SWNOVELS Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Wayne’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of crimson. For reasons he couldn’t fathom, receiving such encouragement from a woman stirred an inexplicable sense of embarrassment in him.
But that wasn’t the main issue. Who exactly was this woman? And how did she know them?
“Rowan!”
Before Wayne could get any clarity, a flurry of urgent footsteps approached, and the kitchen’s curtain was flung open with force. Karla glanced up to find Teddy barging in, looking all flustered.
“Huh? What brings you here?” Teddy had come in search of Rowan, and was surprised to find Karla working there.
Karla, balancing a stack of dirty dishes, didn’t even lift her head as she shot back, “I’m helping out with some shifts here. Got a problem with that?”
“No, no problem at all.” Teddy wouldn’t dare object. He was simply caught off guard.
Wayne knew Teddy and, realizing that this woman seemed to know him and Rowan, hurriedly inquired, “Teddy, she is…?”
“Her name’s Karla. She’s Rowan’s…” Teddy hesitated, then Karla took over with a mischievous grin, “sister.”
It suddenly clicked for Wayne. That’s why she knew them. Without a trace of doubt, Wayne took her word for it.
Karla then turned to Teddy, “Why are you so eager to find Rowan? Something happened?”
“It’s not important now. It’s good that Rowan isn’t here.” Teddy said, making to leave, but Karla stopped him, “Hold on.”
“What else is it?”
Karla placed the last of the dishes on the counter and closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. She faced Teddy with a stern look. “Clarify what’s going on before you go.”
Around ten that night, Rowan biked over to pick up Karla from the diner. As he parked his bike, he saw Karla emerge with a playful smile on her face.
Tired?” he asked.
“Not at all, it was a breeze,” Karla replied with ease.
“That’s good to hear.” A rare smile curved Rowan’s lips. He had intended to step inside and greet the owner, but Karla had already hopped onto the back seat, urging him, “What are you waiting for? Let’s head home.”
“Alright.” Taking her cue, Rowan set off.
Karla swung her legs gently from the back seat, enjoying the scenery as Rowan cycled at a leisurely pace. Humming a tune, she felt tonight’s breeze was softer than usual.
Rowan had been keeping an eye on her all along, and under her influence, his mood lightened up as well. “What’s got you in such a good mood?”
“Did you help Wayne get the job at the diner?” Karla asked, as if it was just small talk.
Rowan wasn’t surprised that Karla knew about Wayne’s gig at the diner. “Just a casual referral,” he said nonchalantly.
“Really? Because I chatted with the boss, and he mentioned you pleaded with him for days?”
Screech-
Rowan slammed on the brakes. Karla, caught off balance, clutched at his shirt to steady herself, but her head still bumped into his back. That kid had some solid bones.
Rowan turned to her, “You told him?”
“Don’t worry. I know you’ve got your pride. I kept it to myself,” Karla teased.
Rowan dismissed it lightly, “It was just a favor.”
Once, Wayne had carried Rowan all the way to the hospital in the dead of night, arriving breathless and drenched in sweat to pay his medical bills. Rowan wouldn’t forget that.
But favors, it seemed, were an endless cycle of give and take.
Karla hadn’t expected such a bond between them. She considered probing about that night’s incident but decided the topic was too heavy and instead cracked a joke.
“He’s been so good to you. It’s only right that you repay him by offering yourself in gratitude, don’t you think?” She teased, but Rowan suddenly fell silent, the atmosphere freezing over.
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