7 CHAPTER 7

Travis just like a month before was following the girls from shop to shop with a trolley with their other shopping bags and was questioning his life questions very seriously this time. He might be a gang member however shopping is one mission which he would definitely turn his back on and he would never regret it...ever. But he also knew that would earn him to sleep on the couch instead of wrapped around his girlfriend in the duvet, so just like a normal sane man, Travis chooses the latter. Currently, the trio was in the changing room while Mia was trying a dress on in one of the cubicles

"What about this one?" Mia came out a little hesitant in the long black dress

Her boyfriend shamelessly eyes her from top to bottom as he lingered his eyes on her exposed stomach from the cuts on the side and her legs, where the dress stopped way too short for his liking. Don't get him wrong he loves her in these type of clothes but only for him to see, not any other perverted men

"N-No!" Travis shook his head "You can't take this,"

"Why?" Cora said along with Mia "She looks so hot,"

"Exactly! So she can't take it," Travis said not knowing that lust inside was taking over as he walked over to Mia pulling her close and whispered in her ear "Only I am allowed to look at you like this, got it?"

Usually, Mia doesn't give in like this but she too felt weak in the knees and she only blushed as she hid her head in his chest

"As much as I love you guys," Cora said getting up from the seat "NO PDA IN FRONT OF MY INNOCENT EYES,"

"Innocent eyes?" Mia snickered "I totally saw you checking that salesman out,"

"Was not"

"Was too"

"Was not"

"I am just going to leave you guys to it," Travis shook his head as he took the rest of the shirts from Mia's hand except for the dress and headed to the cashier with Cora following him and Mia went back to change

The two didn't have to wait long and soon they were done with paying and were now just waiting for Mia. Their silence broke my phone ringing and particularly Cora's phone. She took her phone and instantly Travis noticed the sudden colour drain from her face and she cut the call. But the phone rung for the second time and this time Cora had no choice but to pick it up.

"I will be right back," Cora said hastily and moved away from Travis

Travis on the other hand was not stupid, he saw the sudden smile from the girl fall into a frightened look and he could swear that she shook for a moment near him and that only fueled his curiosity on who was the call from. So once he saw that Cora mindlessly talking went outside the shop, he decided to follow her knowing her condition in large crowds obviously informing Mia through the door

"Darling...didn't I tell you that I need the money today?" the cold voice made Cora shiver in her place

"K-Kai please just give me until S-Sunday," Cora stuttered as she tried to keep a lookout for Mia or Travis "I will get my paycheck tomorrow."

"Shut the fuck up," Kai said coldly "I have a game tonight so I need the money right now. I will be waiting for you at our usual place and I want the money in cash."

Both stayed silent for a minute as Cora was weighing her options and Kai was waiting for his reply

"And you better show up," Kai threatened "Or I won't be responsible for what happens next."

Kai cut the call, making no room for further discussions. Cora on the other hand had started to panic there was no way that she can get $900 in a few hours time even if she tried, till now she had only saved up around $500

"Where would I get the rest?" Cora kept mumbling under her breath

She pushed through the crowd and her anxiety of large crowds started kicking in making her breathing uneven and her head started aching as she looking around for Mia or Travis but only started panicking more when she didn't find any. Until a hand yanked her towards them and shook her little to get her attention

"Cora!" A voice reached her and she instantly tried to get out of the hold "Calm down Cora. You are okay it's just me."

Upon seeing that her breathing was troubling her he quickly sat her down and took one of her hands in his and drew random circles on it while constantly telling her to calm down. Cora could feel herself becoming a little better but she still couldn't stop thinking of Kai and his money. She could ask Mia or Matt but they would ask questions and she couldn't lie to them, they would see right through her and instantly know. And right now the only option that she saw was Travis in front of her but she didn't feel right to ask him. Cora might know him for a long time but they never really labelled their friendship hence, for Cora it was a little embarrassing to just ask for money like that so in an attempt to leave and think of something else, Cora was about to stand and thank him before leaving but a firm grip on her wrist brought her back on the seat

"Something is bothering you I can't let you walk away like that," Travis eyed her "Come on tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing is w-wrong," Cora tried remaining calm " But I really need to go,"

"You do remember that I drove you here right?" Travis reminded her "How will you go? Cora just please tell me what's wrong. I know we aren't close or anything but I see you as a close friend after all this time and I hope you see me as one as too. And I also know that it's something you won't tell Mia or Matt for your own reasons but you can tell me, Cora."

"How do you know I won't tell them?" Cora tried to take the upper hand "I could've told them for all you know,"

"If you would've told them we wouldn't be having this conversation," Travis smirked "And you wouldn't be having another anxiety attack. Just tell me what's wrong, maybe I can help."

"No one can help," Cora said

"Hey I have all day," Travis said as he too slid against the wall and sat beside her "We will sit here till either you tell me or till Mia comes and then you tell with her around too. Your choice."

"I hate you sometimes." Cora shook her head

Cora was listing the pros and cons of telling Travis in her head which was useless and Travis was too busy playing candy crush on his phone, paying too much attention than necessary on a mere game. She was certain that she didn't want to tell Mia or Matt no matter how guilty she felt inside but she didn't want to bring Travis in her problems but her heart sort of swelled up in happiness that he saw her as his friend and that he was willing to hear her out this much. And so with that thought, she crossed her legs and turned to the older

"Ready?" Travis put his phone back in his pocket "You can start when you feel comfortable."

Cora took a deep breath and her head hung low as she played with fingers not wanting to make direct eye contact

"I need $400 for something," Cora mumbled loud enough for the man to hear "It's okay if you say no-"

"See that wasn't hard right?" Travis smiled and Cora looked a little shocked as he took his wallet out and handed her the money then and there

"Wait you're not even going to ask me why?" Cora was confused

"That is not my job," Travis shrugged "My job was to help a friend out but if I find out that you buy drugs or some shit with the money I will kill you myself."

Cora giggled lightly and seeing her finally happy made Travis chuckled as well and ruffled her hair

"But seriously I will pay you back as soon as I get the money," Cora said

"Don't worry about paying back," Travis waved her off "I have another idea for you to pay me back,"

"What?" Cora asked

"Mine and Mia's 5th year anniversary is coming and I want yours and Matt's help in something." Travis was now tinted red as he took a black velvet box out of his jacket and Cora squealed "I want to give her the perfect proposal. A night she will remember."

"Ohhh...You have our full support and I am sure Matt will give you his blessings," Cora couldn't stop smiling

"Or he will kill me and then bless us," Travis joked as they laughed

Travis would need Matt's blessing because Mia is an orphan she didn't basically have anyone so Matt acted a sort of big brother for her sometimes rather than a best friend and had promised her one

But it was cut short when Cora saw Mia coming their way and she shoved the leather box back to Travis who gave her a confused look for a second but quickly saw her signal to hide the ring and a few seconds later you could hear Mia's heel boots behind him

"Where did you guys disappear?" Mia asked as she handed them the chocolate milkshakes she brought

"Thank you," Cora said taking a sip "I actually started panicking a little Travis was just helping out,"

"Aw you two are finally getting along after so many years," Mia said "I actually thought it would be a matter of time before either of you kill each other,"

"Well let's just say we sorted out some differences and realised we could be good friends," Travis said as he pulled Mia closer to him

"Guys as much as I want to talk further why are we still on the ground?" Mia said as she suddenly stood up and everyone followed in a suit "We should get going I have to start working on a project."

"Yea even I have to go somewhere," Cora said ignoring the stares of the two as she fixed her hair and got up

So together the trio made their way to Travis' car once again and after loading their bags they were on the road

"Travis please drop me at the nearest subway," Cora said and avoided his gaze through the rear mirror "Mia can you keep my bags there are just three anyway?"

"Yeah no problem babe," Mia said "But where do you want to go at this hour? It's going to be dark soon you know that right?"

"I will be quick," Cora assured as her best friend knew her fear of going somewhere alone at night "Wyatt gave a simple project so I just need to get some things with my partner,"

"No, he didn't where was I when he did?" Mia was confused "Partner?"

"It was a pair p-project," Cora stammered a little obviously trying not to give out that she was lying "Me and Kai Saetang are partners, Wyatt made us partners,"

"Kai huh?" Mia looked unsure

"Cora I will be more assured if I dropped you except for taking a train at this hour," Travis told her

"No it's fine," Cora told him "You have done enough. Mia looks tired just take her home,"

Travis nodded instantly regretting his decision but nonetheless halted the car at the next subway entrance and Cora hugged the two from the back and whispered a thank you to Travis before getting off the car and disappeared underground