Anam Cara | Ian Kabra

[04]

The door creaked open as the woman got in the room quickly and hurriedly closed the door, shutting out all sound of the storm raging outside. A thunder seemed to shake the whole building but she was so tired she didn't even blink as she turned on the lights. She hang her coat on the coatstand, took off her heels and got over to the living room. She didn't waste a second to start a fire and with a small sigh, she laid on the couch and propped her feet up against the armrest. She let her bag fall by the couch before she reached up and untied her hair off of the bun she had set it in for the whole day, blonde hair spilling on the couch around her head like a halo, several strands falling down the couch. She placed a hand against her head as she closed her eyes and did nothing but breathe, in and out, slow, deep breaths.

She would have fallen asleep right then and there if it weren't for her mobile phone ringing.

She let out a groan as she opened her eyes, glaring at the ceiling above her as if it was its fault she was absolutely exhausted. She attempted to blindly search through her bag for her phone but as her search was unsuccessful and the phone kept ringing, she was forced to prop herself up on her elbows and look for the source of her misery. She found the phone soon enough and without looking at the name of the person that was calling her, she laid back on the couch and replied.

"Yes?"

Lots of distance away, Natalie Kabra smirked as she heard her friend's voice through the phone. She sent a brief nod at her brother sitting nearby and put the call on speaker's so he could hear as well.

"We haven't seen each other in months and that's how you greet me?"

"Unfortunately, we've spoken plenty of times ever since then," Elvira scoffed, unaware the conversation was no longer a private one. A few ways away from Natalie, Ian sent his sister a smirk.

"I could still have a more pleasant welcome, don't you think?

"It's certainly not my fault your mission in Paris ended up lasting two months instead of a week."

Natalie scowled. "It wasn't my fault. Besides, I talked to you as often as possible!"

"Whatever," she sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm tired, Natalie. I got back from work five minutes ago. I've hardly eaten and all I want to do is sleep."

Ian frowned at her reply. Natalie shared his reaction. "Elvira, I know you like being a lawyer but if they're overworking you it's not worth it. We could hire you. Have you any idea how many times a year a Kabra is in need of a lawyer?"

"Funny that, and what would I be exactly? Your lawyer or your stylist designer?"

"Well, if it was up to Ian-"

"Leave your brother out of this," Elvira cut her off, unaware that in the other end of the line, Ian was listening, glaring at his sister all the while, especially as he took in her satisfied smirk. There was a beat of silence before Elvira sighed. "I haven't seen him in more than half a year. How is he?"

He stiffened as Natalie's smirk widened. "He's fine. When was the last time you saw him?"

"In your birthday party," Elvira sighed, "I saw him once more a while later but it was very fleeting. Then whenever I came for a visit he was busy or he was in a mission and in the last few months you were in Paris I had no excuse to go to the mansion."

Natalie perked up as she met Ian's gaze. "I doubt he would mind if you paid him a visit."

Ian's glare was drowned out as he heard her next response. "And what was I supposed to say? Hello Ian, I know we haven't talked much but I was wondering if you'd like to spend a while with me because I'm rather lonely and you're the only person other than Natalie I have had a meaningful conversation with in years?"