Part 21
999 Words
“ Great. The latest Christmas Prince is on Netflix. Get ready for some royal swoon “ she rolls her eyes. Moments later, Nesya starts the movie. As the opening credits roll, her mind wanders back to Mirza. Suddenly, her phone rings. She checks the caller ID. It’s her grandpa. Across the room, Nesya pointedly turns away and closes her eyes.
Kirania Phone
Hi Grandpa!
Grandpa Phone
Sweetpea! How was your first week of school
Kirania Phone
Um. You know… everyone’s super nice
Grandpa Phone
Oh, honey, I knew it. I’m so glad. I’ve been so worried
Kirania Phone
No need for worry, grandpa. I’m just fine
Grandpa Phone
Uh, Kirania, honey. I need to ask you something. Did you open your grandma’s box? Sweetpeas? Did you hear what I said?
Kirania Phone
Yes, Sir. I also found the necklace and wore it
Grandpa Phone
Oh, that does my heart proud! She loved that necklace, Kirania. Oh, it’s good to hear your voice, Kirania. I have to go now, but you stay out of trouble, okay?
Kirania Phone
I’ll try my best. Love you, gramps
Grandpa Phone
Love you too, Kirania
She hangs up the phone, and just in time. Amid Nesya’s snores, her door opens. Mirza steps inside.
“ Hello, farm girl “
“ What’s wrong? What happened? Is everything okay? “
Everything’s fine. I wish you’d listened to me without arguing, but ah well. All’s well that ends well.
“ Who were those guys? Tell me the truth this time, please “ Mirza sighs, resigned. He can tell her won’t back down this time.
“ Guys from work. They just had a few business questions, that’s all “
“That grown-ass my work for you? “
“ You already know about our company “
“ Yes, but I didn’t know you had goons on call “
“ They’re not goons. They’re ex-security, so they just look like goons “ she opens her mouth to argue, but he cuts her off with a light kiss.
“ You can’t just kiss me every time we argue! “
“ Oh? Why don’t you stop me, then? “
As if daring her, he bends down and peppers her neck with light kisses. She moans softly.
“ Mirza… stop. Your sister’s sleeping “
Mirza wraps his arms around her shoulders. His tone turns to wheedle. “ Come on, Kirania. You and I are both in desperate need of some relaxation “
” And what does this relaxation entail, exactly? “
“ I can think of one or two things “ Mirza wags his eyebrows suggestively.
“ Mirza… I’m still worried. I know you said it’s not a big deal and that you’ve got it handled, but those guys had guns “
“ So di I, Kirania. In our world, they’re necessary protection “
” Mirza, I think we both need some rest right now “
“ Oh, all right. What do you want me to do? “
She waffle, knowing what the response she should say and what the real she wants to say.
“ Um… you can sleep on my bed “
“ But what about you? “
“ We can just sleep head-to-toe “
***
Mirza nods, settling himself into her bed. A second later, he removes his shirt and throws it onto the floor. “ Mirza! What are you doing? “
“ I can’t sleep with my shirt on “
“ Well, I don’t think this is appropriate “
Mirza watches her discomfort with a s**t-eating grin. “ Are you blushing, my dear little farm girl? Don’t be scared. I told you on your first day, I don’t bite. Unless you want me to “
This time, she doesn’t even attempt to hide her flaming cheeks. Mirza winks at her. A second later, he closes his eyes. She doesn’t move, hyper-aware of the centimeters between her bare skin. Instead… she watches him sleep, noticing the sharp contours of his face in the moonlight’s shadows.
“ Admiring the view, Boots? “
She jerks up. Nesya’s sitting up on her bed, yawning and smiling sleepily. “ What view? “
“ Oh, come on, Boots. You have the hots for my brother, I’ve known for ages “
“ You have? “
“ Yes. Neither of you is particularly subtle at hiding your feelings “
Their conversation stirs Mirza. He sits up, blinking the sleep from his eyes. Then, he sees Nesya.
“ Well, hello dear sister “
“ Now, listen here, Mirza Mahendra. I don’t want to wake up to see you sleeping here again “
“ Fine. Kirania and I will go sleep somewhere else “
“ Somewhere else? “
“ Yes. Somewhere where we can spend time. Away from prying eyes “
He shoots an aggrieved look at Nesya. She just rolls her eyes. “ And has Boots agreed to accompany you on this late-night sojourn? “ Mirza turns to her with an expectant smile
“ I don’t know “
Mirza appears surprised, a hint of disappointment entering his face. “ What if I tell you that it’s Elect HQ. And we have the entire place to ourselves, no holds barred “
“ Well… I guess that does sound fun. All right. I’m in “
She shivers, nervous and excited and scared all at once.
A night alone, with Mirza? I don’t know what to think.
She and Mirza leave her dorm. A few minutes later, she approaches a familiar doorway. It’s Elect HQ.
***
- Writer
