Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss

Chapter 135

Katrina woke slowly, the warmth of the blankets cocooning her. A small smile curved her lips as she reached out, her hand brushing against the empty space beside her. Kylan had already left, but not without tucking her in before heading out. Though waking without him After the issue with Isabella, Kylan insisted on having only a male assistant and had Katrina vet the applicants. Francis, a young man with an impressive education and prior employment at Titan Enterprise, a trusted ally of Ross Corporation, had quickly proven himself. Quiet, efficient, and professional, Francis had lightened Kylan's workload significantly. As Katrina stretched, the soft creak of the bedroom door caught her attention. Suppressing a smile, she stayed still, pretending to be asleep. Tiny footsteps padded across the floor, followed by an excited whisper.

wasn't her favorite thing, she understood his work as a CEO often demanded early departures or last-minute calls from his new assistant, Francis.

"Mommy's sleeping," Clarence said softly, clearly plotting something.

A second, less coordinated shuffle followed. Theo's giggle broke the moment of quiet.

"Shh, Theo!" Clarence whispered.

Before Katrina could react, Clarence launched herself onto the bed with a squeal, followed by Theo's tiny body crawling up clumsily. Katrina opened her eyes to see her seven-year-old daughter grinning mischievously and her two-year-old son beaming, his pudgy hands clutching a plush dinosaur.

"Mommy!" Clarence cheered, throwing her arms around her.

"Oh no, it's my cheeky little monsters!" Katrina exclaimed dramatically, scooping both children into a hug.

Theo giggled uncontrollably. "Mama!" he babbled, holding out his dinosaur.

Katrina kissed his chubby cheek. "Good morning, my love. And who is this? A dinosaur?"

"Rawr!" Theo declared, shaking the plush toy.

Clarence giggled. "Mommy, Theo thinks it's real."

"It's a very scary dinosaur," Katrina said solemnly, pretending to shrink away. "Rawr! Save me, Clarence!"

Clarence squealed with laughter, while Theo clapped his hands, proud of his role in the game.

Their nanny, Maria, appeared at the door, smiling at the playful scene. Maria Simpson was an old close friend of Alois and her mother back in Portland, Maine. Her father wanted Katrina to have more time for herself and so insisted to bring Maria to them. Katrina was not sure about having a nanny at first but seeing the 50 year old Maria made her feel like she had her own mother. Maria was also very caring but a strict nanny to her children. She quickly became a grandmother to both of them. And so she gave in. "Good morning, Kate. Are my two favorite helpers causing trouble already?"

Clarence grinned. "We're not trouble! We're surprises!"

Maria laughed, scooping Theo into her arms as he reached out for her. "I see that. Well, let's get this little dinosaur dressed, shall we? Breakfast is almost ready."

"Thank you, Maria," Katrina said warmly.

Theo waved his dinosaur as Maria carried him away, babbling excitedly about "pancakes."

Clarence stayed behind, her expression suddenly serious. "Mommy, can we surprise Daddy today?"

Katrina brushed a strand of hair from her daughter's face. "What kind of surprise are you thinking?"

Clarence's face lit up. "Zoo day! Can we go to the zoo? With Daddy and Theo?"

Katrina smiled. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. Let's have breakfast first and see if Daddy can join us later, okay?"

Clarence nodded enthusiastically, hopping off the bed.

Downstairs, the family gathered around the kitchen table as Maria set out plates of fluffy pancakes, fresh fruit, and warm milk. Clarence and Theo sat side by side, with Theo clumsily stabbing at his pancake with a fork. "Careful, Theo," Katrina said, gently guiding his hand.

declared triumphantly as he got a piece into

"Theo, you're so

young lady," Katrina teased,

Katrina laced Clarence's boots. Mr. Snuggles,

asked, zipping

clapped his hands. "Bear!" he

at the zoo," Katrina said,

in. "And elephants! Mommy, do

think so," Katrina replied as they headed to the car. "And giraffes, and maybe

making them all

preparing, Katrina left Theo with Maria so she and Clarence could swing by the bakery for

if she were the one opening it. Her daughter beamed, her energy radiating as she darted

girl. "Clarence!" she squealed,

hugged Elena tightly, her giggles trailing into a

teased, poking

solemnly. "We're gonna see Daddy today,"

looked over at Katrina, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Look at you, boss. Glowing! You're not baking another

and shook her head. "Not

"So, Daddy and the zoo

nodded enthusiastically. "And bears! I'm gonna see a

Oh no! I hope

her wide eyes toward Katrina. "Mommy, will the bears be

"I think so, sweetheart. But before we

hands. "Yes! A

prepped and ready for you in the kitchen, boss. Knock 'em dead with your

Clarence into the kitchen. It smelled of vanilla, cinnamon, and the faint tang of freshly brewed coffee-a comforting symphony of

Katrina mix the batter. Scooping a tiny bit onto a spoon, Katrina offered it. "Taste test?" "Please!"

"Good, because that's going to be Daddy's cake.

"I'll

with crayons and paper, Mr. Snuggles perched on her lap. Katrina glanced over at her. "What are you drawing, love?" Clarence quickly covered her work with her arms. "No peeking! It's for

her daughter's soft hair. "Alright, I'll wait. But I bet it's

rack to cool. "Ready to

her little

for the icing. She

she shaped a bear. It was adorably lopsided and covered in too much icing, but Katrina found

done!" Clarence announced proudly,

I've ever seen. Ready to put it

in her

Clarence carefully placed her bear creation atop the

Clarence declared with

up the cake alongside a blend of Kylan's favorite tea. She added, "And I'm sure Auntie Maine and Uncle Aaron will want a slice too." Clarence's eyes sparkled. "Auntie

Clarence's coat and adjust her scarf. "All

backpack and slipping Mr. Snuggles

headed toward the car, Clarence looked up, her voice full of wonder. "Do you think Daddy will like it, Mommy?"

"I love

to pout. "Poor