Chapter 35 Unknown Girl
I’m lying on the sofa, pretending to rest, when my eyes shift toward Ira.
She’s sitting there with her laptop, wearing a simple top and jeans, completely lost in her work. Her fingers move lightly over the keyboard. Her hair falls over her shoulders, framing that familiar face the same face I’ve known all my life.
She’s still my Ira.
The same sister who once held my hand when I was scared to cross the road… and now she’s twenty-eight. Time has changed her, but it hasn’t taken away her softness. If anything, it has made her quieter, stronger.
She looks up and smiles. “Mom, you’re back so early?”
Mom’s voice sounds tired when she replies, “Yes, sweetheart. I didn’t feel comfortable there at all.”
Without thinking, I move closer and rest my head in Ira’s lap. It feels natural safe like nothing in the world can hurt me here. Just like old times.
She laughs softly and runs her fingers through my hair. “Mom, look at him,” she says teasingly. “He lies down like a lazy kid the moment he comes home. He didn’t even change his clothes.”
I keep my eyes closed and mumble, “Let me rest for a while… I missed you so much, sis.”
Her fingers pause for a second, then continue gently stroking my hair. That small touch says everything reassurance.
I can feel Mom watching us. I don’t look at her, but I know what she’s thinking. The bond between Ira and me doesn’t need words. It never has.
Then I hear the main gate open again.
The air in the room changes instantly. Even before I see him, I feel that familiar tension. I sit up slightly and glance toward Ira.
Dad walks in, his eyes briefly passing over her. There’s the same coldness, the same distance he’s carried for years. He doesn’t say a word. He doesn’t stop. He just walks straight to his room.
Ira looks at him. There’s no shock on her face. No anger. Just acceptance.
But I catch it, just for a second. That tiny shine in her eyes. Moisture she hides too quickly.
It makes my chest tighten.
I sit up fully and ask gently, “Sis… did you have dinner?”
She looks at me and answers softly, “No… did you all eat?”
Her voice is calm, but I know her too well. I know how much she keeps inside, how she never complains.
Mom speaks again, trying to sound normal, “No, dear. I wasn’t feeling very well today. I’m going to my room.”
She stands up. Before leaving, she looks back at us at Ira and me sitting together, talking quietly. I see a small smile on her face, mixed with something heavier.
As Mom walks away, I look at Ira.
She’s already back to listening to me, fully present, That’s who she is.
Always holding everyone together. Always smiling through the silence. Always strong… even when it hurts.
I slowly get up and say, “I’ll be back in a little while.”
The moment I say that, Mom’s voice sharpens, “Jacob! It’s already night. You’re not going anywhere now!”
I pause for a second, then put on a faint smile and reply, “I’ll be right back, Mom. I just have a little work.”
She calls out again, louder this time, “Jacob…!!”
I know that if I stay even one more second, the lecture will begin. So without looking back, I quickly walk out of the house. The cold air hits my face, but my mind is stuck on just one thing.
I get into the car, start the engine, and drive toward a deserted area a little away from the city. As I go farther, the streetlights slowly fade. The noise of the city is left behind. Finally, I stop the car.
I step out.
My bodyguards are already standing there. A little ahead of them, a girl is sitting on the ground, hugging her knees to her chest. The same girl… the one who spilled a drink on me at the party.
I stand there silently, watching her for a few moments.
She looks very small, almost fragile. An innocent face, eyes wet with tears. Her lips are pink, trembling slightly with fear. My gaze stays fixed on her, and suddenly my throat feels dry.
The moment she notices me, she becomes even more frightened. She folds her hands and pleads in a broken voice, “Sir… please let me go. I made a mistake.” Her voice is shaking.
I walk toward her slowly. With every step I take, her breathing becomes faster. I stop in front of her and remain silent for a few seconds, then ask, “What’s your name?”
She doesn’t have the courage to look at me. Lowering her gaze, she replies fearfully, “A-Aria.”
I bend down close to her, close enough for her to feel my breath. My voice is calm, but it carries weight as I say, “Do you know how big a mistake you’ve made?”
She breaks down completely and cries, “Please sir, forgive me. I was just doing my job. I wasn’t feeling well… I was feeling dizzy. I didn’t even realize it, and the juice spilled on you.”
Tears stream down her eyes. She keeps apologizing again and again, as if begging for her life with every word.
I straighten up. For a few seconds, there is nothing but silence the night air and the sound of her sobs.
Then I look at my bodyguards and signal them with my hand Without saying a word, they move away, I sit down beside her, and she freezes in fear.
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!