Femme Fatale: The King's Deadly Temptress

Katherine felt a chill on her nape when she heard Damien let out a chuckle upon hearing Emma's outburst. She didn't know who to tame first – her friend Emma who just called out her boss? Or Damien who had a mirthless smile on his face?

She gulped and quickly turned to face Damien, "I'm so sorry, President Park. Let me handle my friend real quick. She needs a knock on her head. Heh–"

Katherine dragged Emma out of the lobby with all the strength that she had. "W-what are you doing? I'm not done yet! He needs to hear it! It doesn't matter how handsome he is!!!" Emma said loudly enough for others to hear. 

Damien tilted his head as he watched the two women walk away. A smile lingered on his lips when Emma's words resounded in his head. He put his hands in his pockets and he glanced at his employees briefly. "Carry on," he said before he strolled out of his building.

Outside, Katherine started to scold Emma.

"Are you crazy? How could you do that back there? Do you want me to get fired?" Katherine was exasperated. She was embarrassed and mad at the same time.

With her chin raised and her arms crossed, Emma pursed her lips into a thin line. She realized that she may have crossed the line. "I was just worried about you, okay?"

"I understand that… but how could you say something like that to my boss? I work for him and now you just made it awkward for me. How could I face him now?"

Feeling guilty, Emma grabbed Katherine's hand and held it tightly in hers. "I'm so sorry, Kath… but you did say that you've been busy. I just warned that Director not to give you a ridiculous workload that would cause you to get sick. I am only concerned about your well-being."

Katherine wanted to roll her eyes but stopped herself. "He's not just a Director, Emma. He's the BIG BOSS and I'm not a Marketing Director's assistant."

"What are you talking about? If you're not, then what are you? And what do you mean BIG BOSS?" Emma's brows furrowed.

"I mean… He's the Chairman and CEO of Crown Resort Group and I... I'm his secretary." Katherine sighed and saw Emma's eyes grew wider by the second.

"Th-that freakishly handsome looking Devil is the–"

"Shush! Keep your voice down!" Katherine covered Emma's mouth again, she swore her friend was such a handful.

"But I thought you applied for-"

"Yes, I don't know what happened."

"Oh god… and I… I just told him…" Emma's eyes darted here and there, recalling the words that she spewed earlier. She slapped her lips twice and cursed herself.

"Enough." Katherine stopped Emma's hands and smiled at her, giving her a huge hug. "I'm glad to see you. And thanks for worrying about me."

"You should have told me right away. You know that I would help you, right?" Emma pouted, feeling disappointed that her friend didn't turn to her for help. "Where are you staying now? Are you–" her voice trailed off when she saw Damien walking towards them. 

Emma let go of Katherine's hands instantly and bowed to Damien, "I apologize about my behavior, President. I was just worried about my friend."

"Mhmm," Damien nodded.

"Oh right." Emma opened her bag and took out a thin envelope. "This isn't much but I hope it can help you. It's all I have." It was more than half of Emma's paycheck but she was willing to give it to her friend.

Katherine was taken aback by her kind gesture. She immediately shook her hands in front of her to refuse it. "I can't take that. You need that too."

"It's okay, I'll figure it out. You need it more than I do, so here… take it." Emma tried to shove it to Katherine but Damien blocked her hand.

The two women were surprised by his action that their heads snapped at him, wondering what he was doing. 

With an unreadable expression, Damien placed his hands on Katherine's shoulders and told Emma, "Keep it. Don't worry about Ms. Katherine. I'm not making her work too hard and I'll make sure that she doesn't get sick. I'll take care of her. You have my word." 

The two women looked at him like he was glowing with a halo on his head. Both their hearts drummed faster than usual, especially Katherine's.

With his hands still on her shoulders, he gently pushed her towards the car and opened it for her to get inside, leaving Emma on the side gaping at their backs. Katherine was left speechless after hearing what he said to her friend. Why did his words sounded like something else? Do bosses say that for their secretaries?

When Damien drove the car away, he glanced at Katherine in the passenger's seat and said, "Your friend–"

"I'm really sorry about what she said." Katherine started. "I didn't know that she would look for me and do that."

"Were you avoiding her?"

"I couldn't really tell her what happened to me. She already has a lot to worry about in her family." 

By this time, Damien already figured that Katherine didn't want to bother other people with her problems. He took a mental note on this in case something happens in the future, he would be aware of it even if she wouldn't tell him. 

The traffic light turned red and Damien stepped on the break as he responded, "It's great that your friend worries about you."

Katherine turned to face him, meeting his intense stare as he continued, "but I meant what I said back there." 

Her breathing hitched and her stomach felt funny when she heard his assurance. This man who has shown a lot of faces in front of her, whose smiles were different depending on who he was talking to… And those eyes… those eyes that looked at her differently when he said that he'd take care of her. 

Could I trust your words, Damien Park?

… 

The new resort's progress has been excellent so far. It has only been a few days since their last visit and the necessary adjustments have already been made. That day, they did a lot of inspections to make sure that every area passed President Park's expectations. He's very hands-on with his business. Something that was both good and bad for the employees. 

They met a few business partners in the resort and held meetings there until it was late in the afternoon. 

"Everything's looking great. Let's push the opening on the 18th." Damien announced as he walked down the stairs to the lobby.

General Manager Mr. Lim and the team looked at each other, fear evident on their faces. Even Katherine thought it was going to be arduous.

"But President Park, that's two weeks earlier than the target date." Mr. Lim hesitantly voiced his thoughts that the rest of the team silently supported.

"Judging by the current progress, I'm positive that we'll make it by then. I believe that you won't disappoint me." Damien said leaving no room for arguments. The team could only nod and follow their boss's orders.

"Now now… let's put work aside. It's a Saturday. We should be having fun instead." Caleb stepped forward to Damien's side and draped his arm over his friend's shoulder. "Why don't we celebrate and have dinner. What do you say?"

"Celebrate?" Damien raised a brow.

Looking at Katherine, Caleb winked at her and continued, "It's Ms. Miller's first week. I think we owe her a welcome party, don't you think?"

Damien's gaze landed on Katherine who had a questioning look as everyone's eyes were glued on her. "Hmmm. Let's go then, dinner and drinks are on me." An indifferent look appeared on his face as he turned around and headed towards his car. 

The employee's eyes sparkled with delight when they heard their boss. They were already expecting an enjoyable night if it's the Big Boss paying.