T's & C's (don't) Apply

30. (Don't) Think About Your Mentor

Kai's POV

"This." Clover gestured between us. "Is one of the reasons I'm quitting..."

The single line Clover said earlier that afternoon ran in my mind like a marathon. It wasn't just her words but the way she gestured between us and the serious look on her face that I couldn't beat. 

I never thought I crossed any boundaries with her. Except for the one time Rose walked in on us in a... compromising position. However, it looked worse without context. I wasn't flirting with Clover. I just turned the tables on her because she used to be so infuriating. 

Heck, she still had her moments, but I was gradually learning to understand her. Beneath her grumpy, stuck-up, know-it-all surface, she had a good heart. I might've been drunk most of the time when she showed kindness toward me, but all those moments were fresh in my mind. 

I sat on my sofa and mindlessly spun my cell phone around. I hated overthinking and having an occupied mind but lately, I couldn't help it. Rose tried to call at least a dozen times a day and didn't take a hint when I rejected her calls every single time. As usual, I didn't like work because it was so boring which left me with my only form of amusement, Clover. 

I couldn't believe it was a pity that she was about to quit. So much had changed in a month that it felt like the longest yet quickest month of my life. 

After Clover pointed out that whatever relationship we shared was a reason she was quitting, I couldn't help but somewhat agree with her. I supposed, unintentionally, I got too comfortable and even though my teasing was innocent, I understood how it could've come across in the wrong way. 

I couldn't help but feel a little guilty and responsible for her leaving. She was an ambitious girl and unlike me, she seemed to enjoy the nature of her work. Because I couldn't keep some boundaries, she had to start somewhere else after seeing some light at the end of a dark tunnel. 

My phone fell on the ground and the sound snapped me out of my thoughts. I picked it up and left it on the coffee table before I lay on the couch and stared at the ceiling. 

Why can't I keep it strictly professional with her? I hated the sight of her just a few weeks ago, what changed?

I couldn't grasp what changed so quickly between us. Nor could I understand why a part of me didn't want her to quit. Perhaps it was because she was the only person other than Duncan who was selflessly kind toward me. 

She was off the clock whenever she took care of my drunken arse. Perhaps it all changed when she got sick after eating something she shouldn't have just to stay with me at a pub. She refused to leave until I left and then still made sure to put me to bed before she went home. 

Rose didn't even do that for me. Every time she felt I had one too many drinks, she called Duncan. 

"Ugh." I ran a hand over my face, turned to my side, and decided to take a nap.

By the time my eyes opened, it was dark. I would've turned around and gone back to sleep but my annoying phone disturbed me. 

"Rose, I swear if it's you..." I trailed off and read the name on the screen. 

'Edmond Berkeley' 

My thumb danced over the screen as I contemplated answering or not. My father rarely called and when he did, it was either to reprimand me about something or to call me over so we looked like one happy family in front of his friends. 

I silenced the call, tossed my phone on the coffee table, and got up. If it was a life-or-death situation, he would've sent someone to convey the message or showed up at my door himself.