Her Rebirth.

Amelia took a deep breath before pushing the door open. She heard the faint clang in the kitchen, signifying Kai was home. She wanted to run away to her room and hide there, but she couldn’t because, as soon as she entered, Poppy, who was with Kai in the kitchen, curled up on the counter beside him, stretched lazily before turning toward her and mewed.

She stiffened before forcing out a smile. "Hello, Poppy."

Kai turned at the sound of her voice, his sharp gaze locking onto her. A warm smile spread across his face.

"Poppy, Mummy’s back," he murmured, scooping up the cat and making his way toward her.

As he got closer, Amelia instinctively took a step back.

Kai halted, displeasure welling up in his heart.

Was she afraid of him? She had been acting strangely, after all.

However, he hid it as quickly as it came.

Instead, he pressed Poppy closer to her, the soft fur brushing against her arm.

"Aren’t you going to pet Poppy?"

Amelia swallowed, her eyes flickering from the fluffy cat to the man holding her. Kai’s grip was loose and almost careless, but she knew that the moment she moved, the moment she reached out, he would close the distance between them.

And that was dangerous. For her and her heart.

"I—"

Before she could think of an excuse, Kai took a step forward, erasing the space she had created.

Kai tilted his head, amusement filling his eyes. "What’s wrong? You like Poppy, don’t you?"

You. She wanted to scream. It’s not Poppy I’m afraid of. It’s you.

Amelia let out a long breath and finally lifted a hand, but the moment her fingers brushed Poppy’s fur, Kai shifted, just slightly, but it was enough. Enough that her knuckles grazed against the front of his shirt, causing her to feel his well-perked chest.

Damn it.

The scent of his cologne flooded her senses. Her breath hitched, and she froze.

"You’re acting strange, Amelia." His voice became low, husky, and velvety, sending shivers down her spine. "Are you avoiding me?"

She yanked her hand back as if burned. "I-I’m not," she stammered, stepping away.

Kai chuckled. It was low and deep.

"No?" he murmured, stepping forward.

Amelia instinctively backed up, only to find her spine pressing against the wall.

Shit.

Kai loomed over her now, one arm still holding Poppy, the other lifting just beside her head, his fingers lazily grazing the wall.

A teasing smile played at his lips as his gaze dropped to her parting lips before meeting hers again.

Her entire body tensed.

Kai leaned in slightly, causing her to feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. Amelia could feel her cheeks heating up.

"It’s okay," he murmured. "If you’re acting strange because of that night, I understand."

Her stomach dropped.

"I-I don’t know what you’re talking about," she forced out.

Kai’s lips tilted into a teasing smile, quite amused by her reactions. He raised his free hand and lightly grazed a strand of her hair with his fingers before tucking it behind her ear.

"I suppose it can’t be helped," he mused softly.

Amelia struggled to find her voice, to push past the tension that crackled in the air. "Can’t be helped... what?"

Kai leaned in closer, their lips almost touching. Amelia tensed, and she began to panic.

Don’t tell me he’s going to kiss me.

Well, the obvious lust in his eyes showed that he was going to kiss her.

Amelia closed her eyes. Whether it was in fear or in hopes that he actually did kiss her, she did not know.

Kai’s pupils dilated slightly as he took in the way her lashes trembled, her cheeks a faint pink.

She was like a little bird caught in his hands.

The urge was there. To keep her like this. To watch her squirm. To see how much closer she could be pushed before she finally broke.

His gaze lingered on the curve of her neck, the rapid rise and fall of her chest. His free hand, the one not occupied with Poppy, twitched at his side.

She looked... expectant.

The realization was a spark to something deeper, darker. He wanted to kiss her. No, he wanted more than that. He wanted to keep her like this forever. Maybe lock her away where no one else could see this side of her. Where she would only react to him.

Kai’s fingers twitched.

Would she shatter if he caged her? Or would she eventually come to love him and be dependent on only him?

His lips parted, ready to press down—

But then he stopped and smiled mischievously.

And instead of a kiss, he simply stood there, waiting.

Seconds passed. Amelia peeked with one eye, her brows knitting in confusion, wondering why nothing had yet to happen, only to see Kai stifling a laugh.

Amelia could feel her face burn.

"You... You—"

Kai let out a short laugh. "What did I do?" he asked innocently. "Or rather... what were you expecting me to do?"

Amelia felt embarrassed, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her, but it didn’t.

What had she been expecting?

Kai decided not to tease her further ,at least, not yet. Instead, he sighed dramatically.

"Well, it will be quite sad that I’ll be celebrating my birthday alone."

Amelia blinked, her brain struggling to process the sudden shift in conversation. "Your... birthday?"

Then, with a smile that made her stomach twist, he asked, "Do you want to celebrate it with me?"

Amelia scoffed, quickly looking away. "Who would want to celebrate your birthday?" she muttered, pushing past him.

She needed to leave. Immediately.

Her mind was still reeling as she walked toward her room, her skin too hot, her pulse too loud.

But just as she reached her door, his voice called out one last time.

"It’s next Friday."

She froze for half a second.

Kai chuckled behind her. "Just in case you were wondering."

Amelia slammed the door shut.

Kai let out another soft laugh, stroking Poppy’s fur.

"She’s really easy to tease," he murmured. Then, lowering his voice, he added, "I think I should be doing this more often. Don’t you think so, Poppy?"

The feline purred, unaware of what his master had just said.

Kai tilted his head, watching the closed door with amusement.

"I’m going to take that as a yes."