Chapter 113 Divided
976words
Who I hadn't seen again ever since Ember started threatening him. "Kayn is going to love that dress on you."
"I doubt if he sees what you paid for it," I commented, my eyes scanning the crowds of people walking past us.
"Actually, he did give a budget," Ember pointed out. "You didn't reach half of it. Clearly, you underestimate how much money he has."
"I'm not with him for the money."
Ember paused, grinning at me. "Well, well, well. What do you know?"
"What?" I felt my brows crease together.
"You finally admit it. You're dating."
"It's not like we've been keeping it a secret," I admitted. "That, and we haven't made it official. I guess you could say we're just rolling with it."
"Actions speak louder than words, Carly. He doesn't have to ask you if things keep up the way it does. It's kind of obvious."
"So, what's the deal then?" I eyed her.
"Your admission, that's what."
I rolled my eyes, smiling, and we fell back into a walk.
"Hey, let's get a milkshake," Ember suggested. "They got a bunch of new flavors in that I'm dying to try."
"Sure, sounds great." We headed for Ember's favorite place and took a seat in the far back corner so we had enough space to put all the bags without anyone tripping over them.
"Ooh. The Oreo one seems to die for," Ember paged through the menu.
"I think I'll take one too," I said, placing down my menu and watching people as they entered the restaurant. "The place seems busier than usual."
"It usually looks like this when they've added new things to the menu. People around here always get hyped over new things."
"That I've definitely noticed." I snorted a laugh, getting up from my seat. "I'll be right back. I need to go to the bathroom."
"Sure thing." Ember pulled out her phone and began typing on it with a big smile on her face. I shook my head as I walked toward the women's toilets, knowing fully that smile was put there by none other than Rake.
I was slowly trusting him and hoped he wasn't just playing Ember. She seemed incredibly happy since they were talking again, though I wasn't sure where exactly they stood relationship-wise. That was if there was one.
Telling by the way Ember was acting, I had no doubt it was in the direction things were heading for those two.
I sighed, rounding the corner of the bathroom, and noticed in the corner of my eye a woman getting up and heading for the toilets as well. I upped my pace so that I could make space for her to go in, but she kept in line behind me. I figured she wasn't in a hurry, then.
When I got inside the bathroom, I made a beeline for one of the stalls when a click sounded and my back immediately snapped straight.
"Carly?" the woman's voice sounded uncertain.
A sinking feeling formed inside the pit of my stomach as I slowly turned, thinking up all the worst-case scenarios I could possibly conjure up. I expected everything and anything, other than what she said to me next.
"Hello," she smiled, but it looked more like she was fighting against not crying. Her eyes were glassy and her hands slightly trembled as she clutched them together against her lap. "My name is Ilysse. The queen of the Atlantic."
My eyes bulged and I struggled to form words. "Come again?"
She took a step toward me and I took one back. "You don't need to be afraid of me. I'm not here to hurt you."
"Then what do you want from me?" I asked, giving her a sideways look. I should have known she was a mermaid just by looks alone. She had a certain unearthly quality to her, her skin was too perfect. Her hair was long and wavy in golden tones, and her eyes a kind of blue you'd see in the sky on a bright, sunny day.
Her eyes narrowed as if she had trouble deciding what to say next. When her eyes flicked back up, she forced another smile. "You're beautiful."
I blinked. "Look, I don't want to be a jerk or anything, but it kind of is creepy saying that to a total stranger."
"I'm sorry," she said. "I just can't believe I'm standing in front of you."
"Okay, so...Why is the queen of the Atlantic talking to me right now?"
She took a deep breath. "It's a little complicated."
I sputtered a disbelieving laugh. "Yeah, well, what's new?"
"It does look like they are taking good care of you." Her eyes traveled over me. "I just can't understand why they brought you back here after I made it clear they shouldn't."
Everything inside me froze, and that sinking feeling became a gaping hole inside my chest. "My parents?" my voice echoed.
"Yes," she nodded. "Why did they bring you here?"
I frowned, forcing my mouth to work. "My mom's job brought us here."
"I see," she sighed, taking another step toward me. This time I couldn't get my legs to work as I stared up at her, knowing fully what was coming next. I couldn't already feel the truth seeping in.
"They didn't steal me, did they?" I asked.
She shook her head. "I had to give you to them to protect you. I had to protect both of you, my daughters."
"Daughters?" my voice squeaked.
Her smile brightened. "Yes, you and your sister."
