The bed was made.
An oversized canvas bag leaned against the wall.
A tiny rabbit doll sat on the pillow.
Austyn could tell Kira liked the colours baby blue and white.
He would have climbed onto the top bunk if he wasn't feeling so faint.
He leaned against the steel ladder, trying to catch his breath.
Kira couldn't see his face. 'What are you doing?'
'I'm trying to measure the size of the bed,' he said, keeping his voice even. 'It's going to be a bit cramped, but I think it can accommodate both of us.' Kira couldn't believe what she was hearing. 'Are you insane? This is the girls' dorm! Leave now, or I'll call the cops!' 'Go ahead.' Austyn sat down in front of the desk
It was a long wooden desk shared by all four girls.
He sat with his back to her, gripping the edge of the desk to prevent himself from pitching forward.
The doctors at Blumore were right; his wound must have ruptured.
Kira thought Austyn was taunting her.
He must think she wouldn't dare call the police.
She would show him!
She stomped over to her bed and snatched her phone.
She was so mad, her fingers shook when she dialled the number.
Austyn touched his jacket.
The right breast pocket was wet to the touch.
His hand came away bloodied.
When Kira was on the phone, he grabbed a couple of tissues from a box on the desk and wiped his hand.
Soon, the door was pushed open.
Kira didn't call the police.
She'd called campus security.
A uniformed security guard came in 'Miss, you called about a trespasser?'
Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!
21
Claim
Strangers Who Share A Bed
Kita pointed to Austyn, who remained seated. That's him.'
The guard moved towards Austyn. 'Sir?'
Austyn tossed the tissue paper into a wastebasket and stood up.
When he turned around, the guard was surprised to see a man in his thirties.
He was under the impression that the trespasser was a disgruntled ex-boyfriend. This well-dressed man had a rather imposing presence despite his pale face.
The guard noticed a coppery smell in the air, which immediately put him on high alert.Text content © .
He whirled around. 'Miss, has there been a fight?"
'Yes, I asked him to leave, but he refused to go."
'No, I meant a physical altercation. Has he hurt you?"
'What? No,' Kira was confused.
"Then why do I smell bl-'
"That's none of your business,' Austyn cut him off. "This is a domestic dispute.
'What domestic dispute?' The guard alterated his glance between Kira and Austyn.
He noticed their age difference, which meant the man could not be the girl's boyfriend. 'Sir, are you a guardian of this student?'
Austyn ignored the guard.
His gaze landed on Kira, who was standing near the door and refusing to lock eyes with him.
He didn't expect she would actually call security.
'Sir?' The guard raised his voice, unhappy to be ignored. 'If you're not a parent or an authorised visitor, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave.' Austyn swayed slightly on his feet. 'Sir?' The security guard grew impatient. 'Please come with me. You shouldn't-'
'I am authorised,' Austyn said.
'Really?' The guard looked sceptical. "You don't look old enough to be the student's father. What's your relationship with her then?
Austyn gripped the back of a chair to steady himself.
He forced a nonchalant smile. "What's my relationship with her?'
He turned to Kira. 'Dear, why don't you enlighten him?'
Kira glared at him. There's no relationship between us. We are complete strangers!!
'Strangers who share a bed?'
Kira's face was flushed crimson.
The guard looked at her curiously.
He was starting to see what was going on here.
Maybe the man was right; this was a domestic dispute.
'Sir, are you, um, are the two of you dating?'
'No!' Kira denied it vehemently.
'No.' Austyn corrected the guard. 'Not dating. We're married.'
The guard's jaw dropped.
He gawked at Kira. 'Is this true, miss?'
"No!
'I can ask Kai to bring over our marriage certificate Austyn suggested.
He took out his phone. It'll just take half an hour.'
Kira caught the silvery grey colour of his phone.
Wasn't his phone black?
When did he get a new one?
What happened to the old one?
Did he Jose it?
Was that why he never replied to her texts or calls?
a Who Share A Bed
Rita shook her head to dismiss that thought.
It didn't matter.