Darren's Aston Martin One-77 purred to a stop in the long, winding driveway of his mansion in Greenbaby.
The house stood in its usual quiet opulence that early afternoon. A large fountain in the front courtyard bubbled gently, the water shimmering under the golden glow of the sunlight.
The gravel under his tires crunched softly, and as he cut the engine, silence reclaimed the day.
Stepping out, he adjusted his suit jacket, running a hand through his neatly styled hair before making his way inside.
The moment he opened the door and entered, his eyes landed on Kara, comfortably seated on the massive L-shaped couch in the living room, her fingers flying across the keyboard of her laptop.
The screen's bluish glow illuminated her sharp, focused expression, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration.
She sat there comfortably and at ease, legs lazily draped over the armrest, her posture utterly at home as if she'd been living here for years.
She was dressed casually — a loose gray sweatshirt, slightly oversized, hanging off one shoulder, showing a large amount of cleavage beneath her tight sleeveless, and black shorts that barely peeked out beneath the hem.
Her vivid red hair, always somewhat messy, was tied into a lazy bun, though strands still rebelliously fell around her face. Her bare feet tapped absentmindedly against the couch as she typed.
Darren tossed his keys onto the side table, the light clink breaking the silence.
"Are you always on that stuff?" he asked dryly, slipping off his coat.
Kara barely glanced up, pausing only to stretch her fingers before resuming her rapid typing. "Some of us have work to do, Mr. Duckling."
"I see. Work."
Kars suddenly stopped. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as she thought of something.
"…Wait." She looked up, her keen eyes narrowing slightly. "What was that noise before you came in?"
Darren hung his coat neatly on the dark wooden hanger by the entrance, saying nothing to her.
Kara's frown deepened as she tilted her head. "Didn't sound like an ordinary taxi." Her sharp gaze locked onto him. "You didn't use a taxi today, huh?"
Then she noticed the way he was acting, that look on his face.
Her eyes widened. "…No way."
Darren looked at her for a moment but still said nothing, only stepping past her toward the water dispenser. He pressed the button on the machine, filling a glass with crisp, cool water.
Kara stared at him, wondering if her speculation was right. "No effing way. I'm gonna take a look."
She hurried to the door and flung it open. The moment she did, she gasped audibly at the sight parked just beside the fountain.
She saw the car. The Aston Martin One-77.
The sun was glowing on its sleek, sculpted frame. The car's low, aggressive stance, the way the curves flowed seamlessly into sharp aerodynamic edges.
Gosh, it was nothing short of automotive perfection.
Kara practically tripped over herself as she scurried outside, eyes wide, lips parted in sheer disbelief.
"No. Fucking. Way."
She spun around to face the house, speaking to Darren who was still inside, calmly sipping his water.
"Mr. Duckling, ARE YOU INSANE?!" she shrieked, flailing an arm toward the car. "This... THIS IS AN ASTON MARTIN ONE-77! There are literally only seventy-seven of these things IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!"
She turned back to the car, her breath almost hitching in admiration. "What the fuck! How rich are you, really? Come on, tell me! Because... Fuck! This isn't just any car, this is like the automotive equivalent of Michelangelo sculpting David while high on divine inspiration."
Kara ran her fingers along the pristine body, her face contorted in pure ecstasy.
"Sweet mother of torque, look at this thing," she whispered, crouching down to admire the massive carbon-ceramic brakes. "Even the damn rims look like they belong in an art museum."
Darren sighed from inside. "Get back in here, Kara."
"NO. I'M MOVING INTO THE CAR NOW. This house? Useless. That couch? Trash. This car? My new home."
"Kara."
She huffed, but eventually scurried back inside, grinning like an absolute idiot.
"You seem to be into cars," Darren said, looking at her once she got in.
"What can I say? I'm a lady. Ladies love cars."
As she flopped onto the couch again, Darren pulled something from his jacket pocket — a thick stack of crisp bills.
He held it out toward her.
"Go to the boutique tomorrow and buy yourself some nice clothes. A fancy dress as well." His tone was matter-of-fact, but firm. "We're going out in two days. The Red Fang loan repayment."
Kara stared at the cash.
She didn't move for a moment. Just… looked at it.
Then, before Darren could react, she stepped forward and wrapped both arms around him in a hug.
What was surprising was that this wasn't her usual playful, sarcastic hug. Not one of her usual over-the-top antics. Or a seduction tactic.
It was a real, quiet hug.
Darren froze for a second. He looked down at her, her face pressed lightly against his chest, her breathing steady, warm.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked.
She just held onto him. Longer than expected.
Her voice was muffled against his suit. "Thank you, okay?"
She pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "It's kinda funny, but… you're the only person who's ever done something nice for me."
For the first time, Darren really looked at her.
He noticed how very crimson and beautiful her eyes were. Though not as crimson as her hair, framing her delicate features, and for a brief second, something flickered in his chest.
But he pushed it down.
He straightened his posture. "It's fine."
Shaking off whatever lingered, he cleared his throat. "Hey. By the way, have you been here all day? Did you even eat?"
Kara shrugged. "I ate some apples from the fridge. Gladys wouldn't cook anything."
A pause.
Nearby, the elderly housekeeper, who had been vacuuming the hall, suddenly stopped. She turned and looked at them.
They were all silent.
Kara looked at Gladys and then at Darren. "What?"
Darren exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Kara… Gladys is a housekeeper. Not a maid. She doesn't cook for me, or for you."
Kara's eyes widened slightly. "Oh."
She immediately turned to Gladys. "I'm really sorry for assuming that."
The old woman simply gave a nod. "It's fine."
Darren gestured toward the cash still in Kara's hands. "I'm sure you can get yourself something to eat with that too." Then, in a firmer voice, he said, "Be back quick. We need to go over the plan tonight and practice tomorrow."
Kara nodded. "Okay."
Giving her one final look, Darren closed his eyes then turned and walked down the hallway, disappearing into his room.
Left alone, Kara turned toward Gladys.
Checking if Darren was fully out of sight, she stuck out her tongue at the old woman.
Gladys simply squinted, then made a face back at her.
Kara grimaced. Then, just to be extra, she pulled down one eyelid and wiggled her fingers near her face.
Gladys pointed a finger at her in mock warning.
Kara retaliated by fanning the cash in her hands, flipping her red hair over her shoulder, and prancing away sassily.
Gladys sighed. "Lord help that girl."