Amelia’s POV
I woke up the next morning with a hangover and a bad body ache. All my body hurt, i felt like i just got beaten on my legs and back because of how bad they hurt. All the memories of the previous night’s incident came rushing in, i don’t know why, but for some reasons, i didn’t regret it. Not like i ever expected someone like kai to go easy on me or be gentle and cautious. I expected it to happen that way, i was just glad that i got out alive. The problem now was; how do i get out of bed? My body hurts so bad that i could barely sit up on my own without supporting myself with my hands which was also hurting. Shortly, i heard a knock on the door, i struggled to get off the bed and walked myself to my closet, i was still naked, he did not even bother to put a blanket over my body, he just used me and left like i was some sex toy. I picked up my towel and put it around my body, before walking towards the door to get it. I opened the door and was met by a smiling face, it was a pretty woman who looked like she should be around my age, i have seen her before, i think her name is Bianca.
“good morning amelia, it’s been a while” she greeted with a warm smile
“hi, uhmm… you’re Bianca, right?” i asked and she nodded
“kai asked me to give this to you” she said as she handed over a try to me while i collected it hesitantly
“thank you” i said forcing a smile
“you’re welcome dear” she said with a smile. She stared around my messy room and i was pretty sure she saw kai’s belt lying on the floor, her smile faltered as she stared around the room, i could feel her silently judging me when her eyes met with his belt. She stared back at me, but i couldn’t quite decipher the meaning of the look she gave me, but it wasn’t pleasant at all.
“uhmm… if that’s all, then i need to go have a shower” i said when i’ve had enough of everything while she nodded with a forced smile. I shut the door after she had left, what the fuck was that about. I walked over to my bed and placed the tray on the nightstand. Opening it, there was a steaming cup of coffee and a pain killer tablet. I scoffed finding the pain killer tablet, at least, there was still a bit of humanity left in him. I poured the coffee in the bathroom sink, but i took the pain killers because i obviously needed it.  I had to get better as fast as i could, because today was kai’s father’s 70th birthday, and natasha had given me an official invite yesterday after cooking, it would be rude not to attend. I am pretty sure kai would be attending too, which only meant one thing- we’ll have to go together, and i’ll have to brace myself to face him after he’s seen me naked last night. This is bad and things are about to get awkward, i have a bad feeling about everything. I got into the bathroom and had a long warm bath. After what felt like an hour, i stepped out and headed into my room with a towel wrapped around my chest and another on my head. I sat in front of my dressing mirror.  I picked up my retinol bottle, shit! it was empty, so was my lotion and shampoo. I aimed for the waste bin in my room and i threw the empty lotion right into the waste bin and it landed inside. I picked up the retinol bottle and aimed for the waste bin again, throwing it, but this time, it landed on the on the floor. The bottle shattered into pieces. I was about getting up to clean it up when a knock came.
“come in” i said, and almost immediately, the door went open and kai walked in. why was he here? I wasn’t ready to face him after what happened last night, at least not yet. I silently prayed for the ground to open and swallow me. his eyes surveyed my room and landed on the broken bottle on the floor.
“uhmm….that was uhmm. It was actually empty” i explained nervously. I didn’t even know why i saw the need to explain
“good morning, amelia” he said, his eyes meeting mine
“yes—go…good morning” i stammered. What the fuck was wrong with me? that was so fucking embarrassing, because was the ‘yes’ even necessary?
"Is everything okay?" he asked, his usually stern tone softened.
I tried to maintain eye contact, but his gaze felt too penetrating. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just had a little accident."
Kai observed me for a moment, and I could sense that he was debating whether to press further. Thankfully, he chose to drop it, and I silently thanked whatever force had spared me from having to relive the details.
"Alright," he said, shifting the conversation. "i know natasha gave you an invite, but you don’t have to come if you don’t want to"
I nodded, relieved to talk about something else. “no, I'll be there."
I really did not want to go, but natasha is so sweet and i did not want to disappoint her.
“i was just checking on you” he said, and for a moment my heart skipped a beat. I don’t know why what he just said made my stupid heart flutter, but i hated it.
“ok, uh.. thank you” i said as i watched him leave. As he left my room, closing the door behind him, i placed my hand on my chest and for some reason, my heart was beating really fast.
After Kai left my room, I felt a mix of relief and lingering embarrassment. The awkward encounter didn't make my morning any easier. I had to get ready for the birthday celebration, i would not want to keep kai waiting.
I picked up my phone and decided to keep myself busy as i wait for the event. The time flew really fast, and soon, it was already 4:00pm, the event starts by 6:00pm, i needed to start getting ready now. I got up, quickly cleaned up the broken glass, and proceeded to get ready. I chose a navy blue corporate dress that would be suitable for the occasion. As I carefully applied makeup, I tried to push the events of the morning to the back of my mind. Curling my hair with a hot iron, I let the waves cascade down my shoulders. I picked up a black bag and slipped into a matching pair of shoes, sprayed a good amount of perfume before heading out the room. I checked the time, it was already 5:00pm, kai was probably waiting already. I walked towards the parking lot and met carlos there.
“oh my goodness, amelia, i’m glad you’re fine, i was so worried about…
“where is kai?” i interrupted quickly, i wasn’t ready for any of his annoying discussion. I knew he was about to bombard me with question about what happened inside of valentino’s estate and give me boring excuses about why he suddenly disappeared even though he was supposed to be providing i and martins backup. I was still mad at him, i don’t want any boring explanation.
“kai should be here any moments from now” he replied
“great!” i said and tried walking past him to get to the car when he stood in front of me, stopping me from going further
“carlos, not now” i said with a frustrated sigh
“please let me explain” he pleaded, still standing in my way “i actually had no idea that y’all needed help, when you guys were taking too long to come out, i was going to go in but kai came, and he ordered me to……..
Carlos was still boring me with his dumb explanation when i saw kai walking towards the car, he was dressed quite casual to be real. He had a plaited t shirt, jean, white sneakers and a black baseball hat on. I had only seen him on suits and corporate wears. But he still looked good even though he was only dressed up casually. I stared at him in surprise as he walked over to the car. As he approached me, he glanced at me while i looked away quickly.
“are you gonna stand there and stare all day” he asked snapping me out of my thoughts as he made his way into the car. I did the same, joining him in the passengers seat but keeping my distance. Carlos got into the drivers seat and drove off. After a few minutes, we arrived at Sephora and kai got down immediately.
“come with me” he said walking away. I stared at him from the car as he walked away. Who should come with him? Carlos or me?
“he asked you to come with him” carlos spoke when he saw how confused i looked
“why the fuck will he want me to come with him? I think he was talking about you” i said to carlos. I wasn’t sure if he wanted me to come, if i end up following him and it turns out it was carlos he was talking about, that would be embarrassing.
“what the fuck will i be doing inside Sephora, that obviously should be you” he argued, i was about responding when kai appeared outside the car. He sighed in disappointment upon seeing me still sitting in the car.
“Amelia, come with me” he said while i reluctantly made my way out of the car and followed kai. Entering Sephora, kai signalled me to pick up a trolley and i did so. As i pushed the trolley hind him, i couldn’t help but wonder what exactly kai wanted in Sephora, was he trying to get a gift for natasha?
I pushed the trolley quietly, following him to every section he enters, soon, he turned to face me, and there was shock written all over his face as he stared at me.
“don’t tell me you haven’t been picking anything?” he asked in shock
“i was supposed to pick something? What should i pick?” i asked in confusion
“for yourself, obviously” he muttered walking away. Like…what the fuck? Why did he make it sound like it was obvious? No, it wasn’t. he should learn to communicate wisely to avoid confusion. I don’t know why he was suddenly taking me shopping but i don’t care, i will make sure to utilize this opportunity properly, it only comes once. I started by replacing my retinol, body lotion and also picking up a few skincare products, and then, i headed to the makeup section, i had already picked up a lot of items before i realized that kai never said he would be paying for them. He could just bring me to Sephora and expect me to pay for my items after shopping, i mean….. nothing was impossible with kai. I pushed the cart around the mall, and luckily, i found him holding a makeup brush on his hands. I approached him with my trolley, i was about to speak when he spoke out.
“do you think my niece would like this?” he asked, and for a moment, i got confused again. His niece looked like she wasn’t any older than five, why would he get a makeup brush for a five year old girl, what was she supposed to do with it? Or did he have another niece that i did not know about
“your niece is like five, right?” i asked
“she’s four” he answered
“what is she supposed to do with that, and do you even have any idea what that is?” i asked
“it looks like a painting brush, she loves painting” he answered with a shrug and his response cracked me up. I couldn’t stop myself from laughing out loud while he stared at me in confusion. Was this man this man this clueless?
“what’s wrong with this?” he asked
“that’s a makeup brush, and no, it is not for painting. If you are trying to find a gift for a four year old, then i don’t think Sephora will be the best place for that, you should probably go to the nearest toy store and find her something” i said while he nodded in realization before dropping the makeup brush back. we headed towards the counter to pay for the items, and while in the queue, i couldn’t help but worry about who would pay for them. When it was almost out turn, i mustered up the courage to ask.
“uhm…who would pay for all these” i asked, and i knew i sounded dumb. I should’ve asked that question before i started packing a whole lot of product like i was about to open a mini Sephora branch in my room.
He stared at me in amusement before answering, “you”
I felt my heart stop working when he said that, why would he bring me shopping and then make me to pay? what did i even expect from someone like him? God, i’m screwed! This was going to be embarrassing when he finds out that i only had $2.50 in my bank account, and what i picked was at least $200. I was about saying something when i heard the cashier’s voice.
“ma’am, your items please” she spoke out. It was already my turn and there were so many people behind me. i watched as she scanned the items, each beep that the scanner made, only made my heart skip. At the end, my items came to a total of $235. I gulped hard as i opened my purse to take out my card, but before i could find my card, kai had already handed over his card to the cashier and paid for my items. Relief washed over me and I could feel him smirk as he stared at me who was still tensed. This man seems to enjoy keeping me on my toes, why would he say that when he was going to pay all along?
As soon as we left Sephora, he headed straight for a toy store and then to kai’s family mansion. After almost an hour, we finally arrived. The place was packed with people, but getting inside, there were only a few people there. Natasha’s eyes glistened in surprise as she saw me.
“Amelia, i am glad you were able to make it, come have a seat” she said with so much excitement, completely ignoring kai. I was going to find a random table at the back and seat alone but she held my hand and led me to the family table. Things were going to get really awkward, once kai’s dad join, i don’t know why but his presence makes me feel really uncomfortable. A little girl walked over to the table with the teddy which i had chosen at the toy store. She stared at me quietly for a while without saying nothing, i also didn’t know what to say, I’m very awkward and not really good with kids.
“you are kai’s niece, right? What’s your name cutie?” i asked with a smile
“yes, my name is tracy” she said with her little voice
“oh, okay” i muttered awkwardly, not knowing what to say next. I probably should have asked her how old she was next, but kai already told be that she was four.
“you’re pretty” she said, a shy smile forming on her face
“thank you, you’re pretty as well” i also complimented. “and i love your teddy, i think it’s really cute. What’s her name?” i asked again
“i haven’t thought of a name yet. But thank you for helping my uncle pick this” she replied
“did kai tell you that i helped him pick the teddy?” i asked
“no, but i know buying this teddy wasn’t his idea. Kai always bring me weird gifts whenever he comes visiting.” She said while i chuckled quietly. I’m glad i came at the right time, he probably would have bought the poor baby a makeup brush. Soon, Natasha and kai appeared.
“Natasha, i don’t think i should be here” i half whispered to her as i tried leaving the table but she stopped me. i felt like an intruder, sitting at the family table when i am not related to them.
“Amelia, don’t complain. I asked you to seat here” she said, making me seat back down
“no, i….
“shh! You worry too much” Natasha hushed me. i was about protesting but i went mute as soon as i saw kai’s dad approaching. I took my seat immediately, clamping my mouth shut. Soon, the food was served – rice and some fish soup which smelt absolutely delicious. I waited for the maid to serve everybody before i start eating myself, it will be very uncultured to start eating immediately the food arrives and without the host’s permission, according to my mom. The fish stew looked like it would taste so good but i was allergic to fish, how do i say it without sounding ungrateful?
“she’s allergic to fish, serve her something else” kai said having observed how hesitant i was. I never told him that, although, i told his maid that after she served me fish once, and i’m pretty sure she must have told him i said so, but i didn’t expect him to remember something as random as that. i was served beef stew instead, it also smelt good but i wished i was i wasn’t allergic to fish, i would’ve loved to have the fish stew instead. We had just began eating when kai’s father spoke out, making me drop my spoon just to listen to him.
“so, dear, can you tell me a little about yourself” he asked looking at me while i placed my spoon down and stared suspiciously like i was some wanted criminal who was trying to hide her identity. Kai also gave me a side glance and looked away, continuing with his food.
“my name is Amelia, and I’m a computer science major at NYU” i said with a forced smile while he nodded. I really didn’t have anything interesting to say about myself           
“so, how did you start working for my son? You must be really good at what you do for kai to hire you even though you are still a college student who is yet to get her degree” he said. My mind went blank immediately, i wanted to lie but kai was here, i can’t lie. I just have to say the truth.