Chapter 65
KATE
"Everything all right? I saw you come in," Lisa scrutinizes me as she stands by the door, dressed in a nightgown.
"Yes."
"Now, can you tell me the truth? Because it's written in capital letters on your forehead: I'm not okay."
"It wasn't a business dinner. It was at Ryan's house, with his family."
"God! Okay, how did this casual sex relationship escalate to meeting the family?"
"His mother invited me. She was at Ryan's in the morning. She doesn't know about us."
"And you accepted?"
"I know, now I see that I shouldn't have gone. But he told me to accept."
"Okay. And what exactly happened that was so bad?"
"His ex-girlfriend was there."
"How could that jerk do this to you?"
"He told me he didn't know she would be there. I think it's true. It seems like his mother likes her a lot, and she gave me the impression that she hopes they'll get back together."
"Oh, Kate! She said that to you?"
"Yes."
"You must have felt terrible. It's so cruel."
"I've decided to end this. I realized that I'm not being myself, Lisa. I would never have this kind of relationship with anyone, you know that you know me, and I should be the girlfriend, not someone a guy sleeps with. His family is amazing, and I was thinking about what they would say if they found out I have something with him. I really don't want people to think wrongly about me. I wanted to be the type of person who doesn't care what others think, but I'm not. That's the reality. I felt so bad there." I try to hold back the tears.
"I understand you, Kate. I really do. Come here." She reaches out her hand. I approach and settle on her lap. "You're right about not wanting this kind of relationship because it hurts, it hurts a lot if you don't know how to handle it, and as you said, you deserve something much better, and this guy definitely can't offer you that."
"I know." She plays with my hair, bringing back an old memory. I miss my mother so much. I'm so selfish for not having gone to see my father all this time. I can't abandon him like this. I need to go see him as soon as possible. I know it won't be easy to forget Ryan. But I feel like this is the right thing to do. Seeing him every day, being near him, will be complete torture, but I can't do this to myself.
"And John? He seems like a good option," I raise my face to look at Lisa, analyzing her words. John? I had already forgotten about him.
"We need to talk," he says, stopping in front of my desk.
"Not here and not now."
"It's unbearable to wait until the end of the day," he leans over the desk.
"Fine." Just be direct, Kate. "There's not much to talk about. I've decided to end this ridiculous arrangement, once and for all. I don't know why I agreed to it in the first place."
"What?"
"Just pretend this never happened, Nathan. Please do that."
"Are you kidding me? Is it because of what happened yesterday?"
"It's my decision. Final."
"No." He scoffs. "That's not how it works." He stares at me for a while, until a sarcastic smile appears on his face. Then he turns and leaves, entering his office.
NATHAN
I don't know what the hell she's thinking, but it's not going to happen. I had to hold myself back from yelling at her. I'm tired of it all, Collins. I tried to be understanding, damn it. I'm the one who sets the damn rules. Damn it! I could kill her right now.
"All right. Let's start with a two-month trial, and then we'll hire them if everything goes well."
She's not going to end everything because of a damn ex.
"Nathan?"
"Huh?"
"Did you hear what I said?"
"I'm sorry, you can do as you prefer, I trust you."
"Okay. I don't know where your head's at, but it's not here. So how's Katherine doing?"
"Huh?"
"Your new assistant? The girl who came from the University?"
"She gets on my nerves, but she works well."
"I expected as much."
"What?"
"That she'd be able to handle everything. The work and also you."
"Me?"
"Well... you know. I think we're done here, I'll start taking care of it tomorrow."
"Great."
"See you later, Nathan."
"Bye."
Julie leaves, and I confess I didn't hear much of what she said. Kate is making me lose focus. That doesn't usually happen. I can't let this interfere with business. Luckily, I don't have any important meetings today. The phone rings.
"Yes, Collins?"
"Your brother is here, sir." Great! It couldn't get any worse!
"Let him in."
"Okay."
Stephan enters as I stand up, approaching the windows.
"She's a sight for sore eyes." He walks over to one of the sofas and sits down.
"What do you want?"
"To see my brother."
"My patience has already run out today. Get to the point."
"What happened to put you in a good mood so early?"
"No jokes."
"Why do I think it has something to do with Kate?"
"Don't get involved in this. It's none of your business, Stephan."
"I just want to help, brother."
"Help me by not sticking your nose in."
"I know there's something between you."
"Why did you tell her about Mia?"
"So what's the problem? She's just an ex-girlfriend."
"Try explaining that to her."
"It was a joke, I didn't want to hurt you. But, I thought you didn't want anything but to fuck, for a long time."
"You thought right."
"So, what's the problem?"
"We have an agreement."
"What do you mean? What agreement?"
"It's complicated."
"I hope it's not what I'm thinking."
"What?"
"That you like her. You're in love."
"Don't be ridiculous! My interest is purely sexual."
"Then, what's the reason you're so crazy about her?"
"You don't know her."
"Okay. Then you'll tell me during lunch. Let's go!"
We sit down at a restaurant near Ryan, and Stephan begins his interrogation.
"Yes. I remember calling you, and you were upset about getting dumped."
"I didn't get dumped, you idiot."
"That smile... I can't believe it was her. How the hell did she end up at the Ryan?"
"Let me continue. I took her with me that night, but here's the unbelievable part, she was a virgin."
"You're kidding me?" My brother tries to hold back laughter.
"I'm not. Believe me, I had a much worse reaction than you."
"I can't believe it. What a lucky son of a bitch!"
"Luck? That luck came with several problems. Especially if you're not the type of guy who intends to call the next day."
"You didn't call?"
"Actually, I wouldn't have let her go if I could."
"You told me you weren't in love."
"Shit... it was good, the best."
"Well, you can't doubt that looking at her. But I still don't understand where the problem is."
"The problem is that she's not the type of woman I usually go out with. She doesn't like that kind of relationship, and the fact that she works for me makes it even more wrong in her eyes."
"Did you invite her to work at Ryan?"
"No! That was a damn coincidence."
"So she started working there, and you just bumped into her?"
"Basically."
"Unbelievable! But I think you're making a fuss over nothing, bro. It's just a woman, and if you don't like her, why do you care so much? We know you have no problem getting easy sex."
"You don't understand." And how would he? Stephan had no experience in relationships, except for one-night stands. How could he understand what exists between Kate and me?
I grab my jacket, keys, and phone before leaving. There are still about thirty minutes left, but I'm not waiting anymore. I close the door and stop in front of her desk. She types something on the computer.
"I want you to come with me now." She looks up to stare at me, narrowing her eyes and furrowing her brow.
"What's going on? It's almost time to go home. If it's not about work, I have nothing else to talk about."
"I'll stay here until you come with me." She stares at me for a while before sighing.
"Okay, but this is the last time." She says, getting up and grabbing her bag.
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