The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 139 Kiki's Appearance “Aw, this is so sweet of you, Virtue,” Lisa said after taking the red silk scarf out from the paper bag. “This will go great with my designer purse. Thank you.” She placed the scarf and the paper bag in one of her desk drawers.

“I missed you at the opening yesterday,” | said, “but | heard you were really busy. How's Cris, by the way? | heard he was at home...sick.” | needed to pretend to be the thoughtful friend or she would definitely suspect something was up if | didn’t ask about him.

“Oh, Cris? He's actually doing much better. He's, uhm, still at home, though, recovering,” she mumbled absentmindedly while tidying up the papers on her desk, avoiding eye contact. “Yeah..... business has been doing well despite the chaos.” She pressed a key on her laptop and closed it. “But enough about me. So how can | help you? Do you already have plans to sell? | mean, after you and Liam get married, | assyou'll be moving into the Cohen Mansion, yes?” “I guess | will be selling my house eventually, but I'm not here to put my hon the market just yet,” | said, my brow furrowed. “Why do you ask? Has someone been in about my house?” “Actually, yes, there is someone asking about your house,” she answered to my surprise. “And | think you know her. Her face is on every poster in town.” “Sarah Hughes? The one running against Liam? S-She asked about my house?” | asked, acting shocked. Of course... one of Noah's lovers wanted my house. | surmised she wanted to be closer to him. “Doesn't she live in Highland Oaks? Why would she want to buy my house when she lives in such a nice neighborhood?” “I'm guessing she wants to finally leave the nest Lisa said. “Both her bookstore an shop are doing well, I've heard. Anyway, she calledup yesterday askingto i once you put the house up for sale. She toldshe is willing to pay whatever you w ie.” “She said that, huh? Whatever | want... I'll take that into consideration when | make my decision,” | told her, glancing at Cristos who had moved forward, placing his small man pu on Lisa's desk. He was looking at his phone, tapping his foot impatiently. It was obvious he needed more time. “By the way, have you heard about Nicole? Bo toldshe figured into an accident last night.” “Yes, | did,” she said, her bright smile turning into a frown. “Jack toldthis morning. I'm going to visit her at the hospital later after work.” “I'll probably visit her tomorrow when I'm free. Will you be going to Theodore Cohen’s wak Wed, Apr 3 CHAPTER ED 120 K Appearance 54% 1 later tonight?” | asked nonchalantly.

“I don’t know,” she answered, looking hesitant. “Where will it be held anway? Chimes is still under construction.” “At Cohen Mansion. Liam calleda while ago and said he will be opening the mansion to the public so everyone can pay their final respects to his father,” | answered.

“He is?!” She asked stunned. “I've only been there twice my whole entire life. Once with my parents and the other twas when Liam and Cris won the election.” She sounded excited. “Countin. I'll be going.” “Great! I'll see you later tonight then,” | replied, smiling brightly. | was about to tell her about K iki, but Cristos tapped his fingers on Lisa's desk, signaling he was done.

“Sorry, delivery problems. Bo’s delivery men can’t distinguish the difference between Curacao and Cointreau,” Cristos finally uttered, placing his phone in his pocket and his bag onto his Hap. He was grinning from ear to ear, looking triumphant.

“Actually, Lisa, we're here because Chip wants to buy a house,” | said, pointing at Chip with my thumb.

“Chip, are you sick of sharing?” Lisa asked amused.

“I'am,” he rolled his eyes, getting into character. “It’s hard taking care of two big babies.” Lisa giggled.

“Then, why don’t you wait for Virtue’s house to go on the market? After she weds, have any use for it,” she said, winking. “I can forget Sarah Hughes ever calledju you.” “The Old Taylor House is a gorgeous house, | admit, but | want to be surrounded by y people... closer to my age.

Her neighborhood is for the old and sickly,” Cristos scoffed.

“That's the reason why I like it. It's quiet,” | pointed out.

“Too quiet,” Cristos said with a click of his tongue. “And | want something new. Not haunted.” “The Old Taylor House isn’t haunted, Chip, Lisa said giggling while she opened her drawer. She took out a small pamphlet and slid it to Cristos. “So I'm guessing Hillcrest then. We have five newly constructed houses on the market. One of them is near the clubhouse along the3/6 Wed, Apr CHAPTER 139 Ki ki's Appearance lake, but because it is on the lake, the asking price is higher.” “Lisa, price isn't an issue, Cristos replied. “I would prefer being on the lake... | heard the view is breathtaking. As for your house, Virtue, | think Bo might be interested.” “Bo? I'll keep him in mind then,” | said, nodding my head.

54% “So, when are you free for viewing, Chip?” Lisa asked, opening her laptop. “How about later this afternoon after | show Mr. Shepherd the house at the Taylor cul-de-sac.” She pointed to Chef who didn’t even bother looking up from what he was reading.

“I can’t today. Virtue and | are going to Bismarck. How about tomorrow?” Cristos asked.

“Oh? You're going to Bismarck? What for?” Lisa asked us.

“I'm picking up a girlfriend of mine to help with the wedding,” | answered. “I'm thinking of being a June bride.

What do you think?” “You'll make a lovely June bride, Virtue, Lisa said, grinning at me. “Alright then. I'll reserve the house for you, Chip, and we can go see that house tomorrow.” “Look at the time, Virtue. Your friend will be arriving soon, Cristos said unexpectedly, looking at his watch. “We need to go. What tshould | cby tomorrow, Lisa?” “How about two in the afternoon? There's a couple who will be viewing another house in Hillcrest with us.” “Sure, two will be fine,” Cristos replied. “Con, Virtue, | still need to drop by the pub before we drive to Bismarck.” We stood up and said our goodbyes. Once we were inside Chip’s car, he smiled at me.

“I got all her information including her offshore account. I'll check if she has ever benefitted from Cris’s extracurricular activities later,” he said as he turned on the ignition. “I got a message from Bo, by the way. It seems Pete has agreed to a tand a place.” “Oh yeah? Where and when?” | asked.

“A gasoline station near Red River. We need to deliver you at midnight after the Spring Honey Bee celebration.” “One week from today.” | replied. “That'll give us enough tto make plans.” 4/6 12:18 Wed, Apr 3 MO CHAPTER 139 Kiki's Appearance “We'll change cars on our way to Bismarck so we can take a quick look at the area,” Cristos. said as we drove to the pub. “I just need to get my signal jammer and grab sCCTV cameras at the pub first.” “I think it's a good thing K iki is coming,” | said. “Why deliver just one girl when you can deliver two?” “That's a good suggestion,” Cristos said, nodding his head. “Let’s just hope Bo thinks so too. Were you able to place the bug?” “Of course. Right at the edge of her desk where she can’t see it,” | answered, winking at him.

After a quick stop at the pub, we drove to Mandan to change cars. From there, we drove to Bismarck Airport hoping K iki wasn’t too pis sed at us for making her wait.

“Do you see her?” | asked Cristos as we searched for her. We were both outside, leaning against a silver Mercedes-Benz.

“Letcall her,” Cristos said, dialing his phone. “Maybe she took a taxi-" “Primo, I'm here. Sorry, for the wait, but | had to make sure all of my gear was complete. Drakos, that im becile, misplaced one of my luggages,” a husky female voice said.

Cristos and | both turned our heads to the source of the voice and stood frozen to the spot.

Kiki's appearance left us... speechless.

Her natural dark hair was now a dark blonde. Her black make-up and piercings were gone She was wearing a light tan trench coat dress and black high-heeled sandals, a far cry from her usual gothic look. Kiki's make-up was also light and natural, with a neutral shade of pink, a color she utterly disliked just like her brother.

In my opinion, she looked absolutely stunning. The natural color of her eyeshadow made her light brown eyes pop out and the heels accentuated her long legs... although | always liked the goth look on her. Only a few people could pull that look off and she was one of them.

“Oh my Go d, Kik i,” Cristos said. “You look just like-" “Virtue? That's the point. We're supposed to be bestfriends, so | thought we should look alike,” she answered, handing him her luggage. Plus, this way, no one will suspect I'm packing underneath my dress.” 5/6 12:18 Wed, Apr CHAPTER 139 Kiki's Appearance “You're beautiful, K iki,” | said, smiling at her. “Now, | have a proper partner in crime.” Her lips curved in a wicked smile.

“Exactly. You and | are going to make the men of New Salem go down on their hands and knees and beg,” K iki said. “Of all the scu m on this earth, it’s the rapists | detest the most... especially the rapist who profits from it.” Chapter Comments 4 POST COMMENT NOW < SHARE 6/6