Right On Track

Chapter 25

Kiara shielded herself with her hands and laughed.Elijah ran around,firing water at her with his water gun.She tried to make a grab for it,but he dodged her and ran over to Alora,spraying the water at her while laughing.
Kiara looked at her mother,who just smiled and shook her head,going back to sitting and reading on the deckchair.
"I am seriously going to bury you in the sand!"Alora said,chasing after Elijah.He dropped his water gun onto the sand of the beach and sprinted away,Alora trying to keep up with him as he ran close to the water.
Kiara smiled to herself and leaned back in the deckchair.She felt some-what carefree as she relaxed.It also helped knowing that,once going back up to the villa,she could still relax.That was,if she didn't receive any calls from Santiago or Christian.But she doubted that,since those who she might recieve any calls from were probably enjoying their time off as well.However,as much as she enjoyed the breaks,she always started to miss the atmosphere of the racing.As of now,she was already thinking about Baku and how she could put in some extra effort during that weekend.
"Hey,Ki."Alora called from nearby,waving Kiara over.
Kiara got up from the deckchair and started to approach her."Yeah?"
"Elijah and I want ice-cream."She said,crossing her arms."You?"
She shook her head."No,I'm good.Let me go ask mom."
"Alright."Alora said,she and Elijah starting to walk up the wooden steps back to the garden of the villa.
Kiara walked over to her mother and asked her if she wanted anything.After she shook her head,Kiara nodded and jogged off to catch up to Elijah and Alora.
She caught up to them after a few moments of walking fast.They were already making their way down the narrow road.Fortunately,the nearest store wasn't too far away.On foot,it wouldn't even take long.
Kiara strolled down the road with Elijah and Alora,glancing around at the calm surroundings.The little store soon came into their view and Kiara looked down at Elijah.
"Race?"She grinned.
He replied."It's on."
He sprinted off,not even giving Kiara a moment to react.Alora laughed at her as she shouted."Hey!I didn't say that we were starting yet!"
Elijah looked back with a grin and carried on running.Kiara chuckled at that,then ran forward to catch up to him as he was already nearing the store.It was a little hard,since she was wearing her sandals and running along the tar street.But she eventually caught up to him,grabbing him from behind and tickling him as he tried to squirm out if her grip.She finally let go,laughing as he fixed up his shirt and hat.
"Can we go in now?"He asked,impatiently glancing back at Alora,who took her own time and still walked towards them.
"Come on."Kiara nodded and they entered the little building.She followed him into the first small aisle,leaving him to choose whatever he wanted.She almost lost sight of him as someone came up to her and distracted her,asking for a photo with her.Elijah,still in a mischievous mood,was well aware of that.So,he ran away and hid in the next aisle.She sighed and moved to find him as soon as she was done with the fan.
"Can I get two?"He asked when she found him near the deep freezer,glancing at the ice-cream.
Kiara lifted an eyebrow."But why?You're going to make yourself sick."
"I promise I won't."He said.
"I don't think that's really up to you."She chuckled.
He pouted and she shook her head."You can come back tomorrow for more.Elijah,please,I don't want you getting sick on this trip."
He groaned and replied,pulling out whatever flavour he wanted."Fine."
Kiara looked towards the doors of the store to find Alora.
Alora was just outside.She was on a phone call,seeming as though she wanted to keep her tone low.
Kiara frowned and watched her sister smile at something before hanging up.But the mischievous type of smile,as of she had just done something that could either be good or bad.
Kiara decided that she would ask about it later.
Alora entered the store and approached Kiara and Elijah.
Elijah told her."Kiara said that I can only have on for today."
"Which is right."She winked.
He sighed at his failed attempt to get Alora to get him an extra.
Alora chose whatever flavour she wanted,then Kiara did the same.
Alora took all of the treats and approached the cashier to pay.Kiara then asked."Should I pay?"
"With what?"Alora laughed.
Kiara patted the pockets of her shorts,then realised that both her phone and purse were with her mother at the beach.Alora smiled at her,then proceeded to pay,handing Kiara her phone as she pulled out her card."Hold this for me."
Kiara took the phone and waited for her to finish.But while she did so,she grew a little more curious as to who Alora was on the phone with earlier.She switched on the phone and unlocked it,since she knew the password already.Her eyes drifted across the call log.Then,she paused on the latest caller and narrowed her eyes.
What was she calling Carlos for?
Kiara frowned at that.Why was he calling her sister?Or why was she calling him? Honestly,what reason did she have-
"Hey!"Alora laughed,snatching her phone back and switching it off."Oh,my god.I forgot you knew the password."
Kiara narrowed her eyes at her sister,then watched as she handed Elijah his ice-cream,both starting to walk off.
Kiara followed behind them,still wanting to question Alora.Her thoughts,however,came up with the ridiculous answers.
Elijah glnaced back at her,saying."Hurry up,Ki."
"Coming."She muttered in response,motioning for them to carry on.
He shrugged,but carried on forward with Alora.
"Well,I could have called him as easily as you did,Alora."Kiara mumbled softly to herself while keeping a few meters away from her sister and cousin who were ahead.
"Not like you two even acknowledge each other's existance."Kiara rolled her eyes.Alora and Carlos barely spoke to each other.And this was so damn sudden.Not that Kiara was jealous...But she really needed to know what was amusing during that phone call.And she really wanted to know why Alora had smiled the way she did.
Back at the villa,Kiara muttered a curse under her breath as she sat down on the couch in her room.She wanted to ask Alora the certain question.But she was in the shower,getting ready for dinner.And that reminded Kiara of something...
"Oh,no."Kiara slapped her palm against her forehead.She pulled out her phone and texted Charles,apologising for not replying earlier.She had really forgotten her whole surprise for Alora...
She texted Charles the location,time and other details he would need before arriving at the restaurant.As soon as he replied with the thumbs-up,she loosed a sigh of relief and leaned back.
"Kiara,do I need a jacket?"Elijah asked,poking his head through the doorway.
She shook her head."I don't think so.Just leave one in the car in case you need it while we're out."
"Are you all ready?"Her mother asked,walking past while slinging her handbag over her shoulder.
"Almost.Head downstairs so long."Kiara said,then quickly moved to close the door and change into something.She pulled out a black cardigan and boot-cut pants,pulling her hair into a half-up and half-down style.
When she left her room,she heard Alora walk down the stairs.
Catching the opportunity at last,Kiara walked a little faster and caught up to her sister.Just before Alora could get to the bottom of the staircase,Kiara stopped her and asked."What were you and Carlos talking about?"
Alora's eyes slightly widened at that,she paused,a hand on the railing of the staircase.
"I saw it on your call log,Alora."Kiara said.
Alora shook her head,saying."No,you don't need to worry about that."
"And why is that?"
"He just accidentally dialled my number.Nothing else."
"Alora,don't lie to me."Kiara said.
"I'm not lying!"She snapped.
"Just tell me."
"Why?"
"Because."
She held back a smile."Because you're jealous,Ki."
"Excuse me?!"Kiara frowned."I am not jealous-"
"Then,why are you acting up?"
Kiara scoffed."I was just-"
"Can we talk about this later?"Alora sighed,starting to walk off.
She didn't even give Kiara a chance to reply as she left the villa and got into the car with their mother and Elijah,completely ignoring Kiara as she called after her again.
Kiara eventually had to accept the reaction and make her way to the car.She got into the driver's seat and started the car,telling Elijah to put on his seatbelt as he turned to look out the window of the passanger seat.
She met Alora's gaze in the review mirror,then sighed and started to drive off.
"Drive faster!"Elijah said while clipping on his seatbelt.
"Not here."Kiara shook her head.
"But the street is empty."
"Elijah."Kiara said,warning in her tone."What did I tell you about safety?"
He sighed and leaned back in the seat.
Kiara finally parked the car outside the restaurant,which thankfully wasn't too far.She was the last to get out of the car,her mother and Elijah going in first to ask for the reservation.
Alora took a little longer,but still avoided Kiara a bit.
Kiara,who suddenly formed a plan out of spite to get her sister to talk,said."Give me minute."
She stood outside the restaurant,pretending as though she was about to dial someone as she pulled out her phone.Alora lifted an eyebrow at that.But she started to slowly walk away.Well,at least a few steps away.She tried to wait there in silence and Kiara knew it.
Kiara raised her phone to her ear,knowing that Alora was standing a few feet behind her.She greeted "the person" she had called,who was obviously nobody at all.Her phone was even still switched off.
"Yeah,okay."Kiara nodded,acting as though she was agreeing to something.Hopefully this would teach her sister a lesson about hiding certain things from her.
"No,I'm fine."Kiara said,faking a smile.
She could still sense Alora waiting from behind.
"Oh,alright."Kiara said."Then,I'll see you when I get back?"She paused for a moment,letting the "imaginary person" reply.Then,she said."Okay.Bye,Charles."
She heard Alora shift and take a step forward,holding back a smile as her sister clearly seemed to fall for it.
"Kiara."She said.
Kiara turned around."Yes?"
"Who were you talking to?"She asked,arms crossed.
"A friend."Kiara replied,enjoying the agitated look on her sister's face.
"Really,now?"She frowned.
"Yes."Kiara smiled,then brushed past her sister and walked into the restaurant without another word.
She still smiled to herself as she approached their table,thinking to herself.