Chapter 1871

The steamy heat from the hot water filled the small bathroom as Karina stared at the borrowed undergarments in her hands, a look of resignation on her face.
The size was too large, leaving them loose and ill-fitting, with straps constantly slipping off her shoulders.
After several attempts to adjust them to no avail, she sighed inwardly. No matter what, she would need to find time tomorrow to buy something that fit.
After a quick shower, she stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped securely in a towel, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders. Droplets of water slid down the strands and fell onto the carpet.
She was just in the middle of drying her hair when the crisp chime of the doorbell broke the quiet, making her pause. She frowned in confusion. Who could it be at this hour? Was it Yvette needing something?
Karina slipped on her slippers and padded to the door. Peering through the peephole, she froze. Standing outside was Wilfred, his tall figure illuminated by the dim hallway light, holding what appeared to be a package. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly tightened her towel, ensuring it was secure before slowly opening the door.
Her cheeks tinged with an involuntary blush as she softly asked, “Dr. Wilfred, it’s so late. Is something wrong?”
Wilfred’s gaze flicked briefly to her flushed face before darting away. Clearing his throat, he extended the package toward her, his voice carrying a subtle awkwardness.
“I realized you packed in a rush and thought you might’ve forgotten some essentials. I happened to have an extra set… this might come in handy.”
Karina glanced down and instantly spotted the contents-a brand-new set of undergarments in her exact size. Her face turned crimson as if she were holding a piece of burning coal.
She fumbled for words, stammering, “That’s… that’s very thoughtful of you, but I borrowed a set from Yvette earlier. Thank you, though.”
Wilfred frowned slightly, his
expression tinged with frustration.
“Yvette’s sizes won’t fit you properly, he said, matter-of-factly “Take these as a backup. If you can’t get out tomorrow, at least you won’t have to make do with something uncomfortable.”
Before she could protest further, he gently pressed the package into her hands, leaving no room for refusal. Karina clutched the garments,
feeling the soft fabric under her net
fingers, her heart pounding as she avoided his piercing gaze. “Thank you… you should rest now It’s been a long day.”
Wilfred gave her a lingering look before nodding. “You too. Sleep early-we’ve got a full schedule tomorrow.”
As he walked away, Karina leaned against the closed door, exhaling deeply. She glanced down at the items in her hands, her emotions a tangle of gratitude, embarrassment, and something deeper she couldn’t quite name.
It felt as though the threads of an unspoken connection between them were weaving tighter, wrapping her in a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
After carefully putting away the items, she dried her hair and crawled into bed. Yet, despite her exhaustion, sleep evaded her.
Her mind replayed the evening’s
moments-the gentle care Wilfred had shown on the plane, the fleeting awkwardness when he handed her the package, and the quiet warmth in his voice. It wasn’t until the faint light of dawn seeped through the curtains that she finally drifted off.
When she woke, sunlight was already streaming into the room. Karina bolted upright, panicking at the time. She quickly got ready, throwing on some clothes, and rushed to Yvette’s door. Yvette answered groggily, rubbing her eyes. “What’s the rush? It’s barely morning.”
“We need to head out and grab some essentials,” Karina said, ushering her friend inside. “That set you lent me last night doesn’t fit at all, and I’m not spending the whole day like this.”