The Bombshell.

(KAIRA'S POV)

I would have never made it to the dining room if not for the kind lady in a uniform. She helped lead me after seeing me go back and forth in a large hallway at least twice.

It's a very big house (that doesn't quite fit it). Actually, it's a huge mansion and I have no idea how they expected me to find my way without some help.

When I walked into the kingly dining room with the large table of four in the center, I could tell they had been waiting for me. Mum stood up immediately and approached me with a warm, guilty smile on her face as I walked in.

"Heyy, we were beginning to get worried about you." She greeted softly.

"Hi." I darted a glance at Mum and Tom as I was led to an empty chair at the table, beside Mum and opposite 'you know who' whom I was intentionally avoiding eye contact with.

I was seated beside Mum, across from Slade. Tom sat at the head. The table was small enough for intimacy, but the space between us felt like miles.

I kept my head bent, staring at the beautiful embroidered placemats seated on the perfectly ironed white linens.

"Hey Kaira." Tom greeted cheerfully, almost like I was a child.

"I'm sorry, I'm late. I had some trouble finding here." My voice barely made it past a whisper but they heard me well enough.

"Oh, it's no problem at all." Tom said with a nervous chuckle.

"I knew it wouldn't be easy and that's why I was surprised when Slade said you wanted to find your way without his help."

My head shot up and I glanced at Slade for the first time since I got into the dining room. His blank eyes stared back expectantly and then his lips curved for a flash second.

I glared at him. He had been sent to get me and all he did was say those crushing words to me.

I looked away from him, not wanting to remember those hurtful words or even to think about the kiss (if I'm being honest, that's the main struggle in this dining room now).

"But I'm impressed." I was grateful to Tom for continuing the conversation and taking back my attention. "If you want to find your way on your own, then it means you want to adjust quickly. That's remarkable."

I glanced at Mum and she was smiling lightly at me.

"Y-yes. I-I want to know my way around." I found myself saying.

"Kaira has always been independent." Mum pitched in.

"That's easy to see." Tom added with a nod. "Her perfect academic record even with less of your presence is remarkable."

"Th-thank you." I said softly, avoiding gazes.

"Slade, you should meet Kaira for some tutoring sessions." Tom added. "Maybe that will help."

A heavy silence descended and the room felt smaller. I could not stop myself from glancing at Slade. Thankfully he wasn't looking at me. His gaze, now fiery, was fixated on his father. But Tom seemed more interested in his glass of water than his son's reaction.

"Slade is a brilliant child." Mum said, a genuinely adoring smile as she looked over at him.

"He is, but he spends a lot of his time on football. Perhaps if he focuses more on academics, then he could think better of his future." Tom said after setting down the glass of water. Then he turned to me, a grin on his face. "Kaira has other interests too, like the writing you speak of, Shanice. Yet she has an unbeaten academic record in school. Her results are always unbelievable to look at."

My cheeks were burning and from the corner of my eyes, I could tell that Slade's heavy gaze was on me and maybe that’s why I looked at him, again.

Sure enough, he was staring right back at me. So hard that I was forced to look away.

The attention felt suffocating and the silence longer than it actually was, so I was relieved when the door opened and the servers began placing the food on the table.

An amazing aroma wafted through the air and I wanted to sigh in response. What more to reduce the burning anxiety in me than food? Thankfully I wasn't the only one distracted by food; everyone started adjusting napkins, plates and cutleries. Then bowls started going around.

First, a plate of hot, golden brown bread, a plate of butter, a bowl of steaming spaghetti and meatballs, a plate of crusty delicious smelling potatoes, and finally a bowl of crispy stir-fried vegetables. There were other dishes on the table but I didn't dare to look; I was already overwhelmed.

It all looked delicious but it was too much for me. I am a big lover of food but I have never had access to so many options.

I reached for a plate and caught Slade starring. Again.

Don’t think about it! Don’t think about it!

But it was too late. I was already thinking about the kiss. My lips tingled and my stomach tightened. Again, I lost the stare contest by breaking away.

I carefully put some spaghetti and meatballs on my plate, took a bun bread, and that was enough for me.

Soon, the room was filled with sounds of cutlery and chewing. Everyone seemed to be eating normally but my fork felt heavy in my hand. It didn't stop me from eating though; the food was too delicious to lose against the tension in my veins.

It was so saucy and the meatballs? It felt like I was eating at a five-star restaurant until a loud throat clearing brought me back to the opulent dining room.

It was Tom. And he was wiping the sides of his mouth with a napkin, his eyes pinned at the end of the table—to Mum. She was smiling shyly at him as well.

I dropped my fork, feeling a weird sensation crawling up my back.

Slade hadn't looked up from his plate. He seemed to be enjoying the food even more than I was.

"I have an announcement to make, everyone." Tom announced, transferring his gaze from Mum to me and Slade.

I turned to Mum and our eyes only met for a split second before she broke it, bending down to fold her napkin.

My pulse spiked.

Yeah, something is definitely going on and I don't think I'll like it.

"Shanice and I have decided…." Tom began.

I stole a quick glance at Slade and he was still eating, so casually that I wondered if I was the only one getting this news for the first time.

"We'll be getting married tomorrow." Tom finished.

Tomorrow. The word hung in the air like smoke.

I turned to Slade. He wasn't eating anymore. His fork was frozen above his plate. His jaw was tight.

Then the sound of cutlery dropping loudly on a plate sliced through the dining room.

He looked up. His eyes met mine.

Then the mask was back.

But I had seen it.

So we're both just getting this news.