Karn handed the hot mug of coffee to Aisha.
"Thanks." She brought the mug to her mouth and took a slow sip. She lifted her gaze and found him focused on his phone, his thumb moving rapidly as he typed out ssages.
"You should head ho. Your parents might worry for you," Aisha suggested, her voice soft.
"I already dropped a ssage to my mom saying I wouldn’t be ho today," Karn answered without looking up.
"What? Are you going to stay here?" Aisha’s eyes widened in shock for a second, the thought of him spending the night in her modest apartnt making her heart skip.
"Yes. I can’t leave you alone today. I’ve yet to hear from the police, and it’s highly possible that Eryx will be released on bail. I don’t want him stepping anywhere near your door, which he certainly can," Karn stated, finally locking his eyes onto hers. His focus was entirely on her safety, his protective instincts bubbling.
Aisha’s fingers curled tighter around the hot mug. She looked outside the floor-to-ceiling window of her apartnt, watching the snowflakes gently falling down.
"I rember the last season’s first snowfall I missed," she murmured, her voice barely louder than the soft patter of flakes against the glass.
"Why?" Karn asked, his attention fully shifting from his phone to her.
"I don’t rember exactly. But I think it’s because I refused to step out of my room. I felt so low that day. I felt lonely." The somber tone of her voice told Karn everything he needed to know about the dark phase she had been enduring back then.
"What about now?" he asked.
"I am happy," Aisha said, her eyes eting his. "I an, I went to the office and had a productive morning until they announced the early closure. And now, you’re here. I am not alone. Not in the way I was before. I feel... Good," she explained, revealing her emotions.
"Live for yourself. That’s what I want for you," Karn said, his voice grounded and sincere.
"I have started to," Aisha confided, a hint of pride in her tone. "I moved out, started working, and even made a friend at the office. Actually, I think they’ll be shifting to the San Ravendale branch right after Christmas."
"That’s wonderful news. I’ll be heading there at that ti as well," Karn stated. A sense of relief washed over him; having her within his reach in San Ravendale made his protective duty much easier. "It’s a beautiful city. You’re going to love it. If you want, I can help you scout for a safe apartnt."
"Thanks, but the company is arranging the housing this ti," Aisha answered. She took a few more sips of her coffee, the warmth finally reaching her heart.
The quiet mont was interrupted by the sharp buzz of Karn’s phone. "I have to take this," he excused himself. Aisha watched his broad silhouette move toward the balcony, the cold air rushing in for a split second before he slid the glass door shut.
"Yes, officer?" Karn asked.
"We would like to inform you that Mr. Eryx Vayne has been released on bail," the officer revealed. "Also, Mr. Lazarus Vayne is here and would like a word with you."
Before Karn could voice his disapproval, the line crackled, and a deeper, more weathered voice took over.
"I would like to apologize on behalf of my son," Lazarus Vayne said, sounding exhausted. "Please tell Miss Aisha that I am deeply sorry. If possible, I’d like to et with her tomorrow, or whenever she feels comfortable, to make things right."
Karn gripped the balcony railing. "I don’t think she should et you. Your son harassed her," Karn said, his voice like grinding stone. "You may have helped him get out of the lockup, but I will not stay quiet, Mr. Vayne. Your son was openly grabbing Miss Aisha’s hand, misbehaving with her while hiding behind his minions. I think you need to reflect on the cri your son committed. It wasn’t a mistake."
Without waiting for a response, Karn hung up and slid the phone back into his pocket. He stared out, seeing how the land was turning white.
"Karn, don’t stay outside in the cold," Aisha’s gentle voice broke through his anger. He turned to see her peeking her head through the partially opened glass door.
He retreated from the railing and stepped back into the warmth of the living room.
"Everything alright?" she asked, searching his face as he closed the door behind him.
"Just work," Karn lied smoothly. He felt it would be best not to speak about Eryx now as it could stress out Aisha.
"Since you’ll be staying here, I’ll prepare the second room for you," Aisha said, regaining her hostess composure. "I’ll get lunch started shortly, so just make yourself comfortable."
"Sure. But I can help you in the kitchen. Don’t burden yourself," Karn stated, already rolling up his sleeves.
Just then, the sharp chi of the doorbell echoed through the apartnt. Both of them stiffened, their eyes snapping toward the door.
"I’ll check," Aisha said, her heart starting to race.
"I will. You stay here," Karn countered, moving with caution. He checked the security monitor and saw a woman wrapped in a heavy coat, clutching a grocery bag. "Your sister is here!"
"What?" Aisha gasped, nearly tripping as she ran to the screen. "Oh no! Hide! Lilith cannot see you here!"
"What? Why?" Before Karn could protest, he was being dragged by the arm into the second guest room. Aisha yanked open a tall, empty cupboard and shoved his broad fra inside. "Stay here and don’t make a noise!"
She slamd the cupboard door shut on a very bewildered Karn and sprinted back to the foyer. She took a mont to steady her frantic breathing and smooth her hair before swinging the door open.
"Lilith! What a surprise," Aisha said, hugging her older sister and taking the heavy bag.
"Why did you take so long to open the door?" Lilith asked, stepping into the warmth and shaking snow off her boots.
"I-I was in the washroom," Aisha lied. "Why did you co out when it’s snowing so hard?"
"I was heading ho when Mom called and insisted I drop off so groceries. I figured I should check on you myself. You hardly call ho lately, and they’re starting to worry." Lilith sighed, lowering herself onto the very couch where Karn’s warm coffee mug was still sitting.
"Soone was here?" Lilith frowned.
"Huh? Yes. A colleague from the office," Aisha replied.
"Oh. Call mom and dad sotis," Lilith then said.
"Yeah, I will." Aisha fidgeted with her fingers. "They have asked to reach ho before snow gets thick."
"Are you asking to leave already?" Lilith chuckled.
"No, I’m just worried that you may get stuck," Aisha replied. "Would you like to drink the coffee?"
"No. I had one before heading here," Lilith answered. The phone in her pocket rang and she found it was from her husband. Rising to her feet, she said, "I’ll go then. Take care of yourself."
Aisha was quick to follow her sister and the two hugged before Lilith left. Aisha took a sigh of relief, and went back to the guest room. She opened the cupboard and asked Karn to step out.
"Sorry. I didn’t want Lilith to see you. She would have told our parents, which could be a problem," Aisha stated.
"I understand," Karn said, smiling a little.
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