chapter 16

Esmeralda’s POV

I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was Klaus’s face. I couldn't shake off the lingering feeling of danger, probably because of what happened a few days ago with Victor's loan sharks.

“Are you awake?”

Mulan's voice startled me so badly I practically jumped out of bed. “Ummm, for the past two hours. What's up?”

“You should sleep more if you're working this evening.” She narrowed her eyes on me. “We have to be on our feet from six to whenever the gala ends. You need to be well rested; I don't want you falling over.”

A smile tugged at my lips. Mulan was so caring, she was a total mother hen. “I know you'll catch me when I fall,” I teased.

“Mulan……” She snorted, pointing at the wall. “Grab that nude-colored bag, will you?”

“I'm just joking,” I responded, handing the bag over to her.

“How do I look?” she asked, twirling in her short, blue flared dress.

Mulan had a coffee date with our next-door neighbor, a baker who had been begging her for a date for the past few days. I had woken up before her and taken my bath already.

“You look splendid,” I said, blowing a kiss into the air.

"Thank you.” Mulan started to walk away, but turned around as an afterthought. “He's leaving today, so don't worry.”

“It's okay, I don't mind.” I tried to pretend his presence didn't bother me.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by my act, but said nothing about it. “See you tonight.”

“Be good!” I responded.

The moment I heard the front door close, I picked up my handbag and quietly opened my bedroom door, praying I could slip out unnoticed.

The prayer lasted all of two seconds.

Klaus was sprawled across the living room couch, shirtless, wearing nothing but a pair of black boxers as he lazily ate from an oversized bowl of cereal. The television droned in the background, but his eyes lifted the instant he heard my footsteps.

A slow grin spread across his face. "Well, good morning, pretty face."

Every muscle in my body tightened.

"Morning," I muttered, refusing to meet his eyes as I headed for the front door.

"So..." he drawled, setting the bowl on the coffee table. "Where are you rushing off to this early?"

"I have somewhere to be."

"But your shift isn't until evening."

I froze for half a second. ‘How did he know that?’

He chuckled when he noticed my surprise. "Mulan told me."

I couldn't tell whether he was joking or telling the truth. Either way, it made me deeply uncomfortable.

I reached for the doorknob as he stood up. He wasn't rushing toward me or acting threateningly; somehow, that made him even scarier to me. He walked over casually and stopped directly between me and the exit.

"So eager to get away from me, huh?" he asked with an amused smile.

"N… no."

"No?" He leaned one shoulder against the wall. "I was hoping we'd have breakfast together."

"We're not……” I closed my mouth before I could finish the word ‘friends’. The word refused to come out. "I really have to go."

His eyes slowly traveled over me, lingering far longer than they should have.

"You should smile more," he said. "I bet you'd be prettier when you do."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, not from his compliment, but from discomfort.

I forced a tight smile. "Have a nice day."

He chuckled softly. "Only if you stayed."

For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. Then, almost as if he'd grown bored, he stepped aside.

I didn't wait.

I slipped out the door so quickly I nearly tripped over the welcome mat. Only after I reached the elevator did I realize I'd been holding my breath.