Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 117

"Oh, look at that."

Isabella jumped from where she was standing before she whirled around to see Aaron standing behind her with one of his eyebrows raised. She quickly put down her desk calendar on her table. "What are you doing here?" "Kylan wanted to ask you what took you so long, so I volunteered to come here."

Isabella frowned. So Kylan wanted to check on her and yet this stupid friend of Katrina wanted to ruin their moment together? "I had already called all the heads. Happy?"

Aaron smiled. "Kylan would be."

Isabella blushed as she thought of Kylan being happy she did her job. Aaron noticed this and his smile turned to a sarcastic one.

"Well, isn't this interesting," he said, his tone sharp enough to make Isabella flinch again. "You are hovering around a married man, Ms. Stone. Do your job as required and don't make things complicated."

Isabella's cheeks flushed. "I-I... I don't know what you're talking about." She quickly excused herself, walking away with brisk, irritated steps. Aaron watched her retreat before stepping back into Kylan's conference room.

"What's going on with your assistant?" Aaron asked as he sat on Kylan's left side. The right side was always Ryan's seat, everyone knew that.

Kylan sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Isabella? She's a bit... overeager. It's harmless."

Aaron crossed his arms. "You sure about that? Because from where I was standing, it looked like she was trying to keep you here longer than necessary."

Kylan frowned. "It's her job to assist me. Sometimes that means working late."

Aaron shook his head. "Don't be naïve, Kylan. I've known people like her. You, too. She's not just working late to help you; she's deliberately stretching out your tasks. She's trying to keep you here, away from Katrina and Clarence. And let me guess, she's been finding excuses to hang around your office?"

Kylan hesitated before nodding slowly. "She does offer to stay late a lot. But it's professional-she hasn't crossed any boundaries."

Aaron groaned in frustration. "Kylan, that's exactly her strategy. She's playing the long game, trying to make herself indispensable while creating distance between you and your family. I don't think she's harmless at all."

Kylan's jaw tightened as Aaron's words sank in. He thought back to the past few weeks-Isabella's constant offers to take on tasks that Katrina could have handled in half the time, her unnecessary small talk, her casual touches on his arm when she handed him papers. He also remembered Katrina re-scheduling everything so he wouldn't work overtime which was only possible if some of those works weren't needed on the spot.

"You're saying she's doing this on purpose?" Kylan asked, his voice low.

"I'm saying you need to open your eyes," Aaron replied. "Katrina deserves better than this, and so do you. You're a family man, Kylan. Don't let someone like Isabella manipulate you into forgetting that."

Kylan nodded, his expression darkening. "I'll handle it. Thank you for telling me, Aaron."

Aaron clapped him on the shoulder. "You're welcome. And if you need me, I've got your back. But do yourself a favor-go home tonight. Spend time with Katrina and Clarence. Don't let this assistant or anyone else come between you and your family." Kylan smiled faintly. "I won't."

~0~0~0~

Kylan kissed Katrina's cheek as he slipped out of bed after wearing her out. He went to the bathroom, cleaned himself up, and came back to find her still lying in the same spot. Her hair was a delightful mess, her face bare of makeup, and her expression soft with post- sleepy contentment. To him, she was perfect.

He paused, leaning against the doorframe, taking in the sight of her. Guilt tugged at him slightly-he had been rough this morning, but he couldn't help it. A dream about her had ignited something primal in him, and he woke up wanting her so badly. Judging by her contented smile now, she didn't seem to mind one bit.

Kylan rolled her onto her back and reached for a clean pair of underwear and a crisp shirt. "There, all better. Are you okay, sweetheart?"

Katrina hummed, her lips curling into a small smile. "Perfect. Just wish you didn't have work and could stay here to cuddle me."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Kylan played with her hair, twirling soft strands around his fingers. "I know, but I'll try to come home early, okay?"

Katrina sat up, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Okay. I'll miss you."

Kylan hugged her tightly. "I'll miss you too."

She tilted her head up, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, can you wear a waistcoat today? You look so sexy in one."

her gently. "For

up and pulled on a pair of tailored trousers, a belt, and a freshly ironed shirt. As he worked, Katrina leaned on her elbow, watching

me," he teased, buttoning his

dress almost as much as

his cheeks. He grabbed a dark waistcoat and slipped it on, smoothing it down. "How do

"Gorgeous," Katrina said, unabashed.

feet pattering down the hallway reached them. Clarence appeared in the doorway, her curls bouncing as she rubbed her sleepy eyes. "Daddy! Mommy!" Kylan scooped her

reached

Clarence from Kylan's arms. "Of course,

she turned to Kylan, reaching out

curls. "Daddy has to go to work,

wobbled, and her little voice grew insistent. "Daddy

spoke softly. "I love you so much, Clarence. You know that, right? I need you to look after your mommy today for me. Can

close. "When I come home, we'll cuddle

clapped her tiny

to Katrina. "Now, you two need to get some

her. "We'll nap for a bit. Have a good day at

as he stood, buttoning his waistcoat and grabbing his jacket. At the door, he turned back to the sight of Katrina

you too," Katrina whispered, blowing him

to her tightly, her small arms wrapped around her like a tiny version of Kylan. Smiling, Katrina stretched. "Morning, Clarence." Clarence blinked up at

"Ready for breakfast?"

said with a

change first, and then we'll get you ready too,

patiently while Katrina slipped into comfortable clothes. She picked her up and carried her to her room, where they quickly

go!" Katrina said,

of them shared breakfast, Clarence giggling as Katrina made silly faces between

about the visitor. A deliveryman handed Katrina

she noticed that

I

table and stared

pointed at the

aren't they?" Katrina whispered, smiling. But a part

said with a bright smile, her

"Yeah, you're right, sweetheart." She leaned over

hands

her chair and set her on her feet. "Alright, let's

Together, they stepped outside.

planting seeds and weeding, while Clarence toddled around with

Despite the peaceful atmospherenet

Katrina found her thoughts

back to the bouquet and note. She tried to dismiss them, reasoning it must have been a harmless gesture, maybe

eventually walked over, her tiny hands

up and smiled.

"Daddy."

blinked, then checked the time on her watch. "Oh, you're right-it's lunchtime. Let's give Daddy

Clarence beamed and followed

into the

tablet,

and handed

go, sweetie. You can