Rehab for SuperVillains (18+)-Chapter 101: affiliate

The flicker of candles had faded in Clara’s apartment, their lavender scent lingering, replaced by the warm aroma of freshly baked microwave crackers and tangy fruit juice.

Clara moved with a quiet grace, setting a plate of snacks—crisp crackers, sliced cheese, and grapes—on the low glass table in her living room, the late evening light filtering through tall windows, casting golden streaks across the plush rugs.

Her white hair, still slightly damp from a post-massage shower, hung in loose waves, framing her mature, voluptuous figure, now draped in a silky jade bath gown, its hem brushing her thighs, the fabric clinging to her curves. ƒreewebɳovel.com

Her green eyes, warm but tinged with a quiet melancholy, met his as she poured two glasses of orange juice, the liquid glinting in the soft glow of a nearby lamp.

Kael sat on the adjacent sofa, his dark tee and jeans back on, the bottle of massage oil tucked away, his hazel eyes carrying a mix of satisfaction and lingering tension.

His body was relaxed, but his mind churned, Clara noticed that.

She handed him a glass, her fingers brushing his, a faint spark of their earlier intimacy flaring, her lips curving into a gentle smile.

"So, Kael," she said, settling beside him, her gown slipping slightly to reveal a glimpse of cleavage, her voice a soft tease. "How’s your setup doing?"

Kael sipped the juice, its tart sweetness grounding him, and leaned back, his grin wry but hopeful.

"Almost back on track," he said, his voice low, steady. "Freya and Rhea are in, and I’ve got a plan for a superhero team. But I need one more thing before I can start—an affiliation with a doctor or clinic." He paused, his hazel eyes meeting hers, a flicker of hesitation in their depths.

"Know any cheap ones? I’m not exactly swimming in cash."

Clara’s laugh was soft, throaty, her green eyes glinting with amusement as she popped a grape into her mouth, chewing slowly, her gown shifting to reveal more of her thigh.

"I could be your affiliate," she said, her voice warm, confident, leaning closer, her white hair catching the lamplight. "I’ve patched you up before, haven’t I?"

Kael’s brow arched, his grin turning sheepish, a flush creeping up his neck.

"Clara, you’re too expensive," he said, his tone half-joking, half-serious. "Don’t get me wrong—you’re worth every penny, but there’s only so many backrubs I can give before I start feeling like I’m pimping myself out."

Her laughter rang out, bright and unrestrained, her green eyes dancing, her hand brushing his arm, a playful caress.

"Fair enough," she said, her voice a sultry purr, her gown slipping further, revealing the curve of her breast. "How about a deal? I’ll treat all your team’s cases for half the price. Discount for my favorite masseur."

Kael’s eyes widened, his grin softening, gratitude warming his chest.

"You sure?" he asked, his voice quiet, searching her face, her green eyes steady, sincere.

"Absolutely," Clara said, her smile softening, a rare vulnerability in her gaze, her fingers lingering on his arm. "I believe in what you’re doing, Kael. And I’d rather keep you close than let some cut-rate clinic botch your team."

Kael nodded, relief easing the knot in his shoulders, and pulled a folded paper from his pocket, its edges worn, the ink crisp.

"Then it’s official," he said, handing it to her, his hazel eyes bright. "This makes you an affiliate for my team. Codename: Reaper."

Clara unfolded the paper, her green eyes scanning the text, her lips curving into an approving smile. "Reaper," she said, her voice a mix of admiration and amusement. "Cool codename. Who picked it?"

"Freya," Kael said, his grin widening, a spark of pride in his tone. "She’s got a knack for this stuff. Helped me nail it down." He paused, his voice softening, a flicker of doubt creeping in. "Now I just hope I can live up to what they expect from a team with such a cool codename."

Clara’s smile was warm, encouraging, as she grabbed a pen from the table, signing the paper with a flourish, her white hair falling over one shoulder, her gown shifting, giving an uncensored glance deep into her cleavage.

She handed it back, her fingers brushing his again, her green eyes locking on his.

"You will," she said, her voice firm, a doctor’s certainty. "You’ve got Freya, Rhea, and now me. Reaper’s got a good start."

Kael tucked the contract away, his shoulders easing, a weight lifted.

Clara leaned forward, her gown rustling, her green eyes narrowing with a new thought. "Since I’m your affiliate doctor," she said, her voice teasing but edged with something deeper, "I guess I can swing by your little setup anytime I want, right?"

Kael nodded, his grin returning, his hazel eyes meeting hers.

"Yeah, sure," he said, his tone warm but curious. "But why would you? You’ve got this—" he gestured at the apartment, its sleek furniture, modern art, and city view, a stark contrast to the Haven’s creaking floors. "Nice, luxurious. Why trade it for my dump?"

Clara’s smile faltered, her green eyes softening, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through her confident facade.

"It’s nice, sure," she said, her voice quiet, her fingers tightening on her glass. "But it’s empty. Some days, when I’m off from the hospital, it’s just... lonely." Her gaze drifted to the window, the city’s lights beginning to spark in the late evening, her white hair catching the fading sun.

Kael’s expression softened, his hazel eyes warm, his hand twitching as if to reach for hers but stopping short.

"You can visit anytime," he said, his voice gentle, sincere. "But don’t expect much excitement at the Haven. It’s mostly arguments and boring stuff."

Clara’s laugh returned, soft but genuine, her green eyes glinting with amusement.

"I’ll find a way to make it interesting," she said, her voice a playful promise, her gown slipping slightly, revealing a curve of thigh. "Don’t worry about me."

The conversation lulled, the snacks dwindling, the juice glasses empty, the late evening settling over the apartment.

Kael stood, stretching, his hazel eyes glancing at the door. "I should head out," he said, his voice tinged with reluctance, the Haven’s pull undeniable.

Clara rose, her gown swaying, her white hair shimmering as she followed him to the door.

"Should I drop you?" she asked, her green eyes searching his, her keys dangling in her hand, the offer casual but earnest.

Kael shook his head, his grin nervous, a flicker of self-consciousness in his hazel eyes. "Nah, I’m good," he said, stepping into the hallway, the late evening sun casting long shadows. "I walk."

Clara’s brow arched, her lips twitching with amusement.

"Why don’t you ever get a car?" she asked, leaning against the doorframe, her gown’s silk catching the light, her green eyes teasing but curious.

Kael’s grin turned sheepish, his hand rubbing the back of his neck, his hazel eyes dropping to the floor.

"Never learned to drive," he admitted, his voice low, a nervous laugh escaping. "Scares the hell out of me. Plus, I’m broke as it is." He met her gaze, his grin softening, a spark of resilience in his tone.

"Walking’s relaxing, soothing. Clears my head."

Clara’s smile was warm, her green eyes holding his, a quiet respect in her gaze.

"Fair enough," she said, her voice soft. "Good night, Kael."

"Good night, Clara," he said, turning into the late evening, walking back towards the Haven