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Winter sighed, staring at the half-burnt pancakes on the plate in front of her.
Dinner was quick, with Karina happily munching away while babbling about how the pancakes could have been “award-winning” if Winter had just let her handle the entire process. Winter said nothing, too tired to argue.
As Karina shoveled the last bite into her mouth, she grinned at Winter, crumbs dotting the corners of her lips. “Not bad for a first try! You’re a fast learner.”
“I’ve been making pancakes since I was ten,” Winter almost offended, quite muttered under her breath, grabbing the plates to clean up.
Karina ignored her. “So, about those MMA trophies,” she started, leaning forward with interest.
Winter groaned internally, rinsing the plates in the sink. “What about them?”
“Are they all yours?” Karina asked, wide-eyed. “I mean, you? MMA champion? That’s so cool! Did you punch someone so hard they flew across the ring? Or did you do one of those spinning kicks? Oh! Can you teach me a spinning kick?”
Winter shot her a warning look. “Stop talking about it.”
Karina, undeterred, clasped her hands together like a child. “Come on, you’ve gotta tell me! What’s your signature move? Is it like, super deadly? Did anyone ever challenge you outside the ring? Like in a parking lot or something?”
“Karina,” Winter said sharply, her tone edged with irritation.
“What? I’m just curious!” Karina said, raising her hands innocently. “I mean, you’re obviously good at fighting, I think? And... And you’re strong, cool, kinda intimidating—”
Winter raised an eyebrow. “Kinda?”
“Well, yeah, but also kinda cute when you’re annoyed,” Karina teased, leaning her chin on her palm.
Winter groaned in annoyance, wiping her hands dry and muttered in annoyance, glaring at Karina. “I am this close to duct-taping you.”
Karina gasped, feigning hurt. “You wouldn’t dare! I’ve been such a good hostage today!”
Winter stared at her blankly. “Good? You got flour everywhere, almost burned the pancakes, and you’ve been talking non-stop since lunch, annoyed the hell out of me.”
Karina waved her hand dismissively. “Details, details. Anyway, what do you do with the trophies now? Do you polish them? Display them? Do they give you flashbacks of epic fights?”
Winter threw the dishrag on the counter, exasperated. “Karina. Stop. Talking. I'm. Not. Your. Friend.”
Karina pouted dramatically, but before she could launch into another question, Winter grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the guest room.
“Hey!” Karina protested, stumbling to keep up. “I wasn’t done with my question yet! Or talking!”
“You’ve done enough of both for today,” Winter said flatly, dragging her down the hallway.
Once inside the guest room, Winter gestured toward the bed. “Sit. Stay. Be quiet.”
Karina sat obediently but tilted her head with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You forgot ‘good girl.’”
Winter gave her a deadpan look, as she unlocked the handcuffs cuffed. “Don’t push your luck.”
Karina giggled, flopping onto the bed dramatically. “Okay, okay, I’ll behave. But…”
She sat up, clasping her hands together in an exaggerated begging pose. “Can I at least have Banana with me? Pleeease? I promise I won’t disturb you for the rest of the night!”
Winter narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Promise?”
Karina nodded eagerly, her wide eyes full of faux innocence. “Cross my heart!”
With a heavy sigh, Winter left the room and returned with Banana, carrying the annoyed cat who tried to fight his way out. She handed it to Karina, who happily accepted, closing her eyes, and cradled it like a precious treasure.
“You spoil me,” Karina said, as she petted the Banana, ginning stupidity.
Winter rolled her eyes. “The cat likes you more than me. He can keep you company.”
Karina shower kisses into the Banana, smirking. “Jealous?”
“Goodnight,” Winter muttered, turning to leave.
“Night, Winter!” Karina called cheerily, wiggling her fingers in a wave as Winter shut the door.
Back in her own room, Winter flopped onto her bed, rubbing her temples. She grabbed her phone, scrolling through the latest news headlines.
There was nothing—no reports of a missing socialite or a kidnapped mayor’s daughter. She wonders why, shouldn't he at least realise by now that his only precious spoiled daughter went missing. Or at least by her so-called loyal followers. So much for loyalty.
She sighed, too tired and drained, dropping her phone onto the nightstand. Just thinking about Karina caused her a headache. Figure better to sleep and get ready for another day. Again sadly.
“Five more days,” she muttered to herself, pressing her temple, closing her eyes. “How am I going to survive five more days of this?”
But soon enough, sleep claimed her, the faint sound of Karina humming in the guest room drifted down the hallway, and Winter groaned softly, even in her dreams, Karina managed to annoy her.
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