The Right Way (Sequel to The Wrong One)

Chapter 22

⚔ The Right Way ⚔  

Corin didn't think she could control her breathing. 

They had gotten their bags and the mean had dispersed to try and find them a taxi to take them back to Lakin household, and Corin didn't know how she was still standing. Exhausted from the flight and her nerves on edge, Corin couldn't move without being ushered around. Especially since Kallm hadn't turned to look at her after he had gotten her out of her seat. 

She glanced at him now, and saw his attention elsewhere, focussing on finding them some transport. Without even being close to him Corin could see the tension in Kallm's posture, his shoulders tightened with uncertainty and his stance one of defense. They hadn't even reached his home yet and he was worrying. Corin made a move to talk forward when Kayana's gentle touch rested on her shoulder and with a simple shake of her head, she had stopped Corin from going to Kallm. 

Corin felt helpless and very guilty. If she hadn't done what she had, would they even be in this position? But you wouldn't have Kallm. Her inner voice chimed in and Corin couldn't help but agree with it. She can't say that it had all been bad. And she was here now, to make it better. That had to count for something, right? 

"Come along ladies," Ionido's voice broke Corin's train of thought and she was caught in the bustle of moving bodies as her family attempted to get to the taxi all at once with their bags. Corin's bag got caught on a crack and she turned to disengage it, but Kallm was already there, sliding the pull handle back in and lifting it. He smiled softly at her, but Corin could still see the worry hidden in there. He lay his hand on the small of her back and guided her to the rest of her family as she continued to look up at him. 

Nudging her towards the door, he moved to the back to place away their bags, where Ionido was waiting with a raised eyebrow. "If you are going to touch her like that boy, you better be thinking of marrying her." He winked then, moving away to the passenger seat. If only I could. Kallm shook his head. This was not the time to be thinking of such things.

He felt his thoughts stray to Corin sitting in the middle, her curls bouncing underneath her scarf as she moved her head to talk to ladies surrounding her. Kayana it seemed, was content with just looking out the window. Kallm cleared his throat and went around, seating himself opposite Kayana and smiling at her reassuringly. He knew he was doing the right thing, but would his brother think so?

"Lakin house, please Ji." Kallm called out. He knew they weren't rich, but his brother was well known in Kairya, his mind in business was sharp and even many of the tycoons were wary of them, as they should be. The taxi driver immediately looked in his rearview and nodded at Kallm, setting his meter and putting the gear into drive.

The ride to the house was sombre, with all present worried about how they would be received. Kallm had not exactly explained his plan to his father or brother. He had to keep it a surprise from Vodia, and knew that if he told his father, that he would not be able to keep it a secret from his eldest son. 

Kallm glanced at Corin throughout the ride. She had been sitting quite still and silent, only making sounds if she had been asked a direct question, and even then, only answering with the most minimalist response. He knew that she was thinking what he was thinking. And that was how they were going to get out of this without being torn apart. Because Kallm knew now. He didn't want to be without Corin. But could he choose between his brother and his love? He had searched for his Lavender, and he had been ecstatic when he had found her in the place that he had gone to study. But his world had shifted when he found out this was the woman who had stolen his brother's happiness. But she was also the girl who brought it back. Kallm looked straight ahead at the elegant Kayana sitting there, her posture one of lady-like poise, but he could sense the underlying fear in every breath that she took.