Kira walked up to the sofa and crouched down in front of the man.
His long, thick eyelashes cast fan–shaped shadows under his eyes.
His high, straight nose bridge, prominent cheekbones and thin lips gave him a formidable air even when his eyes were closed.
It was a handsome face for sure, but also intimidating.
Like a tiger in repose.
But the tiger appeared to be sleeping now.
Emboldened by the man’s stillness, Kira reached out a hand, intending to poke his cheek.
But her fingers stopped just before they touched his skin.
The standing lamp nearby gave her an idea.
Kira crossed her palms over each other and locked her thumbs together.
Light from the lamp cast a bird–shaped shadow on the man’s face.
Kira chuckled quietly.
Then she raised her right arm, bent it at the elbow, and brought the tips of her fingers together to make a swan.
Then a bunny, a barking dog, an angry crab…
The crab’s eyes suddenly shot open.
“Ah!‘ Kira shrank back and landed on her haunches.
Austyn sat up.
“You scared me!‘ Kira said.
The man said nothing.
Remembering what she’d come for, Kira asked, “How are you feeling?”
“What?‘
She jutted her chin towards his pan
pants.
Austyn followed her line of sight and looked down at his crotch.
Ignoring her question, he asked, “What are you doing here?‘
‘To check on you.‘ Kira got up from the floor. ‘It seems that you’re doing better. I’ll let you rest then. Good night,‘
‘Stop.‘
Kira was already at the door.
With great reluctance, she turned around. ‘Yes?‘
He stretched out his right hand, palm up. ‘Hand it over.”
“Hand what over?”
“The cheque Kayleigh gave you.‘
Kira’s mouth opened in the shape of the letter ‘0.‘
She hadn’t told him about that.
How did he know?
When did he find out?
If he’d known about this all along, why didn’t he say anything till now?
Was there a hint of annoyance in his voice?
Kira tried to get her tired brain to work.
But she couldn’t figure out what the man was thinking even when she was fully awake and alert.
So Kira gave up thinking and opted for complying.
Her hand reached into her pants pocket and came up empty.
She’d changed into a fresh set of clothes after the shower.
‘Give me a minute. The cheque’s in the bedroom. I’ll go and get it.‘
She opened the door and disappeared.
Austyn watched her
TV away.
She hadn’t bothered to deny it.
After Kayleigh told him about the cheque, Austyn had been waiting for Kira to come clean.
But the woman never did.
She’d spent the last four hours with him–at the club, in the car, in the villa.
There were plenty of opportunities to bring up the subject, but she didn’t.
What was she thinking?
Did she intend to keep the cheque and hold up her end of the bargain?
The recording of her conversation with Kayleigh started replaying in Austyn’s mind.
In a sweet, chirpy voice, Kira had promised to leave him once she received the full payment.
Austyn pursed his lips.
Kira returned to the study with the cheque. ‘Here.‘
Austyn snatched it out of her hand and tore it to pieces.
Bits of paper dropped onto the carpeted floor, landing on Kira’s feet.
“What?‘ She stared at the former–cheque–turned–wastepaper, open–mouthed.
‘Are you sad to see it gone?” Austyn asked with a sneer.
‘Of course I’m sad!‘ she blurted. ‘You just tore up a hundred–thousand–dollar cheque!! It was more money than she’d ever seen in her life.
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