Chapter 7
Sana
“You won’t believe what happened today,” I say as Kiara looks up from her coffee, her perfectly arched brows rising.
“Let me guess… a difficult customer happened to piss you off?” she asks, setting her cup down on the centre table, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
We’re in Kiara’s living room, sitting on her cosy three-seater couch, facing each other with our legs tucked beneath us.
My mind has been a mess ever since that jerk left my café, and I needed someone to vent to.
So, not bothering that it was ten at night, I texted Kiara, asking if we could catch up.
She replied instantly, telling me to come over as her parents were out of town for a wedding.
I didn’t think twice. I sent a quick message to Mom, letting her know I’d be late, then drove straight to Kiara’s house.
I snort. “Worse. Aditya, the annoying jerk of a customer I barely know, proposed marriage to me today.”
Kiara’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open. “What? Wait, are you saying you got a marriage proposal from a random customer, just like that—out of the blue?”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, Kiara, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Can you believe the audacity of that man? I’ve met him twice, and he suddenly thinks I’m marriage material.”
Kiara raises an eyebrow, a teasing smirk playing at the corners of her lips. “It sounds like something straight out of a romance movie. Love at first sight. Though, honestly, I wouldn’t blame any man for being swept away the moment he sees you.”
I cringe, waving her off. “It’s not love at first sight, Kiara.
It’s just him being a jerk. I hated the way he threw his wealth and status in my face, as if it that was supposed to impress me.
Like I’m just some object he can buy. It was all about what he could offer—his money, his name…
as if that was enough to make me say yes.
The whole thing felt so shallow, like I was some selfish woman dying for his offer.
He just didn’t care about how it made me feel. ”
Kiara’s playful expression softens as she reaches across and places her hand on mine.
“Don’t you dare spoil your mood for him.
He was just a piece of work. It’s disgusting how some men think their money can buy everything—including someone’s feelings.
” Her eyes drop to our hands, her voice quieter now.
“You know about my ex-boyfriend, right? How selfish he was. When it came down to it, he chose his family business over me. Said he couldn’t ‘afford’ to put love before legacy. ”
“Kiara, I’m so sorry,” I say quietly, though I leave it at that. We’ve had this conversation before, and I’ve told her countless times that a man who sees love as a transaction, who prioritises his bank account over her, isn’t someone she should ever consider spending her precious life with.
Kiara shakes her head, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “It’s okay. I mean, it still hurts sometimes. I really thought we had something real. But in the end, he saw me as… just an option.”
I squeeze her hand. “You are not an option, Kiara. You’re one of the strongest, most talented women I know. If he couldn’t see that, then he didn’t deserve you.”
Kiara’s smile softens, her eyes glistening. “Thanks. It’s just hard to accept that the world has people like that. The worst ones are those who pretend to care but leave when it matters the most.”
“I know, Kiara. It’s tough, but those people don’t deserve a place in your heart. The ones who truly care will stay, no matter what. And for what it’s worth, you’re going to find someone who sees all of you and chooses you, Kiara.”
She takes a deep breath, nodding slowly as she wipes away a tear. “I want to believe that. It’s just… after everything, I don’t know if I have it in me to trust again. But maybe one day, someone will come along who doesn’t see me as a choice, but as the one they want.”
Suddenly, I straighten, my eyes lighting up with an idea—not just to help her forget, but also to shove that jerk out of my own mind where he doesn’t belong.
“You know what? We’re not going to end this night drowning in self-pity over arrogant, rich men who think they’re God’s gift to womankind.
Instead, let’s go out and have some fun. ”
Kiara blinks. “Go out? At this hour?”
“Yes, Miss Goody Two-Shoes,” I say with a grin. “And please, don’t say no and ruin the fun. We deserve a night out to forget all the crap and just have some fun.”
Kiara hesitates, her brows furrowing. “I don’t know, Sana. I’m really not in the mood right now.”
I give her a nudge. “Trust me, a little fun is just what you need, and I guarantee you’ll feel so much better. So, no more excuses!” I exclaim, squeezing her hands. “Come on, Kiara. It’s time we stop letting life just happen to us and start living a little.”
Kiara sighs, finally giving in. “Fine. But nothing crazy, and no trying to set me up with anyone, got it?”
I place a hand over my heart. “Cross my heart.”
Kiara shakes her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “Alright, let’s do this.”
“That’s my best friend,” I say just as my phone rings. Glancing at the screen, I smile. “It’s my mom,” I add, swiping to answer and pressing the phone to my ear. “Hey, Mom!”
“Sana, where are you? It’s ten thirty and you’re still not home. You said you’d be late, but not this late. Is it work? Is something wrong at the café?” Mom fires off her worried questions one after another, her voice laced with concern on the other end.
I roll my eyes, even though she can’t see me. “Relax, Mom. I’m with Kiara, and we’re going out, so I won’t be home anytime soon.”
There’s a brief pause before she speaks again. “Going out? At this hour? Where exactly are you two going?”
I bite my lip, not wanting to add to her worry by telling her we’re heading to a pub. Instead, I lie. “Just dinner, Mom. We were craving some good Thai food.”
I hear Mom sigh. “Alright, but don’t stay out too late, Sana. And make sure you’re safe. I don’t want you two wandering around in the streets at this hour.”
I smile, shaking my head. “Mom, I’m a grown woman. I can handle myself, you know.”
“I know you can,” Mom replies softly. “But you’re still my little girl. I worry, Sana. I always will.” The tenderness in her voice makes my chest tighten. I glance at Kiara, who is smiling.
“I know, Mom. And I love that about you. You care so much, even when I don’t make it easy.”
Mom chuckles softly. “That’s what mothers do. You’ll understand that someday.”
“Maybe,” I reply, my voice softening. “But for now, I just want to say thank you. For always worrying, always looking out for me, even when I act like I don’t need it.”
“That’s because, deep down, I know you always need it. Just like I’ll always need to know you’re okay. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself while you’re out?”
“I promise,” I say, smiling through the lump in my throat. “And I’ll be home before one.”
“Have fun, sweetheart. You deserve it.”
“I will. Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, beta.”
As the call ends, I let out a long breath. Kiara tilts her head, watching me.
“I love the bond you and your mom share. It’s just like the one I share with mine.”
I nod, smiling. “Yeah. She drives me nuts sometimes, but she’s the reason I’m still standing half the time. No matter how crazy life gets, she’s always there, making sure I’m okay.”
Kiara smiles softly. “I feel the same. We’re both lucky to have moms like ours.”
“I know,” I say quietly before pointing toward her room. “Now, let’s go get dressed.”
“Aye, Aye, Captain,” she mocks, saluting as we rise to our feet and make our way to her room. The moment we enter, we head straight for her wardrobe.
“Alright, here you go,” Kiara says, opening her closet wide. “You pick something for me as well. I’m leaving this entirely in your hands.”
I instantly reach for a shimmery gold dress, holding it up to her with a knowing smile. “This one, hands down. It’ll make you look stunning, and you’ll outshine everyone.”
Kiara bites her bottom lip. “Are you kidding? I’ll look like a walking chandelier!” She pulls out a sleek black jumpsuit, holding it up. “How about this?”
I wrinkle my nose. “Kiara, we’re going out to have fun, not to attend a business meeting. You need something that screams, ‘I’m here to slay,’ not ‘Let’s discuss interior design budgets.’”
Kiara rolls her eyes. “Alright, alright, drama queen. I’ll wear the gold dress,” she says, taking it from me and holding it up against herself in front of the mirror, assessing how it looks with a thoughtful expression.
“That’s the spirit!” I nod, spinning around to inspect the closet. I spot a red dress tucked to the side and pull it out with a triumphant smile. “Now this—this is for me.”
Kiara raises an eyebrow. “Going for the ‘I’m here to steal the spotlight’ look? You’re definitely going to turn heads in this one.”
I smirk. “That’s the plan.”
Kiara shakes her head as we both dive into the chaos of changing into our chosen outfits, swapping accessories, and debating over heels versus flats.
Kiara groans as she struggles with her earrings. “I still can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”
I laugh as I flop down onto the bed, slipping into my heels. “Believe it, sweetheart.”
She pauses and looks at me through the mirror, a playful glare in her eyes. “You’re a devil. Remind me why we’re friends?”
“Because I’m the only one who can make you do things you secretly want to do,” I shoot back with a wink.
Kiara sighs, stepping back to examine her reflection in the mirror. And I must admit, she looks stunning.
“One thing I can agree on—the outfit you picked looks good.”
“It does,” I agree, rising to my feet with my purse swinging over my shoulder. “Now, come on. Let’s go and have some fun.”
“Let’s go,” Kiara says, grabbing her purse as we head for the door.
The moment we step out of the house, Kiara glances at me, still looking a bit hesitant.
“Relax, Kiara. We’re going to have an amazing time,” I say, trying to reassure her. She nods, her smile returning as the tension in her eyes slowly fades.
As I slip into the driver’s seat, I send a silent prayer upwards.
Please, God, no more disasters tonight. Aditya had already done enough to sour my mood, and the last thing I need is more stress.
Tonight is about me and Kiara simply enjoying ourselves.
It’s exactly what we both need. So, please, keep all bad omens far, far away from us.