RafexKiara Tangled Up in All Your Pieces // Riara

Chapter 30

I'm pulled into the Duke's headmaster's office by my shirt.

"Hello, Kiara."

The man in front of me was someone I never wanted to see again.

The fabricated venom underlying his comments was what kept me on edge.

"How are ya?"

I silently scoff as I casually drop down on his leather couch, disregarding his extending hand as a handshake.

"This is Kiara Carrera, Kiara, this is Wayne Blythe," the bartender introduces us.

I lift my brows, repositioning myself on the sofa, and glance about the room, paying no attention to him.

"Yeah. Let's get this ball rolling." Wayne settles into his seat, scarcely bothering to thank the bartender.

"Let's go ahead and do it. I'm ecstatic. Let the healing process begin!" I let my words lead me sarcastically.

My hands mirrored my disdain for the man.

"Would you please excuse us?" Wayne motions to the bartender, respectfully shooing him away.

The bartender's glare was deflected by my composure.

In the devil's lair, defeat had no place.

I didn't have time to sit back and watch myself crumble before him.

"Where are you from in Durham?" As he attempts to lighten the mood, the creases around his eyes deepen.

He folds his fingers together and leans forward.

That damn smile, which is usually taken for granted.

I take a look around his room, which is full with books and files thrown around, adding to the history that the place possesses.

I'd never understood the lack of sympathy that spilled through his long-held veneer in this place.

"I admire how you've changed up the space."

Compared to the photographs you see online, it appeared more loved on.

I guess a man's only refuge was to cower behind a desk.

They keep the operation running with the click of a mouse or the ball of a pen on paper.

My father possessed this characteristic, which I loathed.

The home always had a closed door, and it was always locked by him.

He was determined to keep the secrets that loomed around the home disguised.

Peeking behind him, but his rough hands gently turned my head away, "Kiara, please do not go inside daddy's office, alright sweetheart?"

His words were always innocent, yet a glister in his eyes always hinted that he was hiding something.

"Do you buy all of these paintings at retail, or do you send them away for something like a "shrink kit" that includes all of these designs?"

I was only somewhat intrigued by the old man's fascination with art.

On the wall, paintings were layered upon paintings.

"Do you enjoy art?"

He repositions his spectacles on his nose.

"Yeah."

"Have you read any of these?"

He gestures to a stack of design books.

"I'm not sure."

"How about one of these?"

"Probably not," I say, shaking my head.