Tangled Lies
CHAPTER 1
Aravi Carter
Age: 16
Aravi Carter is a girl who’s learned to survive in a world that doesn’t show her much love. At 16, she’s already built a wall around herself, a fierce, confident exterior that hides the vulnerability beneath. Aravi grew up believing she could take on the world. With her bold, fearless nature and unapologetic beauty, she doesn’t blend in—she commands attention.
She acts older than her years, trying to navigate a world that expects her to be someone she’s not. Aravi doesn’t need saving, and she’s made it clear to everyone that she’s in control. But deep down, she’s searching for something real, something more than the empty distractions she’s come to rely on.
Ronan Steele
Age: 23
Ronan Steele is the epitome of a bad boy. Dangerous, elusive, and irresistible, he’s a man who thrives on chaos and lives by his own set of rules. At 23, he’s already made a name for himself as someone not to be trifled with, with a reputation built on a mix of reckless decisions and cold detachment. His sharp eyes and sculpted features make him unforgettable, but it’s his dark charisma and dangerous edge that truly draw people in.
With a past full of mistakes, broken promises, and a tangled web of his own making, Ronan trusts no one and shows even less. He thrives in the chaos, surrounded by the kind of people who live for the thrill and the danger. To Ronan, emotions are a weakness, and love? That’s a concept for fools. He prefers his world simple: control, power, and the thrill of the chase.
Kai Parker
Age: 24
Kai Parker is the laid-back, cool cousin who’s always had Aravi’s back. At 24, he’s easygoing, confident, and knows how to keep things light, but when it comes to family, he’s fiercely protective. With a natural charm and a knack for making friends, he’s also close to Ronan Steele—though he knows how dangerous Ronan’s world can be. He’s the kind of guy who’ll step in when needed, but won’t force himself into situations unless necessary.
I Sit on the couch, the room thick with tension. Kai’s eyes flick between me and my tiny suitcase, a confused frown pulling at his lips. He’s got that look—the one that says, I can’t believe you’re really here.
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
Wait a minute! I think I heard you wrong. Can you repeat yourself again?
Aravi Carter ( FL)
* smiles sweetly*
You heard me bro.. I ran away from home and I'll be staying with you.
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*He blinks a few times, his jaw dropping slightly*
"Aravi, what the hell? You... ran away? Why didn’t you call? Are you serious?"
Aravi Carter ( FL)
*Shrugging, I kick my feet up on the couch*
"What’s the point? No one cares enough to listen anyway. You’re the only one I know who won’t just throw me out."
Kai opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off, standing up and walking over to the window. The streets of Paris look like they’re straight out of a movie, so perfect it hurts. But I’m not here to admire the view—I’ve got my own battles to fight
Aravi Carter ( FL)
*turn to him, meeting his gaze.*
"I’m not asking for your permission, Kai. I just need a place to stay, that’s all."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*His tone softens a bit, but there's still concern in his voice*
"You know it's not that simple. Are you okay? And what about your mom? Does she know about it? Why would you just leave like that?
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"Don’t need your pity, okay? I’m fine. I just need a place to crash for a while"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*After a long pause, he finally sighs, trying to process it all*
"Fine. You’re staying. But we’re talking about this. You don’t get to just storm in here with that attitude."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
*Smirks*
"Wouldn’t expect anything less from you, cousin."
I watch Kai shaking his head, clearly still in disbelief. This guys dramatic!
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"First thing’s first, I need to go shopping. And I’m starving."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
Groans
"You’re impossible. You just turned my life upside down, and now you’re acting like this is a vacation?"
Aravi Carter ( FL)
* Grins*
"Pretty much. Come on, you’re the perfect host, right? Feed me first, lecture me later.Running away works up an appetite. And I can’t exactly live out of this suitcase forever, can I?"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
"Unbelievable! You're lucky I'm a nice you know. and im definitely not letting you staying here forever.
Right now I’ve got so many things to ask you… but I’ll save it for later."
*Murmurs walking towards the kitchen*
Aravi Carter ( FL)
*Sighs*
"Great. A one-on-one interrogation later. Just what I need"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
" Don't think I'm letting it slide Avi"
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"Yeah, yeah. Just don’t burn whatever you’re making.. I got a weak stomach "
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
* groans*
" I regret this already"
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CHAPTER 2
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
* looking at Aravi while she eats*
"So, are you gonna tell me what’s really going on? Or are we pretending this is all normal?"
Aravi Carter ( FL)
* stops mid bite*
"Do we have to do this right now? I thought food was the priority."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
* leans back folding his arms, his eyes narrowing*
"It is. But so is figuring out why my 16-year-old cousin decided to cross the ocean with nothing but a suitcase."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
* I Roll my eyes, leaning back in the chair.. copying him*
"I told you already. Things at home weren’t... great."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
"That’s vague even for you, Aravi."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"Let’s just say my mom’s taste in men hasn’t improved. And the latest one? Let’s call him the final straw"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*His jaw tightens, concern flickering in his eyes.*
"Did he hurt you?"
Aravi Carter ( FL)
* I Lean forward with a smirk, lowering my voice mischievously.*
"No… he didn’t hurt me. I did"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
* his eyebrows shoot up"
"You did what?"
Aravi Carter ( FL)
* shrugs*
"Well, he came at me. Tried to... you know. So, I hit him. You know, right where it counts"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*Frowns deeply, leaning forward, his tone sharp*
"Aravi, you can’t just—wait, what do you mean he ‘came at you’?"
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"Exactly what it sounds like. Don’t worry, though. My aim was perfect"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*Clenches his fists, visibly struggling to keep his voice down.*
"That’s not something you joke about, Aravi. Did you report him? Tell someone?"
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"And what? Let my mom blame me like she always does? Nah. Running was easier."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*His jaw tightens, anger bubbling just beneath the surface.*
"Aravi..."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
*I Cuts him off, waving my hand dismissively*
"Relax, Kai. I’m fine. I handled it, didn’t I?"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
"It’s not a win, Avi. It’s a temporary escape. What’s your plan now? Hide out here forever? Because if he tries to find you, or if your mom comes looking—"
Aravi Carter ( FL)
* I Cuts him off, narrowing my eyes*
"She won’t. She doesn’t care, Kai. And he? Trust me, he’s not coming after me anytime soon"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
"You can’t just sweep this under the rug and act like it’s over. If he’s that kind of guy, he could hurt someone else. You have to report him"
Aravi Carter ( FL)
* I Exhale sharply, leaning back in my chair with a frustrated groan*
"And then what? Drag myself through a courtroom so everyone can call me a liar? No thanks. I’ve seen how these things go. I’m done with it."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*His voice softens, but his frustration is still evident*
"Aravi, you shouldn’t have to deal with this alone. You’ve got me now, okay? You don’t have to keep fighting the world by yourself."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"I know. But I don’t need saving, Kai. I’m not some damsel in distress"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*Sighs, rubbing his temple*
"No, you’re a stubborn pain in my ass. But you’re also family, and I’m not letting you deal with this the wrong way."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
*Smirks again, trying to lighten the mood*
"Aw, I knew you cared."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*Rolls his eyes but can’t help a small smile*
"Yeah, yeah. Just don’t make me regret letting you stay here."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
" I can't promise you that. Now that you're done interrogating me, should we leave? Shopping.. remember?"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
* sighs*
" yeah. You're paying right?"
Aravi Carter ( FL)
" Me? Naah.. You're paying Big brother."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*Watches Aravi pick out clothes that are far more revealing than what a typical sixteen-year-old should wear*
"Seriously, Aravi? You can’t be serious."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*He picks up a tiny skirt she’s holding*
"This? This is barely a belt, not a skirt. And what about this top? You’re not even leaving much to the imagination."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
* I roll my eyes, clearly unimpressed by his judgment*
"Come on, Kai, you act like I’ve never worn anything like this before. I want to dress like someone who knows what they’re doing, not like some kid.
Deal with it. I’m not the little girl you used to protect."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*He crosses his arms, looking frustrated*
"I get it, you want to look older, but this is too much. You’re only sixteen, Aravi. You need to act your age, not... not like this."
He gestures at the revealing clothes she’s piling up.
"This is all about attention, and I’m not about to let you go down that road."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
I Pause, giving him a pointed look, my tone turning serious for a moment*
" For God's sake stop reminding me of my age again and again! I don’t want to act sixteen anymore. I’m tired of being treated like I’m still some little girl who doesn’t know what she wants. I want to be seen as someone mature, someone who’s got control over her life. And for the record, you’re gonna have to accept that I’m 18, not sixteen. Got it?"
* I tilt my head, daring him to argue*
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*Glares at her, clearly torn between anger and worry*
"I’ll never accept that lie. But I’m not stupid, Avi. If you want to act older, fine. But you’re still under my roof, and that means I get to have a say in this. You’re not walking around like you’ve got the world at your feet if you’re still living with me, and I’m not gonna let you ruin your chances by trying to grow up too fast."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
* I ignore his glare picking up another piece of clothing*
"I’m not asking for your permission. Just make sure you keep your mouth shut when I’m out there doing my thing."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*He sighs, rubbing his temples in frustration*
"Fine. Do whatever you want, but if you think you can just march out there and pretend you're something you're not, you're mistaken. Dressing up to look older, doesn't make you old..and you know that."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
" I don't want to be someone overbearing..I’m gonna step in when I see you making bad choices."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"And when do you think I’ve ever made a good choice?"
"I mean, look at you, Kai. You think you're the only one who knows what's best? I’m not asking for advice. Just... back off."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
"You think dressing like this will make you mature? It won’t. Trust me, all it does is attract the wrong kind of attention."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"I can handle it, Kai. I know exactly what I'm doing"
"I'm not some innocent little girl anymore. I’ve been through enough to know how to play the game. I’m not going to let anyone walk all over me. And I sure as hell won’t let anyone tell me what I can and can’t wear
If I want to wear something, I will. And if that’s what it takes to show the world that I’m not some naïve kid, then so be it."
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
* remains silent watching her pick another low neck dress*
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"Don't worry about me alright..I’m not the one who needs saving
Besides, I look damn good in these. You should be proud. You’re getting a grown-up now"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*He watches her with a heavy sigh, shaking his head as he runs a hand through his hair*
"I don’t think I’ll ever be proud of this version of you"
Ignoring Kai.. I holds up the short black shimmering dress, glancing over at him with a smirk...already knowing it’ll get under his skin.
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"Will this look good for tonight’s party?"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
* frowns*
What party?
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"Don’t act clueless, Kai. I heard you talking on the phone earlier. Party at Jacob’s place, right?
I have no idea who this Jacob is, but that doesn’t matter. I'm tagging along tonight—whether Kai likes it or not.
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
*His expression hardens, but he tries to keep it cool*
"Yeah, I’m going with my friends, but you’re not coming. It’s not your scene."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"Why not? I’m already bored at home, and I’m not letting you have all the fun while I’m stuck at home
I’m coming with or without your approval'
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
"You know you’re a pain, right?
Alright, fine. But don't expect me to babysit you.. And you’re not wearing that dress."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
Don’t worry. I’ll figure it out. Time to stop treating me like a kid.. And no letting out our little secret alright?"
Kai ( Aravi's Cousin)
"It’s not even been a day with you here, and I’m already going crazy."
Aravi Carter ( FL)
"Then imagine what the next few days will be like. You better buckle up, cousin. This ride’s just getting started."
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