Chapter 45

45 He Knows Right Away

Arthur pulled Kalea’s arm away to the room. The girl winced in pain at Arthur’s gripping and hurried footsteps. She looked back, Aluna just glanced at her with a face that was difficult to decipher.

“A-arthur, it hurts ...” Kalea grimaced, trying to free the man’s grip. However, Arthur ignored her and told Kalea to go into his room, which was next to Kalea and Aluna’s. That’s when Arthur no longer held Kalea’s arm and the girl rubbed her aching arm.

Arthur closed the door a little tight, and Kalea walked backward. She had swallowed hard saliva several times, she didn’t know what Arthur would do to her. The man with the jet black hair looked back at Kalea and walked closer until finally Kalea couldn’t go anywhere, her back had hit the wall.

“A-arthur, what’s wrong with you? You’re outraged just because I back to the hotel at eleven o’clock at night? I’m not past the clock!” Kalea said, daring to speak. She felt Arthur was exaggerating if it was because of that mistake. Kalea flinched in surprise when Arthur leaned his hand against the wall and further cornered Kalea.

“I told you to go back to the hotel at eleven at night, but you broke it,” Arthur replied, his gaze so deep and piercing. Never before had Arthur been this angry with Kalea.

“I’m sorry, we didn’t realize it was too late ...” Kalea whispered as she looked down deeply. Her hands were shaking, she didn’t want Arthur to be angry with her. She didn’t want to feel the same fear as when she faced her mother.

“You broke it, right?” Arthur asked still pressing Kalea. “Do you know I’m worried? Paris is beautiful, but the crime rate is high too. You know why I keep reminding you about this?”

Kalea didn’t answer, she bit her lip trying not to cry.

“If you’re in danger and I’m not here, how? Who will help you? Do you really want me to stick a tracking device in you?” Arthur asked, bringing his face closer to Kalea’s. The girl immediately shook her head quickly. Arthur took a deep breath and returned to his original position. Trying to regulate his emotions, this wasn’t the usual him.

.....

The man rubbed his face roughly. “Sorry, I scared you,” Arthur said. He had arrived at the hotel an hour early, and knowing that Kalea and Aluna had not yet arrived at the hotel made him panic. They didn’t even borrow cars or ask their subordinates to take them for walks. This had annoyed Arthur. However, he deliberately didn’t contact Kalea first and tried to wait for the girl in the lobby. Until finally, Kalea came at five minutes past eleven.

Kalea’s body slumped to the floor, Arthur’s pressure made her instantly weak and scared. She was still trying not to cry, Kalea hugged her own body which was still shaking. As for Arthur, he didn’t have the heart and felt even more guilty. The man squatted in front of Kalea, rubbing the girl’s shoulder with the freckles on her cheek. “Lea, I’m sorry,” Arthur said again, his voice softer.

“No, I-I’m sorry,” Kalea said, her voice very low and trembling. She gasped in surprise when Arthur picked her up and carried her to the man’s bed. Kalea still didn’t dare to look at Arthur, the image of Arthur’s sharp and cynical gaze was still etched in Kalea’s memory.

Arthur stroked Kalea’s cheek gently, tucking her hair behind her ear. “I’m just worried because I’m not by your side,” Arthur whispered. He didn’t know why his worries had become excessive for a girl who was much younger than him. “Lea, look at me.”

Kalea slowly returned Arthur’s gaze, her hand subconsciously holding the man’s arm as if asking for strength to dare to look at Arthur. Arthur chuckled amusedly, he smiled sweetly trying to make Kalea not look at him in fear. “It’s okay, I’m glad you’re okay here.” Arthur took the girl into his arms without forcing or pulling her roughly. Kalea didn’t refuse or struggle, she accepted Arthur’s embrace.

Kalea couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. Arthur’s shirt was getting wet from the girl’s tears. She was afraid, she didn’t like Arthur’s angry and serious attitude like before. Arthur stroked Kalea’s hair, letting his sugar baby cry as much as she wanted.

After an hour, Kalea asked to return to her room. She had no intention of sleeping with that man.

“You don’t miss me?” Arthur asked as Kalea started walking towards the bedroom door.

“I’m afraid Luna is looking for me,” Kalea answered casually.

“She must have understood.”

Kalea was silent for a long time, before she shook her head slowly. “I’m going to my room first,” the girl said, leaving Arthur in his room alone.

Arthur ruffles his hair in frustration. “Damn, I really scared her,” Arthur muttered, then heaved a heavy sigh.

***

The next day, things between Kalea and Arthur were still awkward. Meanwhile, Aluna tries to act as if nothing happened and she is the one who has to try to lighten the atmosphere.

“Hey, we’re not going to spend our last time in a frozen atmosphere like this, are we?” Aluna asked, starting to speak. While in the car, no one spoke.

“Hm? No, really,” Arthur said, looking relaxed. Meanwhile, Kalea is more engrossed in seeing the scenery through the side window of the car.

“Well, about yesterday Lea and I really didn’t notice if we went back to the hotel after eleven. So please don’t be so mad at her, okay? It’s not Lea’s fault, really!” Aluna said, pleading with a pitiful face. After last night, she was silent and watched Arthur press Kalea in the lobby, now Aluna has just defended her best friend.

“Oh, take it easy. The matter is over, we’re fine.” Arthur smiled faintly as he stroked the top of Kalea’s head.

“Ah ... thank goodness then.”

They spent the day eating food and watching a movie at Le Grand Rex. A cinema and concert hall in Paris. It is also known for its distinctive décor and a wide main auditorium with a dominant red and gold tone, it is also the largest cinema theater in Europe.

Arthur sat in the middle, between the two beautiful girls. They focused on the film, and Arthur began to notice something a little odd when Aluna put her arm around him. He glanced at the girl, who seemed to be busy watching. Arthur didn’t refuse or dismiss it at all, letting Aluna embrace him until the film was finished. As for Kalea, let alone doing the same thing as Aluna, the girl even folded her arms so Arthur couldn’t touch her at all.

Kalea was really still keeping her distance from Arthur.

After that, they decided to try a famous patisserie shop in the city. The shop was named Sébastien Gaudard Patissier. Kalea seemed to be looking at the cakes that were lined up beautifully and looked delicious in the window. The two girls started ordering what they wanted while Arthur seemed to be conversing with a man. Wherever Arthur stopped, the man always ran into someone he knew. They decided to sit and stare at the people passing by on the streets. The atmosphere that afternoon looked bright and orange, very beautiful.

Kalea ordered a favorite menu item, namely Le mussipontain, a dessert with the perfect combination of meringue, vanilla cream, and delicious caramel almonds. In addition, Sebàstien Gaudard, who is the patissier, also offers other menus such as mont blanc, religieuse, and choux puff. Plus chamomile tea and cafe cappuccino further complete the dish.

“Are you satisfied with the vacation?” Arthur asked, sipping his black coffee.

“It’s amazing! This isn’t the first time I’ve come here, but vacationing with Lea was really fun,” Aluna said with a big smile. “I’m very grateful for being allowed to come without paying for tickets and staying,” the girl continued.

“It’s okay I’m happy if you guys enjoy the vacation,” Arthur replied, smiling no less sweetly. “Lea? Did you enjoy it?” Arthur asked Lea, who was more silent.

“Oh ... yeah. Thank you, Arthur,” Kalea said, with only a faint smile on her pretty face. Kalea got up from her seat making Aluna and Arthur a little confused. “I wanna go to the toilet first,” she said, then left for a while, leaving Arthur and Aluna alone.

Arthur took a deep breath, it was really hard to get Kalea back to how she used to be. On the other hand, Aluna noticed the relationship between the two of them was still not really good, she put down her coffee cup. “Arthur,” the girl called.

“Hmm?”

“Sorry for Lea’s behavior, ok?. I ... I feel sorry for you for having to deal with the behavior of my friend who gets angry easily. Lea is not easy to return to normal. It took quite a long time,” Aluna said, as if she knew very well what the problem was between Kalea and Arthur.

“Oh, no problem. It’s not entirely her fault, I scared Lea too much,” Arthur said with a bitter smile.

“But actually, Arthur ... what happened at that time, why did we lose track of time, it was because ...” Aluna hung her words.

Arthur raised an eyebrow, slightly curious. “Because of what?”

“Lea was busy talking with the chef at a restaurant close to the Louvre museum. We had decided to eat there, and suddenly this handsome chef came to our table,” Aluna continued with a guilty face and looked sad. “The chef’s gaze was completely different and seemed to be interested in Lea. They were even too engrossed in talking to each other that it was as if I wasn’t one of them. Could it be that Kalea is also interested in that guy?” Aluna asked as if she wanted to make Arthur jealous.

“What restaurant and who is the chef?” Arthur asked, his face and tone so even.

“Uh ... I’m afraid to say that. Oh, and one more! That handsome chef said if we come there again, he will make a secret menu that is very delicious!” Aluna said excitedly. She noticed the change in Arthur’s expression. “Is that also the reason why Kalea has been keeping quiet today? Does she keep thinking about the chef, doesn’t she ...” the girl continued with the burgundy hair, looking worried.

Arthur tapped his fingers on the table. A thin grin appeared on his handsome face. “I don’t know, but maybe?”

“You’re not jealous?”

“Hmm?” Arthur just smiled without answering clearly.

However, he was able to conclude something.