"Okay, for the umpteenth time, I did not plan this, my assistant did, and need I remind you how mad I was? "

Casey and Mia were on the way to Cara's house, and the intense discussion that was taking place between them involved a very tall basketball player.

Casey was trying to explain herself, not that she knew why, and Mia was not buying into the whole thing.

"Am trying to set things straight here, Casey. You know involving ourselves with anyone related to the Falcons could jeopardize my entire plan, right? "Mia said, hands right on the steering wheel.

"I know that. That's why am telling you this, I had no idea my crew hired Jack Chadwick for this, and if we had not yet paid him and signed a contract, I'd have dropped from the entire deal. You know I would've. But this is just me trying to put my business first, and I promise you, it's going to be strictly business. "

She wished.

Mia sighed heavily.

"I know you Casey, and I know you wouldn't want to risk ruining my plan, but I also know, we both know, there are more than a hundred ways to drop this deal, signed or not. You know I would even cover the cost of getting someone new, and would offer you whatever funds you needed. But the thing is, you're saying this, you're staring at that unusual magazine on your lap, your tone is two notes too high, and I can tell you're nervous. So my question is, are you really doing this for the business? "

Casey looked out the window.

"I am. "

Mia thought about it.

This was brainy Casey, the girl who always knew what she was getting into, and right now, she was acting all weird about a guy she's only met two times in her entire life.

It was definitely not business, she was obviously crushing on him.

But Mia wouldn't push it. Casey was a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions, and knowing which ones she made wrong.

She had always been her friend, but-

"You know I'd drop you anytime if your relationship with Jack- who's a player- got in the way of me getting vengeance for my family, right? "Mia said, staring straight ahead.

Casey turned her head in a sudden motion to look at her.

Mia had never been this straightforward, let alone mean to her over something so stupid.

But Casey also knew Mia, knew that no matter how strong and confident she appeared on the outside, she was also strong on the inside, and knew this was her way of saying that she loves her and doesn't wanna see her hurt, but would also like her to distant herself from the people she is trying to destroy and get revenge on.

Knowing this, Casey smiled and put a hand over Mia's on the steering wheel, and could feel how incredibly hot and fast her pulse was.

She was obviously in distress, and they both knew that even after Casey's pep talk earlier, the only thing that had jerked Mia back to reality, the reality of what happened and why she needs to go though with her plan, was her dad.

Her dad, lying in that hospital bed, shrivelled and withered, the smell of death all around him.

She wasn't going to let anyone get in her way.

Anyone.

"I get were you're coming from, Mia. And if this is giving you that much of stress, it'll make it easier for you to know that if am close to Jace's best friend, it is to your advantage since I can find out things that a man only tells his closest partner, and that way you'll have him from all corners. Also, if you really want to drop me from your life, I can't stop you. But just so you know, your life is way much easier with me in it. "

Mia cracked a smile.

Casey smiled back.

And just like that, everything was fixed once again.

"We're here. "Mia pulled outside Aunt Cara's house, and Casey jumped out of the car enthusiastically.

"Get ready for a night of good food, drama and terrorising questions. "Casey said, locking hands with Mia as they walked up to the front door and knocked.

"It's open! "Cara shouted from the inside, possibly from the kitchen, and Casey swung the door open with Mia trailing in after her.

She made a dramatic show of sniffing around, then taking one huge whiff of the air, all while directly heading for the aromatic kitchen.

"Aaaah. Smells like home. "She sighed.

"Couldn't agree more. "Mia responded, before being engulfed in a bone crushing hug by Cara, who was clad in a floral dress and her usual Maude apron.

"I haven't seen you in so long, Mia. I was starting to think you're avoiding me. "Cara complained, moving her crushing hugs to Casey, who was pretending to lose consciousness.

"Well, am here now, and why would I be avoiding you? "Mia responded to her question, nervously sitting down at the dinner table.

Cara waved her wooden spoon around.

"You know, you've not been coming over as often as before, and you've been acting strange every time I call you. "

"That's because your calls are full of interrogative questions, mama. "Casey responded for Mia, peeking at the bubbling pot of stew.

"What are you taking about? "Cara scoffed, "Am not interrogative. But I was just wondering, are you by any case pregnant? "

Mia's jaw dropped.

"No! Of course not! "

Casey rolled her eyes as her mom shrugged.

"I assumed. Girls only act strange around their moms when they are pregnant. So, does this mean you've not yet found someone? "

"To get her pregnant? "Casey laughed.

Mia slapped her back as she walked over to help set the table.

"No, I haven't found someone, aunt. And I hope I never will. "

"Why not? Don't act like I don't want seventy grandkids from you. "

"You have Casey. "

"Oh, that one will never get herself a man. "

"Mom! Thanks so much for your trust in me. "Casey protested, making Mia laugh a little.

"What? You're way too feisty for anyone. "

Cara served the casserole, as everyone sat down in anticipation of the mouth-watering goodness that awaited them.

"She kinda is. "Mia ganged up on Casey, laughing, making her shoot her an unbelievable glare.

"So, what are you upto, Mia? "

Cara was not one to forget an interrogation.

Mia shrugged.

"Just usual business stuff. Nothing much. "

"If it wasn't much, you wouldn't be too busy to pick my calls, yeah? Unless of course, you've got yourself a nice boyfriend that is keeping you busy? So when are you getting married? "

Mia sighed.

Oh, the old boyfriend, marriage stunt. She was never gonna let that go, was she?

"Aunt, you know am going back to school, right?"

"I know, but an aunt can only hope, right? I just hate seeing you all absorbed in work and so tired and stressed all the time, I want you to live like other girls your age, you know, go out have fun, laugh. Everything. You dad is sick, I know, but he'll get better, and who knows, maybe your mom will come back someday. But for now, sweetie, it's all about you and making yourself happy. You only live once you know. "

She should say.

Mia put her fork down and looked at the two women sitting at the table with her, so similar in so many ways, and the reason she had made it this far.

It reminded her of how much she missed her own family, despite telling herself over and over again that this was family over the years. It was her family, she couldn't deny that, but blood is always thicker than water.

She wanted her mom back, brushing her hair and cuddling her when she had had nightmares and making her peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when she had had nothing to eat the entire day, too absorbed in school work.

She missed her dad, the plump old fat man that used to tell her terrible jokes and laugh hysterically through them, that used to help her up on his shoulder to fix broken light bulbs and would become dramatic over the littlest details like for getting to feed the cat.

She wanted it all back, but like just like a gust of unforeseen wind, it was all gone.

Clutching her fork back into her hands again, she smiled politely to Cara, who she knew just wanted what was best for the girl she had raised as her own daughter, but would never understand the real pain of losing your entire life, uprooted from your ideal comfort zone, and placed,forced to live an alien livelihood , but knowing the people responsible for taking that happiness and part your life were walking around free and having fun like it was all part of a silly game.

She couldn't just take it in and pretend like nothing happened.

She had to have her revenge.

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