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. To hold him. To tell him she was there. That she always wanted to

cheeks sullen while

"Sir.." She

she walked to him. She had to do something. To

looked up at her, his eyes dull and his frown lines

Katrina?" His voice

adjusted his tic, allowing her fingertips to graze the silk of his shim for a moment. Kylan watched her, his eyes narrowed

side immediately. For a

she only heard him because

Sir. That was inappropriate of me. I just.. Are you okay?" she couldn't stop

for another three weeks, am I noit Perhaps we can focus on work and less

to her seat and gathering the

your tea, 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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even know what seasoning is?" Katrina giggled, bumping her hip against her

and scoffed at her "Of course, I do. Don't question my methods, Katrina Morgan, he chastised her,

to order pancakes from the diner

again." She

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

surrender before maneuvering to gather the fruit from inside

at her friends, her heart feeling warmer than it had in

withdrawn over the last couple of days at work. He was on edge, never looking like he slept hardly rating, and always short with

hurting. It hurt her because the shouldn't be

respite that the holidays were going to provide her, though both Oscar and Kylan were often at the forefront of her mind She was worried about them for different reasons, and she felt like she really couldn't help either one of

wasn't lost on her that tomorrow was also Kylan's thirty-third birthday. She hoped he had someone to celebrate with. To be happy with. Though. she likely knew that he didn't. That he wouldn't allow himself to

like that, Maine."

reaching 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 absently removed it to look at who was calling her. She assumed

was surprised, to say the least when it

his Ross Corp. CEO contact picture, debating whether or not she wanted to take his call. He likely needed to ask her to do something work-related for him,

bit her inner cheek, already knowing she would

a burner, please?" She looked over her shoulder

Maine staring

gracing them with a

to voicemail before she could answer it, but Kylan was already calling her again. She took a deep breath, licked her lips, and then finally answered the

soon as