Pursuing Pandora

Chapter 25

I have attached a Spotify link for this chapter. You can start the playlist at the *** mark to enjoy the story with the songs. 

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Chapter 25

Victor was blissfully asleep next to me. None of us wanted to part and break our embrace. I felt so secure in his arms. He was cradling me like I was as fragile as glass. We ended up sleeping on the couch yesterday. With barely enough space to accommodate both of us, we snuggled tight with our limbs entangled around one another. I traced the refined contours of Victor's back with my fingers to wake him up.

"I know it's weird but I can hear your school clock tower bell ringing right now. I got worried thinking I'm back in your dorm."

Listening closely, I could hear it too. "My alarm!" I tried to scramble my way out from under him to shut it.

"No. I'll take care of it." The sound beeped down right after I heard a crash. Did he just break my alarm clock? "Always hated the sound of that clock tower of yours." The memory of Victor losing his calm when the tower rang multiple times to indicate the time of the day made me chuckle. I kissed his shoulder for some comfort as that was the only body part I was able to reach. This is oddly so familiar, being with him even after a fight.

"Pandora?" The loud crash and the incessant ringing of my alarm had woken Zara up. Her voice startled us into complete consciousness. Both of us rolled out from our positions within seconds. I rushed Zara into her room as Victor slid back into his. This morning definitely reminds me of high school!

After breakfast I started getting ready for the day. Staying home for another day was really tempting. I would love to spend the day with Zara and Victor but if I didn't arrive at my office today my brothers might come knocking on my door to check up on me.

I liked how Victor had staggered out of his bedroom 20 minutes later after pretending to smell the bacon sizzling. Zara had managed to convince Vic to stay at my apartment during breakfast. He was supposed to take a day off anyways as the medic has marked his headache as a sign of mild concussion.

I was just about to head out when he stopped me. "I haven't babysat a child before!" The nervousness was evidently plastered on his face. So evil superpowered savants are inconsequential but taking care of a 10-year-old is making him lose his shit?

"I have Portia for that! Zara is not a child, she's a mini adult."

"That doesn't help. What do I even talk about?"

"Oh! I don't know, the congressional elections maybe? Ask her what she knows about the Orange Cheeto colored Captain Chaos." Victor freaking out is such a hilarious sight. I don't think he has to worry about conversation topics. Zara is a quiet kid but she's really great at keeping the conversation going if she likes a person. She doesn't seem to have a problem with him being here.

Vic was just staring at me at me with narrowed eyes. It's so easy to tease him. I put a hand over his shoulder to comfort him, "A few days ago you went completely bonkers thinking Zara was your daughter." I suppressed the memory of him saying 'She has your face structure and my skin colour' as it threatened to make me laugh. "If you could just assume that is true, what would you want to talk to her about? Maybe her hobbies or interests. Just survive till late afternoon. I promise I'll come home early and we can go for laser tag." He leaned his head on mine relaxing back to his calm and composed self. It will be alright.

Or so I thought. Four hours later I got a call from Portia saying she is going to head home after Zara's lessons. That is not what was agreed upon. She is supposed to stay with her till I or Magda, the housekeeper comes to relieve her. I don't think she'll break her contract requirements unless she's made to. My eyes narrowed remembering the mind control devil I had left her with.