Chapter [5]: Whispers of Los Alamos

Kayla paced back and forth, stuffing her luggage into oversized suitcases while Mr. Jamal, her ever-loyal cat, lay sprawled on the bed, observing her with a bored expression. His green eyes followed her movements lazily, as if silently judging her for over-packing.

"After packing up half my wardrobe, I still feel like I've forgotten something," she muttered. "This is ridiculous."

Jamal responded with a half-hearted meow, clearly unimpressed.

Finally satisfied, she took a shower, slipping into a comfortable silk nightgown, and crawled into bed. "Good night, Jamal," she murmured sleepily.

Meow. Good night, my young mistress.

---

For the first time in weeks, Kayla woke up feeling refreshed. The morning sun streamed through the curtains, filling her room with golden light. She stretched like a cat herself and headed straight to the bathroom for a long, invigorating shower.

By the time she was done, she felt ready to conquer the world—or at least survive the first leg of her new journey. She slipped into a classy milk-colored cheongsam that hugged her pear-shaped figure perfectly. It accentuated her curves and lent her an air of elegance. Her ginger-red hair was a challenge, but she eventually managed to twist it into a messy bun that only added to her charm.

With her bags packed and her hair in place, she moved her luggage to the garage where her car waited.

"Ten suitcases later," she sighed, tossing the last one into the trunk. "Finally, I'm ready."

She glanced at the house one last time. "Goodbye, home. New life at Los Alamos, here I come."

---

The drive to Los Alamos was long, but the changing scenery kept her entertained. When she finally arrived at the outskirts, she was greeted by an unexpected sight. The area was lush with trees, and the air was crisp and refreshing. It felt like stepping into a forgotten paradise.

"This is... different," she mused, her eyes taking in the quaint beauty of the surroundings.

She pulled up in front of a modest cabin. It was a far cry from the luxurious mansion she had imagined. Her brows knitted in disappointment.

"This can't be right," she muttered, checking the address again.

The sound of car horns jolted her from her thoughts. Turning toward the noise, she spotted a pair of legs sticking out from beneath a rusted old car.

"Hello? Can someone hear me?" she called out, her voice echoing in the quiet.

A moment later, a figure emerged from under the car.

Her breath caught.

The man before her was tall and broad-shouldered, his body covered in tattoos that seemed to tell a story. A viper curled around his chest, its head resting over his heart, while a bird spread its wings across his muscular arms. Despite the grease smudging his skin, his face was strikingly handsome, with chiseled features that could rival a Greek god.

"Can I help you?" His voice was rough, a deep baritone that matched his rugged appearance.

Kayla blinked, momentarily forgetting how to speak.

Get it together, Kayla. You're embarrassing yourself.

"Uh... I'm looking for Kaiden Scott," she finally managed.

The man folded his arms across his chest, muscles rippling under his skin. "No."

"No? What do you mean, no?"

"I mean exactly what I said. No."

Kayla's irritation flared. She placed her hands on her hips, glaring at him. "Look, I'm not in the mood for games. I need to see Kaiden Scott, and you're going to help me."

He smirked, his expression unreadable. "Princess, I'm busy. Go bother someone else."

"Princess? Excuse me, but I don't think you understand who you're talking to."

"For the love of—" He sighed, cutting her off. "I don't have time for this."

He ducked back under the car, effectively dismissing her.

Kayla fumed. "For the love of God, can you come out from under that thing and talk to me like a normal human being?" She banged her fist on the car's hood for emphasis.

He rolled out again, clearly annoyed. "You're wasting my time."

"You're the one wasting my time," she shot back. "I was sent here to find Kaiden Scott, and I'm not leaving until you help me."

Before he could respond, another voice called out from behind them.

"Roman, what's going on?"

Kayla turned to see a young man approaching. He was slightly shorter and leaner, with a pair of glasses perched on his nose that gave him a scholarly look.

"Who are you?" Kayla asked, exasperated.

"I'm Akim," he said with a polite smile. "And that's my brother, Roman."

Kayla raised a brow. "Great. Just what I needed—more complications."

Akim chuckled nervously. "What's the problem?"

"I'm looking for Kaiden Scott," Kayla explained, glaring at Roman. "But your brother here is being less than helpful."

Akim's smile faltered. "I'm sorry, but… Kaiden Scott passed away a few years ago."

Kayla's jaw dropped. "What?"

"Yeah," Roman interjected, his tone curt.

"You're a little late, princess."

Kayla ignored him, her mind racing. This was not the plan. Kaiden Scott was supposed to be alive—her father's instructions had been clear.

"Are you sure?" she asked Akim, desperation creeping into her voice.

He nodded solemnly. "Our father is dead. But if you were sent here, there must be a reason. Maybe we can help."

Kayla stared at the two brothers, her heart sinking.

Her journey had barely begun, and already, it was taking an unexpected turn.