Wicked games

Chapter 14

"THIS IS OUR first stop." Kai said as the car came to a stop.

I looked around confused. We were back in the city, back where I grew up, back to the life I had to give up.

He pulled in front of the cemetery where Munir was buried, and though I had a hoodie on and he had the heat on, I still felt how every hair on my body stood up. This isn't what I had in mind when he said to meet him in front of the parking, or when he told me we're going out for a bit.

I tried not to think too much about the implication of being here, but I couldn't stop that annoying voice in the back of my mind whispering that maybe, just maybe, this might be it. What I've been wishing and having countless nightmares about.

But seeing my family? That's wishful thinking, I know that much. I've made peace with it a long time ago, yet my poor heart still skipped a beat at the slightest possibility.

"What are we doing here?" I asked, and my eyes find shades of blue I have grown so used to these past few months.

My voice was barely a whisper, and for a moment I thought he didn't even hear my question.

"Your first wish," he responded, so simple and determined that my heart skipped another beat.

It can't be.

"My first wish?"

He motioned with his head somewhere behind me, and I gulped down, too scared to look. "It's coming now."

He kept his eyes on me, waiting for me to get over my nerves and turn my head. Somehow, I find the courage to do just that, and my breath catches in my throat as I turn my head.

Considering the way my day started—and how my life made 180° turn in the last few months, this was the last thing I expected.

Taylor and Munir woke me up before my alarm even went off. They barged in, Taylor first in line with a chocolate cupcake in her hand, Munir looking slightly disgruntled.

"Happy birthday, An!" Taylor exclaimed, her smile wide and genuine.

I couldn't help but laugh when she threw herself over me, keeping the cupcake steady with one hand while the other wrapped around my neck.

"Thanks, Taylor. Though you didn't need to barge in like that," I rolled my eyes affectionately before my gaze settled on Munir.

She stood by the door, leaning on the wall, hands crossed over her chest. She carried the same indifferent look on her face, though her eyes softened a bit when I looked at her.

"And thanks, Munir. I'm sure Taylor's been a real pain in the ass with this."

She grumbled something as a response. The agents were the only ones who had access to our rooms—Sith, more precisely, so I was more than sure that Taylor has been bugging her for a few days now to help her do something nice for my birthday.

The cupcake Taylor had in her hand was a clear indication of it.

"C'mon, Munir. You can do better than that." It was Munir's turn to roll her eyes at Taylor.

"Happy birthday, Ana." I smiled, appreciating the effort.

"Make a wish now."