4
Evelyn
I waited quietly in Ava's apartment, the soft hum of the city filtering through the windows, as we awaited her brother's arrival. Kai was fiercely protective of Ava—though he was barely a year older than her, he carried himself with the solemn responsibility of a father rather than a sibling. I didn't know much about their past, despite our years of friendship. Ava never liked to talk about it, and I respected her silence. It was her story to tell, if and when she chose to share it. She was my only true friend, and I didn't want to risk losing her by prying into the shadows she kept hidden.
We sat together on her bed; I lay back, scrolling absentmindedly through my phone, while Ava sat upright, lost deep in thought. Our bags—and the chaos of our busy lives—were tossed aside on the floor. My own family lived in another city, far from here, so I didn't expect them to come by or get involved. This was our little world.
I was both nervous and excited to meet Kai. I'd seen photos of him before—usually snapped during casual moments in Ava's apartment—and sometimes glimpsed him from afar when I was with her. But we had never really interacted. From what I gathered, he was a man of few words, a cold exterior that rarely softened except when it came to Ava. She was the light in his otherwise guarded life, the only person whose smile could melt his stoic demeanor. The love he bore for his sister was palpable, fierce and unwavering.
That evening, both Ava and I were dressed for the party. I wore a sleek red dress that reached just above my knees—a dress that hugged my figure with a quiet elegance, its simple cut accentuating my curves without being flashy. Ava wore the same style dress, but in pristine white, the contrast between our outfits a reflection of our close bond. We loved coordinating our looks, a silent affirmation of our friendship and shared moments.
Suddenly, the sharp sound of a car horn broke the quiet anticipation. We rose, each clutching our purses as we moved toward the door. Outside, Kai was waiting in his car, leaning casually against the sleek black BMW that gleamed under the streetlights. He looked effortlessly handsome—the kind of man who commanded attention without trying. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his piercing blue eyes focused and intense even from a distance.
As we approached, he stepped out of the car, the familiar crispness of his black suit and tie framing his muscular frame. The jacket clung to broad shoulders, and the tailored pants accentuated long, powerful legs. He was every inch the picture of control and composure—and yes, undeniably hot.
Without even sparing me a glance, Kai's attention was fully on Ava. I sometimes wished I had a brother like him, someone who looked out for me with such fierce loyalty. But I was an only child, and here I was, standing silently by, feeling like a stranger in their sibling world.
"Hi, Princess," Kai greeted Ava with a rare softness in his voice, and she smiled back, the warmth between them unmistakable. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," she replied. "This is my friend Oliver."
Kai's gaze shifted to me, cool and assessing. I stood still, unsure of what to expect under his piercing scrutiny, feeling as if he was committing every detail of me to memory. After a tense few moments, he extended his hand in a firm handshake.
His hands were large—strong and powerful—yet when they closed around mine, they were surprisingly gentle. His fingers were muscular but soft where they touched, a contrast to his formidable presence. I thought fleetingly about how those hands might feel against my skin in a different, more intimate way—how his lips might press against mine—but I quickly pushed the thought away. Kai was distant and reserved; I knew those feelings would never be reciprocated.
We settled into the spacious leather interior of the BMW, the smooth hum of the engine a comforting backdrop. It was my first time riding in such an expensive car, and I felt a mix of awe and unease. I didn't want to give Kai any reason to think I was out of place or careless, so I stayed quiet, careful not to fidget or draw attention.
Ava chatted softly with me, but I could feel Kai's tense grip on the steering wheel. His eyes flicked to us in the rearview mirror, as if silently weighing whether I was truly worthy of his sister's friendship. Despite my irritation at his overprotectiveness, I couldn't help but respect the depth of his care.
After what felt like an eternity, we arrived at the hotel. Ava had invited me to join a party with her other friends. Though I wasn't as wealthy as Ava, she didn't seem to mind sharing the expenses. The hotel was a grand structure perched on the edge of the beach, its glass walls reflecting the fading sunset and the vast expanse of the ocean beyond. Palms swayed gently in the breeze outside, and the salty air mingled with the faint scent of jasmine drifting from the hotel gardens.
Inside, the lobby glittered with elegance—marble floors gleamed under crystal chandeliers, and soft jazz music floated through the air. The party was already in full swing, with laughter and clinking glasses echoing through the high-ceilinged room.
Kai and Ava stepped inside with me, and despite his usual aloofness, he stayed by her side. His presence was magnetic; friends whispered and glanced at him, drawn to his striking good looks and undeniable charisma.
He sat with Ava at one side but our all friends were looking at him talking secretly. He was the perfect example of handsome.
Muscular. Big blue eyes that could see right through you. Hands which had those sexy veins. A handsome face which also formed a dimple when he smiled.
Perfect. Just perfect.
He was busy in his mobile. As always, working, giving commands in the phone to his assistants while I talked with my friends.
Ava was quiet, painfully quiet. Still thinking about Mr.Max. I didn't know what secret they were hiding but I wanted to find it. I think Kai also noticed it because he was also sometimes looking up from his phone and towards her protectively.
Soon, the cake arrived, a beautiful creation adorned with delicate frosting flowers and candles flickering softly in the warm light. As the candles cast a gentle glow over the room, everyone gathered around me, their voices blending together in a chorus of "Happy Birthday!" The sound was comforting and joyful, wrapping around me like a soft blanket. I smiled, feeling a wave of happiness wash over me.
This moment felt like a dream come true.
I remembered vividly the first day I had arrived at school—the nervousness twisting in my stomach, the fear of the unknown. I had been scared, unsure where I belonged, and worried if I could ever find my place. But slowly, day by day, the walls had begun to crumble. Faces that were once strangers became friends. Conversations that had started with awkward silences blossomed into laughter and shared secrets. Now, surrounded by people who cared about me, I felt a sense of belonging I had longed for.
This was everything I had hoped for.
The party was lively, filled with warmth and cheer, but in the back of my mind, a quiet thought lingered—the one thing missing from my perfect day. It was Kai. My best friend's brother, quiet and reserved, sitting across the room with his usual calm demeanor. I longed for his hands to be holding mine, for his lips to brush softly against mine in a moment just for us.
But no. That was wrong. He was my best friend's brother, not a stranger to me, but not someone I should think of in that way.
I chastised myself silently, pushing the thought away. Bad girl, I told myself firmly. Don't think like that.
Yet, it was impossible to ignore the way my heart fluttered whenever Kai was near. He had only said "Happy Birthday" to me—just a few simple words—but the way he said them was gentle, almost tender. He didn't say much else, as always. Kai was a reserved man; he reserved his words mostly for Ava, his sister, and rarely spoke to others. That quietness made his rare smiles even more meaningful.
He sat there, so calm and composed, yet there was something about him that made me feel alive. I wanted him. No matter how wrong it felt, no matter how much I told myself it was just a foolish dream, a girl could dream, couldn't she?
My eyes kept drifting back to him, watching the way he shifted slightly, his fingers brushing against the table. I imagined reaching out, letting my hand find his, feeling the warmth of his skin. The thought made my breath catch in my throat.
Kai was everything I admired—strong, silent, steady. He was the kind of person who didn't need many words to express himself. And yet, in those few moments when he did speak, or when his eyes met mine, a thousand unspoken feelings seemed to pass between us.
But I was careful. I knew the boundaries. He was my best friend's brother, a part of a world that I wasn't sure I belonged to. I didn't want to risk our friendship or hurt Ava. So I kept my feelings locked away, hidden behind a polite smile and casual conversations.
Still, the longing remained.
The party continued while we all enjoyed dancing and eating foods. Kai didnt eat much and I knew that. He was the perfect boy having a perfect routine. He didn't eat much and only eat healthy like right now he was eating salad. Who eats salad at a birthday party? Ew