Chapter 106
KATE
Lisa drops one of her bags as we leave the store. It had been so long since I accompanied her to the mall for shopping that I had forgotten how much she loves to spend. The truth is, we don't spend as much time together anymore.
"I didn't remember how much you could spend on clothes. Can we go back home now?"
"It's Saturday, Kate. You should cheer up. Actually, you seemed pretty excited when you got home earlier."
"Let's not talk about that anymore."
"Come on, you didn't tell me all the sordid details." I shrug.
"Don't give me that look, Collins."
"What look?"
"The innocent one. You're a complete badass." I laugh and turn to face her smile.
"Lisa Dickens, I declare you guilty and incapable of judging me." She shrugs, and we laugh.
"Katherine?" Someone calls my name, making me turn around again. Nathan's sister approaches with a smile.
"Ellie? How are you?"
"Great. And you?"
"I'm fine. How are your parents?"
"They're great. Just my mom has been a bit tense lately."
"Oh, let me introduce my friend. Lisa, this is Ellie, my boss's sister. Ellie, Lisa Dickens, my best friend."
"Hello Ellie, nice to meet you," Lisa greets her.
"The pleasure is mine."
"So, you mentioned that Mrs. Ryan has been tense? Is she okay?" Ellie sighs.
"Yeah. It's just that she hasn't given up on trying to get Nat back with his ex, and she's forcing me to help her with that mission." My stomach churns. "I think you met Mia at dinner, right?"
"Right. Yes."
"Great. Mia?" She calls the blonde girl who's on the phone right behind her. "So, I'm trying to help Mia find something to wear for dinner with Nat tonight."
"Dinner?" I blink. Did she say dinner tonight? Lisa and I exchange glances. I feel nauseous.
"Hello!" Mia approaches. Elegant and perfect, like everyone in his family.
"I was telling Katherine about your dinner with Nat. Maybe she can help since she spends so much time with him," Ellie says. Help? None of this makes sense.
"What time did you arrange?" The question slips out. "I mean, sorry, I'm being nosy. It's just that I could swear he had a work commitment today."
"Could Nat be standing you up?" Ellie stares at Mia.
"We scheduled it for nine. I think it's too late for work. But anyway, sorry, Katherine, we don't want to take up your time." If I could, I would turn her into ashes right in front of me. But it's not her fault. There's only one liar in this story.
"It's fine." I force a smile, the most fake one I can manage.
"Let's go, Ellie," Mia says before starting to walk away.
"I'm coming. So, any tips, Kate?" Ellie looks at me, hopefully.
"Sorry, I don't know much about Mr. Ryan's personal preferences."
"That's alright, it's not surprising. I know my brother, but it was nice to see you, Kate. Take care!"
"Bye!" Shit. Did that really just happen?
"So he's going to dinner with his ex?" Lisa questions, probing me.
"Seems like it."
"Seems like you didn't know about it." She narrows her eyes.
"No."
"Oh... And what are you going to do?" Burning him alive seemed like a good option at the moment.
"I don't know."
"I think we should go home." I nod.
It seems Mrs. Ryan wanted her daughter-in-law back. And Nathan had a date with his ex. Why didn't he tell me anything? Or better yet, why the hell would he go meet that woman?
During the drive back home, I tried to think about what I should do. I was tempted to just call him and ask what this meant. I wanted an explanation. But I didn't want to have to ask, and I also didn't want to believe that he was deceiving me. I wanted to give him a chance to tell me and explain. So I did, when I got home, I typed an unsuspecting message.
From Kate: What are we doing tonight?
Seconds later, my phone vibrates, and I feel a knot in my stomach from nerves. I open the notification.
From Nathan: Are you already missing me?
P.S.: Are you still being sensitive?
Nothing. No trace. I type a response.
From Kate: I'm thinking of something. Can you come over at eight?
An hour earlier, to not make it too obvious, I thought. My heart felt like it was sinking deeper into my chest as I waited.
From Nathan: Are you ignoring my questions? What do you have in mind for us?
Shit. What an idiot. Just tell me.
From Kate: It's a surprise. So, eight o'clock?
He took a little longer to reply this time.
From Nathan: I have a work commitment tonight. I can pick you up afterward.
It was true. He was lying. Even worse, using a work excuse. Did he think I was that dumb? I was his damn assistant. My heart squeezed. Was he deceiving me all along? Tears started streaming uncontrollably down my face. It was all a lie, the whole time. I wanted to curse him with the worst words, but I simply didn't respond. Clutching onto my bedsheet, I turned off my phone, feeling the pain in my chest intensify.
I woke up in the early evening, with a queasy stomach, listening to the gentle sound of rain. When I turned on my phone, there were about three missed calls from him and more messages.
From Nathan: What are you doing? Why aren't you responding?
No Ryan. Not anymore. Never again.
Lisa seemed to be returning from the grocery store when I entered the living room. Since we arrived, I tried to avoid her questions, pretending that I was okay. But I knew I couldn't deceive her. I accepted her comfort as we sat on the couch to watch a movie. I had no idea what it was called because my mind was focused on a certain dinner.
I dozed off and woke up after ten. I guess I had a habit of sleeping to escape the real world when it became difficult to face reality. Lisa must have been in her room already. It was raining heavily. I reached for my phone, sitting up. There was a notification on the screen. Another message, which I opened with considerable effort, as just seeing his name in the notification made me feel nauseous.
From Nathan: Are you okay?
The message was from minutes ago. Was he still with her? Shit. It doesn't matter. He lied. I turned off my phone again and returned to my room.
I woke up angry at myself for waking up so early on a Sunday. It was only seven in the morning. I shouldn't have slept so much yesterday. I peeked out of my bedroom window, opening the curtain a bit. It was a bit chilly, and some clouds covered the sun. I figured a run would be welcome. I put on a hoodie, sneakers, and headed out. After thirty minutes of running, I was determined about what I was going to do.
My ankles were a bit sore, and my lungs were burning. I lowered my head, placing my hands on my knees, taking in as much air as possible.
"Katherine?" I lifted my body, hearing the familiar voice. I faced a smiling and tousled-haired John.
"John?" Shit. I remembered that I must have looked terrible. Just like I felt inside.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" he said.
"I guess so." I approached him for a timid hug. No one would say that we had once shared a bed. We seemed like strangers now. "How are you?"
"Good, and you?"
"Fine. Still working with Ryan?"
"How's business going?" I evaded the subject.
"It's going well."
"That's great."
"Yeah. But what about you? I didn't know you were the type..."
"The type?"
"The type who runs." He smiled, undoubtedly having one of the most incredible smiles in the world.
"You mean the fit type?"
"No. Never. Believe me, you look great. I mean, from what I've seen." He stumbled a bit, making me laugh. "Well, I was thinking of getting some coffee. Care to join me?"
"Thank you, but I need a shower. Maybe another time." No more guys. For a long time, Kate, even those who don't seem like scoundrels.
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