, and even though I know it’s harmless and we’re just friends, I also know it could be more. A part of me wishes for it to be more, but with Taj still in the picture, it can’t happen.

The front door creaks as it opens, and I try to wipe the smile from my face before Kyla comes walking into the kitchen, but that’s impossible when another text from Christian comes through a second later.

Christian: We’re going to cash in that rain check soon, so I can take you on a proper date.

I smirk, the heavy feeling in my lungs lifts when I talk to him, and I can’t help but type out a sassy reply. It’s a feeble attempt at flirting, but I try.

Me: Or what?

I look up right as Kyla comes walking into the kitchen, heading straight for the fridge. Her chest is heaving, and beads of sweat trail down her face.

Christian: You have no idea the lengths I’ll go to get what I want, sweetheart. Don’t tempt me.

The mere idea of seeing him lose control… it makes me shiver. I feel that there is so much more to the mysterious Christian than what meets the eye, and I want to crack him open and discover all his secrets.

“Who’s got you smiling?” Kyla interrupts my thoughts.

My cheeks heat, and I stumble over my words for a moment. “I’m… I’m not smiling.”

Kyla rolls her eyes and twists the cap off the water, taking a couple of gulps from the bottle before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “You mean to tell me your lips being curved up at the sides isn’t smiling? Next, you’re going to tell me you aren’t happy when anyone from a mile away could see the puppy dog look in your eyes.”

Shit, do I really look that happy?

“Jeez, when did it become a crime to be happy?”

“It’s not a crime, but then again, I’ve never seen you smile like you are right now.”

I want to tell her it has everything to do with Christian but decide not to. Something tells me she wouldn’t approve of us texting like we are.

“Well, nothing’s going on. I’m just happy.”

“Did you and Taj finally work things out?”

I nod, and my phone pings with an incoming text from Christian that I ignore. “Things are fine with us. I mean, they could be better, but we aren’t fighting anymore, and he apologized.” I shrug, and Kyla downs the rest of her water.

She leans against the counter. “So, he apologized and is off the hook? The way it sounded, you were really upset. Is something else going on? I’m your best friend. You can tell me anything, Siân.”

I should lean on Kyla more and vent to her, but lately, I’ve felt like she doesn’t hear me, no matter what I say to her. Then again, maybe I’m just projecting those thoughts on myself. She’s my best friend, and she’s always been here for me.

“Honestly, he’s just been different, and we don’t see eye to eye on things anymore. I feel us growing apart, and I’m not sure how to stop it.” I frown.

“Well, there isn’t anything you can do if you don’t love each other anymore.”

“Neither of us ever said we didn’t love each other, just that…”