A Word of Praise

"Kiara, you dirty hoe! What did you steal this time?" His words were aggressive, but his tone was absolutely flooded with inquisitive humor.

"Hello to you too, Michael," She said over the burner phone she bought to call him.

"Don't you dare hello me right now, bitch!" Kiara loved Michael's flamboyant personality, especially when he faked being angry to get juicy gossip out of her. Unfortunately for her, this time there was one. "Did they call?"

"Oh, no. Not 'they'. Him. I don't know his name, but his voice was so damn sexy. And demanding" "What did you say?"

"What do you think I said? He didn't get anything from me. Though with that voice I wouldn't mind giving him something of my own." She could almost picture his wiggling brows following the words. "Especially after he went ballistics over the 'precious personal item' or whatever. I can just feel he's sexy"

"You bet" She murmured to herself. But Michael was too eager to let it slide.

"Hmm, so you met Mr. Sinful Voice... Tell me everything"

"Stop, Michael. I won't go down that road again. Last time you snatched that cute Italian guy away from me"

"No hard feelings darling, he was more into me anyway." She laughed, recalling the handsome blond she lost to the other side.

"But seriously now, do you think he'll pursue it? Should I be prepared?"

"Oh, he will. That was a man on a mission"

"Shit"

"Can't you give it back? Just this once. You know I never mind you klepto ways, but that guy meant business."

"I'm not klepto!"

"Sure darling, whatever helps you sleep at night."

"Fuck off" she motioned to hang up but heard him calling her back before she could.

"Wait, wait! Before I forget. I know what you'll say, but that club downtown asked for you again. Vexon, I think it's called."

"Still don't do straight clubs, Michael."

"Thought so. They doubled the offer, though."

"Won't happen."

"Fine, I'll let them know. Take care, baby doll"

Kiara was stressing over everything. The ring, the man who owned it, and her inability to think about anything else. She decided to do the one thing that always cleared her head, practice.

She headed to the circus studio, hoping to have at least one training partner available. Luckily, Kate was there.

"Hey girl, early practice today?"

"Got a lot on my mind. What are you training?"

"Hoops, want to train a duo?"

Kiara was more of a solo performer, but she didn't mind practicing a few tricks with Kate every once in a while. She was hoping to get on the hoop to spin her soul out on the instrument. It usually worked wonders to clear her head. The girls warmed up, stretched, and hopped on the big metal hoop attached to the ceiling. They practiced a few transitions, but neither was specialized in duo performances, so they kept it simple.

Resting between exercises, Kate broke the silence.

"So, how about you tell me what it is that you came here to forget?" "It's nothing"

"Kia, I've known you for what, five years now? You can share"

"It's fine, really"

"Damn girl, I've told you my entire life ten times already, how come I know virtually nothing about you?" She was technically right. Kate tended to overshare, but her stories were always funny and light. There was not much Kiara could share, anyway. "Money is short, that is all"

That old excuse came in handy once again. She loved that one because nobody could pry into it. Everyone had money issues - at least in her inner circle - and there was nothing her friends could do about that.

For a moment, Kiara thought about sharing her turbulent experience from the day before with her friend but decided against it. She would probably have to explain her nasty habit of 'prize collection' and then talk about the handsome man that was after her in the worst possible way.

No, it was bad enough that Michael knew about it. Against her will, of course. But being her agent, he was bound to get a few missing object's complaints. He would have fired her if she weren't such a talented artist. More often than not, the complainers called to have her again.

"Yeah, not many shows are coming along" Kate responded after a while. That was not true for Kiara. She wasn't swimming in money or anything, but she had enough to go by. After a moment of silent reflection, Kate's smile grew wider, and she wiggled her eyebrows. Kiara knew there was some dirty story coming along and she was eager to hear it. "So, let me tell you about this uber driver I met the other day"

"Fuck, the uber girl!"

"What?"

"I forgot to call the girl who called me an uber yesterday"

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Kate had a curious expression that suggested she would ask for details, but Kiara was faster to call it off.

"I'm so sorry, Kate, I need to head back home. Loved the training. Let me know the next time you're performing for an open audience. Bye!"

She left, leaving behind her mildly stunned blonde friend. She would feel bad, but Kate should be used to her by now. Running home, she got the little piece of paper the maid gave her the night before. Carina. Even her handwriting was sweet, dotting the 'I' in her name with a heart.

She took the burner phone bought in the morning to call Michael and typed it in.

"Hello"

"Hi, is this Carina?"

"Yes, who's this?"

"Hi, my name is Kiara. You helped me out last night with an uber"

"Oh my god, hi!" Answered the girl in an excited voice. Kiara heard a not-low-enough whisper on the other side, 'Mom, it's the artist!', and stifled a laugh.

"Hey. I was wondering if you were able to get my things from the room upstairs"

"Yes! I have them right here"

"Oh perfect! Could we meet somewhere so I can get it? I also wanted to pay you back for the ride"

"That is a wonderful idea"

"Are you free today?"

"Not really, today we have church. But Monday after work is better if you are free. I know just the place for us to meet."

They arranged the details and Kiara let out a satisfied sigh. She had a few hundred dollars' worth of clothes and makeup in that bag, and losing her cellphone wasn't on her plans either. She was glad it all worked out. Who said crime doesn't pay?