Inheritance

Chapter 43

"Kendall?" I murmured to the empty space beside me, just as I sensed the sun's bright rays begin to seep in through the thick curtains enclosing the bedroom. The soft melody of chirping birds served the functional purpose of a morning alarm.

When I was met with silence, I lazily turned over on the perfectly snug bed, so that I was now rested on my back. Placing the palm of my hand along my dampened forehead, I felt oddly warm. My body was flushed and, soon enough, I emitted a surge of unpleasant coughs and heaves.

Pulling the plush, dark duvet covers above my shoulders, I now sensed the foreboding onset of a mild headache and chills. It wasn't long before I gathered all the proof needed to confirm I was sick. Releasing a frustrated sigh at the inconvenience, I closed my eyes for a few extra minutes and tried to ready my body to perform the daunting task of getting up from bed.

Shaking off what felt like invisible shanks, I steadily rose from the mattress. As I stood to my full height, I felt a bit unsteady and my balance waned. My head was pounding and my throat was beginning to dry. Glancing at the counter-side alarm clock, I had to squint my eyes just to make out the exact time it read. Relinquishing a heavy breath, I realized I had slept until almost noon. 

Judging from the vacant and untouched spot on the bed beside me, it was hard to tell whether Kendall had laid there at any moment during the night. Further, I couldn't recall if he'd even come back to the room at all, though I had to admit that my memories of last night weren't the most coherent. 

The thought of Kendall being out all night annoyed me, particularly considering the fact that he was still missing this morning. What the hell could he have been doing? After all, he was the one who had practically begged me to stay the night with him.

Trekking to the bathroom, I took my time showering, then threw on another pair of Kendall's oversized sweatpants. In his absence, I had carelessly rummaged through his closet to find something to wear that was the least bit appealing to the female eye. In the process, I'd failed to impart concern over the subtle mess I'd created. That's what he got for not being here.

As I prepared to leave the bedroom, I took a quick glance at my reflection in the floor-length mirror. Damn, I looked horrible. Patting my wet curls down, I sulked out of the large room, down the spiral stairs, and directly to the expansive lobby. Looking around me, I wasn't entirely sure where in particular Kendall could be hibernating within the imposing mansion.

Upon hearing faint shuffling noises that seemed to be coming from the kitchen, I decided to head down the hallway predating it. Given that my vision wasn't the most optimal in my current ill state, I walked slowly along the displayed path and hoped that whomever was in the kitchen could help me find the appropriate medication needed to ease some of my symptoms.

When I finally made it into the fresh-smelling galley, I took a moment to appreciate the homely layout. From the sheen marble counters to the latest furnished kitchen appliances, I wasn't the least bit shocked by Kendall Fine's expensive tastes. Now that I thought about it, I don't think I'd ever actually been inside this kitchen--well, most of his home anyways. That was, besides his bedroom.

Using my fingertips to trail a curated path along the cool countertop surface, I advanced forward. The ambiance of the place smelled just like breakfast and I wondered whether I'd come too late to enjoy the leftovers. My stomach released a light growl from the thought of cinnamon pancakes and scrambled eggs.

"And, who are you?"

I turned around only to be met by the unmistakable face of—

"Kendall?" My eyes involuntarily lit up, while I took the time to assess his handsome features. However, not only did he look exhausted and novelly unkept, but he was staring at me with a guarded look of unfamiliarity.