Can You Keep A Secret?

7. Iris

The brakes screeched as I slammed on them, the stoplight flashing red and commanding me to come to an abrupt stop. With only two minutes to think I take my time to stare at the file resting on the luxurious leather chair.

“Now that we've filled you guys in, we need to help each other out,” Ava says as we’re all standing in the deserted park, where no one passed by. The only person staying was the four of us as a group. We all looked at each other nodding, filling the silence with promise that we would help each other.
“I can ask someone I know to run a background check on Serena's parent,” I offer as Skye standing next to me speaks up first, interjecting. “Be careful Iris, the less people know the better. We cannot spread this to just anyone. Be sure it's someone who you can trust and can help us,” Out of everyone here, she was the most strategic and good with inventing plans. She purely relied on herself and abilities.

“Trust me… I've worked with this person for ages, they can help. I promise,” The agreement I had made long ago was to keep my information private- a secret. No one could ever know I was using him as help, paying him and trusting him. I couldn't even share his name with the girls included.
“Then this could probably help,” Ava passess me the file, showing me trust and handing me a load of responsibility. I immediately show her my appreciation by thanking her.

“I will try my best to see if I can find Sylvie. She still hasn't replied to any of my texts, or calls,” Bianca exclaims. “I will see what I can do to help,” Says Skye.
“What do we do about Serena?” I inquire.
“Leave her to me,” Ava responds.
I guess that after today, we were all in this together.

My breathing slows as I watch the light turn green as I put my feet to the pedal, parking in the driveway of the person who I knew could help. Coming here, I had made sure not to be seen- if anyone from BrookSville High spotted me, my face would all over be the Daily School Page, and it was what I wanted to avoid. I wanted to go unseen to avoid any kind of scandal.

I exit my car with my file locked in my hands. Afraid of letting it go and out of my sight even for a minute. This area of BrookeSville was carefully secluded and hidden. That's what I loved most about this town: the fact that most things were right in front of you, but people chose to think of it as a hidden spot, as the least interesting thing you had to see.

I cross the road as I shift out of my way a few leaves, coming eye to eye to a nice house I had bought without anyone noticing. My own account was managed by me and only me, not even my mother had access and she definitely didn't know I owned a house. A house I didn't live in but decided to dash.
I insert the keys in the lock and turn it, taking my steps in the entrance. The house was quiet, all blinds shut, not even a spark of light illuminated the room. But I knew where to go and how to move even if I was blindfolded, and I definitely knew he was here. I could feel it, I didn't even have to see him to know it. I place the keys on the key holder, walking to the living room, where I find him sitting in the dark.

Before I can turn on the light, a hand suddenly grabs my arm, imbolizing it.
“Let go, Kai,” I say as I try to wiggle from his hold without any luck of success. He doesn't answer me, he simply remains silent and quiet. Typical.  “Were you followed?” He questions, his head tilted to the side slightly, looking at me with his intimidating gaze. “You know me better than that,” I allowed myself to smile a little even though I felt like dying and crumbling on the inside.

"What brings you here, Iris?" His voice whispers in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I fumble to turn on the light, illuminating the spacious living room that was still covered in piles of clothing. It was as if no one lived here even though he slept her everyday.
"Why do you despise the light so much?" I ask, my voice barely audible. He ignores my presence and takes a seat on the couch, his dark chocolate brown eyes fixed on me.
"Never mind that," I sigh, dropping my bag to the floor and keeping my distance. A part of me was still afraid of being watched, of someone lurking in the shadows waiting to stir up unwanted drama. Being seen with a commoner like Kai would surely become the scandal of the year at Brooksville High. But I never cared much about what others thought of me, only my own opinions mattered and that was enough. People loved to gossip and judge because they knew that deep down their own lives could never compare to mine, and that only fueled their envy.

"I need your help with something... I know we said we would stop, but this can't wait," I plead, hoping desperation could be heard in my voice. Kai originally used to work for my mother, and I had met him when I rented a studio, purely focusing on my designs. I saw him talking to her in her car, and when she left to take a shower, I took the opportunity to go through her phone and get his contact information. Ever since then, he has been my eyes and ears in Brooksville, able to get me anything I needed in exchange for a large sum of money. But that was the least of my worries now.

"Someone new has arrived in town," I begin, "Her family moved into the Quinn's manor, which Sylvie apparently sold to them without telling me. Since yesterday, she has been completely M.I.A. and I have no idea where she is." Kai places his hands on his knees, his gaze cold and calculating. "What do you need me to do?" he asks, maintaining eye contact.

"I need you to run a background check on Serena. Find anything you can, especially about her parents' history," I give him the order. He nods once, his eyes flickering to the file I'm holding. "Ava trusted me with this file she took from her father's office, but I have a feeling that something is missing, something that doesn't quite fit..." I explain, sounding crazy.

I start biting my fingernails, my mind racing with worry and frustration. I couldn't stand by and do nothing while my best friend was missing. But the girls were already handling the situation, and I hated feeling useless. I hated not being able to find Sylvie, the person I shared so much with. It was driving me insane. Hell, everything wasn't making any sense in these 48 hours.

Without even realizing it, I find myself looking up to see Kai taking the file out of my hands and stopping me from biting my nail. His hands were as cold as ice, but it was the first time since forever we had made physical contact. It took me by surprise, as I didn't know he was capable of showing concern and emotion. I had always been good at sensing people's feelings and analyzing them, so even though he tried to maintain a neutral expression, I could tell that deep down he had emotions that he chose to hide.

"Can I trust you, Kai?" I ask, studying his figure. His curly brown hair perfectly matched his eyes, his sharp jawline, and his lips that were probably just as cold as his hands. "Trust that I can handle what needs to be done," he replies, not the answer I was hoping for. Kai never gave direct or simple answers, he was the type of person that would never be too cocky about himself, he’d always find a way to get the job done even if it meant there would be collateral damage. He was discreet, focused on solely pleasing his clients and earning his money.

"I need to have updates as soon as possible. I'll pay double if I have to, but this can't wait," I implore once again, praying that he would take things seriously and support me in this madness. I couldn't exclude the possibility that maybe I was wrong with the chase, but I had to try and verify for myself. Kai doesn't give a definitive reply, not a single sound escapes his lips. He just continues to analyze me, trying to figure me out. Too bad you won't find anything.

"What about Sylvie?" he finally breaks the silence. Our eyes still locked, our voices echoing in the room. "The girls are working on it," I reply simply as I take in our surroundings.

"What about you?" His voice is deep as he speaks.
"I'll try to come up with something. In the meantime I just want to go home and wash away my worries for the day," I say in defeat with exhaustion all over my body. I was consumed with lots of emotions, a sign that I definitely needed to go to the studio and draw.
He doesn't say anything as he walks around me and turns off the light, the only sound in the room is the creaking of the floor as he leaves the house. Shutting the door behind him.
Leaving me standing alone in the dark.