Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 123

Katrina stood before her wardrobe, feeling a pang of loneliness as she stared at her options. Clarence was at Aaron and Jill's house, and she and Kylan had planned a date night. Yet, she was unsure what to wear. She missed the carefree days they'd spent on holiday: the laughter, the togetherness, and how Kylan had been fully present with her and Clarence. Now, he'd returned to work immediately, leaving Katrina to feel isolated.

She finally decided on the dress she had worn on her very first date with Kylan, slipping it on and admiring her reflection in the mirror. A small smile tugged at her lips. Nostalgia swept over her. This dress was when he finally admitted his feelings for her and asked her if he could court her. It wasn't the first date they ever had but it was the first date with real feelings, not just because of the contract clause they had.

She impulsively took a picture of herself in the dress, sending it to Kylan with a message: Does this still look good for tonight?

Meanwhile, Isabella sat across from Kylan, discussing deals and other work matters. Kylan glanced at the clock and suddenly shot to his feet. "Damn it! I've got a meeting-I completely lost track of time." He grabbed what he needed in a hurry. "Stay here, Isabella. I'll be back soon."

She gave him a sweet smile and a wave. As soon as he was out of sight, her gaze fell on his phone left unlocked on the desk. A notification popped up a message from Katrina with a photo of her in a dress and the caption about their date night. Isabella's lips curled into a sly grin. The opportunity was too tempting to resist.

She typed back a response: No, it doesn't look good. It looks tighter than before.

The next text showed another dress, but Katrina's smile in the photo looked strained. Isabella smirked as she replied: Better, I guess. Then, she added a final blow: No more I'm busy. Don't bother me. With a quick swipe, she deleted the messages, ensuring Kylan wouldn't see them.

When Kylan returned, he sighed, shaking his head. "What a mess. I almost missed the meeting. Anything happened while I was gone?"

Isabella handed him a stack of papers, feigning an apologetic look. "Just more work, unfortunately."

Kylan groaned as he scanned the pile. "Great, a late night, then. I had plans, too."

"I'm sure they can wait," she said, her voice saccharine sweet.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, but I don't want to. Still, I don't have a choice." He walked to his office. "I'll work alone for a while. No disturbances, please."

Isabella followed him, her steps light. "Sir, don't you have a date with your wife tonight?"

"I know." He glanced at the clock, then at his desk. "I'll call her."

"Let me do it for you," she offered. "You've got too much on your plate. I'll let her know and send her a gift."

He hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. Make sure she knows I love and adore her."

"Of course," Isabella replied with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

She quickly dialed Katrina.

Katrina sat on the edge of the bed, holding a dress in her hands. "Hello, Isabella. Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine, thank you for asking. I'm calling to let you know that Kylan won't be able to make it tonight. He's swamped with work and asked me to let you know. He's sorry he couldn't call you himself." Katrina's grip on the phone tightened. "He texted me earlier about being busy. I understand."

"He also wants to buy you something as an apology. What would you like?"

Katrina's voice cracked as she replied, "Nothing. Just... make sure he eats dinner. Let him know I'll be in the spare room tonight. I don't want him waking me up when he comes home late." "Of course," Isabella said smoothly before ending the call.

Katrina hung up, her heart heavy. Tears welled up as she gathered every dress that felt too tight or unflattering and placed them in a bag for donation. Her favorite lingerie joined them in a second bag destined for the trash. Baggy clothes now replaced her carefully chosen date night outfit. She skipped dinner, sipping water as she curled up on the couch, feeling utterly defeated.

She felt like sh*t, absolute sh*t that she wasn't as good looking as she was before, that she looked like sh*t in her dresses. She had always felt like crap about herself, but reading those messages from Kylan made her feel so much worse. She cleaned up, went to bed in the spare room, curled up, and cried.

Meanwhile, Kylan worked tirelessly, rushing through everything with the hope of still salvaging the evening. Finally, he finished, grabbing his things.

"I'm heading home now," he told Isabella. "I got through everything."

She gave him a soft smile. "Your wife mentioned she'll be in the spare room tonight. She also refused a gift."

Kylan groaned, rubbing his temple. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

voice soothing. "How about a drink before heading home? Give her time to cool

clenched his jaw. "I should

lift descended. "Yes, but you're clearly not in the mood to go home to your wife

hesitated, gulping. "I

"My treat."

ran a hand through his hair. "I don't

"Just one," she coaxed.

let out a sigh.

pleased. "Great, this way then." She led Kylan to a nearby

after this, I have to get home. I finished up quickly tonight so I

slow sip of her drink. "I know, but if she's upset, it might be better to let her cool down. They say staying mad is

her words. "Maybe. Maybe I'm working too much and not spending enough time at

she'll be back to her usual self. She knows you work late; she's used to it. Didn't she even mention you're a bit noisy when you come in? That's probably why

of his drink, sighing. "I

of him and Isabella, Kylan frowned. "Ah, I

Isabella replied smoothly, taking

but relented. "Okay, but after this, I need to pick

could eat

I've got to grab something to take home." He wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood. "Thanks for the drink, but I

"Maybe we can do this again sometime? Just to

a polite nod. "Yeah, sure.

you," she said with

out of

the food home, his heart

deep ne

was,

it herself.

the door made him pause. He opened them and

his way to the spare room and called

the dimly lit spare room, her voice

I could to get home to you."

her head lightly. "I'm not

already ate?"

"No," she replied quietly.

baggy clothes? And what's with the bags of clothes by the door?" Katrina's eyes filled with tears

"What? Katrina, I never

handed him her phone, her hands trembling. "But

in a meeting when these were sent. Look." He pulled up the meeting schedule on his phone to show her.

replaced her sadness. "Wait... so you

sincere. "Katrina, I love you with everything I have. You are not

time from a different place. "No,

whoever sent those texts needs their eyes checked-and probably ripped out. I love you

through the photos she had sent earlier and let out a low whistle. "Wow... you look absolutely breathtaking in these. That's the dress you wore on our first date. Damn, you look even better now than

Put it back on

"But..."

pleaded. "You

gaze softened as

"I get it, seeing a text like

nodded against his chest. "It

me," he said, his tone resolute. "I swear on my mother's

Kylan cherished his late mother, Kuchel, and swearing on her memory was something he didn't