Chapter 5
"Ah!"
Katherine woke up clutching her stomach, her body trembling from the nightmare—what had happened years ago—drenched in sweat as she opened her mouth, trying to catch her breath. Her pillows were damp with tears.
"I'm okay," she whispered to herself. "I'm safe."
She wiped her damp face, massaging her temples. Her head throbbed from a hangover and the vivid memories she thought she'd buried.
She thought she had moved on, but just seeing him yesterday pulled on the deepest memories of her being thrown out.
She felt bile rushing up her throat and stood up groggily, walking to the bathroom.
"It was just a dream."
After having a quick shower, she saw her children were already awake, playing, and she felt a smile stretch on her lips.
Just looking at both of them, Katherine felt all she had passed through to get these little buds really was worth it.
"Morning, buds," she called out, walking to them and ruffling their hair.
"Good morning, Mom," they returned in unison.
"Morning prayer?"
"We've done the morning prayers," Jasmine smiled, her happy-go energy. She didn't look like someone who just woke up.
Katherine laughed softly.
"What to do now?" she asked the obvious, yet her children grinned, jumping out of the bed.
"Brushing our teeth!"
"That's awesome," Katherine high-fived them and went to the bathroom.
"This is the way I brush my teeth, brush my teeth early in the morning," Katherine sang with her children as she bathed them to prepare them for school.
After bathing, she tabled the children their breakfast and sat in front of them.
Katherine had caught her tired reflection in the mirror earlier, and she was determined not to let it affect her day. She would fix herself before going to work.
Past are meant to be in the past.
"Mum, what are you saying?" Jasmine asked, looking at Katherine expectantly.
Katherine smiled and picked a napkin, wiping the syrup on her lips.
"Nothing, sweetie," she said, then refilled the glass of milk.
"At the hotel, remember what to call me?" she reminded them.
Jasmine pouted but nodded.
"Aunty, not Mom."
"Good." Katherine clapped her hands and hurried them up. The school bus would arrive soon.
She waved them off, watching them disappear into the bus before turning and heading to the hotel.
.
She entered the hotel with her head held high, her tailored uniform neat and her name tag—Katherine Prescott—clear on her chest.
She immediately went to her boss's office.
"I'm so sorry for—"
Her boss Mathew stood from his seat and walked to her.
"No apologies between us, we've come a long way, Kathy," Mathew smiled. "How are you now? Are you okay?"
Katherine smiled at his concern. She flexed her shoulder to show him she was now okay and ready to work.
But Mathew being Mathew—
"Are you sure? You can take some days off also—"
"I'm fine, Mathy," she insisted.
Just because of someone from her past, she wouldn't let it affect her present—her work, her peace.
"Where are the guests?" Katherine asked.
Mathew looked at her one more time before slumping his shoulders in defeat. He knew Katherine never backed out from what she wanted to do. The lady was pretty stubborn for her own good.
"They had changed their stay to a month instead of a three-day stay."
Katherine sucked in a breath at his words.
"If you'd be uncomfortable with them staying long, we can cancel their stay."
"It's okay," she smiled tight-lipped.
"They are assigned to the biggest suite."
"Okay, thank you," Katherine mumbled and walked out of the office.
"Where are you going?"
"To correct a mistake."
.
Katherine took the elevator to the suite floor. She swiped her card and entered. She saw him—Aaron—and his wife seated in the lounge. Her breathing hitched.
He's married.
He had moved on, and here was she—still hung up on the past.
She breathed in deeply, trying to gather herself, then breathed out before walking forward with her head held high.
There was no need for her lingering, holding on to what had already been thrown away. She raised her head with a smile.
"Good day, our lovely guests. I'm Katherine Prescott. I'm sorry for my unprofessional behavior yesterday. I hope you'll forgive me and still give our hotel five stars. Thank you." She finished her statement with a smile and a little bow.
"It's okay," Aaron's wife smiled, but her smile dimmed when she saw Aaron's eyes were on the attendant. She raised her brow suspiciously.
Katherine walked out of the suite and nearly felt her steps falter.
He was staring at her—it took every ounce of willpower to stand and deliver her words.
He didn't even blink.
Why was he staring at her?
Her heart was beating loudly, and she could hear it. She breathed out, trying to regulate her breathing and trembling legs.
She was done. There was no need to see him anymore. When she reached her office, she'd assign attendants to them.
Katherine went to her office and buried herself in work.
.
Jasmine held her twin brother Hanith's hand as they stepped off the school bus. But when she saw Mathew walking out of the lounge, she let go and squealed.
"Uncle Mathew!" Jasmine called out excitedly.
"My sweetheart!" Mathew crouched to the ground, opening his arms wide to hug them.
Meanwhile, as Hanith was running to Mathew, his blue crayon fell, and Aaron standing nearby picked it up.
He walked languidly to the man twirling the children and stretched his hand to give Hanith.
"It fell," he said.
Hanith hid shyly behind Mathew, and Jasmine collected the crayon.
"Thank you, uncle," she said brightly, while Hanith nodded his gratitude, still clinging to Mathew.
"You are beautiful!" Jasmine blurted out boldly, looking at Aaron while he laughed, charmed by the little girl's boldness.
Her words were clear and cute.
"You're cute also," he returned, patting her cheeks.
Katherine received a notification that her kids had been dropped off at the hotel, and she rushed out—only to see them with Aaron. She was startled by the interaction.
She grabbed Jasmine's arm. "I'm sorry about the kids—" she forced a polite smile, "Excuse us." and she ushered them away.
Amanda, Aaron's wife, who was sipping her wine quietly, watched the scene—her sixth sense hinting at something she couldn't ignore.