KENNEDY
My pulse raced as my Gmail popped on my phone. I had a new email from Mom.
I opened it to read the message. I hadn’t contacted my parents other than an email, telling them that I needed some space.
My heart sank.
I drew a deep breath, let out, and dialed Mom’s number. She picked right away as if she was expecting my call.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Honey. Oh, thank God. Where are you? You made us worry.”
“I’m fine, Mom. Tell Dad not to worry. I’m having fun, actually.”
“Having fun? What kind of fun, honey?” It was Dad. Maybe she put the speaker on.
“If I tell you both, could you not tell anyone where I am? I need some time for myself before I come back. But don’t worry, I am doing great.
“Can you tell us now?”
“I’m in Dubai.”
“Dubai? In the Middle East? What the hell are you doing there?” Now I regretted letting them know. Of course, I couldn’t tell them to stop worrying about me, but I made my decisions.
“We have clients before. She told me if I have plans to visit UAE, I should call her. So that’s why I am here.”
“How are you holding up? When are you gonna come back?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. I’m planning to travel to another country.”
“I’m glad to hear your voice, honey. Since you are doing okay, we’re good here,” Dad said.
“Have you transferred yet?”
“That’s what we wanna talk about you.”
“Wait. Did someone visit you?”
“No. Nothing like that. Alessia called here yesterday, asking about you. I can’t tell her anything because you just left without telling us about your plans or wherever you were planning to go. And you wanted us to mail this—you know.”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah, Mom. Or you can just give it to Alessia. She will give it to him.”
“Honey, you can mention his name if you’re really doing fine.”
“I’m going there, Mom.”
“Good. Anyway, have you watched the news?”
I shook my head. From the glass window, I watched the fastest growing and well-developed city as far as my sight would go. “I don’t wanna hear or know about it.”
“Well, just saw you know. They made a statement this morning.”
“Mom, please?” I bit back my tears.
“Honey, listen to me, Kennedy.” It was Dad. “You need to know that they’ve already found that woman in those pictures. Someone knew about your booking. They made a huge mistake because you can’t be in two different places at the same time.”
“Unless I have a double.”
“Exactly. The Royals have a copy of the flight manifest. And that your flight to LA was canceled before you and your friends flew to Vegas. So, your name has been cleared, and those trolls finally apologized and believed that it wasn’t you.”
“So, who’s the perpetrator that made that woman looked like me?”
“It doesn’t matter now, Kennedy. Have you talked to Prince Thayer?” There you go again, the constriction in my chest.
“I haven’t checked my number. I just purchased a visitor’s sim card. I hope you two can still keep a secret. I’m not ready to come back. It means I’m not ready to talk to anyone.”
“We completely understand, Kennedy. Just don’t do something stupid, okay?”
“Dad, I’m only here to enjoy, unwind, and skydive.” I rolled my eyes. They were overprotective, and they exactly reminded me of someone.
“You what?” I could feel the panic in my mom’s voice.
Oh, God! Kill me now. “That’s why I didn’t wanna tell you about it because I can literally see your reaction right now.”
“Is it safe?” Dad asked.
“Well, I just want to conquer my fear. And I’m not gonna jump alone. I have an instructor, and he’s patient and kind.”
“He?”
“Yes.” I let out a laugh. “Mom, he, and don’t go there yet. I know what you both are thinking. He’s kind, but that’s all.”
“Fine. Just take care and don’t push yourself too hard.”
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