(Karsten)
Arata’s eyes remained glued to , although she tried to be subtle about it, but I could see her staring from the corner of my eye.
How I wanted to just grab and kiss her senseless under this Christmas Tree.
Self-restraint: I had to exercise all of my self-restraint.
She handed the garlands she had made to Ma when her phone rang. Quickly picking it up, she observed the caller ID and a faint smile spread on her lips. But instead of receiving the call, she cut it and began to type.
Who was calling her? I found myself wondering.
Ma got herself busy hanging garlands, but my focus was on Arata. Subconsciously, I moved towards her and asked in a low tone so Ma wouldn’t hear.
"Everything alright?"
Her eyes flickered towards , and I didn’t expect her to reply. But she did it in a sad tone.
"It’s my Baba, asking when I would be coming."
Glistening lancholy in her oceanic eyes disturbed my heart in indescribable ways.
"Ohh! What did you say?" I found myself asking.
"I told him, near Christmas. I twisted my foot in the office, and now he is going to be super worried."
I could sense that she didn’t want to burden her family, and they might get seriously worried for her. And if they decided to co here, it would beco an awkward situation with my Ma here. I wouldn’t be able to take her to her apartnt, and they would be suspicious if they ca to my villa.
"I will speak to your father. Allow ," I suddenly blurted out, making up my mind, and she stared at as if I had suddenly grown many horns on my head.
"What will you even say?" She narrowed her eyes and bunched her soft lips together.
Lord! Did I want to kiss them?
"Trust ," I proposed quietly, and she scoffed, seeing that Ma was too busy with garlands and humming a Christmas Carol all to herself.
"Trust you? Seriously???" She scowled, shaking her beautiful head.
"Just this once," I emphasised, and she stared at for a while before agreeing.
"Fine, but don’t lie too much or he will see right through you," she answered, pushing her hair back from her face, and I nodded.
Arata shared her father’s number with . Excusing myself, I made my way outside the villa to make the call to Zyair Kincaid.
The cold gust of wind hit and seeped deep into my bones, chilling . But the nervousness that gripped was beyond the cold. There was sothing about this man.
I hit the call button, and he picked up on the first ring.
"Hello!" His heavy voice filtered through, and I could sense so familiarity with Arata.
"Mr Kincaid, I am Karsten Chevalier speaking," I tried to keep my voice calm, but sohow it felt shaky.
Why?
The silence seed to extend like an eternity.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" He finally asked, with such perfected finesse. I couldn’t decipher anything from his voice.
"It’s about Arata. I am sure she told you that she twisted her foot in the office."
The composure cracked in his voice as he asked. "Is my daughter alright? Is she safe? She didn’t pick up my call."
The man cared too deeply for his daughter. Unlike my father...
"She is safe and being well taken care of. You don’t have to worry, and she will speak to you shortly. I called to let you know that she is under my care."
A slight surprise crept up in his voice as he asked.
"She is at your place?"
"Yes! Arata was bound to head to Angel City for Christmas break, but she twisted her foot, and the doctor advised her to have a complete rest for five days. She lives alone, and the accident happened under my roof; it was my duty to provide assistance," I narrated and found my heartbeat to have risen. Sweat was clinging to my palms even in that blinding cold.
"I see, and who else lives with you, Mr Chevalier?" He asked, rather sceptically.
"My mother is here, and she is more than happy to assist Arata. I have plenty of house help as well. So you don’t need to worry. She is in safe hands," I tried to phrase my words so he wouldn’t think Arata was alone with .
"I understand. It’s not feasible for her to travel in such a condition, or I would co fetch her." The man sounded worried. Maybe that was the heart of a parent.
The biting cold pierced my skin, and I buried my free hand in the pocket of my trousers. I was still in my night attire.
"Yes, and also, we are expecting a heavy snowstorm, which will hinder all air traffic. So there is a chance of getting stranded. That’s why I wouldn’t recomnd travelling. Once she is better and the storm has been cleared, I will personally ensure Arata cos ho to you."
I tried to dial down his fears and inform him of the situation ahead.
"I see. The situation is pretty dire, and I would never put her life in jeopardy. I am counting on you to keep my daughter safe. But mark my words, Mr Chevalier, don’t hurt her by any ans."
Woah! He didn’t threaten , and yet he threatened with consequences.
The guilt jabbed at my heart. Only if he knew what a heartache I had caused his daughter, he might as well get murdered.
"I am her boss, Mr Kincaid. And I always look out for my employees. Arata will be safe under my roof. I promise."
My promise wasn’t empty. Her safety was my top priority.
"I am counting on that. Tell her to call . Thank you for caring when she was alone."
The call ended at that, and I detected hints of gratitude in the man’s voice. He was different from his wife, getting straight to the point and never once sugarcoating them.
Heaving a sigh of relief, I returned inside the villa, almost freezing from the cold outside.
When I entered the living room, the tree was almost fully decorated. Ma and Arata were staring at it with awe-filled eyes, while the forr held a big crystal star in her hand.
Seeing , Ma enthusiastically called out.
"Place the star."
Quietly, I took it from her and proceeded towards the tree. Raising myself on my toes, I placed the twinkling crystal star atop the tree and adjusted it. It glead like a beacon.
"Perfect! Now the holiday feel has set in. Just need to put the gifts. But I will do it later."
"It looks very beautiful," Arata complinted without any hints of sarcasm.
"Why don’t you rest for a while. I will take Arata upstairs too. She needs to lie down and take her dicine," I said, and Ma agreed. Giving Arata a gentle squeeze, she left for her room.
I turned to face Arata, and her expression instantly hardened.
"Call your Baba when we reach the room. He is slightly worried, but I have assuaged most of his fears."
"What did you say to him?" She asked with a raised brow as I leaned in and picked her up in my arms, ready to take her upstairs.
"I told him the truth. But will fill you in on our way up."
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