"Kalix," Naka called, making Kalix immediately turn his head and glare at him. "U-Uncle Vano's calling you," he stammered nervously.
Kalix walked into the house, still glaring at Naka. "You got lucky this time," he said curtly.
Naka let out a sigh of relief. "Ah, thank God… otherwise I'd be dead," he muttered under his breath.
"Kalix, Grandma doesn't care what happened—you still have to take responsibility," said his grandmother firmly.
"Please, Grandma, don't add more to my stress. She doesn't even care or ask me for any kind of responsibility," Kalix replied in frustration.
Mommy Aila sighed deeply. "Even so, honestly, I'm a little sad. This is the first time I've seen a woman reject you. As your mother, my pride is slightly wounded. What's wrong with my son that even that kind of woman turns him down?"
"But I think that woman is quite special," Grandma Irina said. "She didn't take advantage of the situation to get anything from our family."
"Mom's right—if it were another woman, she would have jumped at the chance. Why did she reject you, though?" Mommy Aila said, scanning Kalix from head to toe. "And my son is handsome, too."
Kalix just rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Alright, enough. Don't drag this out," Daddy Vano cut in, looking at Kalix. "Tomorrow, you and your employees will go to the J Group's seaside villa in southern Australia. You'll be staying there for two days."
"Why so sudden, Dad?"
"The head of J Group is offering our employees a stay at their villa—not just as a vacation, but also to inspect and evaluate it. It's a brand-new villa, not yet public. They chose our company's employees because they know we're very good at assessing infrastructure design."
"Then just let the infrastructure design team go. Why do I have to come? I have to run the company, Dad," Kalix protested.
"Tomorrow's Saturday. Just go. The J Group's president specifically requested that you be there to give your opinion. You know they're one of our most important business partners. Think of it as a two-day vacation."
"Fine," Kalix said reluctantly.
"Bring Dariella along," Mommy Aila chimed in.
"Oh, come on, Mom. She's not even on the infrastructure design team—why bring her?" Kalix said irritably.
"It's fine—more people, more fun."
"Mom, seriously. Aren't you embarrassed having a woman like that around me? Don't you feel uncomfortable with her appearance?" Kalix asked incredulously.
"Hush, don't talk about people like that. Don't judge someone by their looks. And no, I'm not uncomfortable at all. In fact, I like her style—it's modest, even if it's old-fashioned," said Grandma Irina.
"Grandma's right. I used to dress like that when I was young," Mommy Aila added.
"That's different, Mom—you dressed according to the times. Just look at her—you can judge for yourself," Kalix said.
"It's fine. I still like it. It's decent," Grandma Irina replied.
Kalix rolled his eyes again. "And what about her face? Doesn't that bother you?" he asked.
"Not at all. Even if she has acne," Mommy Aila said.
"I'm not bothered either," Grandma Irina added. "I got a good look at her up close—she's actually beautiful. It's just hidden behind her bangs, glasses, and acne. If she took care of her skin, she'd be stunning."
Kalix was taken aback by his grandmother's words. I think I need to take Grandma to the eye doctor, he thought.
*********
The Next Day
Saturday, 7:30 AM
That morning, the employees chosen to visit the J Group villa had already gathered in front of the Alano Family company building.
"Is everyone here?" Naka asked.
"Not yet, sir. The only one who hasn't arrived is the head of the finance department."
"The head of the finance department?" Naka asked in confusion, and all the employees nodded.
Naka quickly turned to look at Kalix, who was busy tying his shoelaces. "Bro, turns out Miss Dariella is coming too!"
Kalix snapped his head toward Naka. "Huh? She's coming?! Aisss… this has to be Mom and Grandma's doing," he grumbled.
"Ah, there's Mrs. Dariella now," one of the employees said as they spotted her walking toward them.
"Sorry I'm late. Have you all been waiting long?" Dariella asked.
The other employees just smiled and nodded.
"Why are you here? Only infrastructure design staff were invited," Kalix said curtly.
Dariella turned toward him, her expression flat for a brief moment before she quickly broke into a sweet smile. "Why would I join a trip to review the J Group villa in southern Australia if I don't know a thing about building design?" she replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"Alright, let's just get going," Naka cut in, not wanting the exchange between Dariella and Kalix to escalate.
.
.
After a three-hour trip, they arrived at the J Group villa. They rested for a while, then got to work inspecting the location and the building.
The villa's modern style looked sleek, but it didn't quite match the surrounding environment. A modern tropical design would have been a better fit for the atmosphere.
Once the inspection was done, the employees split up into groups to prepare dinner. The J Group CEO had provided premium ingredients—meats, fresh vegetables—and that night they would have a barbecue party, complete with fine wine.
Only Kalix and Naka didn't drink; Naka couldn't because of stomach problems, and Kalix… well, maybe he was still traumatized by the events of a few days ago.
Kalix shook his head at the sight of his employees getting completely wasted.
"Help them back to their rooms," Kalix told Naka.
Naka nodded and got to work guiding the drunken employees to their beds.
Now it was just Kalix and Dariella.
"Tsk tsk tsk, so you can actually hold your liquor," Kalix muttered.
Dariella, completely drunk, glared at him.
"Thief!" she suddenly shouted.
"What did you just say?!" Kalix shot her a look.
"Yes! You're a thief! A kiss thief!" she laughed, then yelled, "HEY! DID YOU ALL KNOW?! KALIX ALANO STOLE MY FIRST KISS!"
Kalix quickly clamped his hand over her mouth before anyone could hear, scooped her up in his arms, and rushed toward her room before she could cause more chaos. "Crazy woman," he muttered.
"Where's my glasses…" Dariella mumbled, patting her face as if searching for them.
"Can you not move?!" Kalix grumbled in frustration as she squirmed in his hold.
Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around him just as he was setting her down on the bed.
"Hey, let go!" he barked.
Instead of letting go, she hugged him even tighter.
Kalix was about to scold her again, but stopped when he found himself staring at her face from just inches away.
It was the first time he'd seen her without her glasses. His brows furrowed. She looked… different. "Do glasses really change someone's face this much?" he thought, studying her features.
His eyes drifted to her lips—slightly plump, soft-looking, and a natural peach color. He swallowed hard.
"I must be out of my mind," he muttered, feeling a strange pull.
Frustration bubbled inside him. Why on earth was he suddenly wanting to kiss the ugly duckling?
"Come on, Kalix, snap out of it. Look at her—she's got acne all over her cheeks. You're not grossed out?" he argued with himself.
But the war in his head didn't last long.
Cup!
He leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her lips.
Dariella's eyes flew open. She glared at him and started hitting his chest over and over.
"You!!! Thief!!! How dare you steal my first kiss!" she yelled. "I know I'm beautiful, but that doesn't give you the right!"
Kalix ignored her words, his eyes still fixed on her lips as they kept moving.
She kept hitting him until the alcohol finally dragged her back into unconsciousness.
"It was just a peck… but why did it taste so sweet?" he muttered under his breath.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Kalix laid her down on the bed and left the room without another word.
*****
The Next Day
That morning, Kalix, Naka, and the other employees had breakfast together.
Dariella was happily enjoying her sandwich when she noticed Kalix sneaking glances at her. She frowned slightly.
"Wow… I think he really does like me," Dariella mumbled to herself.
Naka, who was sitting right beside her, immediately choked when he heard her mutter.
"Are you okay, sir? Here, drink this," Dariella said, offering him a glass.
Naka quickly took a sip, then looked between Dariella and Kalix, trying hard not to laugh as Kalix shot him an annoyed glare.
"Mr. Kalix, I've already told you—I was just joking when I flirted with you. Don't take it so seriously," Dariella whispered to Kalix, who was sitting directly across from her.
Naka, overhearing her words, couldn't hold back his laughter, making the other employees look at him in confusion.
"You really need to tone down your overconfidence," Kalix replied coldly.
Dariella ignored him and went back to finishing her sandwich until there wasn't a crumb left.
"Looks like she doesn't remember. Good… If she remembered I kissed her last night, I wouldn't know where to hide my face," Kalix thought.
He still couldn't believe he had kissed Dariella—while completely sober.
"I've really lost my mind," he silently cursed himself.
"So, what time are we heading back to Melbourne?" one of the employees asked.
"Eight tonight," Naka answered.
"Finish your breakfast quickly. There are still a few villa buildings we haven't inspected yet," Kalix instructed.
"Yes, sir."