CHAPTER 10 –
The room was silent as soon as Aaron left—only the soft clinking of Amanda's spoon against her plate filled the air.
Katherine stood there, hands clasped before her, pretending not to feel Amanda's burning gaze on her skin. She turned to tidy the wine cart, hoping it would end here, but it was just her wish.
"Tell me something," Amanda's voice sliced through the silence. It was eerily different from the voice she used with Aaron. "How long have you been seducing my husband?"
Katherine's eyes widened slightly at the absurd question. She closed her eyes, slowly inhaled through her nose, then turned with the same blank professionalism. "Ma'am, I'm not entertaining that kind of talk."
Amanda laughed humorlessly, dabbing her napkin across her lips as she dropped her cutlery on the plate. "Of course not. You hotel girls never admit it, do you? All shy smiles in front of the man, but legs wide open when no one's watching."
Katherine clenched her fist, her brows furrowed at the accusation. What was this lady insinuating?
"I understand now," Amanda continued, rising slowly from her seat as her red dress swished behind her. "Why he can't take his eyes off you. He's been bewitched by a desperate staff girl."
Katherine rolled her eyes, her patience running thin from the bullshit she was listening to. She didn't sign up for this. She ground her jaw, yet held her composure. "With all due respect," Katherine said sarcastically, "I'm doing my job. If you have an issue, please report it to management." She thought that would shut Amanda up, but it seemed Amanda still had more to say.
"Oh, don't worry," Amanda said, circling the table like a vulture. "I'm going to make sure you never get to work in hospitality again. You're nothing but a common gold-digger." She swirled her wine glass, her eyes trained on Katherine.
"Do you enjoy it? My husband's attention?"
Katherine willed herself to remain calm, not to be bothered or ruffled by Amanda's words. She walked to the table and began clearing the used plates.
"How long have you been screwing him?"
Katherine had enough. She faced Amanda, her voice low. "Ma'am."
Amanda stepped closer. "He's mine. And if I catch you so much as breathing in his direction again, I'll make sure you regret ever working here," she threatened.
Katherine's lips curled faintly—not quite a smile.
"Funny how you're embarrassing yourself," Katherine said.
Amanda blinked, momentarily thrown off. "What did you just—"
"You heard me." Katherine leaned in slightly, lowering her voice so only Amanda could hear. "I serve guests here to the best of my abilities and I don't argue with them. But if you keep pushing—I'll make an exception." Katherine gave a cold, calm smile—one that didn't reach her eyes.
"You!" Amanda's hand twitched at her side, and before she could stop herself, she raised the glass of wine from the table and hurled it at Katherine.
The cold splash hit Katherine's neck and chest, the wine soaking through her uniform like a slap to her dignity. Her breath hitched. It clung to her skin—humiliation, not just wine. Heat rose to her cheeks, not from embarrassment but from rage she refused to show.
Katherine's entire body was still, and her skin crawled from the wetness, yet her mocking smile only deepened seeing how rattled Amanda looked.
"Oh, does the truth taste bitter?" Katherine taunted.
Amanda's face contorted with rage as she raised her hand to slap the smile off Katherine's face—
But before Amanda could hit her, Aaron's thunderous voice broke them apart.
"Amanda!"
Both women turned.
Amanda's eyes widened as Aaron strode toward them, his expression stormy, his eyes locked on Katherine first, then flicking to Amanda with utter disbelief. "What the hell are you doing?!"
Amanda let out a nervous laugh, quickly wiping a tear that wasn't there. "I… I was just—she was being rude and she provoked—"
"I don't care what she said." His eyes flicked to Katherine, who stood stiff, wine dripping from her shirt, her face unreadable. Then his gaze snapped back to Amanda, sharp and unforgiving. "You don't throw wine on people just because they provoke you!"
"I'm your wife!" she cried, her voice trembling now for real. "You're supposed to defend me, not her!"
Aaron walked forward, his jaw tightening, eyes darkened with anger. "You lost that right the moment you decided to pick on Katherine!" he yelled.
Amanda was visibly shaken by his raised voice.
He reached for his coat to offer Katherine, but she stepped back, shaking her head once.
Katherine took some steps back. "Don't," she said, her voice trembling—not from tears. "I don't need pity," she said quietly, her voice shaky from anger and humiliation. Her blouse clung to her skin, her chest rising and falling uncontrollably. "And I don't need saving." She raised her chin.
Aaron stepped forward, his chest tightening at the sight of her soaked blouse, the hurt clearly evident on her face. He wanted to hold her, protect her, erase everything—but what right did he have anymore? "Are you okay?" he asked, though he already knew she wasn't.
Katherine took a sharp breath and turned away. "Excuse me. I need to change."
As she turned to leave, Mathew walked in, his eyes scanning the scene—the wine-stained uniform, the trembling of the woman he cared about. His jaw ticked in anger. He stepped in between them, his gaze on a glaring Amanda first, then Aaron.
"I believe that's enough," he said.
Amanda scoffed. "Who are you to—"
"Katherine is our employee. You are guests. We expect mutual respect." His voice was calm, yet laced with anger. Had he known this was what would happen, he would have insisted Katherine take a sick leave. "If that becomes an issue, I'll be forced to involve management—and that might include checking out early."
Amanda's jaw dropped, eyes darting between them all.
Mathew turned to Katherine, who still hadn't moved. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up," he murmured.
Katherine smiled bitterly and nodded.
As she walked away beside Mathew, her back still straight despite the wetness soaking her clothes, Aaron watched her with a tightness in his chest and clenched fists.
He had never wanted to hold someone more than now. He was losing her again. With every step Katherine took, his heart tore.
No, don't leave. Please look back. He wanted to scream, but the words didn't come out.
And Katherine never looked back.