Chapter Three

Kara looked down when she couldn't keep up with the staring contest.

“I don’t know what just happened, but… maybe you mistook me for someone else. I'm not the name you mentioned.” She explained, picking up her bag and the heels she had tossed aside earlier.

Jairo didn't move but stood up with her, watched her, stunned and silent. She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

“Are you hurt somewhere?” His words were clear this time.

She turned around to meet his forest green eyes. Somehow, the gentleness behind his words made her chest tightened.

“Yes,” she whispered with a nod, “I'm hurt in here.” She pointed to her chest, her voice cracking as tears threatened to rise again. Her heart ached from everything she had endured.

Jairo’s gaze followed her gesture. Her chest? His brows pulled together. Had he hit her?

He glanced quickly at his car, wondering if he had injured her without realizing.

“We need to get you to the hospital.” He told her with urgency but she shook her head.

“My heart pain can't be cured by Doctors. Only money can.” she replied flatly, using hand gestures as she spoke.

Emilia never used gestures. His eyes moved to her head, searching for any sign of head scar.

He didn't realize that he had taken a step closer. Kara noticed and immediately stepped back.

“You really need to back off.” the softness in her tone was gone. There was too much emotion in his eyes, too much longing, and that’s what unsettled her the most.

“You don't know me?”

“No, I don't.” she replied too bluntly.

His jaw clenched with fury, those fvckers must have put her through a lot that messed with her brain.

Kara noted how dangerous he looked immediately she answered his question. Was she really dealing with this now? From a rejected application… and now a beautiful psycho?

Jairo tried stopping her again.

“Touch me one more time and I'm calling the cops.” She warned him, now wary of him. Her hand was already fishing for the pepper spray in her bag.

“What's your name if not…”

“Get away from me, psycho!” She generously emptied the spray on his face.

Jairo jerked back, covering his eyes as the burning hit him. But he made no sound of discomfort. Kara bolted down the street, not daring to look back as she ran.

---

When she got back to her apartment, she finally let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding.

She found Lina curled up on the couch, munching popcorn and watching a movie. She didn’t say a word and walked past her like she wasn’t even there. But Lina spoke anyway.

“We need a new roommate unless you want us both kicked out.” she reminded her, still staring at the screen.

Kara stopped walking and slowly turned to her. Their eyes met, and she raised both of her middle fingers in her direction.

Lina grabbed a pillow and threw at her, but it didn’t reach her. Kara just headed straight to her room and shut the door behind her.

She dropped her bag on the floor and collapsed onto the bed. Her eyes fixed on the ceiling, thoughts buzzing in her head. Rent. Food. That crazy guy from earlier.

She grabbed her phone and typed Emilia into the search bar, curious if anything would come up.

Nothing useful.

With a sigh, she tossed her phone aside and rolled onto her stomach. Her eyelids were heavy, and before she could think about anything else, sleep pulled her still fully dressed.

.

.

.

It was late in the evening when she finally woke up. She freshened up and changed into clean clothes before heading to the kitchen.

Lina was still on the couch, watching movies.

“Can you turn that down? I’ve got a headache.” She muttered as she stirred her pot.

Lina rolled her eyes but grabbed the remote and lowered the volume. That’s when they heard a knock at the door.

Both of them paused.

They looked at each other.

“I’m not expecting anyone,” Lina said first.

“And I don’t have any family.” Kara replied dryly.

Lina turned to her with a raised brow. “Then you go open it.”

But Kara ignored her and took a seat at the dining table, casually eating her food. With a loud hiss, Lina dragged herself off the couch and went to the door. She pulled it open… and paused.

Her brows lifted slightly when she saw the man standing there. He was tall, good-looking, and clean-cut, holding an envelope in his hand. His hazel eyes met hers, and for a second, she just stared.

“Uh… can I help you?” she asked carefully.

“Good evening. I’m here for Kara Bennett.” the man said simply.

“Kara?” Lina repeated, turning halfway. Her eyes met Kara’s.

Kara looked up with a confused expression. Her name?

The company…?

She got up quickly and walked to the door, nudging Lina aside with her elbow.

“Yeah, that’s me,” she said, almost breathless. “But… I thought you were going to send an email instead of…”

Her words trailed off as the man extended the envelope toward her. She hesitated, then slowly reached out and took the envelope, her fingertips brushing its edge.

Donald gave her a polite nod, his hazel eyes scanning her calm and professional, but curious. She wasn’t what he expected. Not ugly. Just… different

Kara stepped back and quietly shut the door. When she turned around, Lina was standing there with arms crossed and curiosity all over her face.

“Was he from one of those companies?” she asked curiously.

Kara kept staring at the envelope in her hand, her mind already racing. It had to be from that guy.

“He’s just someone I know,” she answered casually, walking back toward her room.

Lina scoffed. They both knew Kara didn’t have people like him in her life.

She entered her room then closed the door behind her. Sat on the bed, then opened the envelope, only to find a business card.

“Jairo Vitale.” She read out his name, furrowing her brows. What kind of man delivers a business card by hand?