43. Theá
Chapter forty-three
Theá
W e eventually get through customs, and when we do, I’m exhausted. Not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. Finding everything out while on the flight, trapped with my brother, was the worst way I could’ve been told. Throw in Noelle’s moods, and I was ready to jump without a parachute just with the hopes of escaping it all.
“What’s your big plan now, dearest brother?” Noelle asks sarcastically as she crosses her arms across her chest.
We’re all exhausted as I notice the bags that have deepened under Pierre’s eyes. He must be bottling up a lot of stress, and I can only imagine the millions of things he needs to coordinate right now. In all honesty, I’m surprised we even got as far as we have. I was expecting someone to snatch us up from the airport already. Hell, I have no idea how Pierre even managed to get Noelle out of school without raising red flags with the cartel.
Unless they were all really that consumed with finding Antonio and me.
“Zara.”
I furrow my brows, and it takes me a second to realise it’s Pierre calling me from a nearby car. I change my expression before anyone nearby can notice, jogging up to them and hopping in the taxi alongside my sister.
“Where are we going?”
“You shouldn’t zone out like that; you lose all sense of reality. Josh said something about a friend of his,” Noelle responds, using Pierre’s fake name.
“Camps Bay.”
The taxi driver’s eyes widen a bit before he chuckles. “ Ja, nee. Julle foreigners is almal dieselfde .”
“What was that?” Pierre asks, clearly sensing something from the man’s tone.
“Oh nothing, I was just saying it’s a far drive and you should get comfortable.” He changes his tone as Pierre throws a few hundred Euros on the seat.
“Make it as quick as you can, then.”
The driver takes Pierre’s suggestion incredibly seriously and, from the signs, we’re in Camps Bay or at least in the vicinity within less than twenty minutes. The view as the car travels up along the side of the gigantic flat-topped mountain is insane, especially when the ocean comes into view.
I wouldn’t mind living here if this was the view I got to see every day. At least Pierre had some taste when picking our new residential area. The houses are massive, but the class difference of areas is insane. From the shacks we saw near the airport that had me questioning every single one of his decisions to the mansions that surround us now less than twenty minutes later, there are some deeper problems with this city.
The car pulls up outside a huge white house, and my mouth gapes in disbelief. This could put my father’s manor to shame, easily. It’s clear whoever Pierre has brought us to has some serious money.
The previously suspicious driver now eagerly helps us with our bags, and Pierre hands him a few more notes. “If anyone asks you, you never saw anyone who looked like us.”
The driver nods quickly and jumps back into his car, zooming down the steep road we just climbed.
“Maybe this won’t be that bad after all,” Noelle says as she stares at the massive house.
“Don’t jinx it, you won’t be happy to hear the conditions of our stay,” Pierre says as he walks up to the front door.
It opens, revealing a beautifully tall woman with braids that hang past her waist. She’s wearing a bright green and blue patterned jumpsuit that looks straight out of a tropical collection, and I could see Augustus wearing a similar shirt.
I push the thought of my fake brother-in-law to the back of my head and put on my bright smile. The one I use to convince everyone that it’s all okay.
“Pierre, glad to see you all made it in one piece.”
“Thank you so much for this. I know it was last minute,” Pierre says, shaking her hand. I can’t help my brows furrowing. A handshake? That’s it? I expected them to be a lot closer since she’s holding our safety in her hands.
“It’s no problem at all, the timing was actually perfect since I was here at home. And don’t worry about the cab driver—my security team will be taking care of him.”
“Kaia, these are my sisters. Noelle and—”
“Theá,” she says, smiling at me brightly. “I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to meet all of you. I’m Kaia, a friend of Pierre’s.”
“You too.” I smile.
Heard a lot about me? For someone who doesn’t look all too comfortable around my brother, I’m surprised he decided to share so much about us.
“Please come inside.” She walks ahead, gesturing for us to follow her in.
“Kaia’s father is the president of South Africa,” Pierre elaborates as we enter the massive house. The pieces start clicking more and more; she’s the perfect person since she’d have intel and the ability to keep us hidden.
“He’s not president yet, there’s still a few more things that need to happen before he’s inaugurated, but yes, basically. I’m just glad I can use his position for good for once.” There’s a sombre tone to her voice, and I find myself sympathising with the woman in front of me even though I don’t know her.
“Consider my home yours.” She extends her arms out. “There are four bedrooms that way.” She gestures down a hall.
“That being said, you two aren’t allowed to leave this place unless you clear it with me or Kaia, and we’ve organised the correct security to escort you,” Pierre says.
“Great, from one prison to another,” Noelle says. “It’s not for long, right, Pierre?”
Pierre stays quiet. “I don’t want to get your hopes up, but it might be for a while, just until we can confirm a few things back home.”
She nods, and a heavy silence fills the room. “I’m sure Kaia has enough things in her beautiful home to keep you entertained. Besides, there’s a pool.” I point towards the glass doors that overlook an infinity pool. Noelle’s ears perk up, and she dashes towards the backyard.
“Thanks, Theá.” Pierre sighs a heavy sigh of relief. “She’s not making it easy.”
“It’s not easy. You’re expecting a twenty-one-year-old to pack up her life when she doesn’t really understand why she has to. Even I’m struggling with this all right now.”
“I know the feeling. I’ve had to pack my life up and move at a young age, too. If there’s anything I can do to make it a bit easier, let me know.” Kaia smiles. The more I hear about her, the more I’m starting to realise just how well thought out Pierre’s plan really is.
“There is one more thing,” Pierre starts, and I meet his eye. “We’re all going to need to have some pretty drastic hair transformations.”
“This is probably the best thing you could’ve said today. I know for a fact Noelle has been wanting to dye her hair, but Dad always said no. And I need some change, too!”