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

It'll be fine

to shove to the side, to pretend she wasn't feeling. It was all dangerously close to coming to the surface. She could feel her eyes filling with

sounds great. I love you, okay? I'm going to go. I need to get ready for dinner soon."

head to help empty her thoughts, cleared her table, and forced herself to return to

-0-0-0-

with her father. She watched as he silently

heart was aching, and her mind

she saw he still appeared just as hollow as before. She couldn't help but wonder if he would

tonight?" Her voice was tintid, and

herself, Kate" came Kylan's clipped

reply.

for a moment. Her eyes caught the sharpness of his jaw, the angle of his

the

her body away from him, staring instead out the window at the

for dinner, wanting Rylan to experience an authentic meal before sending them back to New York City and getting ready for the wedding himself. As soon as the car was parked, she willed the sadness from her face

sidewalk, already extending a hand out for her to take. He still didn't look at her, but she pretended that didn't bother her as her hand closed around his.

decorations soft and unassuming. A vor occupied with sweet iris and French lavender flowers adorned the center of every table asop

romantic. If it had been any other time, Katrina would have gladly taken to the ambiance and allowed herself to be coaxed into relaxation. As it was, Kylan's hand was suff in

spotted her 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

that.

How was your

glass of

specialist. She 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

did you find Portland? Was it to your liking?" her father asked the question with

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

feel the invisible wall between the

yes, I understand. But surely Katrina is an ideal company to keep, no?" Her father's voice was still light and kind, but she could sense an

herself looking down at the table. "She is, yes." He cleared his throat once more. "Can you tell me about your preferred fishing technique, Alois? I myself haven't done fishing since I was

he dove into an animated conversation about different rods

Kylan interjecting expertly in order to keep it flowing She was reminded that he could talk to people

bother her that he wasn't holding her around the shoulders or

she was ready to leave. She was ready to go