Made To Believe ✔️

Chapter Seventeen

DIANA'S POV

I looked at my reflection on the mirror to make sure that the outfit I'd chosen was appropriate for the Masinga drag festivals Kareem had invited me to. I knew for a fact that most girls were going to be skimply dressed in hopes of attracting the rich men in attendance but I was already spoken for, in a way. I was dressed to impress only one man. I had chosen a long black and white plaid checkered skirt with a thigh high slit, short sleeved black cropped t-shirt and four inch black boots. My nails were done in a beautiful baby pink, hair was in long brown braids and my make up was light, just lipstick and eyeliner since we were going to be in dust all day long and I didn't want to look like a clown.

When I was satisfied with how I looked I put everything I'd need into a small black backpack and grabbed my leather jacket. Manuel had already texted me that he was waiting for me outside. He was picking me up instead of Kareem because Vihaan needed him to do some last minute preparations at the autoshop. It was only eight in the morning but we had to leave early since it was a two hour drive to the venue.

"Looking hot cousin, trying to drive Kareem crazy are you."Manuel shouted from the driver's seat of his Ford Ranger double cabin pick up truck.

"Shut up before I make you."I replied getting in besides him.

"Threats so early in the morning, are you not getting any this days."Manuel teased as he started the car.

"You do know your mom and I are super close right. Keep running your mouth and I'll just tell on you."I retorted.

"Okay fine, I'm sorry. How've you been though? I've missed you."Manual asked.

"I've been great and I've missed you too, when you're not being an ass hat that is."I replied.

"You love me and my ass hat ways."Manuel said with a cheeky grin.

"Unfortunately."I muttered with a straight face.

He looked at me still smiling and I couldn't maintain my straight face. We both burst out laughing and after calming down we spent the rest of the drive catching up.

When we arrived at the autoshop, there was a lot of activity going on so Manuel left me in the truck while he went to find Kareem for me.

I had just alighted the truck to enjoy some of the morning sun when I was picked up from behind my feet lifting off the ground. I shrieked in surprise but relaxed when I glimpsed at the familiar tattooed hands. When he saw that I was no longer freaking out, Kareem put me down slowly and turned me around his arms still on my waist.

"Why would you scare me like that?"I scolded slapping his bicep not that he felt it anyway.

"Just getting you amped up in advance for the adrenaline rush to come."He replied with a grin.

"Well you definitely startled me so mission accomplished."I retorted my heart still racing a little bit.

"Sorry."Kareem apologized but it was clear he didn't really mean it.

"Did you get a fresh haircut ?"I asked getting a good look at him.

"Yeah."

"You look handsome."I complimented admiring him.

He looked really good, enough to get my motors running.

"Thank you and you look gorgeous. I'll be torn between watching the drifts and keeping my eye on you, lest you get snatched up."Kareem replied making me laugh.

"Not gonna happen, you have me all to yourself today."I assured him.

"Perfect, now let's go have breakfast before we leave. Vihaan arranged for it so we better take advantage."Kareem said pulling me with him.