Chapter Eight

Kara pushed the door open and stepped into the apartment, holding it open for Jairo. He followed, tall and composed, but somehow his presence seemed too large for the tiny space. His eyes scanned the room — simple, a little cramped, but clean. Exactly what he expected.

She deserves so much more, he thought.

His eyes paused on a pair of men’s slippers by the door. His gaze shifted to Kara with a questioning look. She followed his line of sight and quickly spoke.

“Oh… those… my roommate bought them for her ex. He used to come around. They’re not together anymore. We just kept them there for when we have male guests.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she cringed internally. Why am I explaining this?

Jairo, however, only picked up on two words.

“Do you have male friends, Kara?” His tone had a sudden edge to it; harder than he meant.

In that split second, he was already doubting the background report Donald gave him, the one that said she was single.

Kara blinked at the way he said her name. The air felt tense. “Okay… we’re kinda getting off-topic. Do you want some tea?”

She was already walking toward the kitchen, choosing not to acknowledge the edge in his voice.

Jairo watched her closely. He didn’t like that she dismissed his words casually. Emilia doesn't do that. She was obedient to him.

But he let it go.

“Coffee,” he replied, slipping off his shoes and stepping into the male guest slippers.

“Coming right up.” she offered a tight smile before disappearing into the kitchen.

As soon as she left, his phone buzzed in his pocket. His jaw tensed at the name flashing. He declined the call and immediately fired off a quick text to Donald.

Seconds later, Kara came back, holding a steaming mug.

“Your coffee, sire,” she said playfully, handing it to him with a smile. Jairo locked his screen and took the cup.

“Thank you. But just Jairo,” he corrected, meeting her eyes and she nodded.

He took a sip, and Kara pressed her lips together, unsure of what to say next. She was starting to question why she invited him in the first place.

His phone beeped again.

He ignored it this time.

But Kara noticed.

“Are you busy?”

“No, I’m not,” he answered too quickly. Right then, another call came in. He hissed under his breath in frustration.

Kara flinched slightly. He looked… intense when he was irritated. Almost scary.

“I’ll give you a minute. I wanna change anyway.” she mumbled, standing up already.

Jairo took the call immediately her room’s door was shut.

“She’s not to step foot inside my house. You understand me?” he said sharply.

Donald groaned. “They came together. I can’t exactly stop him without making it obvious. Besides… where are you?”

“I’m with Emilia,” he answered without hesitation. “She invited me over.”

Silence on the other end.

“I’ll handle it. Just don’t stay too long,” Donald finally replied before hanging up.

A second later, Kara came out of her room, now dressed in casual home clothes. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, exposing the smooth line of her neck.

“I hate to do this,” he said, standing, “but I have to go.”

Truthfully, she was a little relieved. The air between them had turned awkward, and there wasn’t much left to talk about.

She nodded. “It’s fine.”

“I’ll make it up to you after work tomorrow,” he added.

That made her pause.

“Wait… what? After work?” she questioned and he nodded casually, slipping his shoes back on.

“But.. I-I d-didn’t tell you I’m starting tomorrow.”

He shrugged. “Just a guess.”

But she didn’t buy that. There was no way it was a guess. As he reached for the door, she spoke up again.

“Uhm… tell the guy who delivered the envelope that my roommate and I said hi.”

She was keeping her word to Lina. But Jairo’s expression shifted. He didn’t like that one bit.