Chapter 38 Pedro... so intimate
Katherine recognized the names.
They were high-ranking mercenaries from the underworld, a duo famous for accepting only impossible missions and holding secrets that could bring down governments, and it seemed that João Pedro planned to use these dangerous figures to dig up his aunt's past.
Katherine sighed, uninterested in prying into other people's dramas. She picked up her hearing aid from the nightstand and slipped it into her ear, and the white noise of the world was filtered out, and the voices in the hallway ceased, turning into silence.
She turned over in bed, staring at the dark ceiling, and her mind wandered to what she was looking for in that lab.
The drug.
That experimental medication, developed years ago to cure degenerative heart disease, and due to a monumental miscalculation, the final product not only cured, but unlocked human potential, enhancing intelligence, strength, and senses to superhuman levels.
But there was a price. There was always a price.
The drug took its toll by destroying the host's body from the inside out, and with that, Katherine closed her eyes, feeling the weight of her own existence. She was living proof of this failed “success.”
If it weren't for that damn drug, she could have been an ordinary girl. She could have had a mediocre and happy life, concerned only with college exams, boyfriends, and what clothes to wear. She wouldn't have to count the days, worried about her organs failing or premature death. But fate had given her no choice.
An hour later, tranquility reigned in the room, and Katherine was nestled in the rocking chair, a comic book forgotten on her lap, her head leaning gently against the cushion. Sleep was about to overcome her when soft knocks on the door awakened her.
She rubbed her eyes, slightly messing up her hair, and got up to open it.
On the other side, Anastasia's serene smile lit up the hallway.
“Kath, dear!” Anastasia entered, bringing with her a comforting aroma. “You must be exhausted from college work. Just look at that tired little face...”
She frowned affectionately and, in a motherly gesture, tucked a loose strand of Katherine's hair behind her ear.
Katherine stiffened for a millisecond. A strange but warm discomfort invaded her chest. Not even her biological mother treated her with such delicacy.
“I'm fine, Ana,” she replied softly.
“Oh, I know it's hard being a college student. But the effort is worth it.” Anastasia sighed, shaking her head. “Unlike Octavio, who wants nothing out of life. All he thinks about is fencing and video games.” When you have time, you should drag him along to study with you.“ Before Katherine could respond, Anastasia grabbed her wrist. ”But enough talk. Let's eat. You two haven't had dinner, and I won't let anyone go hungry in this house. I cooked myself today! I've been watching MasterChef and trying out some new recipes. I need your critical opinion."
Katherine wasn't hungry, after all, she had devoured a huge plate of pasta not long ago, but refusing that hopeful look would be a crime. Silently, she let herself be dragged to the dining room.
When they reached the table, Katherine stopped.
João Pedro was coming down the stairs, having changed from his impeccable suit into casual gray cotton clothes, which made him less intimidating and dangerously more attractive. His black hair was still damp, falling messily over his forehead, a sign that he had just gotten out of the shower.
“João, hurry up!” Anastasia called. “The food will get cold.”
João pulled out his chair and sat down. His dark eyes scanned Katherine with calculated indifference.
“You haven't eaten?” he asked, his voice neutral.
“No. I haven't.” Katherine sat down across from him, her expression unreadable.
João's eyes darkened, and a glint of irony flashed across them. Liar. He had seen her devouring pasta less than an hour ago. But he didn't call her out on it; he just picked up his napkin and placed it on his lap, silently.
Anastasia, oblivious to the silent tension, served the dishes, beaming.
“Kath, I heard a worrying rumor today. Is it true that your math teacher scolded you for not handing in your assignments?”
João's fork stopped midway. He looked up, fixing his eyes on Katherine.
“It's no big deal, Ana.” Katherine took a sip of juice to buy some time.
“Oh, dear, there's no need to be ashamed.” Anastasia smiled sympathetically. "Math isn't for everyone. Everyone has their talents, and maybe numbers aren't your strong suit. Don't lose your self-confidence because of that. By the way, João! You've always been a prodigy. You skipped grades, won that gold medal at the Math Olympics... Who better than you to help? From now on, you'll be Kath's private tutor.
“Ana, seriously, I can handle this myself. I don't want to bother...” She hesitated, searching for a way to soften her refusal, and her eyes rested on the man in front of her. “...Pedro.”
Pedro.
The word sounded too intimate at that formal table.
João, who was drinking water, choked and coughed discreetly, his face turning slightly red, and quickly took another sip of water to hide his shock. No one called him that except his mother. Coming from her, it sounded... different.
“Nonsense! It's no bother at all. We all live under the same roof, we're a modern family. We should help each other, right, João?” Anastasia smiled, victorious.
She gave her son a look that clearly said, “If you refuse, I'll sell your dog.”
“In ten minutes,” João regained his cool composure, clearing his throat, and said in a hoarse voice. “Call Octavio to my office too.”
“Perfect! It's settled. Kath, go upstairs and get your books.” Anastasia clapped her hands.
Katherine's face contorted in a mixture of resignation and boredom. But the order had already been given.