Chapter 91
Lily POV
For me, the last two weeks have been hell.
The frustration from my mounting school work, Kai’s distance – basically fourteen days of scattered text messages and brief phone calls that felt more like an obligatory check-in than conversations with him and his excuse was ‘I’m busy, Lily. I have a lot of work piling up. I’m sorry p>
At first, it was not a big deal for me since I was busy too with schoolwork and all but I was beginning to miss him so much.
So tonight, I decided, I’d had enough of waiting for him to come to me. If he couldn’t make time for a date, I would bring the date to him. After classes, I packed an overnight bag and drove to the pack house, hoping to surprise him.
The house was quiet when I arrived. Usually, Kai didn’t like servants in his living quarters of the pack house. They only came in to clean the house, make his food etc., so I wasn’t surprised. I settled myself in and then headed straight to the kitchen, an idea already forming in my mind.
Kai’s favourite dish was herbed steak with roasted potatoes. I’d made it for him before and he loved it. So, I got to work. Soon the kitchen was filled with aroma from the cooking. I was trying to be as fast as I could as I didn’t want him to walk in on me still cooking.
Occasionally, I would glance at my phone, hoping to see a message from him but nothing had come in. I tried to remember if we fought the last time we met but we didn’t. So, why was he distant? Did I do something wrong?
I pushed the thought away. He’ll be thrilled when he comes home, I told myself.
Soon, I was done. I showered and dressed into a sexy loungewear, then settled in the living room waiting for him.
When I heard the sound of the front door finally opening, my heart leapt with joy. I smoothed my hair, adjusting my clothes as I got ready to greet him. He entered the room, looking as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. His brows were drawn in exhaustion, his shirt was wrinkled and his tie loosened – a rare sight.
“Hey!” I said brightly, “Welcome home p>
He turned, stunned momentarily before his gaze slipped into a blank expression. And the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
My heart sank. This wasn’t the homecoming I’d imagined.
“Lily,” He came to me, attempting to touch me but brought his hands down as if he changed his mind. “I didn’t know you’d be coming. Did you try to call or text me?” he asked hurriedly checking his phone.
“No dear,” I continued with a pleasant smile “I wanted to surprise you. How was work today?” I tried to take his suitcase but he held back, giving me a gentle smile. “Rough day p>
“Very rough,” he sighed.
“Well, go freshen up and have dinner. I made your favourite p>
He blinked at me; his eyes dull before he forced a small smile giving me a distracted nod. “Thanks, that’s so thoughtful of you dear but I’m not really hungry. I had a huge lunch and so I’m still full. I just want to rest p>
“Just try a bit,” I urged “It’s your favourite p>
He shook his head, his face unreadable. “Maybe tomorrow. Right now, the only thing I need is rest p>
The rejection stung and my smile faltered but I didn’t press. Seeing the tension in his shoulder, and the shadows beneath his eyes, I chose understanding over confrontation.
“Of course,” I smiled brightly. “I’ll pack this up for later. Maybe as lunch for tomorrow p>
But he was already at the stairs, trudging on it tiredly. I sighed and busied myself packing the food and storing it in the freezer trying not to feel disappointed. I had hoped for something – anything – that felt like our usual connection, but Kai seemed miles away.
When I entered the bedroom, he was already on the bed, fully clothed. His shoes were off but he hadn’t bothered with his belt or socks. Which was a shock to me. Kai, no matter how tired he was, would try to remove his clothes, place them in the laundry basket if they were dirty, and shower, before going to bed.
The sight made my chest ache. He looked so drained and for all my disappointment, my heart softened.
Gently, I knelt beside him and began to undo his belt. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake. I slipped the belt free and set it on the bedside table, then removed his socks. He didn’t wake for once, almost like a mannequin being prepared for the night.
I pulled the blanket over him, tucking it carefully around his shoulders. My heart swelled with tenderness as I looked at him. Whatever was troubling him, I just wanted to be there for him.
I changed into my night dress and grabbed a book from my bag before settling on my side of the bed. The words blurred as my mind kept slipping to Kai – his recent distance, his exhaustion.
I tried to focus but I just couldn’t. Giving up, I set the book aside and was about to lie down when I felt him stir. Turning, I saw him shift onto his back.
There was a faint smile on his lips, and then it spread… so bright that he didn’t seem like the person who had come in moments ago worn out.
I reached for my phone to record this moment and tease him over it later when his lips moved.
“Maya!” he murmured.
It wasn’t the name – but the way he said it. His voice was filled with so much tenderness and intimacy that I felt my breath catch in my throat as he repeated the name. He was still asleep, oblivious to the world but the name lingered in the bedroom.
My chest tightened as I watched him. He was grinning from ear to ear now. My heart twisted with jealousy as I wondered who Maya was. Why had he smiled like that when he was saying her name?
I tried to brush it off. After all, people say all kinds of things in their sleep. It didn’t mean anything. But the doubts crept in like shadows, refusing to be banished.
Sliding out of bed as quietly as I could, I went to the bathroom.
Was she someone from his past? Someone he still cared about?
He had assured me of no exes except Briella who was forced on him but I couldn’t deny the nagging feeling as my mind raced. The brief calls, the constant work excuses, the growing distance – was this the explanation? A woman called Maya? Had Kai been living a double light right under my nose?
Or was she just a piece of his past that he’d deliberately kept hidden?
I glanced back at him, still sleeping peacefully.
“Don’t jump to conclusion, Lily,” I chided myself softly. “I’m sure she means nothing p>
I returned to the bed, though sleep felt like an impossible feat now. I lay on my side, watching him sleep.
For my sake and for everything we’d been through just to be together… I hope it was a random name.