Billie Bossa Nova

56

The penthouse was awfully cold without her. Hallow. Kai sat on a bar stool, elbows braced on the counter as he stared at his phone. It had been an hour since she ended the call. After that, he'd sat in his own silence, the sound of Shark munching on his food being the only thing he could hear until the pup stopped eating and began exploring the house, curious nose sniffing everything it came across.

The entire thing felt off. He trusted her with his life, however, the idea of her having left early with another man was still unsettling. She also didn't sound like she was okay over the phone, which did nothing to ease his worries.

After a few moments of burning his head out from thinking, he resorted to calling Taz to trace her location. He respected her privacy, but couldn't help his own concern. None of this was adding up and he needed clearance.

Halfway through the call, Kai heard Shark barking. Until now, he'd never heard Shark bark so aggressively. He told Taz to call him back immediately when he finds her, then followed the sound. It was when he narrowed the hallway leading to the entrance that he came across his front door wide open and Adan standing inside his house.

"Cute little pound you have there. Never saw you as a pet person," his father said as a greeting. Dressed in a dusty rose suit that cost more than the number of his own heartbeats per day.

Kai, already stressed out and spent, crossed his arms. "How did you get in?"

"Is that a way to greet your father?" The man smirked at his son. When he didn't reply, he went on, "The nice young lady at the desk kindly gave me the key when I told her who I am."

"Get out."

Adan crossed his eyebrows. "Why are you all worked up? I couldn't help but notice you left before dinner was even served tonight."

Kai locked his jaw. His father was the last person he wanted to see right now. Not to mention going to that dinner had never had a good result for him. Tonight proved that to be true.

"Why are you here, Adan?"

"Your girlfriend. That's how you introduced her to the family, isn't it?" The man chuckled fruitfully, his head shaking as he stared half thoughtfully at the ground. Then, his gaze lifted to his son. "Where is she?" Adan's eyes roamed around the house as if in search of her.

Kai replied scornfully, "That isn't any of your business."

"Oh?" Adan raised an eyebrow. "Tell me, son, do you know where she is? Jasmine tells me she left quite urgently with a rather dashing looking young man-"

"You don't know what you're talking about." Kai lowered his tone. Adan was clearly trying to get under his skin. He wouldn't let him.

"She's a charming young lady. Has many options, various men lined up just dreaming of having her. You think she'd stick to one choice?"

Kai locked his jaw. "Get out of my house, Adan."

Adan did the opposite. He walked right in. Shark barked viciously as he did, baring his tiny teeth as if they could inflict any damage. Ignoring the puppy's protests, Adan made himself at home in Kai's kitchen, searching the cupboards until he found a bottle of scotch and a glass. Poured himself a good helping.

Kai stood at the opposite side of the counter, accepting that his father wouldn't leave until he got what he came here for.

"What do you want?" he relented unwillingly.

Adan swirled his drink around his squarical glass. Shrugging, he replied, "I told you, I'm here for your girlfriend. Until she shows up, I'm not leaving."