The nobody i fell for

Chapter 5

THE NOBODY I FELL FOR

Chapter Five — Kairo's POV

Mom disappeared upstairs, leaving the room filled with an uncomfortable silence.

Dad was still sitting in the armchair, his hands resting loosely on the wooden armrests. Unlike Mom, he hadn't said much. He'd just watched the entire argument unfold with that calm expression he always wore whenever Mom and I disagreed.

I looked at him.

"Dad."

He raised his eyes toward me.

"Yes?"

I walked over and stood beside his chair.

"Please talk to her."

He sighed softly.

"Kairo..."

"Please."

I crouched slightly so I could see his face properly.

"Blake is desperate. I saw it in his eyes."

Dad studied me for a moment.

"You barely spoke to him."

"I didn't need to."

I remembered the way Blake had stood at the door, trying to sound confident while his fingers nervously gripped the strap of his backpack.

There had been something in his expression.

Something that told me this wasn't just some random boy looking for pocket money.

"He needs this job, Dad."

My voice softened.

"And Mom doesn't even know him. She just looked at him and decided he wasn't good enough because he isn't a professional."

Dad leaned back in his chair.

"Your mother is particular about who works on this property."

"She's particular about everything."

He chuckled quietly.

I smiled for a second before becoming serious again.

"Just give him a chance."

Dad was quiet.

I waited.

Finally, he looked toward the garden through the large windows.

"Does he know what he's doing?"

"I don't know."

"Kairo."

"I really don't know."

He shook his head, amused.

"Then why are you defending him?"

I opened my mouth.

Nothing came out.

Why was I defending him?

I didn't know him.

I'd spoken to him for maybe five minutes.

Still, something about him had stayed in my mind.

Maybe it was the nervousness.

Maybe it was the way he'd looked relieved when I offered him the job.

Or maybe I simply hated seeing someone turned away when they were clearly trying.

I shrugged.

"Because he deserves a chance."

Dad stared at me for another moment.

Then he sighed.

"I'll speak to your mother."

My face immediately brightened.

"Really?"

"Yes."

I smiled.

"Thank you."

"But," he added, raising one finger, "if he damages your mother's precious garden, I'm not getting involved."

I laughed.

"Deal."

I stood up and headed toward the stairs.

Then I stopped.

"Dad?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

He smiled faintly.

"Go finish your breakfast, Kairo."

I rolled my eyes.

"That was hours ago."

"Then go eat something."

I laughed as I walked upstairs.

For some reason, I was already wondering whether Blake would actually come back tomorrow.

And I wasn't sure why I cared so much.