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?"

a drink before heading home? Give her

jaw. "I should really

the mood to go home to your wife right now. Just have

hesitated, gulping. "I really

"My treat."

ran a hand through his

"Just one," she coaxed.

out a

this way then." She led Kylan to a nearby bar and ordered drinks for the both

"Thanks, but after this, I have to get home. I finished

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 exhausting, it takes too much energy. Maybe it's best

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

another sip. She watched him nurse his drink. "I'm sure tomorrow she'll be back to her usual self. She knows you work late; she's used

the rest of his drink, sighing.

of him and Isabella,

Isabella replied smoothly,

"Okay, but after this, I need to

eat here," she

in one quick motion. "No, thanks. I've got to grab something to take home." He wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood. "Thanks for the

he did. "Maybe we can do this again sometime? Just

sure.

Thank you," she said with a

of

burgers, fries, and milkshakes for himself and Katrina. As he carried the food home, his heart fluttered at

deep ne

was, even

see it herself.

the sight of two bags near the door made him pause. He opened them and

made his way to the spare room and called softly,

sat up in the dimly lit spare room, her voice soft. "I thought

hand through his disheveled hair. "I worked as fast as I could to get home to you." He glanced at her but noticed the hesitation in her expression.

her head lightly.

already ate?"

"No," she replied quietly.

beside her on the bed. "What's going on, sweetheart? Why are you in here, wearing baggy clothes? And what's with the bags of clothes by the door?" Katrina's eyes filled with tears as her voice cracked. "Because you

eyes widened in shock. "What? Katrina, I never said

her hands trembling. "But the

He pulled up the meeting schedule on his phone to show her. "I left my phone in my office. Damn it... who the hell sent this crap using

slowed as confusion replaced her sadness.

voice steady and sincere. "Katrina, I love you with everything I have. You

over again, but this time from

perfect and beautiful, and whoever sent those texts needs their eyes checked-and probably

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 you did back then." Katrina's cheeks

Put it back on for me for

"But..."

he pleaded. "You look amazing

softened as she hesitated.

her into a warm embrace. "I get it, seeing a text

against his chest. "It

wasn't me," he said, his tone resolute. "I swear

Kuchel, and swearing on her memory