Chapter 6 The Weather’s Been Acting Strange.
Finished
Over the next several days, Kiara worked like an ant hauling crumbs–buying furniture piece by piece and setting it up in her new Skyhaven condo.
She would be holed up here for at least two years, and she saw no reason not to make herself comfortable.
Watching the place slowly fill with life gave her a quiet sense of satisfaction, though an odd feeling nagged at her–like she’d forgotten something important.
She tried to recall what it was but drew a blank, so she brushed it aside.
Once the last piece was in place, she moved in without hesitation.
In her last life, when she’d moved here with Hugh and Yara, the world had already fallen into chaos, and this building was under Travis’s control.
Not this time. She’d make sure Travis never had it so easy again.
She didn’t tell a soul she’d moved. For days she kept to herself, splitting her time between deep–cleaning the place and working the heavy bag in the gym–unaware that Hugh and Yara were lurking near her old condominium complex, waiting for her to show up.
While tidying up, Kiara stepped out onto the rooftop terrace. The open space stretched before her, and then it hit her–she smacked her forehead.
Of course. Solar panels!
She had plenty stored away, but she’d completely forgotten she could use the rooftop to install them.
With millions still sitting in her account, she didn’t hesitate. She headed straight to the mall to schedule two large panels for
installation
The technicians arrived that afternoon. After greeting her, they got right to work
Kiara brought them each a cold bottle of water. One of them twisted off the cap, took a long drink, and then wiped the sweat from his brow
“Man, the weather’s been weird this year,” he said. “It’s only June, and we’re already hitting over a hundred degrees during the day.
“Tell me about it,” the other replied. “Last year it didn’t start getting hot until now. This summer’s brutal.”
Kiara listened while silently calculating
It was late June. Less than a week until the Joplor volcano erupted.
Knock Knock! Knock!
Someone was knocking on the door.
The sound pulled her back.
She headed downstairs and opened the door–only for Travis to grab the frame and lean in, his gaze immediately dropping to her chest.
He reeked of greasy smoke, and every word out of his mouth carried a sour wave of had breath.
“Cinun, sweetheart, he drawled, “three deadbolts? Skyhaven’s a high–end complex. Nobody’s breaking in here.”
Ever since Kiara moved in, he’d had his eye on
A tall, slim, single to get ever
her
woman who’d once publicly embarrassed him–Travis had a petty streak and had been waiting for a chance
“Really?” Kiara’s smile was ice. “Then what’s standing at my door–human or animal?”
A–DRAM P P
Chapter 6 The Weather’s Been Acting Strange
His expression darkened instantly. “Watch your mouth, bitch. You think I won’t put you in your place?”
He shoved the door and swung for her face, but Kiara slipped aside and drove her foot hard into his knee.
With a thud, he dropped to the floor.
Already humiliated by her once before. Travis saw red. He lunged for her pant leg “You-
Kiara didn’t give him the chance. She kicked him square in the face. “Get lost.”
Finished
Travis reeled from the blow, his head spinning. By the time he got his bearings, warm blood was already dripping from his
nose.
That’s when it sank in–Kiara wasn’t like the delicate, soft–spoken women he’d bullied before. This one was dangerous, and she didn’t waste words.
He’d shown up today looking to case the place, but after taking another beating from her, calling the cops never crossed his mind. With a thin veneer of bravado, he spat out a couple of insults before scrambling to his feet. He retreated across the hall, slamming his door–still shouting a few choice words from behind it.
Kiara, having come out on top, didn’t give the incident another thought. The world was ending soon enough; she could let him strut around for a few more days.
The technicians had heard the cursing coming from downstairs but didn’t comment. They just worked faster, finished the job, and stepped back for her inspection. Kiara gave the setup a once–over, nodded in approval, and paid the balance.
Once they left, she took a long shower, changed into fresh clothes, and strolled out the door in her unassuming Beetle. Sibley had flown into Zloria that afternoon. After finishing the paperwork for her new job, she called to invite Kiara to dinner. When Kiara arrived at the restaurant, Sibley spotted her first and waved. “Over here!”
Kiara’s stride was quick and sure as she crossed the room, sweeping Sibley into a warm hug.
For Sibley, it had only been two months since they last met. But for Kiara, the gulf between them felt like life and death. Sibley was petite and pale–skinned, with the gentle air of someone who’d grown up around books, Kiara’s unexpected burst of affection made her blush; she tugged lightly at Kiara’s sleeve. “Kiara…” Kiara had never been one for public displays of emotion, and Sibley wasn’t sure what to make of it.
Did Milo do something?
That lowlife!
Her eyes flashed with anger at the thought.
Kiara cleared her throat, realizing she might’ve just cemented Milo’s bad reputation without meaning to. She didn’t bother explaining.
Whether or not he’d ever cheated, she didn’t know–but she did know he was petty:
Even now, she could still feel the faint ache in her shin from the two kicks he’d landed.
From what she remembered, Milo was still trekking across the Wririe’s Clacier right now. That meant he wouldn’t have time to stir up trouble–yet
She gestured to the waiter. “Let’s get the food started”
After dinner, they walked to the parking garage–where Kiara saw someone she hadn’t expected.
A man in camouflage and hiking boots swung open the door of a Hummer. Long legs slid inside; the door shut, and seconds later he drove away.
He was gone, but questions lingered.
If she wasn’t mistaken, that was Alec.
4.05 App.
Chapter 6 The Weather’s Been Acting Strange
Finished
it hat is he doing here?
Kiara had been lost in thought when Sibley gave her arm a light tug, snapping her back to the present.
Sibley studied her curiously. “What were you looking at?”
Kiara shook her head. “Nothing. Hey–your office is close to your place, right?”
“Yeah.” Sibley’s smile brightened. “About 20 minutes by car. Now I can stay at home instead of paying rent somewhere else.”
Good. Living with family would cut down the risks.
Kiara felt a small measure of relief. She repeated to Sibley the same advice she’d given James about stocking up on supplies. Cautious as always, Sibley nodded firmly. “Alright. I’ll have my mom start stocking up over the next couple of days.”
They said their goodbyes, and before she’d even taken ten steps, Sibley had her phone out, calling her mother.
Kiara watched her friend’s retreating figure with a faint smile, hoping that this time, both of them would make it through the coming storm.
