Her Purpose || Kai Parker

Chapter 68

Meanwhile, Estrella made her way to the Mystic Grill, hoping for a brief respite. But as she stepped inside, something immediately felt off.

The usual chatter was gone, and the air felt thick with tension.

Her heart sank when she noticed Stefan and Caroline moving through the crowd, their eyes glowing with the unmistakable mark of compulsion.

“Oh no,” she whispered under her breath, instinctively stepping back toward the exit.

But before she could slip out unnoticed, Stefan appeared in front of her in a blur of speed, blocking her path with a smug smile.

“Well, well, look who decided to join the party. Hello, twin. How are you this fine morning?” Stefan drew, his voice dripping with mockery as his smirk deepened.

"Estrella, how are you? Still pining over Kai's lack of affection? You're so caught up in him, it's pathetic," Caroline mocked, her laughter dripping with disdain.

She tried to leave again, but Caroline stepped in her way.

"I asked you something," She said, her voice sharp.

"Stefan, please. I know you don't care, but please let me leave unharmed," Estrella pleaded, desperation in her voice.

"No, can't do. She'd be the perfect bait for everyone to stop from meddling, wouldn't she, Stefan?" Caroline retorted, smirking.

"Well, don't let me stop you," he replied smugly.

In the Salvatore house, Damon was on a call with Bonnie.

"Uh-oh! Did Caroline go off the rails? If so, I called it," Damon said.

"Gloating in one of my best friend's times of need? It's weird that I miss you," Bonnie responded.

He smiled jokingly. "Bonnie, I thought I was clear—our relationship only exists within the confines of 1994."

She smiled in amusement. "You think one phone call makes us friends?"

"You don't have to pretend, Bon. I'm like a fever you can't shake," He teased.

"Yeah. Yeah. A disease," She replied.

She shifted awkwardly. "Um... why, um, why did you call me?"

"So... teensy favor. You know Kai? The witch who did the merge with-not-so-twin Luke. He went through a... metamorphosis. Now that he's my sister's boyfriend, he went from a sociopathic caterpillar to a slightly less evil butterfly," he explained.

Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Yeah, and anyone who believes that is an idiot. Please don't ever repeat that name to me again, okay?"

"So, you think my sister is an idiot?" He asked jokingly, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Did I stutter?" she shot back, her tone sharp and unwavering. "It's not her fault, though."

Damon, feeling the weight of guilt settle over him, responded with a forced chuckle, trying to brush off the tension. "Yeah, okay. Heh. I already forgot about it."

But she wasn't letting him off that easily. "What was the favor?" she pressed, her voice calm but laced with curiosity.

He quickly deflected, not wanting to dive into the details. "Don't worry about it. I'll figure it out on my own," Damon said, his voice firm, signaling the end of the conversation.

Damon hung up the phone, a look of frustration crossing his face just as Kai walked in behind him, his usual smirk faltering when he noticed the tension.

"Hey. Who was that?" Kai asked, trying to keep things light.

"Bonnie," Damon replied, his voice sharp with irritation. "She doesn't want to help. And don't believe there's a new 'you'."