Chapter 9
"Katherine?"
Katherine glanced up from her desk, and there was Mathew standing at the door, his tablet in hand, brows furrowed like he didn't have a choice but to be the bearer of bad news.
"Let me guess," Katherine murmured, rolling her eyes, already half-expecting it. "The VIP suite." Without Mathew needing to confirm it, she knew. It had been silent for a week now. No requesting for silly service, both couples keeping to themselves in their suites, doing God knows what.
Did she want to know what's going on? No. She was just happy for the peace over the week. She had been able to get her emotions in place.
Nothing could bring Aaron to her anymore and she wouldn't allow him to use her kids again or get closer to them. They were hers only.
Katherine blinked from her thoughts at the sound of Mathew's shuffle, entering her office.
"Amanda Knight requested a private dinner tonight. Specifically asked for you."
"What?" Katherine's breath caught for a second. Her grip on her pen tightened, nearly breaking it in two, yet her voice stayed even. "Just me?"
He nodded slowly, walking closer. "She emphasized it. By name. But I can assign someone else. Or better yet—call in sick. I'll cover for you."
Katherine gave him a tired smile. One that didn't reach her eyes. "It's okay, it's my work," she said. Katherine didn't want to make it hard for Mathew. She wouldn't allow Mathew to continue shielding her while his hotel's reputation was at stake. She knew the struggle and how hard it was to make the hotel reach where it is now.
Mathew looked like he wanted to argue, but instead, he sighed and nodded. "At least let me station someone nearby, in case—"
"No. I'll be fine."
"What about your kids?" Mathew asked.
Katherine smiled sadly, "I'll message the nanny to look over them for some hours before I get back," she responded, taking her phone to call the nanny.
The dining area was elegantly arranged with candlelight to set a romantic mood, the chandeliers casting a warm glow in the room as flower petals were scattered on the floor, adding to the mood.
Amanda Knight was already seated, draped in a sleek red dress that clung to her like second skin, while Aaron sat across from her, his jaw tense and his gaze distant. They looked like they just stepped out of a luxury magazine.
Katherine breathed in, calming her nerves as she walked in, face and posture poised. Her face was set in a neutral expression.
She didn't look at Aaron, she didn't want him to unravel her. She kept her eyes ahead, serving them. She didn't glance at him. Not once.
Aaron sat straighter the moment he saw her. Katherine. His Katherine. Her brown hair pinned up neatly, a few loose strands curling at her side. Her lips were glossed and inviting and her beautiful emerald eyes cast downward.
She looked beautiful. She always did. But tonight, she looked unreachable. Well, every day she looked more beautiful than she did the day before.
He sucked in a breath, his chest tightened with longing ache—a whole week without being in her presence. A whole week being starved of her. His eyes trailed her every movement without missing a beat.
For three days he waited at the lounge, maybe he could use the children again, but the kids didn't come. That was when he knew Katherine had something to do with it. The kids had stopped coming.
Aaron couldn't take his eyes off her. He watched the way she moved—precise, graceful, and professional. But he still noticed how her fingers trembled just a little when she set the glasses down. How her lips pressed tighter each time she approached the table.
He could see she was trying. Hard. To be invisible.
Katherine served the first course in silence. Every movement was precise. She handed Amanda her dish and poured wine into her glass, then moved toward Aaron and did the same.
Her eyes on the table, her movement stiff a little as she placed his plate.
"Thank you," Aaron said softly.
Her hand froze for a second, then quickly retracted, and she turned away.
Amanda watched Aaron's gaze on Katherine and she gritted her teeth and intentionally scraped her fork on her plate loudly. "She's very efficient," she commented, smiling with her teeth. It sounded forced.
Neither Katherine nor Aaron responded as Katherine walked away to bring the next course of the meal. She just prayed this dinner passed without any issue.
Aaron's eyes never left her. She felt her skin burn from his scorching gaze and her body stood on alert, making her self-conscious.
Amanda swallowed the jealousy brimming in her while her hand gripped her fork tighter.
Why was Aaron so obsessed with the lady?! She bit her lower lip. She deliberately asked for Katherine so that she could show her that Aaron was hers. But—the lady was unbothered and unfazed.
She needed to do something and put the wench in her place!
The appetizers were cleared. Then the soup. Still, no word was exchanged between Katherine and either of them that wasn't professionally necessary.
Aaron leaned back in his chair, his thumb brushing the edge of his napkin as if it were her skin. He wanted to say something. Anything.
But Katherine never once gave him the chance.
She returned with the main course—cedar-planked salmon. She set the plates gently. Katherine went for the wine. The bottle was chilled, her fingers numb around it, yet she approached their table again, eyes still focused on the glass.
But—it was just a second.
A breath too long when her eyes flicked up and mistakenly met his since she entered the room.
The contact broke her rhythm and her hand shook.
Red wine splashed over the rim, spilling across Aaron's white shirt, staining it like a bloody vampire.
"Oh—" Katherine gasped, immediately setting the bottle down and reaching for the napkin tucked in her apron. "I'm terribly sorry, sir—" she apologized. Just a fleeting second of seeing him made her make a mistake. A horrible mistake that she didn't want.
Aaron blinked, stunned more by her voice than the cold trickling into his chest. It had been too long since he'd heard her speak directly to him and his body buzzed with excitement. Even if it came with a spill—well, the spill was a blessing for him.
Katherine instinctively moved closer to him to dab the napkin at the stain but froze when Aaron caught her wrist to stop her.
The contact made her gasp, sparks that she thought had dimmed shot up her body.
"It's fine." Aaron stood up.
Amanda's smile, the corner of her lips curled up. "Darling, go clean up. I'll finish it alone."
Aaron didn't even look at her and glanced at Katherine as if informing her, "I'll be right back."
Amanda bit her inner cheek to stop herself from lashing out when Aaron hadn't even left yet as Her nails dug into the napkin on her lap, the silk tearing slightly. Her body shook with anger. "Okay, darling," she responded stiffly.
Aaron passed beside her, their shoulders brushing just barely, and Katherine's breath hitched, her heart trembling again. But she didn't turn. Not even after he disappeared into the hallway.