The rest of kira's stay in Medina city went by in a blur. Tesah became less controlling over Kira's work, mainly because his schedule kept him too busy to micromanage her. She handled her tasks efficiently, giving him no reason to complain.
Their nights, however, were another story. They didn't discuss what was happening between them, it was unspoken yet undeniable. Every evening, they ended up in each other's arms, sharing passionate moments that left her breathless. But once it was over, Kira would always return to her own room, and Tesah never asked her to stay. His aloof demeanor during the day left no doubt about the casual nature of their arrangement.
Yet, there were small gestures that hinted at something more. A doughnut waiting for her during meetings, a plate full of food at lunchtime, or scenic routes back to the hotel that allowed her to see more of the Medina city. She suspected these thoughtful touches were Tesah's doing, but she didn't know how to react to them.
On her final day in Medina city, the zoning issue was resolved, and everyone was in high spirits. Ms. Marita, was positively glowing with happiness, suggested they celebrate.
"Tonight, we'll have an outstanding night to commemorate this success," she announced, her tone bright. "It's a formal event with speeches, followed by plenty of drinks and after-parties."
Her gaze lingered on Tesah, her interest clear. Kira looked away, pretending not to notice Tesah's faint smile in return. She reminded herself that she had no reason to be jealous. Tesah Clover meant nothing to her, he was just a fleeting distraction.
That evening, as Kira prepared to stay behind in the hotel, Tesah frowned. "You're not skipping this. You know it would be rude," he said sharply.
Kira sighed and glanced at her reflection. Her outfit, was a dull blazer, blouse, and skirt, it felt stifling to her. She missed her usual comfortable, bohemian style. But for now, this pigeon-gray suit would have to do.
Because the party was a formal work event, everyone was dressed in business attire. Tesah looked as striking as ever in a three-piece, navy-blue, tailored suit, complete with a white shirt and a red tie. Even his shoes, polished to perfection, screamed luxury. In contrast, Kira felt underwhelming in her department-store knockoff gray pencil skirt, matching blazer, and simple pink blouse. Her sensible black pumps, though practical, didn't help her confidence either.
"Time to go," Tesah said curtly as he gestured for her to follow him out of the suite. Kira trailed behind, forcing herself to feel some excitement for the event. At least it was a change of scenery from endless conference rooms.
"I hope the food is worth it," she muttered as they stood in the elevator. Tesah stood beside her, exuding his usual calm authority. His hands were clasped in front of him, and his stance was wide, like a soldier prepared for action. He gave no verbal response, only a faint grunt.
Kira glanced at him sideways and decided to let the silence speak for itself. She kept her thoughts to herself until they got into the car, where the driver greeted them warmly. His bright energy was a welcome relief from Tesah's distant mood, and Kira quickly resumed the lively conversation about Medina pop culture she had been having with their driver earlier.
"My girlfriend is obsessed with photos," Ryan said, laughing as he described the specialized photo booths that printed tiny, airbrushed pictures. "She has a collection of hundreds."
"Do you have any of those pictures with you?" Kira asked, curious.
"Only with Mia," he said, referring to his girlfriend. He flipped down the sun visor and retrieved a few photos, handing them to Kira. She admired the colorful, vibrant snapshots of Ryan and a pretty young woman.
"These are adorable!" Kira exclaimed. She turned to share them with Tesah, only to find him staring silently out the window, his jaw tight as he avoided the interaction between the two people in his car. Her smile faded slightly, but she returned the photos to Ryan with a polite compliment.
"They're lovely! Mia is beautiful. How long have you two been together?"
"Two years," he said proudly. "She's studying to be a teacher."
"That's wonderful! What will she teach?"
After a pause, he explained, "She will teach literature ."
"Like Geography?" Kira asked, trying to understand.
Tesah broke his silence with a sharp sigh. "He means languages ," he said flatly.
"Oh," Kira murmured, feeling silly for not realizing sooner. She quickly apologized, and Ryan waved it off with a sheepish smile.
"My English is bad," Ryan said modestly.
"Your English is great!" Kira insisted, but Ryan shook his head, deflecting the praise.
"Let it go," Tesah said softly. "It's cultural. Just leave it."
Kira reluctantly changed the subject, asking Ryan about the Medina Sky Tree. He eagerly launched into an enthusiastic explanation, and by the time they arrived at their destination, Kira had learned everything from its height to its construction timeline.
When they entered the restaurant, Ms. Whites greeted them and led them to an elegant traditional Medina room. The floor was covered in straw tatami mats, and the space was minimalist, with doors and a low table in the center. Cushions, known as zabuton, were placed around the table in lieu of chairs.
Kira couldn't help but admire the serene simplicity of the setting, though she wondered how comfortable the evening would be without proper seating.