The One

Why are you here?

 Morning light streamed through the window as Karol awoke, radiating a smile of accomplishment from her unexpected mission the day before. After refreshing herself in the bathroom, she donned her comfortable indoor attire and made her way downstairs.

Upon reaching the kitchen, she immediately opened the refrigerator, preparing breakfast with deft efficiency. As the delightful aroma of vanilla pancakes filled the air, she quietly arranged everything on the table, seating herself next to her mother and taking her first bite, nearly choking in shock.

"Oh, good Lord gracious! What are you doing here? Ah, hi, Sharon and Jason. Finally, we get to see your ugly faces," she quipped with a teasing smirk, seamlessly adding, "Yes, yes, Mummy, Daddy, good morning. I saw you two, too," to her greeting, eager not to leave anyone out.

"Morning, baby girl," her mother responded, while Jason chimed in with a jovial "Morning, Karol."

Sharon, ever the actress, proclaimed, "I bet you missed me, that's why you nearly choked at the sight of my stunning self," assuming a dramatic stance.

"Jeez, starting the morning with a narcissist? Not good for the rest of us. We might die from looking at you!" she shot back, her eyes rolling playfully.

Jason chuckled, shaking his head at the sisters' antics. "You two are ridiculous," he muttered.

With a flourish befitting a drama queen, she retorted, "I vehemently disagree with your accusation!" while Sharon lightly smacked Jason's arm, mumbling "You ass" under her breath.

Witnessing the exchange, she couldn't resist teasing. "Look at how she hit him softly! Oh my, has this world come to an end? Are we in hell?" she exclaimed, scanning the room with mock horror.

"Yes, we are in hell—welcome to your abode, you filthy soul," Sharon laughed heartily, sending her sister into exasperated eye-rolls as she resumed her breakfast.

Yet, as she focused on her food, she couldn't shake the question that danced in her mind: Why is he here?

Avoiding a certain gaze, she reached for her mug, only to find it empty. "Where did my tea go?!" she exclaimed, placing the mug back down and frantically searching the table as if it contained hidden secrets.

"My tea just vanished before my eyes," she declared, her gaze darting from her father to her mother, then to her sister and Jason, finally landing on Christian, the very person she was trying to evade. "Who's the culprit?" she challenged, her finger pointed accusingly.

"I know Daddy isn't the culprit since he's far from my mug, and you three are the closest. So tell me, who drank my tea? Or else..."

She narrowed her eyes, honing in on her sister, mother, and Jason while deftly dodging a direct confrontation with Christian.

"SHARON! YOU!" Karol accused her sister, pointing an index finger in accusation as if it were a weapon. "You evil woman!"

With a comical grimace, she glared at Sharon, who, in turn, stuck her tongue out in mock defiance. The playful bickering escalated until Christian, witnessing the delightful chaos, stood up and sidled over to his friend's side, leaving the sisters to their antics.

"Let me refill your tea," Christian offered, leaning in closer, his intent gaze fixed on her. The move startled her, causing her to instinctively retreat, discomfort flashing across her face as he took her mug. He filled it with deft movements and returned it to his mate before sinking back into his original seat, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.

All eyes in the dining area were transfixed on the pair; some smirked, others struggled to stifle laughter, while a few tried desperately to avert their gaze. An awkward silence cloaked the room until Anna broke it, her voice cutting through the stillness like a knife. "What time are you heading out later?"

"We're leaving here at noon; our flight is at 1 pm," he replied a hint of urgency in his tone.

Anna nodded briskly, her mind racing ahead. "Alright, then we'll spend this morning lounging and packing before we move out. Oh, about the rental car—what's the plan?"

Sharon's voice chimed in, steady and reassuring. "We'll return it at the airport since we're picking it up there too."

William, ever the practical one, interjected quickly, "Darling, do you want to drive around Theodulf before we head to the airport?"

"Sure, why not?" Anna replied with a flicker of excitement. "Let's get ready!" Without wasting a moment, she and William dashed from the dining room, eager to prepare for their adventure.

With her parents' announcement sending a ripple of activity through the house, Karol hastily finished her breakfast, downing half her tea before heading to the sink to wash her dishes. As she moved, she offered a quick, "Okay then, I'll see you guys around noon," before making her exit.

Christian, determined to remain close, followed as she settled into the living room, her fingers flying over her phone as she scrolled through emails. Quietly, he sat at her feet, a familiar yet uninvited presence. This time, she sensed his intention and instinctively pulled her legs away, creating an ocean of space between them as she tucked herself into the corner of the sofa.

Both Jason and Sharon, witnessing the tension, seized the moment to retreat to the sanctuary of their bedroom, leaving the two mates to navigate their delicate dance. "You okay?" Karol asked suddenly, her gaze assessing him as he sat there, looking like a kicked puppy.

"Yes, I am," he sighed, before adding with a hint of reproach, "And to answer your earlier question in the kitchen, I'm here because someone decided to have dinner without me despite my offer to pick you up."

"I told you I could take care of myself," she replied, her tone slightly defiant. "You have tons of work to do."

"I do have work, but you always come first."

"Don't worry about me, alright? I was out for a bit. Did you eat your dinner yesterday?"

"Yes, I did."

"Good to know." She rubbed her temples as she began to stand, determination etched in her features. "Now I need to reply to emails from my university, so if you'll excuse me, I'll head up to my room."

Without a backward glance, she strode from the room, leaving Christian alone, his brow furrowed in contemplation.