Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 86: Thread by Thread

The late afternoon sun hung low by the time they finished helping Levy settle in. Empty duffel bags and half-unpacked boxes cluttered the cozy dorm room, but the important things were done. Clothes folded neatly, toiletries organized, favorite books lined up on the shelf. Levy had even pinned up a small board near her bed with some Polaroids from home.

Zephany sat cross-legged on the floor, tucking away the last of Levy’s sweaters into a drawer. Her hands were slightly dusty, her hair falling loosely from her braid, but she looked content.

Kendrick watched from where he leaned against the bunk bed frame, arms crossed casually. His lips lifted into a faint smile seeing his sister so animated and happy, chatting easily with her new roommates.

Zephany wiped her hands on her jeans and stood up, brushing stray threads off her cardigan. "Alright. That should be everything," she said softly, glancing around.

Levy flopped dramatically onto her bed. "Finally. I thought we were gonna be here forever."

"You brought half the house," Kendrick said, raising an eyebrow.

Levy shot him a look. "Excuse you. I need all of this."

Zephany smiled quietly, watching the familiar bickering with a fondness she couldn’t quite explain.

As if on cue, Zephany’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out, blinking at the caller ID.

"It’s Mom," she murmured, holding up the screen for Kendrick to see.

He straightened a little, nodding. "Better pick up."

Zephany swiped to answer, pressing the phone carefully to her ear. "Hello, Mom."

"Sweetheart, how’s everything going? Did you all settle in?" Christy’s warm, motherly voice floated through, tinged with just a hint of worry.

Zephany smiled, her voice soft. "Yes, Mom. We finished unpacking Levy’s things. She’s getting along with her roommates already. They’re really sweet."

"That’s good to hear," Christy said, sounding relieved. "And you? How are you holding up?"

Zephany’s cheeks warmed. "I’m fine. Everyone’s been so nice."

Beside her, Kendrick tilted his head slightly, listening in while pretending not to. He could hear the tenderness in Christy’s voice, and it made his chest ache a little in the best way.

Christy’s voice grew teasing. "And Kendrick? Has he been behaving?"

Zephany let out a soft laugh, glancing at Kendrick from the corner of her eye. "He’s been... very helpful."

Kendrick smirked faintly at that but said nothing, letting her speak.

Levy sat up, snickering. "Tell her he almost dropped my box of books."

Zephany pressed her hand over the receiver, laughing quietly. "Stop," she whispered.

Christy must have heard the laughter, because she chuckled too. "I’ll take that as a yes. Thank you, Zephany. Really. I’m glad you’re there with them."

Zephany felt a soft pang in her chest. "It’s no trouble at all, Mom."

"Alright, I won’t keep you. Drive safely on the way back, okay?"

"I will. Thank you."

"And, sweetheart?"

"Yes?"

"Don’t let Kendrick bully you."

Zephany’s eyes widened slightly, then she laughed, a genuine, breathy sound. "I won’t."

Christy chuckled warmly. "Good girl. Talk to you later."

"Bye, Mom."

Zephany hung up, slipping the phone back into her pocket.

Kendrick watched her for a second longer, a small, knowing smile touching his lips. "She likes you," he said simply.

Zephany tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, flustered. "I like her too. She’s... very kind."

"She is," Kendrick agreed, his voice low.

Levy hopped off the bed, grabbing her bag. "You guys better get going before it gets dark. Mom will freak out if you’re late."

Zephany nodded quickly. "Right."

Kendrick pushed himself off the bed frame and picked up Zephany’s small bag, slinging it over his shoulder without a word. She blinked up at him, surprised, but didn’t argue.

They said their goodbyes with Levy hugging both of them, though she pretended to grumble about it.

"Don’t embarrass me," Levy warned half-heartedly as she hugged Zephany.

"I’ll try not to," Zephany said, smiling shyly.

"And you," Levy added, glaring up at Kendrick.

He smirked, ruffling her hair hard enough to mess it up. "Behave."

"I am a model student," she said primly, fixing her hair.

"Sure you are," Kendrick said dryly.

The goodbye was warm and a little chaotic, but eventually, Zephany and Kendrick made their way out of Camellia Hall.

The air was cooler now, with the sky brushed in soft pinks and purples as the sun dipped lower. The pathway back to the parking lot was long and mostly quiet, lined with trimmed hedges and the occasional lamppost flickering to life.

They walked side by side, the silence between them not heavy, just... comfortable.

Zephany clutched the strap of her purse tighter, stealing a glance at Kendrick. He looked so relaxed now, hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans, his gaze thoughtful as he walked.

For a moment, she wondered what he was thinking.

She swallowed, breaking the silence with a small voice. "Thank you... for today."

Kendrick glanced down at her, surprised. "You don’t have to thank me. I should be thanking you."

Zephany frowned slightly. "Me? Why?"

He shrugged one shoulder lightly. "You helped a lot. Made it easier for Levy. Made it easier for me."

Zephany felt her cheeks warm again. She lowered her gaze to the gravel path. "I didn’t do much."

"You did," he said simply, his voice leaving no room for argument.

The sincerity in his tone caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.

They continued walking, the soft crunch of gravel under their shoes filling the quiet.

Zephany bit her lip, gathering courage. "You’re... really good with her," she said after a pause. "With Levy."

Kendrick smiled faintly, almost to himself. "She’s a handful, but she’s my handful."

Zephany laughed quietly, the sound soft and genuine. "She adores you. Even when she pretends not to."

Kendrick chuckled, his deep voice warm. "Yeah. She’s terrible at hiding it."

They reached the car. Kendrick unlocked it with a soft beep, holding the door open for her.

Zephany hesitated for a second before slipping inside, murmuring a quiet thank you.

Kendrick rounded to the driver’s side and slid in, starting the engine. The car hummed to life, but he didn’t pull out right away.

For a moment, they sat there, the inside of the car filled with the soft whirr of the air conditioning.

Zephany fiddled with the hem of her cardigan again, her nerves returning.

Kendrick noticed, of course he did. He rested his hands lightly on the steering wheel, speaking gently. "You did great today."

Zephany looked up at him, startled.

He smiled slightly. "You were calm. Steady. Even when everyone was staring."

She blushed, ducking her head. "I was dying inside," she admitted under her breath.

Kendrick laughed, low and warm. "You hid it well."

Zephany smiled despite herself, the praise lifting something inside her.

They pulled out of the lot, merging onto the quiet road that led back to the city.

As they drove, the conversation drifted to lighter things. They talked about the weird snacks Levy insisted on bringing, about how loud Mira was, about the way Dana kept dropping her glasses every time Kendrick looked at her.

Zephany laughed until her sides hurt, wiping tears from her eyes.

Kendrick stole a glance at her, his heart squeezing a little. It had been a long time since he had seen someone laugh like that. Laugh without holding back.

He found himself smiling too, without even realizing it.

The drive was short, but it felt longer in a good way. Peaceful.

When they reached the apartment, Kendrick pulled over and parked carefully.

She hesitated, unbuckling her seatbelt slowly.

"Thank you for the ride," she said, her voice soft.

Kendrick nodded. "Anytime."

Zephany opened the door, stepping out into the cool evening air.

She paused, turning back slightly. "Goodnight, Kendrick."

He leaned an arm casually on the steering wheel, watching her with a steady gaze. "Goodnight, Zephany."

She smiled, a small, genuine thing, before closing the door gently behind her.

Kendrick watched her disappear into the apartment, his expression unreadable for a moment.

Then he sat back, exhaling a long breath.

Somewhere deep inside him, he realized something he hadn’t wanted to think about before.

He liked her.

More than he probably should.

But for now, he stepped out of the car as well and walked into their shared apartment.

Neither of them knew how tangled their paths would become.

Not yet.

But destiny was already weaving their fates together, thread by careful thread.