Chapter 9 Annoying Man

The aroma of dinner filled the kitchen as Orion stirred the pot of soup, humming a tune that didn't match his usual laid-back vibe. I leaned against the counter, chopping carrots, stealing glances at him every now and then. His dark hair was tousled, his sharp jawline relaxed, and the faint curve of a smile tugged at his lips.

Just as I opened my mouth to tease him about his off-key humming, Janice burst into the kitchen with a dramatic groan.

"Ugh, I hate school," she declared, flopping onto the stool by the counter.

"Good evening to you too, sweetheart," I said, smirking as I dropped the carrots into a bowl. "Rough day?"

Janice rolled her eyes. "The worst. This new school? It's a joke. Everyone's so... rich. And they think they're better than me just because I'm on a scholarship."

I glanced at Orion, whose grin was already forming. "Sounds like you're fitting right in," I teased.

"Mom!" she whined, kicking her feet against the stool.

Orion set the spoon down and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "Let me guess. There's a specific someone making your life miserable?"

Janice froze, glaring at him suspiciously. "How did you know that?"

"Call it a hunch," Orion said, winking at me.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "So, who's the culprit?"

"Some boy," she grumbled, wrinkling her nose. "He's always picking on me, stealing my lunch spot, and calling me names like 'scholar girl.'"

"Ah," I said, fighting a grin. "Maybe he likes you."

Janice's face twisted into a look of pure disgust. "Ew, Mom, no! He hates me."

Orion chuckled, shaking his head. "You sure about that? Boys have a funny way of showing their feelings at that age."

Janice folded her arms, narrowing her eyes at both of us. "No way. He's mean. And annoying. He's more like... I don't know... a brother than anything else. And even that's gross."

I wiggled my eyebrows at her. "So, you're saying he feels like family?"

"Ew, stop!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "That's even worse!"

Orion laughed, shaking his head. "Lyra, you're torturing the poor girl."

I shrugged, smirking. "It's my job as her mother."

"Your job is to support me!" Janice shot back, her eyes narrowed.

"Oh, I am," I said, unable to hide my grin. "I support you and your potential crush."

"Mom!" Janice whined again, grabbing an apple from the counter and biting into it with exaggerated force.

Orion wiped his hands on a towel and leaned down to her level. "Look, kiddo, if he's really bothering you, stand up to him. Show him you're not someone to mess with."

Janice's eyes brightened slightly. "You mean, like, fight him?"

"No!" I cut in quickly. "No fighting."

Orion raised a hand to stop me. "Not physically. Just stand your ground. Show him you're tougher than he thinks."

Janice considered this, nodding slowly. "Yeah... I can do that."

"Good," Orion said, ruffling her hair. "But if he doesn't back off, you know who to call."

"Ghostbusters?" Janice quipped, her grin mischievous.

Orion clutched his chest dramatically. "Ouch. That one hurt."

I laughed, shaking my head as Janice hopped off the stool. "Dinner will be ready soon. Go wash up."

"Fine," she said, heading out of the kitchen. But before she disappeared around the corner, she turned back and stuck out her tongue at me. "And stop saying he likes me. Ew!"

"Noted," I called after her, laughing.

---

As the sound of her footsteps faded, Orion turned to me, his expression softening. "You've got a good kid there, you know?"

I smiled, leaning against the counter. "She's alright, I guess. Gets her sass from me."

"And her stubbornness," he added, smirking.

"Excuse me?" I said, pretending to be offended.

"Hey, I'm just saying," he teased, holding his hands up defensively.

I rolled my eyes, turning back to the carrots. Orion's voice broke the comfortable silence.

"Have you thought about getting back into photography?"

I paused, glancing at him over my shoulder. "Orion, we've talked about this. There's not much money in that."

"Who cares about the money?" he said, leaning closer. "You've got a gift, Lyra. The way you see the world... it's special. People would pay to see that."

I sighed, dropping the knife on the counter. "It's not that simple. It's a luxury career, and I can't afford to take risks right now. I have Janice to think about."

He stepped closer, his dark eyes serious now. "I get that. But you don't have to give up on something you love just because it's hard. You've sacrificed enough already."

I swallowed hard, his words striking a chord I wasn't ready to face.

"Besides," he added, his tone lighter, "I know someone who might be willing to help you get started."

I raised an eyebrow. "And who would that be?"

"Me," he said simply, his grin returning.

I laughed, shaking my head. "You're ridiculous."

"And yet, you're smiling," he pointed out, nudging my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes, but the smile lingered. "We'll see, Orion. We'll see."

He nodded, satisfied for now, and turned back to the soup. As I watched him, I couldn't help but feel grateful. Orion had a way of making everything seem possible, even when the world felt like it was crashing down around me.

But as much as I tried to focus on the moment, a nagging thought lingered in the back of my mind. Adrian.

No matter how hard I tried to push him out of my head, he always found a way back in. And I hated that.

****

The next morning, I dressed in something simple but presentable-a fitted black blouse and tailored trousers. Practical, professional, and safe. I pulled my hair into a low bun, letting only a few strands escape. Orion had already left for work, and I couldn't stop thinking about what he said the night before.

"You've sacrificed enough already."

His words hung in the air like a challenge, one I wasn't sure I was ready to accept.

A sleek black car pulled up outside my window right on time, as it always did. Adrian's driver was nothing if not punctual. I sighed, grabbing my bag and stepping outside.

The driver opened the door for me without a word, and I slid into the backseat, folding my hands in my lap as the car pulled away.

The morning cityscape passed by in a blur of glass and concrete, but something felt off. I glanced out the window, frowning. We weren't heading toward Adrian's company.

"Where are we going?" I asked, my tone sharper than intended.

The driver's eyes briefly flicked to me through the rearview mirror. "Mr. Sterling requested you meet him at his home today."

His home? My stomach twisted at the thought. Why would Adrian want me there? Was this part of his whole "shadowing" requirement?