Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 72

Chapter 72

She cleared her throat, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. "Right. I better go give this to Kylan." She picked up the tea and smiled gratefully at Ryan.

"Kylan isn't here yet, Katrina" Ryan frowned at her, the blonde of his brows drawing together.

"It's after right o'clock, Sir." She looked at her watch for a second time that morning, her frown mirroring Ryan's

"I can call him if you would like," Ryan offered.

She shook her head firmly. "No, that's alright. I'm still has assistant right now. I'll worry about it. Thank you, Ryan." before gathering Kylan's tea and heading for his office, forcing herself to not walk too quickly. ve him one more smile

This was completely unlike Kylan. Entirely out of character for him. He was never late. He valued punctuality

Upon reaching his office, her stomach dropped when

There was nothing out of place. Nothing that would indicate that he had yet to be here today, either in above

all else.

en she realized it was indeed empty. She set down Kylan's tea, her eyes scanning across his desk.

Where was he? It was nearly eight-thirty. A sick Feeling clawed through her chest, and she pulled her phone from the pocket of her skirt, poised to call her boss

"The hell are you doing behind my desk?" Kylan's brisk voice surprised her from his doorway.

She jumped slightly, fumbling with her phone, and putting it back in her pocket at once. "Sir, where have you been? Did you have an early morning appointment I wasn't aware of?" She couldn't hide the relief from her voice at the sight of him, stepping away from his chair and standing next to his desk instead.

He didn't make eye contact with her, ignoring her questions entirely and brushing by her to reach his seat.

She frowned at him but tentatively sat down in her chair, grabbing her tablet, and settling it on her lap.

It was then that she looked at him. Really looked at him.

And damn, if he didn't break her heart.

His eyes typically carried dark circles beneath them, but these. The ones under his eyes right now! They were ghastly, Purple and blue hues contrasted strikingly against his pale skin. His hair was also a bit damp, and his tie was slightly crooked. He looked like he hadn't slept or eaten in at least two days if she had to guess.

What was he going through? This couldn't possibly be because she resigned. She wasn't so arrogant to believe she had that much sway over a man. like Kylan Ross.

him she was there. That she always wanted to be

amount, his cheeks sullen while he logged in on his

"Sir.." She

down on his desk and hesitantly stood from her seat. Slow, deliberately, she walked to him. She had

him and then paused when he looked up at her, his eyes dull and his frown lines pulled

voice even

to graze the

and dropped her hand to her side immediately. For a second. Katrina and Kylan only stared at one another, neither

she only heard

sorry. Sir. That was inappropriate of me. I just.. Are you okay?" she couldn't stop herself from asking him, though she knew he likely

we can

shook her head, walking back to her seat and gathering the

Sir. It's likely close to being too for your liking." She didn't look at Kylan anymore, ignoring his huff in favor

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is?" Katrina giggled, bumping her hip against her friend while she peeled

Don't question my methods, Katrina Morgan, he chastised her, tapping an alarmingly small amount of salt into the bowl of stuffing

to enjoy Christmas Eve dinner for once, and not have to order pancakes from the diner down the road because we screwed it up y carried a few potatoes

again." She

I've got this, okay? And you, Ma'am, you make the fruit salad and stop looking so

laughed, raising her hands in surrender before maneuvering to gather

friends, her heart feeling

withdrawn over the last couple of days at work. He was on

her because she knew he was hurting. It hurt her because the shouldn't be his

her mind She was worried about them for different reasons, and she felt like she really couldn't help either one of them right now, She was looking forward to hearing from Oscar after Christmas and asking him what the hell was going

hoped he had someone to celebrate with. To be happy with. Though. she likely knew that he didn't. That he wouldn't

pineapple like that, Maine." Aaron groaned

into a lower cabinet, and pulling out a large enough pot to house the potatoes she cut. She placed it under the running sink water and waited for it to fill up enough. Her phone buzzed repeatedly in her back pocket, and she

the least when it

not she wanted to take his call. He likely needed to ask her to

already knowing

Can you get this pot situated over a burner, please?" She looked over her

Aaron asked her, both he and Maine staring

her phone at them, gracing them with a reassuring smile, and then entered

could answer it, but Kylan was already calling her again. She took a deep breath, licked

as soon as her