Alvara

I'd spent the past two weeks at home designing the product sketch for Mr. Reed based on our collaborative ideas, but I could barely focus.

This was because Kai hadn't been coming home frequently. He always had one excuse or the other, but it was clear he was avoiding me.

The front door opens as Kai walks through it. He doesn't say hi or even acknowledge my existence.

This was really getting to me. He'd just managed to come home since he left this morning. It was 10 p.m. in the evening!

Looking up from my product sketch at him, I asked, “Are you going out again?“

“Yeah, I have some things to take care of,” he replies, pulling off his winter coat that was hung on the wall. “How's your product sketch coming along?“

I scoffed. “Are you really curious about that?“

“Of course, I am.“

Then be here. God dammit!

“Well, I can barely focus, and that's all thanks to you.“

Kai furrowed his brow, confused. “Thanks to me? What did I do?“

Was he seriously asking because he didn't know, or was he just playing dumb?

“Just admit it, Kai. It's clearly obvious that the reason why you haven't been coming home lately is because you're avoiding me,” I say. “Are you getting tired of me already? Maybe I really am the problem.“

“You're not, and don't ever say something like that again,” he retorts. “Yes, I've been avoiding you, but it has nothing to do with you.“

“I don't believe you.“

“I'm a man, Alvara. Living under the same roof as a woman who I've loved for 5 years,” he explains. “How do you expect me to react when she suddenly kisses me out of the blue one day or publicly reveals to the press that we're engaged to be married while holding my hand affectionately?“

That stung.

“Are you saying you didn't like any of those?“

“What I'm saying is that you keep getting my hopes up when you clearly don't feel the same way about me,” he corrects.

“Who says I don't feel the same way about you?“ I asked. “I do know I am physically attracted to you.“

“But do you like me? Do you see yourself falling in love with me?“

I don't respond. It was too soon to answer anyway. I'd just come out from a divorce with a man I truly loved.

I hadn't even yet completely healed from that. Could I possibly open my heart to another?

“I wasn't trying to hurt you by avoiding you. I'm sorry if it made you feel that way,” Kai states. “I just didn't want to make you uncomfortable. It's the least thing I want.“

“I really have to work overnight at the office tonight, so I won't be coming home,” he adds. “Make sure to lock the doors before you sleep.“

No. I wasn't going to let Kai leave just like that.

“Wait!“ I called out, springing up from the chair, halting Kai's steps. “Give me a little more time. It might be selfish of me to ask, but please do.“

“After this project with Reed is over, I'll give you my answer,” I continued. “Until then, can you come home? It's quite lonely without you here.“

“It wouldn't make you uncomfortable?“ He asked.

I shook my head, “No, it wouldn't.“

Kai walked towards me and gently placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

“Then, I'll be home tomorrow morning after my night shift,” he whispers. “Goodnight.“

I felt giddy. Like a little kid who had just been given her favorite candy.

“Goodnight.“

“I'll be home by the time you wake up in the morning. I promise.“

With that said, Kai takes his leave.

Throwing myself down onto the chair, I felt more energized and focused to work on my product sketch.

When the product sketch was complete, I video called Mr. Reed to get his opinion of it. I was relieved to hear he didn't have many corrections to make but was rather impressed by it.

“Finally done,” I let out a yawn as my gaze shifted to the wall clock. “It's 4 a.m. Should I wait for Kai until he gets back home?“

In as much as I struggled to keep my eyes opened, they felt heavy.

“I'll just sleep for a short while,” I murmured, moving to the bedroom and climbing onto the bed. “I'll set an alarm for 6 a.m. Kai should have been home by then.“

When my alarm was all set, I took a short nap. Or so I thought.

Slowly opening my eyes after a while, I saw Kai's face in front of me.

I gasped, covering my face. “When did you get home?“

“About 10 minutes ago.“

“And how long have you been watching me sleep?“

A slow smile spreads across his lips, “About 10 minutes ago. I couldn't bring myself to take my eyes off you. You look so beautiful in the morning.“

Again. Again, I felt my heart skip.

Reaching out for my phone, I realized that my alarm was turned off.

“Did you turn off my alarm, Kai?“ I asked.

“Yeah. You were sleeping so soundly that I didn't want it to wake you.“

He reaches out for my product sketch.

“Is this the end result of your product?“ He asked.

Sitting upright on the bed, my gaze raked through his half unbuttoned shirt and his entire form. He looked good for someone that pulled an all nighter.

Clearing my throat, I snapped out of my lewd thought.

“Yeah, that's it,” I respond. “Reed approved of it, so we'll start designing it right away. The launch shouldn't be far off either.“

“Good. I'm glad you could finish this quickly. How long do you think it would take for the product to be made and its launch?“

“Three weeks at most.“

Kai's frown deepened, “Three weeks, huh?“

“Is there a problem, Kai?“ I asked. “Is there something you want to tell me?“

Letting out a heavy sigh, he reveals, “You see, I got a call from the police this morning shortly before I came home.“

The police? That means..

“Williams...“

Kai nods, confirming my fear. “He escaped“