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

31. (Don't) Be Nosey

A week had passed since I decided not to quit. Kai seemed quite pleased that I was back at work. He was so happy that he only showed up to work three days that week. 

Even though he'd improved, he still had a long way to go. Getting up early was something he hated the most. On the days he didn't show up, I didn't see him. I wasn't sure if he was home because his flat was eerily silent. 

I knew he met with Rosalind but he never told me what they discussed. Although I was dying to know, I didn't want to ask because it wasn't any of my business. However, seeing his pattern and demeanour, something told me they were back together. 

When he was ghosting her, he seemed so much more carefree and... happy. In the last week, he slept in most of the time and the spark his eyes held a week ago was dimmed. 

A part of me hoped he didn't give their relationship another chance but I hadn't a say in his personal life. 

My doubts were confirmed when Kai was MIA that weekend. I hadn't seen or heard from him so I was pretty sure he was with her. I spent that weekend cleaning, working, and doing anything else that prevented me from being a nosy neighbour. Ethan was visiting Heather, his on-again-off-again long-distance girlfriend, so I had no one to distract me. 

Thankfully, Monday arrived and surprisingly, Kai was up bright and early and waited for me in the carpark. 

Kai leaned against the car door and watched me with a teasing grin. "Overslept?" 

"Don't know the meaning of that word," I muttered and without looking his way got into the front seat. 

My fingertips dug into the leather of the seat as I bit my tongue the entire car ride. The silence was deafening so I decided to fill the space with music. 

"You seem moody," Kai broke the silence. 

Out of every sentence his mind could come up with, he chooses to say this.

"Pardon?" My tone was a lot snappier than I meant for it to be. 

"Maybe I shouldn't have said anything," he muttered to himself under his breath. 

"That's the wisest thing you've said all morning." 

I felt his eyes from the side of my head but kept my gaze locked on the seemingly interesting road in front. 

"Why do I sense a little hostility?" Kai said after a long moment. 

"Hostility is often affiliated with strong emotions; be it hate or even love." I finally glanced his way with a straight face. "And I tend to separate emotions from my job." 

He focused on driving but I noticed the slight raise of his brows before he nodded slightly. 

"In other words, you're annoyed at me." 

"No," I replied honestly. "But I do find it frustrating when you decide to not show up for work for days without any proper explanation." 

"Ah." Kai looked my way with a stupid grin. "You missed me." 

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "What did you not hear about emotions and my work?" 

"I heard everything but you and I both know that I'm not just work." His grin widened a fraction before he looked back at the road. "I'm someone you've grown fond of." 

What is he on? Or is he still drunk from last night?

"If delusion had another name, it would be Kaidan." 

Kai chuckled. "Admit it, you like my company." 

"If I was a liar I'd agree." 

Kai laughed and shook his head. "You're something else, Coco."