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Winter woke to sunlight spilling across the room, already signaling how late it was.
She squinted against the light, a groan slipping out as she rubbed her temples. It was only the third day with her uninvited "guest," and yet the thought of four more days felt unbearably heavy.
She remembered she hadn't fed Karina-she'd skipped lunch altogether, too drained to bother after back from the hospital.
Winter lay there, flat on her back, staring blankly at the ceiling while her fingers absently ran over Banana's soft fur. She thought her earlier victory would ease the irritation clawing at her insides, but the memory of Karina's startled, almost hurt expression wouldn't leave her alone.
It gnawed at her, a strange discomfort that didn't fade. It's not even Karina's fault, she thought, yet somehow, it was-all of it, because of this socialite's unasked-for presence.
Karina has been too quiet around her, and it didn't bring the usual calm. It was unsettling, if anything.
Winter sighed and sat up, placing Banana gently on the bed. Leaning down to look at her little companion, she asked, "What am I supposed to do now, huh?" But Banana just licked his paw, as indifferent as ever.
The clock keep ticking toward evening, and Winter hesitated before standing up, giving Banana a quick scratch behind his ears.
"Good job on the advice," she murmured before walking down the hallway. As she unlocked and opened the guest room door, Karina's face immediately brightened with that wide, welcoming smile, as if nothing had happened earlier.
"Hi!" Karina greeted, her voice bright and cheerful. Winter swallowed, rubbing the bridge of her nose to hide the uneasy feeling. She cleared her throat, keeping her face stony.
"Come with me," she said, nodding toward the hallway. She could feel Karina's gaze studying her, curious and amused, as if reading every single thought she'd been trying to keep hidden.
Karina rose slowly, her expression thoughtful but with a hint of mischief in her eyes.
"Did something happen?" she asked, sounding almost... sympathetic.
Winter didn't answer, just walked out and waited by the door until Karina followed her to the kitchen. She tried to ignore the way Karina's face lit up when she realized Winter was leading her there.
A mischievous grin broke across Karina's face as she sidled up beside her. "Just admit you're sorry. It's not that hard, you know."
Winter groaned. "I'm not sorry. And if you keep talking, I will change my mind about letting you out here."
Karina raised her hands in surrender, still grinning. "Okay, no handcuffs today?" she teased.
Winter shot her a glare. "Depends on your attitude."
Karina just laughed, a warm sound that seemed to settle Winter's nerves despite herself. Karina's smile softened, and she looked around the kitchen, hands on her hips. "So, what's on the menu for lunch, chef?"
Winter sighed, wondering yet again why she'd let Karina out in the first place. But as much as she wanted her quiet back, part of her-a small, reluctant part-didn't mind the intrusion quite as much as she'd like to admit.
They moved around the kitchen in a kind of reluctant rhythm, with Karina at the stove, stirring noodles, and Winter beside her, cracking eggs into a pan. Winter could feel Karina's gaze, soft but unyielding, as though Karina was studying her. Finally, Winter sighed, turning to face her.
"What?" she asked, eyebrows raised.
Karina's lips curved into that annoyingly familiar smile. "You're just... interesting," she replied, giving the noodles one last stir and closing her eyes to take in the savory smell filling the kitchen.
Winter snorted, hiding a small smirk, and went back to plating the rice. After a moment, though, she stopped. Her mind drifted to the quiet unease she'd felt since taking Karina in, and she tried to shake it off.
Focusing on the stove top, she finally asked, "Isn't the mayor looking for you? You know, I haven't seen anything about it on the news." She tossed a look at Karina, who was watching her with an amused sparkle.
Karina turned, setting down the spoon, then leaned casually against the counter, crossing her arms. "Why, dear kidnapper," she teased, her smirk widening, "are you scared now? That my father will hunt you down?"
Winter quickly looked away, focusing on transferring rice into bowls.
"Honestly?" She let out a slow breath. "Yes."
She looked back at Karina, whose smirk had faded into genuine surprise. Winter met her gaze, feeling strangely lighter after saying it out loud. "I was just supposed to hand you over, not... keep you here."
Karina's mouth formed a small pout, and she crossed her arms, mock-offended. "So, that's it? The only reason you're keeping me around is because of the money? Not because you actually like me?"
Winter snorted again, squinting. "Why would I even like you?"
Karina's expression softened, that playful look slipping back into place.
"Because, obviously, we're friends," she declared, almost matter-of-factly. "And you're a lonely, good person who just needs a friend to balance you out. And I'm pretty and single and-"
Winter shook her head, rolling her eyes. She reached for Karina's wrist, and Karina gasped in exaggerated surprise.
"Wait, I thought today was handcuff-free!" she exclaimed with a wide-eyed look of betrayal as Winter pulled her toward the guest room.
"You stay here while I get the delivery," Winter muttered, letting go of Karina's wrist and watching as she plopped dramatically onto the bed, crossing her arms.
Karina let out a loud, put-upon sigh. "You still don't trust me?"
"Not risking it," Winter replied with a smirk, shutting the door.
A few minutes later, she was back, the guest room door creaking open to reveal Karina, arms still crossed and eyes narrowed in what Winter could only describe as a joking glare. She rolled her eyes as she murmured, "Come on, or I'll let you starve."
Karina heaved a playful sigh as she got up, joining Winter back in the dining room, where Banana had already claimed his spot, seated on a cushion by Winter's chair as if he were part of the household's routine. Settling into their seats, Winter found herself hiding a small smile as she handed Karina her bowl.
As they finished eating, Karina lingered at the table, her gaze fixed on Winter, as if waiting to see if she would finally decide to send her back.
Winter, however, simply rose from her seat, carrying their dishes to the sink, scrubbing each one with a focus that almost seemed intentional-as though she were carefully avoiding the question hanging in the air.
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