KESTER.
I stared at her, disgust curling in the pit of my stomach as she thought she had the right to ask me stupid questions.
After interrupting such a perfect evening for me, June felt the need to get an explanation as to why I was in the pool with my little sister. Naked.
Kasmine had been terrified when I pulled her back into the water, but if I hadn’t, June would have seen her naked ass running off into the house like we were doing something bad.
I wanted her to see us… Really see us, so she’d know we aren’t hiding or shying away or even doing anything wrong. Because, to me, I wasn’t doing anything wrong.
Even after I ordered her to go into the house, she still felt the need to stand by the window to watch Kasmine and me leave the pool.
She saw me stepping out naked.
Kasmine had stubbornly covered her lower region butt and pussy with the bikini wrapper. Her breasts were still well nestled in that tempting bikini bra of hers that I was sure she was thankful I didn’t rip off her.
Kasmine and June barely exchanged pleasantries over the awkward tension in the atmosphere, and frankly, I didn’t give a fuck. She was the intruder who shouldn’t be here in the first place.
I lazily pulled off my wet shorts, tossing them into the laundry basket as I walked past her. My mind was too occupied with a certain brown-haired, green-eyed goddess and more ways I could please her and get her to worry less about me.
“I am talking to you, Kester!” June said in frustration, following after me, “She is a girl, for fuck’s sake! You can’t be in the pool with her in that manner!”
I ignored her rants, pulling out fresh pants from my closet. I was too in a hurry to see how Kasmine was doing, and I didn’t have any ounce of attention to give to this nagging woman.
“You aren’t going to say anything?” She scoffed, unbelievably.
“Why did you return today, June?” I asked her, sliding into my sweatpants.
“I told you I’ll be coming back, didn’t I?” She asked with her arms crossed, “Why the hell did you send me to your pack in the first place? I waited for the instructions you said you’d give me, but you never called or picked up my calls.”
Ah… Yes.
I almost laughed.
I had totally forgotten about the lame excuse I had given to her to make her leave my house at 8 o’clock on the night I saw Kasmine with Jake to head to my pack house, telling her I’d give her instructions on what I wanted her to do for me when she arrived.
I knew the kind of punishment I wanted to exert on Kasmine and I didn’t want any form of distraction or hindrance.
“It didn’t matter anymore,” I said casually, strolling to my vanity table. I scanned through my perfume collection and smiled when my eyes caught the one Kasmine had picked for me the day I took her shopping.
She obviously liked it, and that’s why I’d wear it tonight.
“You aren’t being fair to me, Kester.” June began and sincerely, I felt more irritated than touched. “I love you. I’ve loved you right from college. Why do you keep treating me this way?” She sniffed.
I sighed, turning to face her, “June?” I held her both shoulders softly, “But even then, I told you I could never love you back. Didn’t I?” I took in her features for the first time since she returned, and even though I never felt the need to pay attention to her looks, I noticed she looked paler than when she left three days ago.
Her eyes had black bags underneath them, and she looked like a shadow of herself.
Tears streamed down her blue eyes, and I narrowed my brows out of concern, “Are you alright, June? You don’t look… Okay.”
She sniffed as a bitter chuckle crawled out of her throat, “Why would I look okay, Kes?” She slowly shook her head, “I am dying inside. Do you know what it means to love someone who has refused to love you back?” She asked.
“Yes. I do, June. I know what it feels to be in love with someone who has vehemently refused to love me back,” I replied softly and saw the shock in her eyes.
No. I never meant to break her even more. But she was broken either way.
“You… You love someone else?” She choked out, but I didn’t answer. “Kester,” she pressed her fingers against my shoulders, “please love me back. If not for anything, for the sake of the love I have had for you for all these years now. Please…” She cried, and for the first time, I didn’t feel disgusted by her desperation. I only felt pity because I’d never be able to love her no matter how hard she tried.
My fingers traced a soft path along her cheek, and she sighed, leaning into my touch like she wished it would last forever.
“Get some sleep, June. You need it.”
***
It’s been a hectic week for me. From making sure Alfred Anderson settled in properly here at Zamford with a mouthwatering salary that surpasses all that Valor Lante had ever paid him, to overseeing the efforts put in by my team to extract the basic Information needed from him about Valor Lante and their future plans, aspirations, everything.
We had paid him handsomely, and so, he spewed every single piece of information he had about Valor Lante.
As much as I was happy, I was also worried. If Valor Lante also laid hands on Sylvia, they’d do the same. So, I had to make sure Sylvia wasn’t a problem anymore.
I strode into the exquisite restaurant I had picked for this date and was ushered to the table that had been reserved for me at the dimly lit corner of the space.
The smell of exquisite cuisines filled the air, but I was neither interested in eating nor even being here in the first place, but I had to.
As I rounded the corner, my gaze rested on the chubby blonde sitting in anticipation. She smiled as soon as she saw me, and I wish I could do the same.
The flowery dress she wore sat unhealthily close to her upper thighs, and I wondered if such a level of exposure was necessary.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to offer a smile, at least, and she stood up with a wide grin, totally unsure how to react.
“Kester… You came.” She asked like she hadn’t expected me to come.
Well, that was smart of her because I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.
I gave her a small nod, “Hello, Claire.”