Chapter 23: Elora.

Kara

Pierce won't be home for the next few days. That gives me time to see what I can find.

I'mI went to the attic. It was filled with boxes, probably from moving. I opened one of them and inside was a dusty old book like a diary and a faded picture.

Pierce used to keep diaries? Doesn't sound like him.

Then it hit me.

Asides from the fact that we met in my past life and a few other things,

I don't know anything about him. “He still could've told me about his dead ex.”

I shook my head sideways as if shaking off the thought itself before opening the diary.

The first page had nothing except the name ‘ MABEL ELORA EVEREST.’

The name Everest sounded familiar. The Everest family. A used-to-be influential family, somehow they lost everything overnight after losing their only daughter and filed for bankruptcy 3 years ago.

I looked at the faded picture in my hand and tried to make out the face of the girl in it but couldn't. The boy was none other than Pierce.

A thought came to mind.

“I probably shouldn't be going through these.”

I countered it out loud

“What else can I do? Ask him–”

That's right. I could just ask him about his dead ex who he might've killed.

Amazing plan.

The sound of the front door pulled me from my banter. I tiptoed downstairs and peeked.

“Who's there?”

“It's me.”

“Pierce. You said you wouldn't be back home in a few days. You could've called, you know.”

“Since when do I need your permission to come to my house?”

“Oh– sorry.”

He looked in my direction and I quickly hid the book behind me.

Why's he so cranky? Not like I did anything wrong. Okay maybe a little bit wrong but I doubt he knows I went through his stuff.

My right hand covered my mouth. Cameras.

I ran upstairs to tuck the book under my pillow before going to the attic again to confirm my fears.

There were no cameras. Phew.

My mind went to the way Pierce spoke earlier and I went downstairs to meet him directly.

“Hey. Did something happen at the office yesterday?”

He just sat there, head laid back, eyes closed and brows creased.

I knew he was awake and just decided to ignore me. Still, I pressed further.

“Or did I do something wrong? Talk to me. Just say something.”

Silence.

“I could fix something up for you to eat. The chef's off work today.”

Silence.

“Oh-kay. I'll just make some ramen for myself.”

I walked to the kitchen and prepared two portions of ramen noodles.

One for me and the other for him.

He sat still in the same position except this time he was sweating profusely even though the Air conditioning was working perfectly.

I tried to put a palm on his forehead and the other on mine but he ducked as soon as my palm touched his skin.

He's definitely avoiding me and giving me the silent treatment. Why?

He was burning up but he still stood up and staggered to his room clicking the door shut behind him leaving me in thought.

~~~~~~~

Pierce.

I booked a VIP section in a bar downtown and drove there to get a drink.

“Good evening sir. What would you be having tonight?”

“Bourbon. Neat.”

“Coming right up.”

The personal attendant assigned to me said and left.

I picked up the phone and sent a text to the number that sent the picture.

“Who are you and why're you following Kara?”

The response came in almost immediately.

“Just wanted to show you the kind of two timing b*tch you're getting married to. Just think of me as an angel with goodwill.”

“I only see one b*tch here. You. Go fuck yourself.”

I slammed the phone hard on the table before getting wasted. The liquor burned but that didn't stop me from finishing a whole bottle. I booked a taxi to the hotel but couldn't sleep all night so I went home in the morning, hoping Kara had gone out but she was still home.

She came down shortly, peeking from the stairs.

Who's there?” he adorable voice rang out.

“It's me.” I answered tiredly. I was having a bad split headache.

“Pierce. You said you wouldn't be back home in a few days. You could've called, you know.”

“Since when do I need your permission to come to my house?” I snapped at her. I didn't mean to but I still did.

“Oh– sorry.” she looked…hurt?

I looked in her direction. She looked so beautiful even though her hair was a mess. I wanted to apologize but quickly decided against it as the image of her being hugged by her ex flashed through my mind, renewing my annoyance.

She just stood there and let him hug her. In front of my house. Our home.

She turned around and ran back upstairs and I dropped into the couch and rested my head.

Shortly, she came down again.

“Hey. Did something happen at the office yesterday?” she asked with concern.

He just sat there, head laid back, eyes closed and brows creased.

I was trying to fake sleeping but knew I was awake and just decided to ignore her. Still, she pressed further.

Persistent much, huh? I thought to myself.

“Or did I do something wrong? Talk to me. Just say something.”

Silence.

“I could fix something up for you to eat. The chef's off work today.”

Silence.

“Oh-kay. I'll just make some ramen for myself.”

I said nothing.

She disappeared into the kitchen and came out shortly holding two bowls of Korean noodles. Ramen.

I had no appetite so I didn't move at all. Then she walked over and tried to touch my face but I ducked, avoiding her palm. Aiden touched those hands.

Her hand stopped mid air, I stood up and staggered to my room.

I'm having those dreams again. Why?