CHAPTER 19
Not long after we got home, Violet arrived too. She said she'd spend some time with us. Lately, she and Marissa had gotten quite close—closer than I expected.
Earlier, Lupita had asked if I'd ever used a bow and arrow. I hadn't. So she took it upon herself to teach me.
I changed into cycling shorts, and we went out to the backyard. Surprisingly, I got the hang of it quickly. My aim was already decent, so it didn't take long before I was hitting close to target.
That night, Violet made dinner—white rice and curry chicken.
She didn't know.
I didn't even smell it at first. The spices masked it too well.
I was on my third spoonful when it hit.
Heat rushed through my body, sudden and violent. My throat tightened. My chest followed.
I dropped the spoon.
My hand went to my neck.
I couldn't breathe.
"What's happening to Brandi?" Violet's voice cracked. "Her skin—what's happening to her skin?!"
"She's struggling to breathe!" she panicked.
"Bring her inhaler!" Indira shouted.
Everything blurred after that.
Seconds later, the inhaler was pressed into my hand. I took it, desperate, pulling in the medication like my life depended on it.
Because it did.
Gradually… my chest loosened. Air returned. Slow. Painful. But there.
"Did you put garlic in the curry?" Lupita asked, her tone sharp.
"Yes! I did! Doesn't she eat garlic?" Violet's voice trembled. She was already crying.
"No," Lupita snapped. "She's allergic."
"I didn't know… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Brandi…" Violet rushed to my side, sitting next to me.
Honestly, this was always the part I hated.
Every time I had an attack, they acted like I was dying.
My skin flaked a little. My chest tightened. I needed meds and rest—that was it.
Two days later, I'd be fine.
Still… after that night, Violet never touched garlic again.
Later, we were lounging by the pool.
That's when I noticed Lupita.
Smiling.
At her phone.
Not just smiling—glowing.
That caught my attention.
The only person she used to smile at like that… was me.
And I was right there. Phone in my hand. No messages.
I sat up.
Baboon dung, I thought. Someone replaced me.
I moved and sat directly across from her. Still nothing. No reaction.
"Are we fighting?" I asked.
She blinked, snapping out of whatever world she was in.
"Oh—you're here. What did you say?"
Yeah… no.
I stood, grabbed her hand, and pulled her aside where no one could hear us.
"Out with it."
"Out with what?" she asked, already blushing.
"Who are you talking to?" I crossed my arms. "And don't lie. I've seen those smiles."
"It's just… an AI app I downloaded. It's interesting."
I stared at her.
She couldn't even hold eye contact.
"You didn't start smiling at your phone until the day we got pulled over…" I paused, then narrowed my eyes. "Wait. Don't tell me—"
"What?" she asked quickly.
"Lupita… are you talking to that cop?"
She tried to deny it.
Badly.
After a little pressure, she gave in.
Turns out, that day she stepped out of the car? He asked for her number.
And she gave it to him.
I couldn't even lie—the man was fine. Tall, dark, beard… the full package.
Still.
A cop?
That was… complicated.
"So you lied about being a lesbian?" I asked.
"No," she corrected. "I like both men and women."
I scoffed.
"Then you're bisexual, not a lesbian, you fool."
She paused… then smiled.
"I guess I am."
She hugged me.
"Two battlefields," I teased. "Men and women. Pick a struggle, darling."
She laughed.
I was happy for her. I really was.
Only one thing bothered me.
He was a cop.
And people like us? We didn't mix well with law enforcement.
Back by the pool, I texted her instead of speaking.
Me: Can you do me a favor?
Lupita: Sure. What is it?
Me: Keep this… whatever-it-is… between us. Imagine the chaos if the others find out you're talking to a cop.
Lupita: You're right… maybe I should just stop talking to him?
Me: No. For once, choose yourself. What's his name again?
Lupita: Shaun.
Me: Yeah. You and Shaun—do your thing. Just keep our identities under wraps.
That settled it.
I leaned back and let the sun hit my face.
Violet left that evening. Said she had work and didn't want distractions.
That's the difference between us.
Violet carried herself like a woman who had everything in control—polished, precise.
Me?
I was a weapon.
As long as my family was safe, I didn't care how I looked doing it.
Still… I had to admit—
She was growing on me.
Kora's late nights slowly turned into full absences. One night became two. Sometimes she wouldn't come home at all.
Everyone else seemed calm about it.
I wasn't.
We hadn't even met this guy.
"Don't you think Kora's getting a little too comfortable with this man?" I asked one hot afternoon, the sun blazing outside. "Not that it's a bad thing… but considering how known we are, I'm just concerned."
"Facts," Marissa said, adjusting her glasses. "It's bothering me too. But Jordan's birthday is in two days—we'll meet him in forty-eight hours."
I stared at her.
That was it? That was her contribution?
I got up without another word and headed to Lupita's room.
Another surprise.
Seven dresses were neatly spread across her bed.
Dresses.
Lupita.
I just stood there, staring.
"What?" she asked, already catching my expression.
"What did I say?" I replied innocently.
"The way you're looking at me is loud enough."
I sat at the edge of her bed, shaking my head slightly. Infatuation really did things to people. I refused to call it love—love was a scam, and I stood by that.
"Help me choose," she said, holding up a dress. "Which one looks the best?"
"Take the black one."
"I'm not going to a funeral, Brandi."
"Then where the hell are you going?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
That question took her somewhere else completely. Lupitaville. Population: one.
She sat beside me, cupping her face dreamily.
"I'm going on a date… with Shaun."
"Ohhh," I dragged out, smirking. "I see you."
We argued over dresses for a while before Lupita suggested we call Violet.
I dialed.
"Violet, quick question—if you were going to a fundraising event, what color dress would you wear?"
There was a pause.
"Definitely not white—you'll look desperate. Black is a no. Go for dusty pink. Pair it with clear heels and a matching handbag. Elegant, not loud."
Click.
She didn't even wait for a response.
In the end, Lupita followed her advice.
And wow… she looked good.
Her legs—legs she always hid in jeans—finally saw daylight. The dress hugged her perfectly, her back exposed just enough to reveal that beautiful tattoo.
We couldn't risk anyone seeing her like that. Too many questions.
So I snuck her out.
She didn't give Shaun our address—for obvious reasons—and drove herself to the venue.
I went back inside.
Around nine that evening, Violet showed up.
Unannounced.
Again.
"Why are you here so late?" I asked, genuinely surprised.
"I had an idea!" she beamed. "When you called about the dresses, I thought—why not get all of you something for Jordan's birthday?"
She sat down like she owned the place.
"I bought the same dress in different colors."
"Why the same dress?" I asked.
"So you don't accuse me of dressing myself better than you," she said smoothly. "I know you envy my style—but don't worry, I've got you covered."
She kissed my cheek like we hadn't been arguing yesterday.
She pulled out six dresses.
Net-like. Revealing. Bold.
I stared at them, unsure.
"Relax," Violet said, already stepping in. "I'll choose for you."
She picked out a black one and tossed it at me.
"Try it."
I caught it.
"You know black is my favorite color, right?"
"No," she said casually. "I just thought it matched your… poisonous witch aura."
I blinked.
"That's… one way to describe me."
"It's a compliment."
"You're insane."
I poured myself a glass of lemonade and added ice.
She gasped.
"Did you just put ice in my drink?"
"It's hot," I said. "What's the problem?"
"I don't intend on losing my voice," she replied, pushing the glass away like it offended her.
Of course.
Beauty rules over everything.
I went to try on the dress.
When I stepped out, she clapped immediately.
"Now that is what I'm talking about. Turn."
I gave her a full spin.
She circled me, analyzing like a stylist on a mission.
"Something's missing…" she murmured.
Then her eyes lit up.
"Loosen your hair."
"No."
I didn't even think about it.
My hair stayed tied for a reason—thick, stubborn, and not interested in cooperation.
She didn't argue.
For once.
We ended up talking for hours—about nothing and everything. Honestly… I enjoyed it more than I'd admit.
But my mind kept drifting back to Lupita.
She was taking too long.
I started getting sleepy.
"Aren't you going home?" I yawned. "I'm tired."
Instead of answering, Violet grabbed her bag and headed upstairs.
"Where are you going?" I called after her. "That's not the exit."
"I'm staying over."
Of course she was.
She always found her way into my room when she did.
And I wasn't in the mood to fight for space all night.
So I took the easier option.
I went to Lupita's room… and slept there.