CHAPTER 5 — THE FATHER-AWAY TRADITION

~Nola~

“Good morning, Miss., I'm Nola. Miss, Elena asked me to pick out your outfit for today,” a new maid said as she stepped into my room.

I looked at her, still sitting on the edge of my bed. “Oh… alright.”

She moved around the room with ease, pulling out two dresses and laying them neatly on the bed.

“This one,” she said, lifting a soft, simple dress, “or this one?”

I studied both for a moment before pointing. “That one.”

She nodded. “Alright, Miss.”

I picked it up and began to get dressed while she remained in the room, adjusting a few things here and there.

Just as I slipped my arm through the sleeve, voices echoed faintly from downstairs.

I paused.

“Did you hear that?” I asked.

The maid glanced toward the door, then back at me. “Yes, Miss.”

“What’s going on?”

She hesitated before lowering her voice. “I think the brothers are arguing.”

Then she added quickly, leaning closer, “Please don’t tell anyone I said that. They tend to argue when their father is not around.”

Without thinking, I hurriedly finished dressing and stepped out, drawn by the noise. I stopped midway along the staircase and leaned slightly, just enough to see without being seen.

The voices were clearer now.

“So you’re going after older women now, huh?” Keith’s voice was sharp.

Kyson let out a low laugh. “Unlike you, I don’t chase them. They come to me.”

“Say whatever you like,” Keith snapped, anger rising in his voice. “But stay away from her.”

Kyson’s tone dropped, almost teasing. “Will she stay away from me?”

A chair scraped loudly.

“Watch your mouth.”

“Enough.”

King’s voice cut through everything.

There was a pause.

Then, calmer but firm, he said, “Can we have breakfast in peace?”

Silence settled over the room. Not complete silence, but the kind that pressed heavily in the air.

I shifted slightly and turned

walking straight into someone.

“Careful,” Kobe said, steadying me.

I looked up, startled. “I didn’t see you.”

“I noticed,” he replied, a faint smile forming on his lips. “Come on.”

Before I could protest, he gently guided me down the rest of the stairs.

By the time we reached the dining table, the tension had settled, but it hadn’t disappeared.

I sat quietly.

For a while, no one spoke.

The only sounds were cutlery against plates.

I reached for a glass of juice, taking a small sip before serving some food onto my plate.

Kobe leaned slightly toward me.

“You’ll get used to it,” he said quietly.

“To what?” I asked.

“This,” he replied. “Drama.”

I let out a small breath. “I doubt that.”

He smiled. “We’ll see.”

For a moment, we ate in silence again.

Then he turned to me.

“So, what are you doing after breakfast?”

“Nothing,” I said.

He nodded once. “Good. I’d like to get to know you. “Shall we take a walk in the garden later?”

I thought for a moment, then nodded. “Okay.”

Something about it felt… normal.

And for the first time since I got here, I didn’t feel completely out of place.

The garden was quieter than the house.

Calm. Beautiful.

Flowers lined the paths in soft colors, and butterflies drifted lazily through the air. A gentle breeze brushed against my skin as we walked.

“This is nice,” I said.

Kobe glanced at me. “Better than the dining room?”

I smiled slightly. “Much better.”

We walked side by side.

“I’m guessing you already know a lot about me?” he asked after a moment.

I looked at him. “Of course I do.”

He raised a brow, a faint smile appearing.

“Who doesn’t?” I added, laughing softly.

He shook his head, amused. “Fair enough.”

We continued talking, the conversation getting easier. He asked about me, and I found myself opening up, leaving out the part about why I was really here.

As we walked, I noticed someone ahead.

Liam.

He was walking toward us, but the moment his eyes landed on us together, something changed.

It was subtle.

His expression tightened slightly.

Not angry.

Not cold.

Just… different.

Kobe noticed too.

“Liam,” he called. “Can you get us something to drink?”

There was a brief pause.

Then Liam nodded. “Sure.”

He turned and walked away.

I watched him go.

“Is he okay?” I asked.

“He’s fine,” Kobe said.

But I wasn’t sure.

When Liam returned, he handed us the drinks quietly.

“Thank you,” I said.

He nodded once, then excused himself.

I found myself watching him longer than I should have.

“Something on your mind?” Kobe asked.

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

We continued walking.

After a while, Kobe spoke again.

“There’s something happening tonight,” he said.

I looked at him. “What kind of something?”

“A small pool party,” he replied.

I blinked. “What are you celebrating?”

He laughed lightly. “Nothing serious. It’s just something we do when my father is away. We call it The Father-Away tradition.”

I watched as he gestured with his hands while saying the latter.

“I’d like you to come,” he added.

“A pool party?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Just a few people?”

“Just a few.”

I exhaled softly. “I’ve never been to a pool party before. And definitely not with celebrities.”

“Well,” he said with a small smile, “there’s a first time for everything.”

I hesitated, then nodded. “Okay.”

He smiled. “Good.”

Later, back in my room, I was on a video call with Clara.

“I cannot believe this,” she said excitedly.

“You’re partying with celebrities now? You are one lucky girl.”

“It’s not even a big party,” I chuckled

“I don’t care,” she replied. “It’s still a party with celebrities.”

I laughed. “I don’t even know what to wear.”

Before she could respond, there was a knock.

“Come in,” I said.

Nola stepped in, holding a package.

“Miss, this was sent for you.”

“From who?” I asked.

“Mr. Kobe.”

I exchanged a look with Clara through the screen.

“Open it,” she whispered excitedly.

I placed my phone down and carefully unwrapped the package.

Inside was a stylish poolside outfit, a white fitted top with matching shorts and a light, sheer cover-up. It looked expensive and beautiful, but more revealing than anything I would normally wear.

I stared at it.

Clara gasped. “Oh my God.”

“It’s too much,” I said immediately.

“It’s perfect,” she argued.

“I can’t wear that.” I cried.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Clara yelled dramatically, placing her hand on her forehead.

I shook my head, but I couldn’t stop staring at it.

Later that evening, I stood in front of the mirror.

Dressed.

Ready.

But not entirely comfortable.

I took a quick picture and sent it to Clara.

Just then , a knock sounded.

“Come in," I said sharply.

Kobe stepped in, with his gaze settling on me.

He wore a simple fitted shirt and dark trousers, the sleeves rolled slightly at his arms.

His hair was neatly styled, like he hadn’t tried too hard.

He looked… effortlessly put together.

For a brief moment, he said nothing.

Then he smiled and whispered “You look breathtaking.”

My heart fluttered a little, and I suddenly felt shy under his gaze.

“Thank you,” I said, almost under my breath.

“Shall we” his calm voice whispered

I nodded and there I was, walking behind Kobe Kosarin, a figure I had only ever imagined until now.