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.

piece into his mouth,

giggled. "Theo, you're

young lady," Katrina teased, wiping syrup from Clarence's

coat while Katrina laced Clarence's boots. Mr. Snuggles, now dressed

asked, zipping

his hands.

at the zoo,"

Mommy, do you

to the car.

added, making them

so she and Clarence

were the one opening it. Her daughter beamed,

her bakery, looked up from the counter, a bright smile spreading across her face at the sight of the little girl. "Clarence!" she squealed, dashing out from behind the register. Scooping Clarence up, she spun her around, eliciting a chorus of giggles.

hugged Elena tightly, her giggles trailing into a satisfied

teased,

Daddy today," she

you, boss. Glowing! You're not baking another bun in the oven, are

and shook her head. "Not

grinned. "So, Daddy and the zoo today,

nodded enthusiastically. "And

"Bears? Oh no!

toward Katrina. "Mommy, will the

her hair. "I think so, sweetheart. But before we see the bears, how

hands. "Yes! A

winked at Katrina. "All prepped and ready for you in the kitchen, boss. Knock 'em dead with your bear

of her staff as she led Clarence into the kitchen. It smelled of vanilla, cinnamon, and the faint tang of freshly brewed

Snuggles sat on the table as Clarence watched Katrina mix the batter. Scooping a tiny bit onto a spoon, Katrina offered it. "Taste test?" "Please!" Clarence chirped,

be Daddy's cake. Want to

nodded eagerly. "I'll make

Katrina glanced over at her. "What are you drawing, love?" Clarence quickly

smiled, brushing her daughter's soft hair. "Alright,

it on a rack to cool. "Ready to make your bear, artist extraordinaire?" she asked, placing icing

nodded, her

for the icing.

tongue poking out slightly as she shaped a bear. It was adorably lopsided and covered in too much icing,

Clarence announced proudly, holding

"It's the best bear I've ever seen. Ready to put it on the

bounced in her

steady as Clarence carefully placed

Clarence declared with

I'm sure Auntie Maine and Uncle Aaron will want a slice too." Clarence's eyes sparkled. "Auntie Maine and Uncle Aaron!" she

coat and adjust her scarf.

backpack and

boxed cake in Katrina's other arm. As they headed toward the car, Clarence looked up, her voice full of wonder. "Do you think Daddy will like it, Mommy?" Katrina smiled warmly, kissing the top of her daughter's head. "He's

squeezed her mother's hand. "I love Daddy. But

pretended to