CHAPTER 22: THE CONDITION

"Imma leave before this shitface gets under my skin," Xavier grouched before leaving the kitchen.

And now I'm left alone with Garren. Great.

The silence hovering between us is putting me on pins and needles. Nothing can be heard but the clatter of the dishes I'm washing and the whistle of the wind.

From my peripheral vision, I saw him getting a can of beer from the fridge. I thought he'd leave after that, but I was wrong. He leaned against the countertop and looked directly at me.

I swallowed a lump. I feel like he's already piercing holes in my back.

"Cleo-"

"I'm not flirting with your brother," I cut him off. "It's never my intention to get close to him and milk money from him like what you're thinking, sir."

I put the last plate on the drainer and dried my hands.

"I may have grown up in a poor family, but that doesn't mean I'm a parasite."

He didn't speak nor take off his eyes of me. This man doesn't realize how much he's making me restless.

"Goodnight, sir,"