Paris's Pov

"did you really think you would never be found? Or did you expect that I would have cooled off and never tried to find you?"


“To be very honest, I would have been more than happy to delude myself that I had put as much distance as I could possibly have between myself and you. I mean Africa really is the other side of the world.” She replied shaking her head as though she was distraught and I rose a brow,

“You chose Kigali because of the distance?”

“And I wanted a bit of adventure. And I suppose you can say I thirsted a bit for the sight of nature.”


“Absolute bull crap.” I hissed and she shrugged.

"I must say, I let my guard down, seeing how long it has been." she said, placing the pamphlet she held on the table between us, "but I must say, it's really nice to see you, even after all of this time," she said with a smile that screamed fake, and I rolled my eyes, took the seat across from her,


"You can save the pretenses. We both know you are not thrilled to see me."

"I wouldn't say that. I mean, it's really been a while since I saw my family."

"but not since you spoke to your family.”

“You seem like you are trying to say something vital brother, I mean why don’t you speak in much clearer terms?”

“You want clearer terms?” I asked with some irritation and she nodded,

“It’s better than speaking in parables.”

“I’m not speaking in parables. I’m simply trying to state that you’ve been in touch with family. Most Likely your mother. Otherwise, who would fund your lifestyle so richly if not but your mother dearest?"

“You’re so quick to decide. How are you sure it’s our beloved mother?”

“Are you trying to tell me it’s someone else?” I asked with a tilt of my head and she shrugged.

"could have been papa dearest. You don't seem to think much of him."

"He has no part in funding evil."

She scoffed, "So now I'm evil? I've done nothing but mind my business these past few weeks. "

"Then why did you send those men to Ember? "

"What men are you talking about? " she asked, and she genuinely looked blank. But I refused to believe that she didn't know what I was talking about. Christina could be a great actress when she actually put her mind to it.

"don't play dumb."

"as much as I'd like to put my acting skills to practice, as I've done over and over lately. I really don't know what you're talking about. What men?"

"the ones who attacked Ember. " I said and she actually scoffed,

"There were men who attacked Ember? Well, about damn time," she said and I glared at her, making her shrug,

"You know how I feel about her. That much hasn't changed. But have I sent men to attack her? To be honest, I haven't given her that much thought since I left."

"Well, somebody sent men to attack her. That same somebody kidnapped one of the men I had taken hostage. He was in a bad condition, so we know he was taken. That same person messed with our security camera and disabled some guards. That person knows them in and out."

"And you think that person is me," Christina said, proving she had caught on,

"I have reason to think so."

"As much as I would have loved to cause that girl some pain, given how annoying and irritating I find her and in as much as it delights me that someone beat me to it-unfortunately I wasn’t there to witness it- as you can see, I'm simply trying to have a good time in Kigali."

"Well, I hate to break it to you, honey. But time's up." I said, suddenly tired. I believed her. Christina was my sister, and I knew her like the back of my hand. I could even see through her when she was lying. It was more than clear to me that she wasn't lying. But that didn't mean that she was free of blame. She still had a sentence to deal with. The one she had escaped from.

"what bull crap are you talking about, Paris?"

"oh, nothing more than the fact that you have no business being here in Kigali, after all that you've done. "

"Ever heard of forgive and forget? I mean, I'm turning over a new leaf."

"Perhaps you are. But, one turn deserves another. However, as this is merely the beginning of your holiday, I'm willing to let you enjoy the rest of it. On the last day, you're coming home with me."

She groaned in unconcealed resentment, "Let me breathe, Paris. Simply let me breathe."

"maybe once justice is served."

"you're so focused on me right now. Is this to supplement the fact that you can't find the actual people you're after?"

I looked at her for the longest time before choosing to respond to her. Even then, I chose my words carefully,

"I do have some anger toward not finding the people I'm actually looking for. They didn't just terrorize Ember, they also messed with my home directly. It's personal now. Heaven knows I wished it was you who sent those men. Because if it were you, it could have also been that I didn't have to worry about your motives or how you tampered with security. But now it's not you, it's not about me.`` I said and closed my eyes. When I opened them, I found her eyes on me, and I knew she was paying attention. I knew she finally saw the problem,

"But now, you must think this one through, because someone really is messing with you from the inside out," she said and I nodded slowly,

"yes."

"Well, now that we've established that this has nothing to do with me. Can I be set free?"

"I already told you, you are going back home. But I will be lenient enough with my own sister, Even though I am fully aware of what you deserve."

She sneered and looked away, "say it quickly,

"not much to say. You're allowed to enjoy your trip to Kigali. But once the next couple of days are over, you're following

Me back home. Whether you want to or not."

"You're very thoughtful," she said, dripping with sarcasm and I smiled to myself,

"you should be thankful I'm letting you finish your holiday." she made a face and reached for her glass

"At this point, you may do whatever you please."

~~~~~

The next couple of days were somewhat uneventful. Aside from the time Christina actually tried to run away. She was unsuccessful of course, but It had been tedious work.

"How dare you?!" Christina snapped as my men locked her within the walls of a cell.

"I got you the best cell. This one is actually somewhat spacious."

"you've most certainly lost your mind. And here I was, trying to believe you would change your mind. But no, that girl has brainwashed you through and through." she spat from within and I only shrugged,

"At least, I still know the difference between being a good and bad person," I said and began to turn away.

I knew she wasn't the person who sent those men, I was sure now. As much as I knew the problems might have been over now if she really was the one. Whoever it was simply had to get prepared, because a time would come when I found the culprit, and Christina's punishment would end up looking like child's play, I promised that to myself.

I had barely made it to my room with the intent of resting when my mother barged into my room looking like she wanted to raise the underworld,

"you brought my daughter back to this place only to treat her like a caged animal?!" Lara thundered and I rolled my shoulders before responding,

"your beloved daughter had no business running away in the first place. She only worsened her situation. But you have to like the cell I gave her, it is quite comfortable." I said and she looked at me with something akin to disgust,

"This is how far you've fallen." my mother said and I shrugged,

"but I'm not the one who did things I needed to pay for. I'm not the one who you helped run away."

"You think you are all that. You think you are free from indecency. Everyone makes mistakes, Paris."

"except what she did, all that she did, None of that was a mistake, all of it was predetermined, she sought to hurt someone. Again and again. What exactly did she think would happen?"

"you're blinded." my mother spat,

"no, Mother, I believe the blindness belongs to you. But nevertheless. I will leave you with it. Despite you coming here to yell at me though, my decisions still stand." I said firmly.