KENT
1245 Words
Dave POV
I didn’t know why, but for some reason, I smiled.
Maybe it was because of how confidently she had spoken to me. Maybe it was because, despite everything, she didn’t seem afraid of me.
“Dad, are you okay?” Adrian asked.
I looked at him.
“Yes. I’m fine. Just eat.”
He nodded and returned to his food, but Angelina wasn’t satisfied with my answer. She stared at me for a few seconds before turning her attention to the woman who had just left.
“Dad, why is she so mean?” Angelina asked. “It’s like she hates you with passion. Have you done anything bad to her?”
I stared at my daughter.
Her question made me think.
As far as I could remember, I had never met her before. There was no reason for her to hate me, especially with the kind of attitude she had shown since arriving.
Her being mean meant there was something she didn’t like.
But what?
I couldn’t help but wonder.
I looked toward the door through which she had disappeared, trying to understand the woman who had somehow managed to confuse me in such a short time.
Anny POV
I walked out of the house only to meet Kent in his car.
He was sitting there as though he had been waiting for me.
“Going for a jog?” he asked with a smile.
I looked at him and nodded as he got out of his car.
The moment he stood in front of me, his eyes moved over my face.
“You seem annoyed. Did the kids bother you?”
My expression hardened.
“I’d love it if we didn’t talk about my family.”
I said it sternly.
The moment the words left my mouth, I saw the slight surprise on his face.
“Oh. Sorry. Just asking if you’re okay.”
“Thank you.”
I looked away.
I hated the way he talked about them.
Every time he mentioned my family, something inside me tightened. I knew I couldn’t let my emotions show, but it was becoming harder to pretend that everything was fine.
“Huh? Did I do something wrong?”
I stared at him.
For a moment, I couldn’t bring myself to say something harsh.
Instead, I forced a smile.
“Nothing. Just lost in thought.”
He studied me for a moment before his eyes dropped to my feet.
They still hurt.
Before I could react, he reached for my ankle and gently lifted the bottom of my joggers.
“You danced yesterday,” he said as he held my ankle.
I bit my lip and endured the pain.
His touch was careful, but my ankle was still sore enough to make me uncomfortable.
“Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital?”
I smiled.
“I don’t need to. After the competition, I’ll quit dancing.”
“You want to quit?” he asked in surprise.
I nodded.
“Why?” he asked. “I thought you said you loved it.”
“Huh? Yes, I do.”
I looked away.
“But I’m tired.”
I didn't tell him the truth.
Deep down, what I was tired of was the acting.
I wished I could be myself for just one day.
Just one day without pretending.
Just one day without having to remember who I was supposed to be, what I was supposed to say, or how I was supposed to behave.
But when was the last time that happened?
Even now, I couldn’t understand myself.
I was losing myself already.
I could feel it.
The longer I stayed in this situation, the harder it became to remember where the acting ended and where the real me began.
Kent stared at me for a while.
I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his head.
Then, suddenly, he opened his arms wide.
“What are you doing?” I asked in surprise.
“Giving you a hug. I thought it would help.”
I immediately pushed him away.
“I don’t need this.”
Then I looked at him.
“And are you not afraid that you’ll die?”
He smiled.
“What will kill me?”
I stared at him.
Was he really this fearless?
“I’m engaged to Dave.”
He smiled, then stared at my hand.
“It doesn’t seem so.”
I frowned.
“Why do I think you aren’t scared of Dave?”
“Huh? Because he’s not scary. He’s just a businessman with five kids. And according to what I heard, he changes secretaries every month or every few weeks.”
I stared at him.
“So you think I won’t last?”
He smiled and gave a subtle nod.
“I know you won’t. But I like you, so we can…”
I stared at him in surprise.
Then I laughed.
Was he seriously saying this to me?
“Are you this open with all women?”
“Huh? Not all. But you…”
He stared at me.
“And I must say this. I don’t know why…”
His eyes seemed to pierce into my soul.
For a moment, I felt as though he could see through everything.
I blinked and smiled before walking away.
Ignoring him, I told myself, All men are the same.
I cancelled every thought that was trying to take root.
I couldn't afford to get distracted.
“So, what are you going to do after you quit as a ballerina?”
“Huh? I’m thinking of going into bakery, but I need to learn first. So I’m scouting for a place.”
He smiled.
“Did you approach me for a reason?”
I turned toward him.
“Excuse me? What are you talking about?”
“Huh? Just wondering if…”
I stared at him, not understanding what he meant.
He went silent.
Then he removed a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to me.
I stared at it.
Then the name struck me.
Helin Bakery.
My eyes widened.
I looked at him and then at the paper again.
I smiled.
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“You’re the owner?”
He smiled.
“Now I understand what you were saying.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. I’m not lying. I really, really don’t.”
“I know,” he said with a smile.
Then he moved closer to me.
“So, will you come over? Don’t worry. I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”
I stared at him.
This was my dream bakery company.
I had already been accepted, but I took on a mission, so I couldn’t register.
And now it was coming to me for free.
It was suspicious.
I knew how much I had paid to get accepted.
There was no way I could simply ignore that.
I looked at him.
“Something isn’t right.”
Was I safe?
He smiled as he walked dangerously closer to me.
“Let’s say I’m trying to win you over.”
I stared at him.
“I love you.”
He mouthed the words.
I froze for a second.
“So think it over. You can text me when you’re done.”
He walked away.
I couldn’t help but smile.
“You love this face, not me. You love Angelina, not me.”
I walked away, disappointed.
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