Steam rained around the room like lazy ghosts. The warm water ruled over Kai's....no tony's body as he stood beneath the rainfall shower, letting it wash away the exhaustion, confusion, and cold weight of the day.
(Mostly...The clara problem)
Drops hit the marble floor in a rhythmic tap-tap-tap, like the rain earlier but gentler.
He exhaled deeply, staring at the glass wall ahead of him. His fingers ran through his wet silver hair, but his thoughts were in the café, on the street, on Clara's voice and the Clara confusion.
"How does she know? How did she find out?" he murmured to himself.
(Man....This is messed up.)
He closed the water, stepped out, and wrapped himself in the soft towel left by the side. Hanging on the door was a neatly folded nightwear set. A silky black long-sleeved shirt and pants with a red trim. He slipped it on slowly.
Before he could properly dry his hair, a gentle knock came.
"Tony-sama, dinner is ready."
The door creaked slightly open, and a young maid entered. She was probably in her late teens, wearing a neat modern maid outfit—black with white trim, and a red ribbon at her collar. Her name tag read: Risa.
"Oh—!"
She slipped on the towel Kai had dropped by the door and fell straight into him.
"Whoa!" Kai caught her before she could crash to the ground.
Risa's cheeks turned scarlet. "I-I'm so sorry, sir!"
Kai blinked, trying to not overreact. Her face was inches from his, her big brown eyes wide with panic.
He gently helped her back up. "It's fine, really."
(Damn, she's cute. No, she's super cute. Ish she really a maid?)
She bowed repeatedly and rushed out, mumbling apologies. Kai chuckled under his breath, running the towel over his hair as he left the bathroom.
Downstairs, the mansion was quiet, save for the faint sound of string music playing through speakers hidden in the walls. The dining hall was straight out of a billionaire's fantasy. A long polished ebony table with golden runners, a chandelier hanging like a frozen waterfall above.
"Touché." He thought to himself.
At the far end sat Mia Suzumi. His savior for the day. Her silky black hair flowed over her shoulders. Her nightgown—a satin slip the color of deep wine hugged her skin like it was sewn in place. The low neckline shimmered in the candlelight, casting dancing shadows.
Kai froze.
She looked up. "Are you just going to stand there like a ghost, or are you going to join me?"
He blinked out of it and walked over, taking the seat beside her.
The maids arrived quietly, setting their plates. Tonight's meal was grilled seabass in lemon-butter sauce, a side of rice pilaf, and steamed vegetables. Mia picked up her fork with elegance, moving with the grace of a practiced noble.
Kai found himself watching her. The way she brushed back her hair… the delicate sound of her laughter as she took a bite of fish… even the way her lashes fluttered as she blinked.
She looked over.
"Nani?"
Kai snapped his head down. "Nothing."
Mia tilted her head, then leaned slightly forward. There was a pause—curious and quiet.
"You understood that?" she asked.
"Of course," he said, smiling faintly. "I'm from Tyo—"
He stopped.
Idiot. You were about to say Tokyo. That's not where Tony's supposed to be from.
Mia raised an eyebrow. "You're from…?"
He waved it off. "Nevermind. It's nothing."
A small smile curled her lips. "Wow. I'm impressed. You learned Japanese for me."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
She giggled softly. "You really don't remember, do you? I used to speak to you in Japanese all the time. You never understood me. I even told you to learn it, but you always said, 'What's the point?'"
He stared at her.
(So this is what the O.G Tony was like? Someone who didn't even care to understand her?)
"I guess I finally got the point," he replied quietly.
They both laughed. For a moment, the weight in his chest lessened.
They chatted about small things,the food, the art on the walls, a funny story from her shoot last week. And then the room fell into a gentle silence as they finished their meal.
Kai set his fork down and looked at her.
"Thanks, Mia. For all of this. The food… the rescue. Everything."
Mia tilted her head slightly. "You don't have to thank me. Just… don't scare me like that again, okay?"
"I'll try," he said with a tired smile.
He stood, ready to return to his room, when his phone buzzed.
Cristano.
His stomach tightened.
He answered. "Yeah?"
Tony. Where the hell are you?"
"I'm at Mia's place."
A pause. "Mia? But....Why?"
"I collapsed. She picked me up. I'll be back first thing in the morning."
"Collapsed? Are you alright now?
"Um..yeah. i'm good now, dad. He replied.
You better be. We need to talk. See you soon.
Kai ended the call.
He didn't have the strength for a longer argument. Not tonight.
Upstairs, he walked down the hallway lined with beautiful art and glowing lights until he reached the guest room door.
(This house is Heaven.)
Mia watched him go. Her eyes, unreadable. When the door clicked shut behind him, she turned to Risa, who had just finished clearing the used plates.
"Lock all the windows and doors," Mia instructed. "No one gets in tonight or out. Understood?"
Risa bowed. "Yes, ma'am. I understand"
Mia headed to her room. The walls of it were lined with perfume bottles, flowers, and framed magazine covers. She changed into a new nightgown. White, sheer, and deadly beautiful. She smoothed down her hair, looked into the mirror, and smiled.
(Damn. She's Hot!!!)
She walked through the hallway like a cat in the night.
(Meow. I can imagine it.)
And knocked gently on Kai's door.
He opened it, towel-drying his hair. Looked like he took another bath.
"Mia?"
She didn't answer.
Instead, she stepped forward.
And jumped into his arms