Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Katrina stayed in the bedroom for most of the day, occupying the balcony with the throw from the couch wrapped around her shoulders. She spent hours people-watching and numbing her mind against any and all intrusive thoughts. Kylan never bothered her, but she wasn't surprised. She also wasn't surprised when lunchtime came about, and Kylan told her he was too busy to accompany her to the cafe in the lobby

She ate a mostly stale sandwich and sipped on a hot chocolate by herself, picking at bits of bread on the plate in front of her while she sat at a small table situated at the back of the cafe.

Her phone vibrated in the pocket of her jacket, and she took it out, glancing and seeing that it was Aaron calling her. She considered not answering

for a moment. She wasn't in the mood to talk, least of all about Kylan. Who she was positive Aaron was calling to hear about

With a loud sigh, Katrina wiped her hands on her lap and answered the phone, holding it to her ear. "Hey, Aaron" She sounded exhausted, she realized. She internally cringed hoping Aaron wouldn't pick up on her mood. "That's all I get? A "hey, Aaron? Come on. Kate. How are you? How's it been in Portland?"

She frowned at the remnants of her sandwich, breaking a bit of bread apart between her thumb and index finger. Memories. genuinely good memories, floated to the forefront of her mind. Now though, they almost felt as if they belonged to someone else.

"It's been fine. We'll be back late tonight" She couldn't bring g herself to be more expressive, it was too draining to put on a front right now

"Are you okay, Kate? You don't sound okay. Did your

ur dad not like Kylan or something?"

She only just barely refrained from snorting, but she did roll her eyes. "No, my dad really likes Kylan. All he had to do was speak to him in French, and he was sold."

It was difficult to admit that her father truly did approve of Kylan. A fresh wave of guilt washed over her. She had intentionally been deceitful to her dad, and none of it felt worth it anymore..

"Kate, what happened! I know something happened. Don't bullshit me."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, her shoulders hunching forward, her hair proving to be a welcome curtain around her face. She wasn't certain how honest she should be with Aaron. Things with Kylan are just.. Weird. Maybe having him come meet my father wasn't the best idea"

That seemed okay enough to say. She wasn't lying, anyway. This felt like a step that was too much, too soon. Or rather, it was something that shouldn't have happened at all, truthfully,

"I mean, of course, things are weird. You're pretending to marry our boss, Katrina."

She laughed bitterly, running a hand down her face, and then putting that hand under her chin to prop it up. "Yeah, You're right. though, Aaron. I've got this."

Katrina knew she sounded anything but confident, but she needed Aaron to accept her words at face value, for once.

sure, Kate? Can we go out soon and talk about all of

It'll be fine

her eyes filling with tears and she sucked in a breath, sitting up straight in her chair and clearing her throat. This was ridiculous.

great. I love you, okay? I'm going to go. I need to get ready for dinner soon." She hung up the phone before giving Aaron an opportunity to say

shook her head to help empty her thoughts, cleared her table, and forced herself to return to the suite that she knew would be

-0-0-0-

computer until just before it was time to go to dinner with her father. She watched as he silently loaded her luggage in the

possible, though her heart was

she was in the car and Kylan was on the road, Katrina chanced a look at him, frowning when she saw he still appeared just as hollow as before. She couldn't help but wonder if he would be able to put out a front

I may, are you in the right frame of mind to do this tonight?" Her voice was tintid, and it almost felt strange to address

about herself, Kate" came Kylan's

reply.

side profile for a moment. Her eyes caught the sharpness of his jaw, the angle of his cheekbones, the hardness of his gaze

the road

she angled her body away from him, staring instead out the window at the p passing town that once felt so full of possibilities with

an authentic meal before sending them back to New York City and getting

out for her to take. He still didn't look at her, but she pretended that didn't bother her as her hand

fifteen tables sprinkled about altogether. The lighting was low, the decorations soft and unassuming. A vor occupied with sweet iris and French lavender

time, Katrina would have gladly taken to the ambiance and allowed herself to be

father sitting at a corner table, and he stood up at the sight of her. She resisted the urge to run to him, or to allow herself to br swept away in the safety of his embrace. Instead, she hugged him for only a few seconds and then withdrew. She slipped into her seat. Kylan following sun next to her. He didn't pui his arm around

that.

How was your

he brought a glass of

could pretend. "It was wonderful. Kylan took me to a candy shop downtown. I don't think I've ever seen so much chocolate in one place" She forced out a giggle, placing her hand on Kylan's leg for a fleeting moment. He glanced down at the contact and she pulled away immediately. Too far, apparently. "We walked along the beach near the lighthouse, and then today, we took it easy and spent the day coried up near the fire and enjoying each other's company. That hotel is quite romantic." It was amazing really, how easily she was

did you find Portland? Was it to your liking?" her father asked the question with a polite smile, just before the waitress came to

as she left to fulfill their requests, Kylan cleared his throat and nodded his head. "It's a beautiful town, yes. I'm quite ready to get back to work, though, I don't do well away from the office for too long. He clasped his hands together on the table

and Kylan, and she wondered if he could feel the invisible wall between the two

an ideal company to keep, no?" Her father's voice was still light and kind, but she could sense an underlying question

once more. "Can you tell me about your preferred fishing technique, Alois? I myself haven't done fishing since I was a teenager" He changed the subject,

his prompt and all but ran with it. She half listened as he dove into an animated conversation about different rods to use, the right kind of nets, and the very specific bair that was perfect for the

the conversation, Kylan interjecting expertly in order to keep it flowing She

though his behavior didn't bother her. Because it shouldn't. It shouldn't bother her that he

by the end of the meal, she was ready to leave. She was ready to go