Craving Mr Redd

8. Crazy idea

KYLA

“He did what?!" Chelsea exclaimed over the phone. "That motherfucker, I wish I could pulverize every one of his organs right now. Can’t believe he blamed you after f*****g around. Are you alright, baby?”

Kyla let out a long sigh. "I'm fine."

"You don’t sound like it. Want me to come over? Girl, you need a shoulder."

True.

It was tough not to think about Jayden and all that he had said last night. Especially when he wouldn’t stop calling or texting all day with different numbers. Kyla blocked at least fifteen until it finally stopped.

"Never mind. I think I'd stay home alone today."

“Alone? Baby, that’s the worst thing you can do right now,” Chelsea pressed, her voice softening. “He broke you down on purpose. Don’t let him win by isolating yourself.”

Kyla pressed the bridge of her nose, knowing Chelsea wouldn't back off and she’d probably go crazy if she truly stayed alone.

"Fine. I'll come over instead."

"Sure, baby."

A weak smile graced Kyla's lips as she stepped out of the bathroom and began to dry her hair. The call still on.

“I plan to apply for an internship at Hawthorne Animal Medical Center,” Kyla said. “It’s not a full job yet, and I might not get paid much, but it’s exactly what I need—to learn, get hands-on experience, and really see what it’s like working in a big animal hospital in the city.”

“Aww, someone is finally deciding to stay in the city.”

Kyla rolled her eyes. “It’s not like that. I don’t want to be all dependent on Mr. Redd.”

Chelsea chuckled. “You don’t really need all that. Just find a hot, rich guy.”

"Chelsea, what the hell—"

“Just kidding,” she laughed. “Sure, whatever. I’ll be right here whenever you need me. I got your back.”

“Thanks, Chels.”

After ending the call, Kyla went to Carlos’s room but found it locked. She headed downstairs, finding breakfast already made as usual by the chef, but no sign of Carlos.

She called him. Once. Twice. But he didn’t pick up, so she decided to text him about Chelsea.

But before she could, her phone rang. Mr. Illegal flashed on her screen. A strange flutter stirred below her chest.

“Speak,” came his curt voice.

Kyla’s smile disappeared.

"Uhm, good morning to you, too, Mr. Redd. I am very fine, thank you for asking.”

He sighed on the other side. “What do you want?”

Seriously, what was suddenly wrong with him? Last night, he had bought her ice cream, told her a little about himself, and let her fall asleep with her arms around him.

And now, all of a sudden—

"Wow," Kyla muttered, pacing the counter. "Never thought you also had this light-switching mood thing."

"Kyla," his cold voice pierced her skin. "I'm busy. Get to the point."

Her hand tightened around the phone. She almost hung up. Almost. But then she remembered Chelsea waiting, and she didn’t want to ruin that.

“I’m heading to my cousin Chelsea’s place,” she said flatly. “Just letting you know since—well, since you’re technically in charge of my life now.”

Silence.

The kind that made her feel stupid for even bothering. Then, finally, his low voice slipped back through.

“What time will you be back?”

Her brows pulled together. “Does it matter?”

“Yes. It does.”

Kyla’s lips parted, ready to give him a snarky reply. But something about his stern tone pushed the words back. She hated it. Hated how it affected her without him even raising his voice.

"I don’t know," she said. "Probably late. Chelsea wants to hang out."

He hummed. It didn’t sound like agreement or disapproval either.

"Alright. Stay reachable."

The line ended before she could reply.

Kyla stared at her phone, mouth slightly open as his words rang in her head.

"God, this guardian s**t is driving me insane."

•••••••

Chelsea's apartment was the definition of live-in. Chaos.

Clothes tossed over the chair. Stack of modeling magazines. A few empty bottles of liquor. The air smelled like the pizza they just had.

But it was comfy. Warm. Safe. The kind of place where you'd collapse, cry, laugh, and spill secrets without care.

Time flew like the wind. Kyla hadn't laughed this much since she lost her father.

She hadn’t realized she had missed Chelsea this much until now.

She was a sweet older sister figure anyone would wish for. Smart, pretty, and tough, except for the wild part. Chelsea loves the wild; that is why she suits the city so perfectly.

Right now, they are on the couch, watching their favorite comedy show.

“So this man let you hug him last night? Must be really nice." Chelsea looked down at her.

"Don't get weird ideas. He is the most emotionally constipated person I've ever met."

"Better than your donkey-d**k ex." Chelsea raised a brow. "How old is he?"

“Thirty-two.”

"Thirty-two?!" Chelsea's eyes widened. "He sounds hot. Is he hot?"

"I hate to admit it, but yes."

"f**k me, I'm shooting my shot. Is he married?"

"Nope... He is not into women. His boyfriend lives in Tokyo."

Her brow shot up. "And you believe that?

"Yeah?"

Chelsea chuckled. "That's crazy."

"That he is into men?"

"That you believed him."

Kyla rolled her eyes. "Whatever, that's his life, not mine."

She didn't want to think about him. It's infuriating seeing how he didn't bother to ask how she was doing this morning.

“You want some beer?”

“You know I don’t drink,” Kyla said. “It makes me act funny.”

The one time she did was her first time in the club. She had danced funnily in front of others, spewing unintelligent words before Jayden dragged her away. They were still in high school, and she was seventeen. Her father got upset. It was the first time he yelled at her. He wanted her to stay away from Jayden, but he was her first friend. First crush. And first love.

“I feel like everyone is leaving me,” Kyla mumbled, throat tight. “I don’t know what my mother looked like before she was late. My dog died, and then after a week, my father was gone too. And now Jayden's betrayal.”

Chelsea went quiet for many beats.

“Come closer, huggie.”

Kyla didn’t wait to pull closer. Tears burned in her eyes. She really wishes she could get over him.

“Jayden is not worth it. He is an asshole.” Chelsea said.

“Maybe it is my fault,” Kyla mumbled. "Maybe I might have truly been the reason. Jayden had tried to touch me on several occasions, but I kept ruining our moment by flinching or freezing."

“Don’t blame yourself. If he can’t go through thick and thin with you, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

Kyla stifled and looked up into her cousin’s brown eyes. “How do I fix myself? I’ve tried everything, Chels; I’m so frustrated.”

Chelsea's lips twitched. "I might have an idea, and you might not like it."

"I'll do anything, Chels. I can't be like this forever."

She stared at Kyla for a breath longer before sitting up to face her.

“You see. After I and Adrian divorced, I found this handsome guy while I was drunk. He took an interest in me and took me to a club like no other.” She shifted, her eyes turned wild. “He did things to me… Kyla”

The way she said the last line sent a heat to the back of Kyla’s throat.

“What—what kind of things?”

A smirk curled Chelsea’s lips. “He dominated me in the sexiest way. I explored pleasure, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Couldn’t stop wanting him. I got addicted. To every touch. Every word he spilled made my body burn and yearn for it. Some men know how to touch a woman without breaking her.”

Kyla swallowed the saliva that gathered in her throat. She didn’t get what Chelsea was really pointing out, but it stirred something in her. Something caught between curiosity and daring.

"What kind of club is that?"

The last things she'd expected spilled out of her lips.

"BDSM."