Unexpected

Chapter Ten

KAI

Kai cleared his throat, gesturing towards the floor they'd stepped on. Clover was still silent, her lips tight in a thin line. Kai awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, glancing at her.

Clover spoke. "This week? She's coming this week?" her voice, clipped and harsh before was now so utterly soft.

"Yeah," Kai sighed.

"You don't need to scan me, after all," she offered him a small smile. Kai frowned. Although he'd only met her for an hour, right now she didn't seem...Clover. The Clover he had been arguing with was snarky, a complete sass.

"Why not?"

The amber in her irises glinted. "Because you already know who I am."

Kai's frown deepened. "All I know is that you're a Lunar and you claim to know who Channary's non-existent second daughter-"

Clover whacked him. Hard.

His jaw dropped as he stared at her. She smirked and dropped her hand, then turned to the elevator. Kai was at a loss for words. The nerves of this girl. Clover whirled back to Kai, eyebrow raised as if asking a question. Kai's eyes narrowed, as he dragged a hand through his tousled black hair.

"What are we standing here for?" Clover asked, bored.

Kai huffed. "We were going to get you a scan at the lab but I see that's not necessary now."

"It isn't. Also, you can forget the whole contacting Cinder thing. If she's coming by this week I'll probably have time to talk to her," Clover played with a strand of her blond hair. Kai's eyes were drawn to the real hair. He still hadn't gotten used to seeing Clover without her brown wig. "Meanwhile, Emperor, why don't you show me your room?"

Kai's eyes snapped back to her. "I'm sorry, your room?"

"I am going to be staying in your palace until me and Cinder have met," Clover replied with an equally bored tone.

"We did not do a deal like that for any sorts-and I must say your cover has not been very convincing. After the façade with your fake hair, what makes you think I'll allow you to stay in the palace?"

Clover scowled, features twisting downwards. "I thought I told you why I won't kill you. Don't give me a reason to."

"How do I know you've not been manipulating me?" Kai remained adamant.

Clover rolled her eyes. Sighed. "Because getting manipulated feels like this." she focused her gaze on Kai, who froze as a strange sensation overwhelmed him, almost like an insistent wave that pulled him under. Clover cocked her head, eyebrows drawing together as Kai held up and hand, palm facing towards his head.

Kai struggled to pull his own hand down but it felt like it had been held up by strings. Clover, whose face showed no signs of exhaustion smirked at him. Then the unthinkable thing happened. His palm came right back at his own face with a smack.

Clover doubled over in laughter, peals of giggles escaping her as she dropped all her manipulation and guffawed. Kai stumbled back, his cheeks tinged pale red from the smack his own hand had done. He flashed a furious glare at Clover, who laughed harder.

"You-"

"Smart Lunar who made the Emperor slap himself," Clover finished with a smile.

"Don't you-"

"Try and ruin my fun."

"If this happens again-"

"You can't do anything about it." Clover sang, dancing away as Kai lunged for her.

"I can throw you out-"

"And reel me back in because you missed my attitude."

Kai's jaw went slack as he stared at her, dumbfounded. Clover beamed at him, enjoying their little banter. Kai rubbed his face with a free hand, groaning.

"Something's very, very wrong with you woman."

"Can you show me my room now?" Clover interrupted with a snicker.

Kai shot her a scathing look. "Come right this way." he answered with much more malice than expected and the elevator pinged once more. They both stepped inside, glaring at each other. When the elevator stopped once more, they found themselves on the suite room.

Kai nodded at the two buff guards at the suite's entrance. Clover flashed them a bright smile, then followed him in. Kai flipped out an ID card and swiped it onto a smooth creamy-door's slot, then when the slot went green he pushed the door open.

Clover bounced in after him, marveling at the luxurious place. "This is going to be where I'm staying?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

Clover whirled around and poked his cheek. "What's with the stringy attitude? Loosen up! I've got a whole view of New Beijing!" she launched herself towards the sofa, then buried herself into a pile of plush pillows.

"I'll have a butler come up in a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable," Kai muttered.

"How would I contact you?" Clover asked, breathless as she eyed the place.

"That dial phone over there, my number's star seven eight nine. I'll have a guard placed in front of your door. Any problems, tell the guard or call me. And," he paused, giving her a serious look. "don't break anything, don't change anything and just be civil. The butler will be up here in a few minutes giving you a tour of everything, the schedule for lunch and dinner and basically everything. Remember your manners."

Clover scrunched up her face. "Yeah, whatever."

"I need your word on this."

Clover rolled her eyes, sighing. "Okay, okay. I won't."

Kai moved away, towards the door, but before he shut it he turned around to look at Clover, who stared right back. "And if someone called Nainsi or Konn Torin knocks on this door, pretend to not be here and hide somewhere, 'kay?"

Clover frowned. "What?"

"Just pretend you don't exist and maybe they'll go away." Kai said loudly, flashing her a smirk. Clover sniffed, because she got the double meaning.

A/N: Hey, I couldn't help noticing quite a bit of people were viewing Bonus chapter part one. Would you like me to post part two? If so, tell me in the comment below :P anyways hope you enjoyed this chapter.