Her head was throbbing,like yesterday's hangover had dragged itself into today.Worse still,he was standing in front of her , she hated how comfortable he still looked in her kitchen .How easily he moved through the spaces they once shared. Kai was staring at her with those grey eyes with that look.The one that screamed I'm waiting for an explanation, but iris wasn't about to offer one .
What could she say? We found her buried alive in a tomb during their expedition .
Nah she would sound crazy and Kai? He would not believe her , he never has anyways.She lowered her gaze to the cup of tea in her hands ,lost in thought , thinking about their past ,if they would still be together if that hadn't happened.
"Don't you have somewhere to be ? Something to do ?"Iris asked flatly .The tea had lost its taste and she was a little bit irritated,she stood up and walked to the sink ,pouring out the rest.
"Hey I made that for you ,"Kai said .
"I know ,"she replied without looking back."That's why I'm pouring it out ." She glanced over her shoulder, her voice mocking,how easily her mood changes.
"Who knows ,you might have poisoned it ."Her words dripped with exaggeration ,a faint smile tugging at her lips ,but Kai didn't bite.
"I'm going to work .If you don't want to tell me about your guest it's fine."He stood up,collecting his car keys from the counter and some files he had brought out earlier .He was dressed in a navy blue suit ,clean lines,well tailored ,though the tie sat crooked on his throat,his watch was silver, expensive but worn like a daily habit ,Iris bought that for him as a gift ,she was surprised he still kept it but said nothing since she was also guilty for keeping all the gifts he gave her .
"Hey Kai ,"Iris called softly.The weight in her voice suggested she wanted to tell him something , needed to, but in the end she didn't ,she shifted he gaze awkwardly and it landed on his tie.
"If you're going wear a suit at least fix the tie or just lose it .You look like a preschooler forced in his first school uniform."Kai exhaled sharply through his nose,he let out a half sigh,a half chuckle before he took off his tie and tossed it onto the couch.She always knew exactly how to deflect .There was something bothering her,but he didn't push.He had lost the right to ask questions or be concerned a long time ago ,ever since they broke up.
Iris slumped on the couch,her head still pounding her thoughts a tangled mess of unaswered questions.Across from her ,Zara watched TV in silence ,she had just woken up when Kai left ."Lets go out ."Iris said suddenly, straightening up.
"I need to get you familiar with the city, maybe will be lucky if you remember something,all in all we can't stay cooped up in the house with nothing to do."
Outside, Iris's black convertible gleamed in the sun.She missed her baby , it's been long, approximately three weeks since she touched it.She grinned then turned to Zara."You ever been in a convertible?" Iris asked, already sliding her sunglasses onto her nose as she clicked her car keys.
Zara shook her head slowly, wary "Maybe,No? I don't know .
Iris smirked, unlocking the black convertible parked in the parking lot . The hood was tucked away, wind ready to play with their hair. "Get in, Zara .Today, we live."
And live, they did.
The city greeted them with glimmering skyscrapers and sunlit glass windows that caught the clouds. Towers stabbed the sky like steel spires, casting shadows that danced with the golden morning light. Music blared through the car speakers something loud, unfiltered, with a beat that made their blood rush. Iris pushed the speed limit just a little, laughing freely as wind whipped through her hair .
"You should be on top of the seat,hood's down. C'mon. Be chaotic."
Zara stared. "That's... unsafe?"
"Loosen up, mate," Iris said in a faux British accent. "Trust me."
"Spread your arms!" Iris shouted. "Feel it!"
Zara did. For a few seconds, she felt like flying.She giggled,she loved the way the her hair danced in the wind it was thrilling,she felt free,happy and grateful that Iris ws the one who found her ,she has been nothing but kind to her and fun .
Their first stop was a dessert shop, nothing beats a little boost of energy from a sugar rush to get the day going .The moment they first stepped in ,they were greeted by the scent of warm vanilla and melted chocolate.
The glass display cases sparkled under the lights , showcasing rows of pastel macarons,caramel drizzled èclairs,ice cream with all flavours and slices of cake too pretty to eat.They sat at a corner with pink velvet seats and made their orders.
Zara tried almost all of the desserts the shop had to offer mint chocolate ice cream which she quickly took a liking too ,a few colorfull macarons, caramel sweets and a slice of strawberry cream cake .Iris had to stop her from ordering more ;she didn't want Zara getting a full blown sugar rush that she wouldn't be able to control.As for Iris she only ordered a chocolate Oreo milkshake
"What next ?"Zara asked, licking pink sugar off her fingers.
"The arcade,"Iris grinned.
Zara did not understand what she meant but she was definitely excited .Inside, the arcade was chaotic and buzzing, floors with pulsing LED strips and variety of games, teenagers with some adults filling the llace with laughter, yelling , arguing over high scores.They started with the claw machine , Zara won a purple teddy bear on her second try and Iris almost broke her nail trying to outscore a teen in Dance Rush. The two threw basketballs, shot zombies, and screamed down the fake roller coaster ride with3D googles slipping off their faces.
They took photos in a glitter booth hearts, rainbows and a ridiculous sticker ,Zara stared at the screen and laughed so hard she almost cried.Iris smiled looking at her glad to see she was having fun ,she couldn't possibly know how her life was before they found her,but she figured it wasn't good since they found her buried,so she was happy ,she was enjoying herself and also it was a great distraction for her ,to keep her thoughts at bay.
Lunch was greasy and messy and perfect. Cheesy burgers, double crusted pizza, fries in baskets. They ate on a rooftop terrace café, legs kicked up, the wind softer now. Zara had never tasted food like this her entire life which started weeks ago. It was overwhelming.comforting and slightly magical, Iris fed her a mozzarella stick with zero shame.
By late afternoon, they wandered into the city park. Children ran screaming, lovers kissed beneath cherry blossom trees, and performers played saxophones that echoed across the water fountains. Iris and Zara raced each other to the top of the jungle gym like they were ten year olds. Zara fell into the grass giggling,Iris tried to help her up but Zara dragged her down with her and giggled more when Iris fell they lay looking at each other , smiling.
The sky burned orange as the sun begun to melt behind the towers. When they returned home, the city lights glimmered in the distance like a constellation fallen to earth.
Zara sat cross legged on Iris's bed still glowing Iris sat beside her brushing hair from her face. "Today was fun?"Zara nodded still in a good mood though she was exhausted.Iris took out her phone and sent Sean their pictures of their fun escapade with a text that read 'We had fun without you'.She hit send.
Sean replied instantly:Jealous,some of us get off days while others work their butts off ,btw Zara looks nice .
Iris cackled and typed:Oh so you noticed I see you Sean.(She added the emoji with googly eyes)
"I think Sean likes you."Iris teased Zara when no response came from Sean .She turned her head ,but Iris could see her ears turn read.