Kai’s POV
“if you can hand that woman over to me, then i would sign the documents right now”
I stared at him blankly, not knowing what to make of the situation. I really need this, i could probably get a new hacker, but i would never get this opportunity again if i turn it down. Why does he need her, what for? And does it really have to be her?
“why her? i could give you other women of your choice, not this one” i replied while mariano chuckled
“i know you’ve got other women, but i want her, is it that difficult?” he asked.
“why does it have to be her and what do you need her for” i asked, my hand folding in a fist
“i don’t know, i just like this one. I mean, look at her, who wouldn’t want her?” he asked staring at her
“what do you need her for?” i asked again, unable to hide my anger
“the same reason you need her. why should you even care? she is just a whore after all” he answered
My jaw tightened at Mariano's audacious request. The nerve of this man! Amelia was not some commodity to be traded or handed over like a bargaining chip. I shot him a glare, my frustration seething beneath the surface.
"You must be out of your damn mind to think I'd agree to that,"
Mariano chuckled, taking a leisurely drag from his cigarette. "Come on, Kai, don't be so possessive. I've seen the way you look at her. She's more than just a whore to you, isn't she?"
I clenched my fists, the insinuation striking a nerve. He was playing mind games, trying to get under my skin. I couldn't let him get to me.
"Cut the crap and tell me your real price," I demanded, my patience wearing thin.
Mariano leaned back in his chair, blowing out a puff of smoke. "I'm serious, Kai. Hand her over to me, willingly, and you get what you want. Simple as that."
He was right, it wasn’t so difficult. I would always find another hacker, although not as good as her, but they’ll definitely do the job. So, why am I finding it difficult to let her go? I had to navigate this carefully, not letting Mariano see how much his proposal infuriated me.
"She's not a property for sale, She’s a human. Let’s leave her out of this" I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
He smirked, clearly enjoying the power he thought he had over me. "And when do you start to worry about people’s life? Think about it, Kai. One woman, and you get everything you desire. A small price to pay, don't you think?"
I shot up from my chair, unable to contain my anger any longer. "This conversation is over. If you're not going to negotiate seriously, then there's no point in continuing."
Mariano shrugged, seemingly unfazed. "The offer stands, Kai. Don't take too long to decide. The time is ticking, and i might change my mind if i don’t get a response in thirty days, i know how much this is means to you."
With that, I stormed out of the room, my fists clenched in frustration. Mariano's proposal lingered in the air. I needed to find a way to outmaneuver him without compromising Amelia's safety. The stakes were high, and I couldn't afford to make a wrong move.
Amelia's POV
I sat at the pub, nursing a drink that I hadn't touched. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel Kai's eyes on me even from a distance. Mariano's unsettling gaze lingered too, and I don’t know why but i felt like i was the topic of discussion.
The club's ambiance felt suffocating, and I yearned to be anywhere else. But I had a job to do – place the tracking device on Mariano discreetly. It was a risky task, especially with the atmosphere charged with hostility.
As I waited, I couldn't help but wonder about the heated conversation between Kai and Mariano. I strained to catch any words, but their voices were hushed. Kai's body language radiated frustration, a volatile storm beneath a calm exterior.
Suddenly, Kai got up and stormed towards me, making me stare ahead, pretending not to have been stealing glances at them the whole time.
“let’s go” he said as soon as he approached me
“are you done so fast?” i asked as i got up, but only got silence for an answer, he walked out of the club while i followed behind him.
The ride back home was quiet. I don’t know what kai and Mariano might have discussed but it was obvious it wasn’t in kai’s favour. By the time he arrived, we met Natasha who was in the kitchen cooking what was probably the best thing i would have had in a while.
“look who’s home! Since you never visit, i decided to come see you myself” she said as soon as we made our way into the house but kai ignored her, heading straight for his bedroom. Natasha stared at him, not shocked by his behaviour, it was obvious she was already used to seeing him put on an attitude whenever he was mad.
“darling, please remind me your name” Natasha said, ignoring kai completely
“my name is Amelia” i replied with a smile
“Ahh! Amelia! Sorry i forgot your name, i have a bad memory. Do you mind giving me a hand in the kitchen?” she said while i nodded, i was already exhausted, and i wasn’t really a good cook, but i was willing to help out. I quickly headed into my room to change into something simple and then headed back into the kitchen. Walking into the kitchen, i met her chopping some onions.
“i’m a terrible cook” i said with a nervous smile as i stood behind her.
“don’t worry, that’s why i’m here. You can start by chopping the beef” she said with a warm smile. That was something i noticed about Natasha, sometimes, i doubt if she was really related to kai because of how nice she was. She gives the warmest smile and makes me feel like i had a big sister, even though i barely even know her.
“i apologize for how kai responded to you this evening, i think he was just having a bad day after his meeting with a friend” i said chopping the beef
“it’s fine, my love. I am his big sister, i definitely understand. This is not the first time that i would be seeing him that way” she replied “so, amelia, tell me about yourself, how did you start working for my brother” she asked. Her question threw me off, how do i begin to explain that i was actually a hacker who hacked into her brother’s bank account and stole from him, after which he kidnapped me and forced me to work for him?
“i am actually just a college student who happened to get a job as kai’s hacker, nothing much. My life is boring, there is nothing interesting that you might want to hear” i replied with a forced smile. At least, i didn’t lie to her, i only left out some details, that doesn’t count as ‘lying’ does it?
“i want to hear it, i love boring stories” she said, cracking me up “so, where are you from originally, you look like you might have Russian heritage. Are any of your parents Russian?” she asked
“my grandma is Russian, how were you able to guess that?” i asked in shock. I had no idea that i looked ‘Russian’
“it’s very obvious. I mean, Russian girls are one of the most prettiest girls in the world” she said, her words making my face heat up.
“my grandma is Russian, although, my both parents were born here, and i was also born here too” i replied
“so, what do you think about my brother? I hope he treats you well” she asked again
“he is actually….. not bad, he is nice” i lied, but i only earned a chuckle from Natasha.
“Amelia, be sincere to me, my brother is anything but nice, i promise not to tell him whatever you say” she replied with a chuckle
“well, he’s actually very temperamental, he doesn’t like admitting even when he’s at fault and working with him feels like walking on egg shell” i blurted out, and it felt really relieving to finally let that out.
“now, that sounds more like kai” Natasha said, while we both busted out, laughing out loud
“i know i might sound bias right now but kai is actually not as bad as people view him. The closer you get, the more you’ll understand this. But just in case kai ever treats you badly, you can tell me, i know how to deal with him, no matter how tall he has become, he is still my baby brother” she said while i nodded
 
Soon, dinner was ready, i and Natasha had dinner together, kai still wasn’t in the mood to come down and eat, so Natasha suggested that we eat without him and only reserve some food for him just in case he wish to come down to eat in the middle of the night. The meal was delicious, and it was nice spending time with Natasha. After dinner, she mentioned that she would be spending the night at kai’s place since it was already late, so, she headed into one of the guest rooms to sleep. I also headed straight into my room too. I showered and changed into my nighties. I turned off my lamp and was about going to bed when i heard clattering sound above. I checked the time and it was 1:05 am, Who could be at the rooftop by this time of the night? Was somebody trying to break in again?
I picked up a blanket and one of my heels as a weapon and proceeded to the rooftop.  I moved quietly and tip toed, ensuring i don’t make any noise, i opened the door to the rooftop quietly and saw a masculine figure resting against the guardrail on the roof top and staring at the nightlights while smoking, i relaxed when i noticed that it was kai. I really wanted to go back to bed but i also wanted to speak to him and ask him about what happened and why i didn’t finish the mission as arranged, hopefully, he’ll be in the mood to talk. I walked towards him.
“it’s freezing cold out here, and you’re not even putting on a shirt” i said as i walked to him and placed the blanket on his shoulder, and surprisingly, he did not resist. I rested on the guardrail too, watching him smoke without saying anything and when stared back at me, i quickly stared away. I don’t even know why his stares makes me uncomfortable.
“you should be in bed by now” he said as he walked over to the couch near the pool and sat on it. He picked up a bottle of alcohol and poured it on the glass and took a small sip
“you’re right, i’ll just head back inside since you’re chasing me away” i said as i picked up the heels as was about heading inside when i heard him spoke
“no one is chasing you away, Amelia. You can come have a drink with me”