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Then the drive and the interrogation began. Oh, Gedo probably didn't mean it that way, she knew, but his short, pointed questions seemed to indicate he cared more about discovering what he was up against than learning about her. He asked about everything—where she lived, where she worked, about her friends, her interests, her schooling. It was incredibly uncomfortable sharing all this with a complete stranger. She tried to keep her answers as brief as possible.

She looked longingly over at the vehicle holding her friends. She could imagine Yasmin and Haji laughing at something clever Liam was saying. How fun it would be to relax with them instead of being on the receiving end of a grilling! Gedo was in lecture mode. Maybe he couldn't help it, being a professor and all, but it was getting old. Yes, she knew it was dangerous to be in Egypt, now. Yes, it might have been best if she didn't come, at least from his point of view. But she couldn't help being glad in her heart that Rosa had bossed her into the car and drove her to the airport.

She had extended family now, grandparents, an aunt and uncle, cousins. Now that she knew Yasmin, that knowledge could never be taken away. And somewhere out in the vast, scorching desert was a woman who was so eager to meet her granddaughter she had apparently defied her husband's wishes. Kami could just imagine the verbal thrashing Neina had coming and felt sorry for her. Hopefully her presence would soften Gedo's anger.

She'd made friends too, with Liam, with Chris, even Samuel and Haji to a degree. Sometimes the risks were worth it. She couldn't huddle up in fear or grief and cut out life, like her mother. At some point she had to find the courage to live, and not just live, but find joy in living.

As Gedo droned on and on, she couldn't help resenting his interference. He was the one who had cut off ties. He was the one who didn't want her here. Yet somehow, he expected her to what? Just bow to his supposed authority, as if he could waltz in after seventeen years of ignoring her and tell her what to do? Chris gave her a quick pitying glance and she could just imagine he was glad to be in the front seat and not in the back being grilled.

She imagined Yasmin laughing at one of Liam's jokes. Kami tried to ignore the twinge of jealousy she felt. She wondered if Yasmin liked Liam, like really liked him. He clearly admired her and her blog. She felt a little sick to her stomach. Sure, Yasmin was a little older than he was, but not by much. They were both planning to go to the same university next year. One of the biggest things they had going for them was Yasmin wasn't leaving. They would have time to actually build a relationship. She couldn't be upset with her cousin if Liam happened to be more attracted to Yasmin. Yasmin had been nothing but kindness since the beginning.

Then again, Liam was asking her if she had a boyfriend, not Yasmin. And what had she done? She had encouraged him to date someone at school, someone like Yasmin. She felt even more ill, if that was possible.

She glanced at the burly man who still hadn't come up for air. If Yasmin did choose to date Liam, Gedo would be a thorn in her side, for sure. But she had a way of handling him that Kami couldn't understand. It was almost as if she were saying, Yes, I hear you; I love you, but I'm still going to do it my way. Gedo had lost the battle before he started. If she'd known Gedo was going to drag her over and lecture her for so long, she would have been more careful with those precious moments she had with Liam.

She'd tuned out Gedo for a long time. She was glad he'd read her quiet response as listening. She wasn't used to a guardian actually asserting authority. She didn't like it much. For years, she'd been more of the parent in her relationship with her mother. While sometimes it got old because her mother was so unreliable, it was also nice to make her own choices and live by them. It was almost as if Gedo had pulled her over here to keep her away from Liam.

Then it dawned on her. Of course! That was the reason, not to get to know her as he pretended. His primary motive probably had been to break up her growing friendship with Liam. She remembered the way Gedo had glared at their entwined hands. That would explain all these mundane things he kept going on about. She felt the irritation growing, beginning to bubble up into anger. She took a deep breath and let it out. If she had to put up with this to save Neina, so be it.

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The dedication for this chapter goes to a longtime Wattpad friend @KatieSpektor! I have been thoroughly enjoying her story "Seize the Day" which is a completed fantasy/adventure story here on Wattpad. You can check out the story by clicking on the dedication link above.