Chapter 229
When I arrived at Mia's company, it was already 5 o'clock in the evening. Normally, at this time, I should be at home having dinner with Katniss and Nathan. But tonight, I had to attend a ball and receive an emergency training on image packaging and etiquette. In my mind, I couldn't help but think, by now Nathan should have already returned home. Are Nathan and Katniss having dinner alone together at this moment? Are they making love in a hurry?
"Have you heard anything I said? What are you thinking?" While I was lost in my thoughts, Mia's cold reprimand pierced into my ears, making me shudder. I snapped out of my thoughts and saw Mia looking at me angrily.
"Sorry, it's the first time I haven't gone home to take care of Katniss tonight. I don't know if she's feeling safe alone at home." I awkwardly smiled and quickly found an excuse to explain that I hadn't told Mia about Nathan Smith being at home. After hearing my words, Mia's expression softened. She understood my concerns and thoughts as a responsible man, so she empathized with me and even showed some approval and appreciation.
"Don't worry too much. If you can't rest assured, let Michael and Sophia help take care of it. As you travel more often and spend less time at home, you need to adapt to this environment. Stop thinking about it and listen to me." Mia's tone softened, and she smoothed her temple. Mia, with her icy beauty, but smoothing her temple with a gentle gesture, revealed a contradictory beauty that could stimulate a normal man's senses strongly.
"Tonight's ball is a formal dancing gathering where participants are required to wear evening gowns and formal attire. A significant part of the event consists of ballroom dancing. Among various social gatherings, balls are perhaps the most appealing and popular. In fact, balls are a relaxed and pleasant form of social interaction, especially between the opposite sexes. Set against beautiful music, wonderful lighting, and elegant dance moves, people can not only relax but also reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and expand their social circle." Mia began to describe the concept of tonight's ball and its etiquette to me, and finally, I stopped my wandering thoughts and began to listen attentively. Mia had told me before that I wasn't the smartest person, at least far from the competent manager she envisioned, but she was willing to invest more time and effort to help me improve. I had to work harder than others to make up for my shortcomings.
After some training from Mia, she prepared to teach me how to dance in her spacious office. While dancing, the man's hand should be placed on the lady's waist, with the other hand holding hers. When I hesitated to place my hand on Mia's waist, she grabbed my hand and placed it on her waist. As my hand touched her slender waist, the delicate and soft feeling made my heart race. Mia was usually very aloof, even when socializing with other men, she was very reserved. Perhaps to other men, Mia seemed ignorant of manners and etiquette, but as a woman of high social status, no one dared to criticize her. Now, my hand was on her waist, her delicate palm holding my other hand, creating a surreal feeling.
"Focus and look down at my feet." Just as my mind was wandering, Mia's stern voice sounded in my ear. Despite the intimacy of our position, Mia remained natural and composed, while my face turned slightly red.
"You should know that there are no more than five people who can dance with me like this. Learn seriously. When we dance at the ball, all eyes and attention will be on you, understand?" Mia gently guided me through the dance steps while speaking. Undoubtedly, Mia was using this method to draw attention from other high-profile individuals. Being a dance partner with Mia in such an intimate manner would naturally pique everyone's curiosity. Mia's actions were a small sacrifice for my benefit. When my hand rested on her waist, I felt her body tremble slightly, indicating that she was not comfortable with such intimacy with other men. However, for my sake, she endured it. Grateful for her actions, I felt a deeper sense of loyalty and belonging towards Mia, perhaps this was the extraordinary secret to managing a successful person.
"Alright, we should get going. The ball starts at eight o'clock." Due to my diligent learning, around 7:30, Mia felt I was ready, so we left the office to head to the ball.
The venue of the ball was a business club in the city center, and on the way, we had to pass by my apartment. Sitting side by side with Mia in the back seat, the driver and bodyguard were in the front, with a long convoy of cars in the front and back. As we passed by my apartment complex, I could see my apartment building. I first saw the back of Nathan's bedroom, and it was already past 7:40 in the evening. If something was going to happen between Nathan and Katniss, it should have happened by now.
As the car passed by my apartment building, I saw that the light in Nathan's bedroom was on, while the living room light was off. Seeing this, my heart tightened. Were Katniss and Nathan starting something in Nathan's bedroom? Although I had agreed to all this and had seen Nathan and Katniss make love before, this time was different. It was a mutual understanding, and as the legitimate Kevin, if they were to make love again, it would hold a completely different significance.
When the car drove past the apartment building, I saw the front of my apartment building. From this angle, I could see mine and Katniss's bedroom. I stared intently at our bedroom and saw that the lights were on. Katniss's bedroom and Nathan's bedroom both had their lights on, indicating that they were in their respective rooms. It was just past 7 o'clock, and under normal circumstances, they wouldn't be resting yet. So, the lights being on was normal. If they were making love in one of the rooms, one of the bedroom lights should be off, or both should be off. Nathan and Katniss were both careful with utilities, so such a thing would never happen.
Seeing this, even though my initial thoughts didn't come true, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. If Katniss could resist and not have any relationship with Nathan, that would be the best scenario. After a setback, I was truly afraid. Although this time it was arranged and agreed upon by me, I couldn't be completely sure that nothing unexpected would happen. So, at this moment, I felt relaxed.
"Did you not call Michael and Sophia?" Mia, of course, knew where my apartment was located. She noticed me looking out of the car and couldn't help but ask, her eyes showing comfort and admiration. Women always appreciate a man who takes care of his family. However, Mia didn't know what I was actually thinking.
"No, I don't want them to come back and forth late at night. Katniss doesn't have much to worry about now, she can take care of herself just fine." I withdrew my gaze and sat steadily in the car.
At that moment, my phone suddenly rang. I checked and saw it was Katniss calling. I glanced at Mia and then answered the call.
"Honey, has the ball started?" I just answered the phone and heard Katniss's worried voice, filled with longing and missing.
"It's about to start. Ms. Brown and I are on our way. What's wrong?" In front of Mia, I felt awkward to say sweet words to Katniss.
"Nothing, I just miss you, especially just now, that feeling of missing you was inexplicably strong." Katniss said with a hint of a sob, the longing just now? Wasn't that when our car passed by the apartment building? Did Katniss unknowingly develop a strong longing for me at that moment? Thinking about this, I was deeply moved.
"It's okay, take care of yourself at home, be happy, don't overthink, and don't worry about anything else. Make your own decisions, your health is the most important. No matter what, your husband will never leave you." With Mia beside me, I couldn't express my words too explicitly, so I subtly reminded Katniss to prioritize her health.
"You and your wife are so affectionate now, it seems I didn't misjudge you." After hanging up the phone, Mia rarely showed a smile. From the time I met her until now, I had seen her smile no more than five times. However, Mia didn't know the reason behind it, so I just smiled to cover it up.
At the venue of the ball, I used the etiquette I learned from Mia and the knowledge I acquired during this time to socialize and meet people from various backgrounds with ease, like a fish in water. Mia nodded in approval, showing her satisfaction with my performance. After dancing a few dances with Mia, many people approached me, wanting to get to know me, and Mia introduced me to people she knew. This ball significantly expanded my social circle, and the people I met were either wealthy or influential.
By the time the ball ended, it was already ten o'clock at night. I and Mia got into a car to head back to the company. I told Mia that I didn't plan to go home that night, but to organize what I had learned today at the office, make electronic notes of the upper-class individuals I met today, and carefully review my social circle. Mia was very pleased and decided to have the convoy take me back to the company's office. There was a lounge behind the office with all the necessary amenities, so Mia wasn't worried that I would be too tired tonight and affect my learning the next day.
Finally, Mia changed to another car to go home, and the driver drove the business car carrying me towards the company. As the car passed by my apartment complex again, I first saw Katniss's bedroom, and by now, the light in Katniss's bedroom had been turned off. Was Katniss sleeping at this time? Normally, by this time, both Nathan and Katniss would have already gone to bed, as it was already past ten in the evening. Nathan's bedroom light should also be off by now. However, before I could think too much, the car drove past the apartment building, and I saw Nathan's bedroom, which had its light on, with the curtains tightly drawn.
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