Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Katrina slept restlessly that night, her mind plaguing her with dreams of Kylan, for the first time ever. When she awoke the next morning, she was all too grateful that it was Saturday.

She vaguely remembered it was her birthday, and she spent the next few hours reading comments on her social media and Kylan's alike, all from people hoping she would have a good day.

She also saw a few pictures from the ball already circling the internet, each one from people romanticizing herself and Kylan. Then a picture of the scaled invitation was also posted. Good thing they covered the place and time of the wedding or else, the paparazzi and those uninvited will be flocking on the day of the wedding. They couldn't afford to let someone ruin their special day, even if it is fake.

It made her feel sour if she was honest. The memory of Kylan's kiss had her completely conflicted. But his reaction afterward, deflated any positive feelings she may have had about it at all.

right

She was happy when she changed into sweatpants and an oversized sweater. She was happy when Aaron and Maine arrived with just the ri amount of junk food and scary movies that she desperately needed to distract her.

She was happy when her dad called to wish her a Happy Birthday until he asked about her visiting and she begrudgingly told him when her flight

WEL

She did her best to enjoy her time with her friends, she really did. They were going above and beyond to help her ring in her last year in her twenties, and she was thankful for them.

But her mind was back in the hallway with Kylan pressed against her, and her hands in his hair.

She hated that she couldn't stop thinking about the kiss, or about him. It was inappropriate, a fact she was reminded of when she transferred the money he sent her to her bank.

Why did it make her feel sick to accept the money y now? Why was she so uncomfortablet

Halfway through her third scary movie and half a bottle of wine, there was a knock on her front door.

Aaron paused the movie and walked to answer it for her. She couldn't see who it was in the darkness of her apartment

"It's uh, Kylan." Aaron came back to tell her, a curious look on his face.

She rolled her eyes at him, having no doubt he would fire way too many questions at her the second he could

She completely forgot Kylan had asked her if he could stop by on her birthday. She wasn't ready to see him, but she knew she had no choice.

she usually did around him. She walked to her door slowly, the light from the hallway illuminating

and black slacks. Visions of her kiss and through her head and she tried not to glare at him. She really had no reason to be upset with him. She needed to

wanted to bring you this," Kylan told

usual stoic facial expression and seemed far 100 calm, considering what happened between

after flashed.

and saw that Kylan was holding a rather large, square object, wrapped in light brown paper. He handed is to her, and she took it, surprised

told her

you, sir,"

he looked like he might say more, but then he turned away from her and left, just like the night before She sighed and watched him leave, also like

heaved Kylan's present into her apartment and carried it precariously to her kitchen table. She set it down and then switched the light of the chandelier above the table on Aaron and Maine came to stand on either side of her while she carefully peeled the

sprang to her eyes

at the painting. The painting from the exhibit. The first

the snowscape. The beautiful, transcendent scene that she fell in

it for her, though it had cost thousands

Chapter 34

hand delivered it to her,

closed her eyes, her fingers glossing over the gold frame that adorned the painting. Her

street below, the knew Kylan was leaving

living room window, where outside on

she had never wanted to both thank

wanted to throw away the painting or hang it up. She was equally annoyed and flattered. Kylan had never so much as addressed her birthday in the past, let alone gotten her a gif of any kind. She didn't even receive a Christmas bonus, for heaven's sake. And now! Now, he had spent a ridiculous amount of money on something that he had to of known would mean a

already feeling off balance because of their kiss, or rather a make-out session, with Kylan. Now she was Now she felt sick to her stomach. Now she

just been staring at the painting until Aaron reached a hand out and touched her arm

out." His

few times. He and Maine were both looking

I'm. Gosh. I'm fine

but also curiosity too,

and walked over to her kitchen counter. She busied her shaking hands with washing some fruit, the only healthy mack Aaron and Maine brought

together. "Are you going to tell us why your boss, your boss who definitely doesn't give people gifts, just bought you a painting from Mr. Wilson!

in his shoes, she would be just as curious and weary. This kind of gesture from

well aware of who the artist is," she mumbled while she began to cut the stem n off

that it isn't. The fact that Aaron wouldn't let it go without more of an explanation only further

down on the cutting board and moved her hands to grip the counter, her knuckles already turning white from how firmly she was

does anymore, okay! I really don't. I know you're wanting me to clarify all of