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

46. (Don't) Defend the Intern

I stood there, frozen without blinking. The cologne bottle moved toward me almost in slow motion. Every little sound and movement became a part of the background, and all I could focus on was that little glass bottle. I knew I should've moved out of the way, but my feet were planted on the ground.

Just as I braced myself for the hit, someone grabbed me, spun me around, and pulled me toward them. Everything happened so quickly that it felt as if I was caught up in a whirlwind. Within a second, I was wrapped up in an embrace, and the first thing I felt was their hand at the back of my head. My eyes shut the second the side of my face was pushed against a warm chest.

It felt like eons, but it was only after a few seconds that everything dawned on me. The sounds I blocked out slowly became more audible. With that, I heard the erratic beating of my heart and felt it against my rib cage.

"Clo!" Laurel shouted.

I was gently pulled away from the warm, safe embrace, and I blinked back to reality. I looked up and stared at a familiar pair of hazel eyes.

"Kai?" I whispered.

Kai held the sides of my head as his eyes frantically ran over every feature on my face. "Are you alright?"

I gulped and nodded. "Yeah."

He gently moved my head from left to right to make sure I wasn't hurt anywhere. I couldn't tear my eyes off him even though I knew everyone's eyes were on us.

"Kai, mate..." Ethan's voice averted my attention.

I turned to see the front door wide open, and Ethan just ran in. He looked a little flustered at first, but soon his brows furrowed as he looked between Kai, me, and then the wall beside me.

"What..." Ethan trailed off.

"Clo." Laurel rushed over and gripped my arm. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"

I gulped and slowly removed myself from Kai's and Laurel's hold. I took in a breath and kept my emotions in check. "I'm fine."

Dad stood a foot away and looked at me with hatred. His nostrils were flared as he glared our way. Laurel, who stood beside me, curled her hands into fists and stepped toward our father.

"How could –"

I quickly grabbed her hand and shook my head, warning her not to say a word to aggravate him more. His issue was with me, and I didn't want her to get in his bad books while I wasn't there to protect her.

"Henry," Mom hesitantly began. "I think you took it too far. You could've hurt –"

"Like hell I did!" Dad yelled.

Mom immediately shut her mouth and cowered in a corner. I knew that side of her; it was a familiar sight while growing up.

"I went too far, Flo?" Dad said to Mom. "How the fuck did I go too far when your beloved daughter pranced in here as if she didn't walk away from her family? Acting like the perfect daughter who found success in London!"

"All that cheap talk about independence, but she still came running home," Dad went on. "All of that was an act just to make me look like a failure as the man of this house."

Where is this coming from?

"Why the fuck did you invite her if she didn't even stay back for longer than five minutes before she ran off with a random man?" Dad spat. "I can tell you why! She wanted to show off how successful she is. Driving here in a fancy car, dressed in fancy clothes, and acting all posh. She now thinks she's better than all of us."