Chapter 31 Hottie Mr. Tattoo
KARA’S POV
My last day of leave doesn’t feel like an ending, it feels like a quiet celebration. Dad wakes up in a good mood that morning, humming as he buttons his shirt as his movements are steadier now and stronger than they were days ago. His color is back, not fully, but enough that it makes my chest loosen with relief.
“Why are you smiling like that?” I ask as I help him adjust his cap.
“Because,” he says proudly, “we’re going swimming.”
I pause. “Swimming?”
“With everyone,” he adds, grinning. “House staffs too because it’s been a long time since we all did something together.”
I search his face, worried. “Dad, are you sure? You don’t have to—”
“I’m sure,” he cuts in gently. “I feel good, Karaella and stronger. And I want to feel normal again.”
That’s all it takes.
“Okay,” I say softly. “But you listen to me if you feel tired. One word and we stop.”
He chuckles. “Yes, boss.”
The pool area is filled with laughter even before we get there. Manang Milda is already fussing over towels, one of the helpers testing the water with her toes, and another setting food on the table like it’s a small feast. Dad sits down first, taking it all in as his are eyes shining.
“You look happy,” I tell him quietly.
“I am,” he replies. “It’s been a while since I felt this alive.”
Seeing him like this, relaxed and surrounded by people who care about him, makes my throat tighten. This is proof, proof that he’s healing, that he’s coming back to me little by little.
Then he clears his throat.
“Oh,” he says casually, like he’s talking about the weather. “I invited someone.”
I frown. “Who?”
Before he can answer, a familiar voice cuts through the air.
“Sorry, are we late?”
I turn. Finnian Matthew Stewheinz is standing a few steps away, sunglasses pushed up on his head, one hand tucked into his pocket like he owns the place without trying. Ma’am Arroi is beside him, smiling warmly, and behind them are Sancha and Louisse, already chatting excitedly. My heart stumbles.
“You invited him?” I whisper to my dad.
He smiles innocently. “He’s practically family now. He saved my life.”
I open my mouth to protest, but Finnian is already walking closer.
“Good morning,” he says, his gaze landing on me and lingering just a second too long. “I hope it’s okay that we came.”
“You’re more than welcome,” Dad says before I can respond. “Thank you for coming.”
Finnian nods respectfully. “I wouldn’t miss this.”
Aaron isn’t with them, and Sancha explains gently, “He had a company activity today.”
I nod. “I promised him I’d send a cake. The one he likes.”
Her eyes light up. “You baked again?”
“I did,” I smile. “I’ll send it later.”
Then I realize something far more dangerous than embarrassment.
Finnian’s shirt.
It’s thin, too thin. Clinging to a body that should honestly be illegal. Tattoos peek through everywhere, bold and intricate along his neck, down his arms, and disappearing beneath the fabric like secrets meant to be discovered. Even standing still, he looks unfairly handsome and effortlessly confident.
And me?
I’m wearing a sheer cover-up, almost transparent under the sun, with my two-piece clearly visible underneath. This was supposed to be for later, when it’s darker, when I wouldn’t feel so exposed.
Dad notices my stiff posture and follows my gaze then he laughs.
“So that’s why you invited him,” I mutter.
He leans closer. “I like him.”
“Dad—”
“He looks at you like you’re precious,” he continues softly. “That’s not something I ignore.”
My face burns. Finnian meets my eyes from across the pool, a slow smile spreading on his lips like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. He starts walking toward us, water glinting behind him, sunlight catching every tattoo, and every sharp line.
“You look… comfortable,” he says, voice low enough that only I can hear.
I cross my arms instinctively. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
“Your dad invited me,” he replies calmly. “I couldn’t say no.”
Dad claps a hand on Finnian’s shoulder. “Go on, enjoy the water. You too, Kara.”
I hesitate, then slowly step toward the pool. The water is cool, refreshing, and Dad wades in carefully, laughing when Manang Milda splashes him lightly.
“Hey!” he protests. “Easy!”
“You’re allowed to have fun now,” she tells him firmly.
For a while, everything is light. Laughter echoes, water splashes, and for once, no one talks about sickness or fear. Dad sits at the edge, feet in the water, and smiling like he’s memorizing this moment. I glance at him and think, This is it, this is happiness. Then Finnian swims closer, stopping just a few inches away.
“You look at peace,” he says quietly.
“I am,” I admit. “Because of daddy.”
He doesn’t respond right away, just watches my dad laugh with the others as his expression softening.
“I’m glad I could help,” he finally says.
I look at him then, really look at him, and realize something terrifying and beautiful at the same time. This week didn’t just heal my father, it changed me too.
Night settles gently around the pool, the air cooler now, and the lights underwater glowing like soft stars. Laughter carries differently at night, quieter, warmer, as if everyone is speaking from a place of ease instead of excitement. I stand a little apart as fingers hooked at the edge of my coverall.
“Are you swimming or just guarding the water?” Sancha calls out, laughing.
Louisse grins. “She’s shy now. Earlier she was fine.”
“I was not,” I protest weakly, but my cheeks are already warm.
Dad looks over from where he’s sitting, towel draped over his shoulders.
"Karaella,” he says teasingly, “you didn’t come all this way just to watch.”
I hesitate for a second longer, then breathe out and slip the coverall off, folding it over the chair.
The reaction is immediate.
“Wow,” Louisse blurts out. “Okay, Kara.”
Sancha whistles. “Where were you hiding all that?”
Manang Milda laughs, clapping her hands. “Ay, our Kara is beautiful!”
I wrap my arms around myself instinctively, half embarrassed, half laughing. "You’re all exaggerating.”
“We are not,” Dad says firmly, pride unmistakable in his voice. “My daughter is lovely.”
That’s when I feel it. I look up and meet Finnian’s gaze.
He’s gone completely still in the water, eyes fixed on me with an intensity that makes my breath catch. He isn’t smiling, he isn’t teasing, and he’s just… looking, like he’s afraid to blink and like he’s taking in every detail with quiet reverence.
The noise around us fades. For a moment, it feels like I’m the only thing he sees.
“You’re staring,” I say softly, trying to sound normal.
He finally exhales, slow and controlled. “I know.”
That shouldn’t sound the way it does, but it does.
“You look,” he pauses, choosing his words carefully, “like a work of art someone forgot to frame.”
My heart stumbles.
“Finnian,” I warn, though there’s no real protest in my voice.
He smiles then, small and sincere. “I mean it.”
“Get a room,” Sancha yells from the other side, laughing.
Finnian doesn’t look away from me as he replies, “Relax, I’m just appreciating.”
Dad chuckles knowingly, shaking his head. “At least someone has good taste.”
I step into the pool, the water wrapping around me, cooling my skin but doing nothing to calm the heat in my chest. Finnian moves closer, careful, and unhurried, like he doesn’t want to spook the moment.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
I nod. “Yeah. Just… not used to being seen like that.”
“Well,” he says, voice low, “you deserve to be.”
The lights ripple across the water, laughter continues around us, and Dad watches from the side, content and alive. I float there, suspended between embarrassment and something dangerously close to confidence. For the first time in a long while, I don’t hide.