“It’s distracting,” I snapped, my frustration spilling over.
“Distracting?” Kasmine’s lips curved into a disbelieving smile, “For who, exactly?”
There she got me. Of course, I was the one she was distracting.
“Just… change into something else,” I said, my voice lower now, barely masking the strain.
Kasmine’s jaw tightened, and she tilted her head. “You can’t be serious. You’re my boss, not my wardrobe consultant. I’m not changing.”
“You live under my roof, Kasmine,” I shot back, taking a step toward her as she took two steps backward, “You’ll do exactly as I say. Go in there and change into something else, and meet me in the car,” I ordered and walked out on her.
I felt more at ease as I stared at her through the glass pane separating my office from hers. She sat at her desk, her hair swept over one shoulder.
I had put her right next to my office where I could see and know what she was up to every time.
She was putting on something more… Decent? Not that the first outfit wasn’t decent. I just couldn’t bear the thought of having my baby sister flaunting all those curves for hungry eyes to see.
“You keep living in self-denial, Kes,” My wolf, Zeth, said with a snarl.
“She’s my sister, Zeth. Stop having nasty thoughts about her.” I retorted.
Zeth had remained silent since the previous weekend when he almost took control and scared Mine to death. He had almost claimed her. I was so pissed at him.
I know my feelings for her were becoming a concern I needed to work on, but I’ve never thought of acting on those feelings.
She was my sister, for fuck’s sake!
My countenance turned sour immediately as my eyes caught an unpleasant sight.
Karl.
My jaw tightened as I watched.
The kid was barely in his twenties, a fresh intern with an awkward haircut and far too much confidence for my liking. He walked into her office with that cocky grin plastered across his face, leaning casually against her desk like he belonged there.
And then, Kasmine smiled at him.
Not just any smile-a soft, genuine one that made her eyes light up. The kind of smile that was rare, precious. The kind of smile I hadn’t seen directed at me in a long time.
Fuck.
My chest tightened, a sharp ache slicing through me, followed swiftly by a wave of irrational rage. My hands clenched into fists, my nails biting into my palms as I tried to rein it in. But the longer I watched, the more unbearable it became.
The boy was laughing now, saying something that made her tilt her head, her smile widening. And she was laughing too; the sound muted through the glass but no less maddening.
Something inside me snapped.
I didn’t even realize I was moving until I was standing in her office doorway. The lighthearted atmosphere evaporated instantly. Karl froze mid-laugh, his grin faltering as he turned to face me.
“Karl,” I called, my voice low and cold, every syllable dripping with restrained fury. “Do you not have any work to do?”
The boy visibly swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he straightened up. “Uh, I was just-“
“You were just being irrelevant in my company? Is that what you were hired for? To socialize?” I stepped into the room; my hands balled into a fist in my pockets – good thing they were in there.
Kasmine’s brows furrowed, “Kester… He was just…” She tried to defend him, but it only enraged me more.
I ignored her, my focus solely on the boy. Karl stammered something incoherent, his confidence crumbling under my glare. “I-I’ll get back to work,” he muttered, retreating so quickly he nearly tripped over his own feet.
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving just Kasmine and me in the room.
She crossed her arms, fixing me with a look that was equal parts confusion and irritation. “What the hell was that about?”
I turned my gaze to her, my jaw still clenched. “He had no business being in here.”
Her lips parted, a flash of disbelief crossing her face. “He’s an intern, Kester, just like me. He came to ask about the report I was working on and probably make a new friend, too.”
“I didn’t bring you here to make friends. Get back to work.” I said coldly and turned to leave, but her next words halted me.
“Why? Why do you keep treating me this way? Why don’t you allow me to befriend guys? It’s not right, Kes!”
I could hear the hurt and frustration in her tone, but I couldn’t cared less as I walked out without sparing her another glance.
KASMINE.
“Mum… I don’t want to be here anymore. Please?” I said to my mum for the hundredth time since the day I arrived.
I thought I could work things out with my brother and be freer around him, but I was wrong. He’s been worse than he used to be with his overprotectiveness.
“Come on, honey. You’ll be fine. Besides, you’ll be coming home tomorrow, won’t you? I know you miss me, your friends…” Mum said, trailing off again, probably talking to someone else in the background. It’s been a habit of hers that I detested. She always wanted to handle too many things at the same time.
“See you tomorrow, mum,” I hung up the call even before she could respond.
My mum was never available. How would she know what I was going through? We couldn’t even as much as connect through a simple conversation, how much more build a connection where she’d know how I truly felt on the inside about certain things I was going through?
I had no one to talk to except…
Speak of the devil, and she appears!
What the hell was Claire doing here at Zamford Tech? Was I dreaming?
“Baby girl!!!” She squealed, running into the office, which made me feel more like a prisoner than an intern.
“Claire! What are you…?” I was beyond shocked, but she took the words out of my mouth.
“I’ve been reposted to Zamford Technologies! Can you believe that?” She pulled me in for a hug.
“How did you do that? Don’t tell me you manipulated your way here,” I folded my arms across my chest, giving her a playful glare.
“I wouldn’t call it manipulation,” she said with an eye roll, “Where is he?” She asked, looking around for my brother in anticipation.
I felt pity for her. She was almost obsessed with Kester, but he would never love her back. He already had a fiance, and I believe he loved her. Moreover, Claire wasn’t his kind of woman.
Just before I opened my mouth to speak, the door to my office opened, and the face of the man who made me uncomfortable with just his stare walked in on us. His face was set in its usual frown.
The moment my eyes met Kester’s, I felt the familiar knot tighten in my stomach. His forest green eyes bore into mine for a brief second before I instinctively looked away, my heart racing.
He stepped into the office holding a sleek shopping bag, the door softly clicking shut behind him.
Claire’s excited chatter died mid-sentence as her gaze locked onto him. She froze for a moment, then straightened her posture as though trying to appear more poised. I could practically hear her heartbeat accelerating in the sudden silence.
“Kester,” she breathed in a soft voice as if his mere presence was a divine blessing.
He didn’t even glance her way.
Instead, he strode over to my desk with that same cold energy that made everyone in his presence feel like they were two steps behind him. The bag landed on my desk with a muted thud, and I looked up at him questioningly.
“This is for you. Open it when you’re alone.” He said casually.
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