My Anti-hero Fairy System-Chapter 75. Dinner At The Baileys

Jackie studied her intently and repeated her question. "Did you really sleep with Lucrecia?"

Cara met her gaze, unwavering. "Does it matter?"

Jackie let out a sharp breath. "Are you asking me if it matters that the woman I have feelings for had sex with someone else? Yes, Cara. It matters." There was a bite to her words, her jealousy barely contained.

"Well, it shouldn’t matter. It was just a passing fling," Cara said casually.

Jackie’s jaw tightened. "So, you did sleep with her?"

"I told you, it was just a meaningless thing. Nothing to be up in arms about. And let’s be honest, we haven’t even had the talk yet." Cara leaned in slightly, her tone firm but calm. "We didn’t know what we were back then. Hell, even now we don’t know what we are. Are we in a relationship, or are we just lovers?"

Jackie’s irritation wavered as the truth of that settled in. She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to acknowledge the reality of it.

"I want us to be more than lovers," she admitted, her voice softer now. "I want us to be in a relationship." Her green eyes held Cara’s, full of longing.

Cara’s lips curled into a small smile. "Are you one of those monogamous types?"

"Yes," Jackie said without hesitation. "When I have feelings for someone, I want them all to myself. I don’t like to share." Her voice lowered. "Are you the same?"

’Man, she’s trying so hard not to say she loves me, but her thoughts are betraying her.’

[She doesn’t want to overwhelm you,] Hagrit’s voice echoed in her mind.

[That’s why she keeps saying ’feelings’ instead of ’love’.]

Jackie’s gaze didn’t waver. "Well? Are you?"

Cara hesitated, then sighed. "I have feelings for you, Jackie, but I’m still figuring myself out. You and Lucrecia are the only women I have ever been with." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "I would be lying if I told you I could be 100% monogamous right now. I’m still exploring my sexuality."

[You didn’t tell her about Ashley?]

’Shut up. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.’

Jackie’s expression faltered, disappointment flickering across her face. But she wasn’t ready to give up. "I understand," she said, voice quiet but insistent. "But we could explore this together. You don’t have to sleep around, you could just... be with me."

Cara could feel Jackie’s sadness, the way she was grasping for something, anything, to hold onto. But Cara knew she had to set the terms of this relationship now, before things went any further. She wasn’t going to let Jackie hope for something she couldn’t give.

"I’m sorry, Jackie," Cara said, voice steady but firm. "But I can’t promise to be with just you. What I can promise is this, I’ll be by your side whenever you need me. I’ll make you feel good, in every way. And most of all, I’ll make you happy." She held Jackie’s gaze. "But if that’s not enough for you... then let’s count our losses now and call it a day."

Jackie opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say a word, Cara turned and walked out of the office, leaving her sitting there, stunned and silent.

—---

—----

It was 7 p.m. when Cara arrived at Farrah’s house, her goal clear—she needed to get a lock of Farrah’s father’s hair for the ritual. She had no idea how she would pull it off, but one thing was certain: she would get it done.

She knocked on the door, and Farrah answered with a bright, welcoming smile. "Come in! And give me all the gist about what went down at the diner today."

Cara grinned as she stepped inside. "As you already know, Rudy got kicked out after Jackie found proof that her late father did pay off his debt. So now, she’s the boss. And guess who provided that proof?...it’s me" She dropped her bag onto the sofa and sat down, smirking. "You should have seen Rudy’s face when he saw the documents. So satisfying."

"Damn! I missed a lot." Farrah plopped onto the couch beside her. "Does Rudy know you were the one who found the proof?"

"Oh, he knows." Cara chuckled. "And he’s pissed. He threatened me, said I’d pay for it."

Farrah let out a low whistle. "Well, I guess that means your days in the mansion are over. You could always go back to your dad’s house... or stay here with me and my dad."

"You’re right about that," Cara admitted. It hadn’t fully hit her until now that she did have other options, one of which she didn’t particularly like. Staying with Farrah’s dad? Yeah, no thanks. The man was a religious fanatic, and she couldn’t imagine living under the same roof as him.

Just then, an irresistible aroma drifted in from the kitchen. Cara turned her head and saw the door slightly ajar. A moment later, Farrah’s father stepped out, carrying a tray of food, which he set carefully on the dining table.

"Wow! Mr. Bailey, something smells amazing." Cara inhaled deeply, savoring the scent. "Let me guess, Spaghetti Bolognese?"

Mr. Bailey smiled. "You’ve got a good nose. You know your Italian cuisine. But can you also smell the calamari?"

Cara beamed. "Oh, I can, sir. And I cannot wait to feast on it."

He chuckled. "Just a minute or two more. I need to finish up in the kitchen."

As he disappeared behind the door, Cara leaned toward Farrah. "What’s he finishing up in there?"

Farrah sighed. "My dad has OCD. He won’t admit it, but he needs everything to be exactly the way it was before he started cooking. He has to clean and organize everything before he leaves the kitchen."

Cara groaned. "Damn. That puts a wrench in my plans."

Farrah frowned. "What plans?"

Cara lowered her voice. "I came to get what your grandma needs for the ritual."

Farrah’s eyes widened. "That’s why you came? I thought we were done with all that."

Cara folded her arms. "I haven’t forgotten. And honestly, it’s sad that you’re the one trying to brush it off, considering you’re the one with enough power to set off an inferno."

Farrah shifted uncomfortably. "Well... I haven’t had any serious incidents since that day, so I figured—"

"Figured what? That you’re not a witch anymore?" Cara cut in, unimpressed.

"I just thought maybe I was getting a handle on it without needing the ritual," Farrah muttered.

Cara read her mind and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, and you don’t even believe that."

Farrah sighed. "Okay, fine. But how do we even get a lock of my dad’s hair? He cleans everything, including his hairbrush."

Cara smirked. "I’ve got an idea. But I need you to back me up."

Farrah narrowed her eyes. "What kind of idea?"

"Whatever I say during dinner, just go along with it. Even if it sounds ridiculous, agree with me. Got it?"

Farrah hesitated, then sighed. "Yeah, I got it."

Just then, Mr. Bailey stepped out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. "Alright, dinner’s ready!"

Cara and Farrah got up from the couch and made their way to the dining table.

Cara was about to take her first bite when Mr. Bailey held up a hand. "No, young lady, we pray before we eat in this house."

Suppressing a sigh, she took his outstretched hand, while he took Farrah’s. He closed his eyes and began to pray, his voice steady and reverent. Once he finished blessing the meal, he smiled. "Now, let’s eat."

Cara wasted no time digging in. The Spaghetti Bolognese was rich and flavorful, the perfect balance of savory and tangy. She savored each bite, letting the warmth of the meal spread through her.

When she was done, Mr. Bailey looked at her expectantly. "Well? How was it?"

Cara wiped her mouth with a napkin and grinned. "Delicious. No wonder Farrah’s such a great cook—she learned from the best."

Mr. Bailey beamed, clearly pleased.

As they settled into conversation, he turned to Cara. "So, how was the service at church today? Did you enjoy it?"

Cara and Farrah exchanged quick glances. Cara knew she couldn’t answer honestly, so she forced a smile. "It was great."

"Do you plan on joining us again soon?" Mr. Bailey asked.

"Yes... maybe. I mean, I can’t predict the future," she replied evasively.

Mr. Bailey chuckled. "I’ll take that as a yes."

Cara quickly steered the conversation elsewhere. "Sir, you look a little tense."

"Tense?" Mr. Bailey raised an eyebrow. "I don’t think so."

Cara shot a look at Farrah, who instantly caught on.

"Dad, she’s right," Farrah said.

Mr. Bailey frowned. "Really?"

Cara and Farrah nodded in unison.

Cara leaned forward. "Sir, there’s this massage technique I just learned. It’s guaranteed to relieve stress. Can I try it on you?"

Mr. Bailey chuckled. "You could have just said you wanted to experiment on me. But fine, go ahead. Let’s see what you’ve got."

Cara smiled to herself. This is going to be easier than I thought.