Chapter 61
KASMINE
I almost laughed out loud each time Kester’s words came playing in my head.
Was he crazy?
He was beginning to take this way too far, and I was worried
I placed a trembling hand on my chest to stop the erratic rithm of my heart.
How dare he say I’d carry his child? I was his stepsister, for crying out loud!
I rolled my eyes so hard I was sure the people beside me had noticed by now. A few had already cast curious glances in my direction, probably wondering what had me twisting in my seat, muttering under my breath like a lunatic. But I couldn’t help it.
At that moment, I realized I wasn’t wearing the necklace Rester asked me never to take off.
A wave of cold dread rolled over me as my fingers flew to my bare collarbone.
No. No, no, no.
I had taken it off earlier–to try on the jewelry we bought from the mall. I had meant to put it back on, but in all my distractions, I had completely forgotten.
Kester would be mad if he found out.
I heaved a sigh, looking at my wristwatch. It had been almost an hour, and Kester might begin to suspect that I had lied to him about my whereabouts.
Miss Kasmine Hamilton?!
I snapped my head up as the nurse called my naine, my heart stumbling against my ribs.
“You’re up.”
I stood immediately, smoothing my skirt as if that would somehow hide the unease curling in my gut. With quick nod, I followed her through the quiet corridor leading to the doctor’s office.
The cold air in the doctor’s office made me feel fresh and safe. Out there, it was almost as if there were eyes watching me, and it made me feel pretty uncomfortable.
“Good day, Doctor,” I greeted, taking a seat.
“You can call me Charles,” the doctor, who looked like he was in his early thirties, said with a friendly smile.” What can we do for you today?”
KESTER
Where the fuck was she?
A muscle ticked in my jaw as I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming impatiently against the desk. My office suddenly felt too hot and stifling despite the air conditioning humining at full blast.
Again, I browsed through the app displayed on my phone screen, but the result was still the same. She had left the damn necklace I gave to her at home!
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Fuck!
How the fuck was I meant to track her now? Didn’t I warn her never to take off that necklace?
A sharp exhale left my lips as I loosened my tie. The material suddenly felt like a noose around my neck.
I stood abruptly, pacing toward the glass wall that separated my office from hers. I peered inside.
Jake was still seated at his desk.
At least she hadn’t smack out with him.
But that did nothing to ease the agitation in my chest.
So where the fuck was she?
I hoped she was safe.
Navigating through the call app, I dialed Claire’s number again for the fifth time, but she still didn’t answer. This was unlike Claire. She’d do anything to have me call her, but now? She wasn’t answering the damn call!
Just as I reached for my car keys, prepared to drive out and find her myself, I saw her.
Finally.
She walked past my office into hers in a hurry.
She was alone.
Where the fuck was Claire?
I didn’t waste time.
I strode out of my office, pushing open the door to hers with my hand in my pocket.
She flinched the moment she saw me.
Good.
She should be nervous.
“Where have you been?” My voice was cold, devoid of any real emotion–so eerily calm that anyone not paying attention might mistake it for casual curiosity, oblivious to the storm raging inside me.
I could have easily called her to come into my office, but it felt like a waste of time.
She was silent.
“Where the fuck have you been?” I asked her again, ignoring the insignificant bastard sitting at his desk.
She looked at me curiously, her gaze moving from me to Jake and back to me. “Kester. I told you…!
I didn’t let her finish. I cut her off coldly, “You lied, Kasmine.” I was seething with rage, but my exterior spoke otherwise.
Jake, to his credit, was smart. He didn’t wait to be dismissed–he simply stood and walked out without a word, closing the door behind him.
Now, it was just us.
“You have to calm down. We just went out to get something for her, you know? She is going out on a date with
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someone she just met. And we went to get…”
“More lies”
I took a step forward. She took a step back.
“Claire isn’t buying gifts for anyone.”
I knew she was lying. I would have fallen for that trap if I listn’t known about Claire’s date.
She stood at a loss for words.
“Where is the necklace I asked you never to tale off?” I asked, stepping closer to her.
“I totally forgot about it when I was leaving the house. I’m sorry,” She blinked up at me, her long lashes framing wide, innocent eyes.
My jaw tightened.
I should still be angry.
But fuck–she knew exactly what she was doing to me.
I could feel my anger dissipating so fast.
I couldn’t even stare at her without losing myself.
Kasmine stepped forward, the faintest smile curving her lips as she lifted herself onto her tiptoes, her hands barely grazing my chest. She tilted her head, aiming to plant a quick, teasing kiss on my lips.
I knew what she was doing.
She was distracting me.
And I let her.
Like a fucking fool.
She kissed me with those soft lips of hers and pulled away, It was brief… way too brief.
I caught her by the waist before she could escape, locking her against me.
“Where do you think you’re going?” My voice was hoarse.
I didn’t give her time to answer–I crushed my lips against hers, claiming her the way I wanted.
I felt her hesitation, the slight tensing of her body as if she was already regretting making that move. She should regret. Because now, she had nowhere to run. Didn’t she know that there was no teasing me?
Fuck regret. This was going to be quick. No one would see us like she feared.
Her small hands pressed against my chest, trying to push me away, but her resolve was way too weak. I felt it in the way her fingers curled against my shirt instead of shoving me back.
Her lips softened beneath mine, surrendering to me despite herself.
I pulled away slowly, just enough to see her eyes. They were wide, flickering with something between frustration and longing as she licked her lower lip.
I still held her in my arms while gazing into her eyes, “I have a surprise for you at home. Would you rather we leave now or at the end of work?” I asked, hoping she’d choose the former.
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www
She paused briefly before replying with a hint of excitement, “We can leave now. It’s already 3 pm, after all.”
That’s what I wanted to hear.
She loved surprises a lot. At least, I learned that from a reliable source. And I had something planned. Something she wouldn’t forget.
The drive to the house was thirty minutes, but I made it twenty. I was in a hurry to show her what I had for her for us.
I dismissed the drivers and guards, telling them to take the afternoon off and return later tonight. I planned on doing the same for the guards at home. I wanted the whole house for my Kasmine and me.
In less than five minutes after we returned, the house was empty. No guards, no maids, no June… Just the two of
June had texted to remind me that she was returning today, texted back to tell her not to. Although I didn’t get al reply from her, I knew she got the memo.
I stepped inside first, my fingers wrapped around Kasmine’s wrist, keeping her close as I shut the door behind us.
I watched her eyes flutter around, scanning the whole place before turning to me, “So… Where is it?” She teased, and the way she was beginning to loosen up around me made my heart melt, even though she was still stubborn about how we ought to feel for each other..
1 didn’t answer.
Instead, I took her hand and guided her up the stairs and toward the hallway.
“Open the door,” I murmured when we got to her door, standing close behind her.
She hesitated, and I swore I saw the slightest flush of color bloom on her cheeks before she reached for the handle and pushed it open.
The scent of roses filled the air instantly.
Soft petals, scattered from the doorway, trailed across the floor, leading a path straight to her bed–where more flowers lay, arranged in the shape of a heart.
She gasped, her hands flying to her lips as she took it all in
I leaned against the doorframe, watching her.
“Kester…” Her voice was breathless. “You did all this…. for me?”
I smirked, pushing off the frame and stepping toward her until I was right behind her again, my chin nearly brushing the top of her head.
“No,” I said in a voice so low that it sounded so tender. “I did it for us.”
I reached into my pocket, pulling out a small envelope.
“Take it,” I told her, holding it out.
She swallowed, her fingers trembling slightly as she took it and pulled the flap open.
Her eyes scanned the two sleekly printed tickets inside. The words jumped out at her almost instantly.
“Maldives?!” She blinked up at me with a gasp. “One whole week in Maldives?”
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I nodded. “We leave in six days. Just the two of us.”
For a moment, she just stared at the tickets as if trying to convince herself this was real.
She was never allowed to go on such vacations–courtesy at me -until she turned twenty–one. But I was breaking all those rules. Although, with me in the picture.
Then, in a rush, she threw her arms around me.
I caught her easily, my arms locking around her waist as she pressed her face into my chest, inhaling deeply.
“You like it?” I murmured against her hair, inhaling her scent.
She pulled back, looking up at me with so much adoration that I wished I could live in that moment forever. “I love it!”
I reached for her chin, tilting her face upward. “Good. Because I’m not done yet.”
I let go of her, stepping past her toward the closet. Pulling the doors open, I gestured for her to come closer. Inside, neatly arranged, was a collection of outfits–flowy dresses, swimsuits, sandals, accessories–all handpicked for her. Light fabrics, soft colors. Everything that screamed her.
I heard her soft intake of breath.
“These are…” She reached out hesitantly, touching the fabric of one of the dresses. “You picked these?”
I gave her a look. “Who else?” Even though I had help from that jerk, I called my friend, Norlan, who was still not back yet. Although he promised to return in a few days, only a fool would take his word for it.
Her lips curved, but she still looked stunned. “You bought me an entirely new wardrobe?”
“Not entirely, Just for the trip.”
She turned fully, resting her back against the closet as she stared at me. “Kester… I don’t even know what to say…” The way she said my name–it did something to me.
I stepped closer, placing my hands on
rside of her against the wood. “Say thank you, Kasmine.”
She bit her lip, tilting her head playfully. “What if I don’t?
I chuckled, leaning in, my mouth grazing the shell of her ear. “Then I’ll make you.”
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Chapter 62
