NOVEL NEXT Chapter 57: Let Me Take Care of You
Realizing that her plan didn't work, Katherine was desperate. She walked up to Damien and bravely said, "Boss, this morning… you said that I can take advantage of you."
Amused by her statement, he decided to humor her. "Yes, and what about it?" He was curious as to how Katherine was going to use the privilege that he gave her.
"Can I really do that?"
He nodded and reassured, "I'll help you with anything. All you need to do is ask."
"Then… Boss, can you lend me some money?" She put her hands together as though she was pleading, looking very expectant that he will grant her request.
Raising a brow, Damien questioned, "Money? How much? And what for?"
"Just enough to pay for my rent. I will have to find a new place and most of them would ask for two months' rent at least."
'Huh… she's still determined to move out from my place.' He looked at her and a lot of questions ran in his mind. Seeing her desperation, how could he not feel bad?
"I promise I'll pay you as soon as I get my first salary…" she continued to gaze at him in the eyes as she wanted to show her sincerity. "And I'll still buy you a meal tonight," she added. Who would say 'no' to free food, right?
Damien almost chuckled at her words. He placed a hand on her shoulder and led her back to his car, "Get in."
He did not say yes to her request but he did not say no either. Not wanting to force her boss, she could only follow him. So she got in the car and as soon as they were both settled inside, Damien sped off.
"Boss, where are we going?" Katherine wondered a few minutes later.
"How could I ignore your landlady's words? As your boyfriend, it's only my duty to take care of you."
"What are you talking about? She was clearly mistaken." Katherine was sent into a coughing fit after hearing his shameless declaration, "What boyfriend?"
Damien chuckled at her reaction. She looked extremely adorable and he couldn't help but tease her more, "Why? Is it not okay?"
"You really have no shame, Boss."
"Her mistake can easily be corrected. I just need to be your boyfriend. How hard is that?" Damien was having fun — he really enjoyed what the landlady said; his laugh was so attractive, it made Katherine feel butterflies in her stomach.
"You can't just claim yourself as one," she scoffed. "We haven't even kissed yet," she muttered softly and in an instant, her ears became red when she realized what she had blurted.
Stepping on the brakes at the stoplight, Damien had a playful smile on his lips as he placed an arm on her seat and said, "We can correct that too."
Katherine was suddenly feeling hot all over. She turned her head away from him and stared outside the window. 'Stop it. Or I just might let you,' she thought to herself.
The car moved again and the rest of the ride was quiet until Damien stopped in front of the Crown Hotel.
The two of them got out of the car and Katherine wondered why they stopped there instead of their office building. "Are we here to check on something?"
"Just follow me," he answered as they entered the hotel's lobby.
As soon as the hotel employees saw their Big Boss, they all lined up and greeted him.
"Good afternoon, President Park." All of them said as Damien passed by. Although his office was just right next to the hotel, they don't get to see him often.
The female employees were flustered when they saw their Boss — as always, he was such an eye candy, they couldn't help but sneak glances at him.
The General Manager of Crown Hotel immediately greeted him and without delay, Damien asked, "Mr. Chu, give me the keycard to the Royal penthouse."
"Right away, President Park." Mr. Chu retrieved something from the front desk and came back within a few seconds. "President Park, let me escort you."
Along with the female Executive Assistant Manager, the four of them entered the elevator and headed to the top floor. Katherine stood right behind Damien with a neutral expression just like she would always have whenever they're conducting business.
The General Manager and the Executive Assistant Manager glanced at her and their Big Boss, wondering if they were going to do a random check.
When they reached the top floor, the General Manager opened the door for them and they entered.
"Starting today, you're going to live here," Damien said to Katherine, making the two other people in the room exchange glances at each other.
Katherine raised her brows, puzzled at what her Boss was saying. "I'm sorry, Boss… What do you mean?"
"It's just like what I said. You are going to live here." Damien turned to the General Manager and said, "Royal Penthouse will no longer be available for guests. Ms. Miller will be staying here starting now and I request that you serve her just as if you're serving me and attend to her needs whenever. Understood?"
Although the two did not understand how their Boss's visit ended up like this, how could they dare go against his wishes? With utmost respect, the two of them gave a bow and acknowledged his orders.
"Leave us," Damien added and the two left right away, leaving the keycard to their Boss.
As soon as they were alone, Katherine immediately questioned, "What is this? What are you doing?"
"I'm giving you a place to stay, that way you don't have to borrow money and you don't have to pay rent either."
"I understand that… but a penthouse?" Katherine scanned the huge area. The Royal Penthouse was meant for the VVIPs and she was definitely not one.
Filled with luxurious and expensive furniture, products, and decorations, the penthouse was definitely suited for royalty. Katherine felt a little out of place being inside the room that Damien just granted her. "I can't live here. This is too much. I only need a small space... a bed, and a bathroom and I'll be alright."
"Katherine, I can't allow you to stay in a small space."
"But I can't afford this."
"You don't have to pay a single cent. This is part of your benefits. It's in your contract; if you don't have a place to stay, the company will provide accommodation for you. And this is what I'm providing you."
"Only VVIPs stay here so how could I? And it's not even only for a day. You want me to live here!"
"Maybe you're not for them but you are for me. And I own this place. I have every right to let whoever I want to stay here," he said as a matter-of-factly.
Katherine placed both of her hands on her face, she looked around again and still felt that she couldn't stay there. The penthouse was as huge as Damien's place. "This…" was all she could utter.
Seeing her hesitation, Damien walked closer to her, placed his hands on her face and made her look at him. "You asked for my help but I won't lend you money for rent. If you don't want to stay at my place, then at least stay here. Compared to your old apartment, the office is just right beside so you don't have to travel far. You're actually going to save a lot since you don't have to pay for your rent and no more commute fees."
Katherine had to give it to him – He really is a sly, sexy man. How else could she refuse his offer?
Thinking that she might be feeling uncomfortable with all the sudden change, he added, "Let me take care of you."
Her heartbeat raced and she was afraid that it would jump out of her chest with the way Damien was saying his words. "I don't want to take advantage of you like this."
Tilting his head, he chuckled and gave her a gentle smile before he replied, "I already told you. You can take advantage of me all you want. You're the only one who has this privilege, you should make use of it."
Katherine bit her lip and returned his gaze with a worried expression. "I don't think I can ever repay you."
He slid his hands down her arms and held her hands as he replied, "How about this? So that you won't feel bad, just treat me to a good meal tonight and I'll call it even."
"Just one meal? How do you call that even? That's not fair to you…"
Revealing his pearly whites with a dashing smile, he took her hand in his and led her out of the room. "Then take me out to dinner every time you receive your paycheck. Deal?" He suggested as they headed towards the elevator.
With a pleased expression, Katherine finally smiled at him brightly and nodded, "Deal."