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.

together than she usually did around him. She

was waiting for her, also looking more casual in a light blue button-down 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

not going to stay. I only wanted to bring you this," Kylan told her

had his usual stoic facial expression and seemed far 100 calm, considering what

after flashed.

square object, wrapped in light brown paper. He handed is to her, and she took it, surprised

told her a little

you, sir," the

he might say more, but then he turned away from her

soon as he was out of sight, she 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

sprang to her eyes

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

was the snowscape. The beautiful, transcendent scene that

for her, though it had cost

Chapter 34

delivered it to her, even though he

the gold frame that adorned the painting. Her heart flip-flopped in her chest, even

the knew Kylan was

her living room window, where outside on the

had never wanted to both thank

she 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

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 felt warm, the same kind of warns she experienced when Kylan was kissing

just been staring at the painting until Aaron reached a

f*ck out." His voice mapped her

has and she blinked a few times. He and Maine were both looking at

I'm. Gosh. I'm fine

but also curiosity too,

shuddering breath, and then she licked her lips and walked over to her kitchen counter. She busied her shaking hands with washing some fruit, the only healthy

tell us why your boss, your boss who definitely doesn't give people gifts, just bought you a painting from Mr. Wilson! The Mr. Wilson. You know, the artist that sells his paintings for like. At least ten thousand dollars apiece." Aaron wouldn't relent, and

of gesture from Kylan was completely out of character, even with how things had been between

who the artist is," she mumbled while she began to cut the stem n off from each strawberry with a small paring

very clearly that it isn't.

moved her hands to grip the counter, her knuckles

Aaron. I don't understand half the shit that Kylan does anymore, okay! I really don't. I know you're wanting me to clarify all of it for you, but truthfully, I can't I can't because