2: Allea

four

"What are you doing, just standing there?"

Descending the stairs, Allea reached the living area and found Kai standing over the table there, instead of being seated on the dining table and eating breakfast. His back was turned toward her, reaching behind him, she tapped his shoulder and gained his attention. 

As Kai shifted to face Allea, his brows were raised with a keen look, without saying anything at her inquiry, he took a step aside to let Allea's gaze fall on the bouquet of fresh white roses placed on the table.

"It's for you, delivered just now."

Kai passively added from beside her, and without any change in her face or tone, she nodded, "Oh, is it now."

Allea's eyes fell on the card placed beside the bouquet on the table, a clear indication that Kai has already pulled it out and read it; she too picked it up to see who has sent it.

"In cordial of your return. —Aris Salvadge."

The first thing that crossed Allea's mind after reading it was; is she forgetting something? Because it has been a few days since she started going back to the corporation, and this bouquet could have come earlier if it was just in regards to her so-called return. After a second, she settled on shaking her head —among so many things Mr. Salvadge thinks she has time to discern his subtle attempts. With this thought, she turned toward the nearby helper to tell him to put the flowers in some vase.

Turning toward Kai who has visible traces of frown, Allea queried, "Why are you like this?"

Kai's eye moved from the left card on the table to straight at her and with his narrowed eyes asked in a detective-ish tone, "Is he courting you?"

Allea didn't say anything, with an impassive face she put her arm around his shoulder and pulled him toward the dining table to eat breakfast. As they took their seats, Kai kept looking at her waiting for an answer.

Perceiving his gaze, filling his glass with juice Allea uttered, "Well, he did ask me directly, I said no," Putting the toast on her plate, she continued dismissively, "So, I don't know what he's doing now."

Hearing her words, Kai's movements halted, after a pause, he nodded his head  understandingly and concluded, "Oh, such a man, unable to understand the meaning of no," With a grin, he turned toward Allea and added after a tch, "What a waste."

At his way of speaking, Allea raised a brow, his tone of ridicule only reminded her of one person, "Jackson will be proud seeing you talking like him."

The moment Jackson's name left her lips, Kai's smile faded, and Allea with a sheepish look turned her head away. She somewhat forgot that Kai was still sensitive toward Jackson's departure.

 Although when Jackson left three days ago, Kai didn't say anything and they bid their farewell like every year. Still, as this time Jackson stayed longer with Kai, it's inconceivable that he would not feel the absence of that old man —who hovered around the child all day long, playing soccer with him, making his room a permanent statin for his video gaming lessons/matches, and pulling him out of the mansion to try various types of food.

Perceiving Kai's sudden silence, Allea tried to casually add, "Did you call Jackson?"

"Yeah."

Hearing him mumbling the response, Allea didn't ask further —not intending in the slightest for Kai to feel that he has to hesitate or be cautious to show his emotions in front of her, she's all in to give him as much as the time he needs to settle his mood.