𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬

CHAPTER 49

Kiara finally getting closure from Vijay's death above.

duende

(n.) the mysterious power of art to deeply move a person

Getting up on stage and grabbing the microphone, Kiara took a calming breath as she steadied her nerves. She squinted against the spotlights, finding Trevor's face in the crowd as he smiled encouragingly. She ignored everyone else, focusing solely on him as the faces around him blurred away. The first few notes of 'Brother' by NEEDTOBREATHE played as she closed her eyes and let the melodic tune envelop her. Gripping the microphone tightly, she softly sang the first few sombre tones of the opening verse. She could practically feel Vijay watching over her, the words shooting straight to her heart as they wrapped her in a warm embrace. By the end of the song, she felt that warmth slowly seep away as if he had faded away from her. This was her farewell. 

Looking out into the audience, Kiara spotted Trevor grinning widely as he clapped with a suspiciously silver sheen lining his eyes. The rest of the audience followed along and she slowly came to the realisation that she was far from alone. Stepping off stage, she accepted his hand and squeezed in thanks as they sat through the next few performances. 

Landing in America only the day before, it had been his idea to sign her up for a performance, knowing how she felt things so deeply. He had surmised that she could understand her thoughts and feelings best through means of art so realised performing was the best way for her to relieve any of that grief and anxiety she felt about returning to America. Walking out of the café, she sighed in exasperation as paparazzi swarmed them. Immediately moving to shield them, Trevor's men and Jimmy guided the two to the car as people spouted intrusive questions at them.

He chuckled and murmured under his breath, "And here I was thinking we lost them."

She shook her head and retorted back, "Should've known better, Ant."

"I really should've."

Out of habit upon noticing him bristle as another camera shoved into his face, she warned, "No violence, Jay."

That single error seemed to have fractured what little semblance of normality Kiara had carefully constructed as Trevor awkwardly cleared his throat. She had long since claimed that he and Vijay shared far too many qualities and perhaps that was why they argued so often. Though it was in moments like these that Trevor realised just how true her observations were.

Smiling softly so as to move on quickly, he joked, "But that's where all the fun is."

Shooting him a relieved look for not dwelling on the mistake, she craned her neck around and shouted, "Anyone have a marker?"

An arm stretched out from somewhere behind Kiara, offering a neon pink sharpie that she accepted gratefully. She sent an appreciative nod in that general direction, hoping whoever had lent her the marker received her thanks.

Grabbing Trevor's hand and slapping the marker into his palm, she winked, "Have at it."

Following Kiara's train of thought, Trevor let out a bellowing laugh then brought the marker lid between his teeth as he uncapped it. Turning to grab the camera that had attempted to wedge its way between them, he pulled it towards him and autographed the lens before obnoxiously smirking. The photographer let out an outraged yell but they were already too far ahead as the crowd pushed back against him.