After transferring the backpack from Katherine’s Camry to his Urus, Kasra slid into the driver’s seat. Lara claimed the passenger seat, the soft purr of the luxury SUV the only sound as they pulled away from the estate.

  Ten minutes in, the stillness between them became unbearable. Kasra, although usually laconic, decided to break the ice. His focus stayed on the road as he casually asked, “Did you sleep well last night?”

  Lara’s fingers tightened around the strap of her seatbelt. She hadn’t expected anything non-work-related from her boss. “Yes, brother, I slept well.”

  Kasra’s lips curved faintly, pleased that she remembered to call him ‘brother.’ Still, something hovered between them, an unspoken, persistent tension. He flicked her a sideways glance, testing the waters. “It’s good you remembered to call me ‘brother.’ But I can still sense… distance. Maybe some awkwardness? Fear, perhaps?”

  Lara shifted in her seat, her gaze dropping to the floor as she carefully considered her reply. “Well, you’re my employer, after all,” she began. “It’s not fear, maybe… a little awkwardness? I respect you as my boss, so it’s hard to pretend you’re my sibling. Besides, I’m an only child; I don’t really know how siblings interact.”

  Kasra’s brow shot up, his grip on the wheel tightening just a fraction as he absorbed her words. “An only child? Your parents, they’re fine with you being a bodyguard?”

  The question caught Lara off guard. Her expression turned sheepish as she looked out the window. “Um… well… they don’t know I’m a bodyguard. They think I’m Sana’s personal assistant.”

  Kasra’s eyes narrowed, his intrigue deepening as he stole another look, his curiosity piqued. “What made you pick this line of work?”

  A wistful smile tugged at Lara’s lips, her thoughts drifting. “My parents run a martial arts school. I’ve been training since I could walk. I grew up watching kung fu movies and crime dramas. When I graduated high school, I wanted to join the police force, but my parents were dead set against it.” She sighed, a note of envy creeping into her tone. “I wish I could be like Kate.”

  Kasra couldn’t help but find her passion endearing. He decided to tease her, “Then, why not go into acting? You could have played a cop or something; safer than being a real one.”

  Lara let out a laugh, shaking her head as if the idea was absurd. “Acting? No way! Hollywood actresses are so glamorous, and acting’s hard. Imagine having to kiss some gross dude just because the script says so. Ugh!” She shuddered at the thought, her nose wrinkling in mock horror.

  Kasra chuckled at her reaction. “True. But if it’s any consolation, you’re beautiful enough to give those Hollywood goddesses a run for their money.”

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  The compliment took Lara by surprise, as if she’d been hit by a sunbeam. Heat crept up her cheeks. “Uh, t-thank you,” she stammered, suddenly unsure where to look, her fingers nervously twisting the strap again.

  Why would he say that? Was that just small talk or something else?

  Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t even notice they’d arrived at her apartment complex until Kasra waved a hand in front of her, snapping her out of the reverie.

  “Earth to Lara, we’re here.”

  “Oh!” She blinked, her pulse quickening as she fumbled with the seatbelt. “Sorry, I drifted off.” She quickly unbuckled and hopped out of the car, mentally screaming at herself.

  Get it together, girl! He’s your boss!

  Once inside her apartment, she offered, “Would you like something to drink?”

  Kasra shook his head, calm as ever as he scanned the room with idle curiosity. “No need. I’ll wait here. If you need help packing, let me know.”

  Lara gave a quick nod and disappeared into her room, focused on the task at hand. In under 20 minutes, she managed to pack all her essentials into two large suitcases. She slipped her backpack on, pulled out the telescopic handles, and rolled the luggage out, the soft hum of wheels echoing against the hardwood floor.

  Kasra stood up immediately, crossing the room in a few swift steps, his movements smooth, deliberate. Before Lara could protest, he took the suitcases from her. “Let me get those.”

  Lara blinked, dazed as she watched him effortlessly maneuver the luggage.

  OMG! My boss is rolling out my luggage!

  She quickly locked her apartment door and followed him into the elevator.

  The ride down was quiet, laced with a delicate stiffness between them. The elevator chimed, and Kasra moved effortlessly as he guided the luggage to the parked SUV. Lara, trailing behind, was acutely aware of the growing awkwardness between them. Her thoughts wandered again.

  What’s with that compliment earlier? Uh! It’s messing with my head!

  ......

  As they pulled out of the parking lot, Kasra spoke again, this time with an undercurrent that made her pulse skip. “So… no boyfriend waiting to complain about late nights?”

  The question was personal—too personal—but she still answered, her fingers digging into her knees as if to steady herself.

  “N–No, no time… or inclination.”

  Is this still work talk, or have we drifted into… uncharted territory?

  “Your parents aren’t pressuring you about it?” Kasra pressed on, his eyes flicking to her briefly.

  Lara shook her head. “No, they understand the demands of my job. I’ve explained that it requires round-the-clock attention. On top of that, I need to maintain my fitness and other essential skills. Between work, training, and them, I barely have time to breathe. They’ve agreed with my view to let nature take its course.”

  “How old are you?” Kasra hummed.

  Lara stiffened. “25.”

  Why is he even asking this?

  Kasra's features crinkled at the corners. “You’re still young. Plenty of time for marriage.”

  Lara chuckled, the tension easing from her shoulders as she shook her head. “Que sera, sera,” she mused, though her mind snagged on that word.

  Marriage? Really?

  The rest of the drive passed in silence, her last words lingering in the air like a faint echo as they pulled up to Inova. Kasra parked the car, grabbed Seven’s backpack, and Lara followed, still wondering if it was just small talk… or the start of something else.