[KARRIN]
I returned home at 7 pm. I wanted to return to the agency, but because of my brother's men, I couldn't. So, let's just go home and relax. As the doors opened, my brother was sitting with mom and dad.
"Dad!!!" I screamed in joy.
he stood up, his arm extended. I ran towards him.
"You are back?" I went to him and hugged him.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, withdrawing.
"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you," he said, his eyes beaming with their usual happiness. He and my elder brother are exact copies of each other. I sat down too.
"So, where is my gift?" I asked, extending my hand.
He smiled and signaled a servant to bring it. The servant came with a brown wooden box.
"Here, your gift."
"Are you sure it's all of them?"
"Yup, every single one I saw," Dad replied, smiling.
"Thank you." I gave him a quick hug and then put the box in front of me.
"So," I cleared my throat, "I believe, brother, we have to talk."
"That is non-negotiable," he said, sipping his coffee.
"No, it's not. You will remove these bodyguards from me," I said, looking him in the eye.
"No, I will not," he replied, tilting forward and returning my stare.
"You arranged bodyguards for her again?" Father asked.
"Yes," my brother answered, relaxing back.
I looked at my mother, pleading with her. She sighed and said, "But dear... maybe we can find a different alternative."
"No, mom, you know she literally returned from the brink of death," my brother said.
I sighed, trying to calm my anger. "That was an accident. I AM PERFECTLY CAPABLE of protecting myself."
"No, you are not."
"I am..."
"You are not," Sam came out of nowhere, "For the very first time, I agree with brother."
"Who told you to barge in? Anyways, even those bodyguards are not that skilled," I said, pouting.
"Don't worry. After today, I plan to talk to an international spy and agent agency. I heard there is a famous agent I am thinking to hire."
I choked on my coffee. "What's wrong?" he said.
"Nothing, continue." You want to hire me to protect myself. Amazing...
"But I heard she is quite difficult to hire..."
Yeah, of course.
"Alright, deal," I said as a new idea snapped in my mind.
"What?" Brother asked, confused, as Sam sat down with him.
"I will accept bodyguards if it is her," I said.
"Alright, but remember your promise..."
"Good luck hiring her," I said, standing up and holding the box.
I walked behind my brother's sofa, touching his shoulder gently.
"No worries... anything can be solved with money," he said, putting his coffee cup down while Sam was in deep thought... that's rare.
"Not everything can be solved with money... not everything," I said, continuing to walk to the stairs.
"You don't have to worry about that. Remember, Mr. Kelvin is coming tomorrow for the contract."
"Yeah, I remember." I stopped on the first stair step, "Where are they coming?"
"Here, we are hosting lunch for them."
For that bastard... what was the need?
I sighed, "Alright."
I continued walking.
"Won't you have dinner?" Dad asked.
I wasn't planning to, but since Dad came today... I smiled, "Call me when it's ready."
Dad smiled.
And I continued walking to my room.
...
As I reached my room, I closed the door behind me. The darkness wrapped around me, the curtains drawn tightly. I didn't bother switching on the lights.
I let out a long sigh and flopped onto the bed, placing the box on the table beside me. Closing my eyes, I sighed again.
"It feels like I'm forgetting something... something I wasn't supposed to forget."
That nagging feeling was the worst. My heart felt heavy, like a stone in my chest. I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling, feeling lost. My mind was blank, but everything inside me was in turmoil. Suddenly, I felt wetness at the corners of my eyes.
I touched my face.
"Am I crying?"
Wow... why am I crying?
A sob escaped my lips, and I hugged myself, trying to keep it together. The loneliness, the fear, the confusion—they all hit me at once. I lay there, tears streaming down, feeling more vulnerable and alone than ever. And suddenly it hit me… why am I crying?
I am not weak.
Vulnerable… it is not a word in my dictionary. I am strong… I have to be strong.
I stood up and turned on the light. I stood in front of the mirror, my mascara all smeared. I looked... scary?
I smiled at the mirror as if it would tell me everything was okay. I moved to the table to open the gift first... then the door opened.
Oh no, my face...
Thankfully, I was facing the table, so my back was to the door. I cleared my throat. "You should have knocked before coming."
Whoever you are, just please don't come here.
"It's me... sorry, I forgot," my brother said.
"Oh," I said, still facing the table. I tried to remove my mascara, but I think I just made it worse.
"Anyways, dinner is ready," my brother said.
"Oh, you go, I'll come."
"I will, but why aren't you looking at me... are you still angry at me?... listen, I am just concerned about your safety and..."
"No, I am not angry... I am just... well... looking at the gift dad brought," I said quickly, opening the box.
"Oh, you are? Lemme also see."
He started walking forward.
No no no, why are you coming? My lie backfired... what am I supposed to do now
I should have cleaned my face first….
No what am I gonna answer him?
I quickly let my hair down, letting it fall over my face. He stood on my right, and I quickly turned my face to the left.
"Ahh, come on, open it properly," he said, tilting his head forward as I turned my face to the center again, my hair hiding my face.
But our heads banged together.
"Oh my god, I am so sorry... show me, is it okay?"
I tilted my head to the left again.
"No, I am okay," I said.
"Why are you hiding your face from me?" he asked.
"No... I am not."
"Then look at me," my brother said.
"I..." What am I supposed to do?
He moved my shoulder to face him.
"Karrin, look at me."
Okay, now I have no choice and no explanation either.
Here we go.
I tilted my head to look at him. His eyes instantly narrowed, worry clearly reflecting in them.
"Why are you..." he started, but was interrupted by Sam.
I quickly faced the table.
"What are you both doing? Come quickly," Sam said.
There was a moment of silence.
Finally, my brother said, "We are coming. You go."
Sam left.
My brother sighed, "Wash your face and come down. We'll talk after dinner."
I nodded, and he left. I quickly cleaned my face. Now what am I going to explain?
Something is really wrong with me.
...