Her Purpose || Kai Parker

Chapter 43

The next morning, Estrella emerged from her room, the remnants of her emotional turmoil still echoing in her mind.

She freshened up, attempting to shake off the shadows of the night before, and made her way downstairs.

As she descended, the rich aroma of a hearty breakfast wafted through the air, teasing her senses and momentarily distracting her from her lingering frustrations.

In the kitchen, she found Kai already busy at work, a cheerful grin plastered across his face as he stirred a bubbling pot on the stove.

Despite the warmth of the scene, Estrella felt a pang of reluctance settle in her chest. She was determined to keep her distance, so she steeled herself and walked past him, heading straight for the dining table.

“Morning,” Kai called out, glancing up from his culinary endeavors. “I made a feast. You should eat something.”

Estrella nodded curtly, her gaze firmly fixed on the floor, refusing to meet his eyes. “I’m not hungry,” she replied, her tone clipped and defensive.

Kai raised an eyebrow, stirring the pot with a casual ease that betrayed his nonchalance. “Come on, you didn’t eat last night. It’s just breakfast,” he coaxed, trying to infuse some lightness into the tense atmosphere.

“I said I’m not hungry,” she repeated, attempting to keep her voice steady, though the underlying frustration threatened to seep through.

Kai shrugged, unperturbed by her resistance. “Suit yourself. But you’re missing out,” he replied, his tone light as he plated the food and set it on the table with a flourish.

Estrella turned away, focusing on her own swirling thoughts. She was still grappling with the remnants of the previous night’s emotional fallout, and the last thing she wanted was to engage with Kai, despite the delicious meal spread before her.

To her surprise, Kai broke the silence with an unexpected proposal. “We should go out for a picnic,” he declared, his enthusiasm palpable as he set the packed tiffins on the table, each one neatly arranged and inviting.

Estrella sighed, clearly uninterested. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not in the mood,” she replied, her voice tinged with exasperation.

“I wasn’t asking, pumpkin. Come on, don’t make me carry you out—not that I would mind,” he insisted, his playful tone returning as he flashed her a teasing grin.

Her resolve wavered slightly at his persistence, and she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of amusement at his audacity.

However, she quickly quashed the reaction, unwilling to let him see how his playful banter affected her.

Kai leaned against the counter, crossing his arms, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Trust me, a little fresh air and sunshine will do you good. Plus, I promise to keep the creepy family stories to a minimum,” he added with a smirk, knowing how much those tales unnerved her.

Estrella bit her lip, weighing her options. She wanted to maintain her distance, to keep him at arm’s length after the hurtful exchange from the night before.

She huffed in irritation but eventually relented, rising from her seat with a newfound determination.

Bored of being cooped up at home for days on end, Estrella welcomed the idea of fresh air and a change of scenery.

It was a step toward normalcy, a small escape from the weight of her current situation.

Their first stop was at a quaint local store, where Kai insisted on picking up a few things for their outing.