Bedmates Soulmates
CHAPTER 263

'Where's your car?' Kira asked Austyn.

She was amused by the sight of the man hunched awkwardly in the cramped space of the taxi.

There wasn't enough room for his long legs.

The Hummer was a behemoth, in contrast.

Austyn huffed. 'I had to abandon it on the roadside when a certain someone refused to let go of my arm. I couldn't drive, so I had to get a ride from Damian.'

Kira winced, embarrassed by the memory of last night.

She wasn't herself whenever there was a thunderstorm.

She must have been quite a mess.

The sight of Austyn had been such a relief.

All she remembered was clinging to him like glue to paper.

"You can stop here,' she said when the taxi was four blocks away from the office building.

Austyn followed her out of the car with a dark look on his face.

Her eyes darted around like she was a thief on the lookout for cops.

'You should go ahead. I'll wait for two minutes."

'Are you afraid to be seen with me?' Austyn asked, annoyed.

'We went over this the last time,' Kira said, hiding herself behind a lamppost like an amateur spy. 'I don't want to be drowned by gossip, and I don't want my picture on the front page of Stamford Daily. So, please, can you go first?' Austyn stared at her fixedly for a few seconds.

When it was apparent that she would not come out from behind the lamppost till he was gone, he spun on his heel and left.

Kira kept an eye out for familiar faces.

When she didn't see any, she started jogging.

Lexi was there in the office ahead of her. 'Kira! How are you feeling?'

'I'm, uh, fine, thank you.'

'It's so nice to see you back on your feet,' Lexi said. 'Paul told us you were hospitalised. What

happened? We were so worried."

'Er...' Kira didn't know what to say.

She wondered what fake illness Paul invented for her.

'It was nothing, really. Just a misdiagnosis. I'm fine now.

Her nasal voice and her pale face convinced Lexi that she had really been out sick.

More colleagues arrived at the office and gathered around her, showing concern, gossiping.

Kira thanked them, feeling guilty.

Mariana called her to the office.

Her supervisor's attitude had gone an about-turn.

Instead of hauling Kira over the coals, she asked how Kira was doing.

Then she tried to fish for information on Kira's relationship with Paul.

The

manager had come into Mariana's office first thing in the morning and asked for leave on behalf of the intern.

It made Mariana curious.

Kira had to improvise.

She said she ran into Paul at the hospital when she was there for a check-up.

The kind-hearted manager offered to apply for leave for her.

Mariana didn't look convinced, but she knew she wasn't going to get anything more out of

Kira.

So she just gave the intern some platitude about work-life balance and asked her not to overtax herself.

Kira thanked Mariana and left.

As soon as she got back to her cubicle, Lexi rolled her chair over. 'Ljust got a call from Revency. They want us to go over there this afternoon to discuss the brand ambassadorship deal. Says they want a status update. Kira was reluctant to go.

Revency was owned by Liam.

She'd promised Austyn not to have any further contact with the man.

'I don't think I'm feeling so well. Kira touched a hand to her forehead. 'Is it okay if you go with Vanessa this time? I'll give her my notes on the deal.'

Two ka

'Aw.' Lexi was crestfallen. 'I was really hoping you could come with me. After all..."

isper

She leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, 'You know their boss. That's going to make things so much easier for us.'

Kira mumbled, 'I don't really know Mr Cane that well. We're barely acquaintances."

Lexi just smiled.

Kira clammed up.

She knew Lexi already formed her own opinion about the relationship between her and Liam.

*****

The Emerald House.

A woman in a white sheath dress came out of the kitchen bearing a tray.

She'd spent almost an hour preparing breakfast.

Martin came out of his room.

'Good morning, Martin,' she said with a bright smile.

'Morning, Miss... Miss Kira, Gideon's assistant said awkwardly.

Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!

You're No

My Kira

'Is Young Master up?' she asked.

Martin looked towards the second floor. 'I'm not sure. We can go up and check."

He gestured towards the stairs. 'Can I give you a hand with the tray?"

'No, it's fine, thanks."

Martin let her go up first.

Ever since Martin learned about the existence of Kira Hewitt, he had felt comfortable calling this woman Miss Kira.

But he had addressed her by that name for years and didn't know what else to call her.

'Please give me a moment,' he said when they were outside Gideon's bedroom. 'I'll go in and

have a look'

She inclined her head and smiled pleasantly.

Her face was almost a carbon copy of Kira Hewitt's.

Martin hurriedly looked away.

He knocked on the door twice before pushing it open and going inside.

The room was dark and stank of alcohol.

Martin walked over to the windows and pulled aside the curtains.

Golden sunlight flooded into the room, shining on the sleeping man's face.

Gideon growled, 'Close it!'

He was lying on the sofa with one arm draped over his forehead.

Martin pulled the curtains closer but left a chink

'Young Master, the rain has stopped. The weather's looking good today. Do you want to-

'Shut up!' Gideon hurled a throw pillow at Martin. 'Get out!'

Martin sighed and left the room quietly.

'What's wrong?' the woman asked when she saw Martin come out, looking dejected.

'Young Master had one glass too many last night. He's hungover now. I don't think he wants to be disturbed."

The woman caught on immediately.

You're Not My Hira

34

Gideon would never drink himself into oblivion unless he was deeply agitated.

Mostly over events involving that woman.

"He found her, didn't he?'

Martin looked away. I'm not sure.'

The woman lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Martin held back another sigh.

'Young Master is planning to stay in Stamford for a while. I haven't had the chance to tell him you're here."

'I understand. I'll go get some aspirin for him. I'll talk to him when he's in a better mood.'

"The medicine cabinet's downstairs. I'll show you.'

"Thanks."

Gideon lay on his back on the sofa with one knee drawn up.

He had a dream last night..

He'd dreamed of Kira, his Kira.

It wasn't the same dream as what he always had in the past four years.

This time, she was crying.

She looked at him with tears in her eyes.

She demanded to know why he abandoned her.

Gideon couldn't bear to see her cry.

He held her in his

arms.

'Kira...Don't cry... Please..."

He kissed her, tasting the bitter tears.

She didn't push him away like she always did in the past.

Instead, she reached out and hugged him.

Gideon's heart swelled.

He laid her down on a bed.

She kissed him back.

Gideon grew excited.

Young Nat My