NOVEL NEXT Chapter 612: Confidant
"Did you two fight?" Deborah asked as soon as Katherine walked back inside the mansion; the concern was apparent on her face.
"No, Aunt Deb. We're okay." Katherine smiled.
"Are you sure?"
"We've just been swamped lately. Damien has to work overtime tonight, and I wanted to stay with Grandpa. Driving from here to his office is quite far. You don't mind me staying, Aunt Deb, do you?"
"Of course, you can, dear." Deborah curled her lips into a smile, the apples of her cheeks quite plumper than before. Katherine realized that her aunt might have had her face done. She didn't have anything against those who wanted fillers or botox—to each his own—but she didn't think her aunt needed one, and now Deborah's cheeks looked shiny, making it appear evident that she had gotten it done. "You're always welcome to stay here anytime you like. I'll let the servants know you're staying the night so they can prepare your bedroom."
"Thank you, Aunt Deb."
Katherine watched her aunt disappear into the hallway, and then she slumped into the sofa, the exhausting day taking a toll on her. The sedative she took before the MRI earlier had been working its charm, causing her eyes to sting. She'd wanted to sleep since two hours ago, but her mind was just too active for her to calm down. Massaging her temples, she decided she'd make a cup of tea to help her sleep.
"You're sleeping here tonight?" Caroline came down the stairs and joined her in the living room. She was wearing loungewear, had a fluffy headband on her head with no makeup, and looked less bitchy. Her younger cousin actually looked adorable like this.
"Yeah. I want to be here when Grandpa wakes up."
"Where's Damien?" She looked around the room but didn't see anyone. "Not here?"
Katherine shook her head. "He went back to the city. It's just me tonight."
Nodding, Caroline sat in the armchair next to the sofa, put her feet up on the coffee table, and played with her phone. After ten minutes of silence, she looked at Katherine. "Hey… Um. Can I tell you something?" she asked.
Slightly confused, Katherine nodded. "Sure. What is it?"
Caroline sat up straight and moved to sit next to Katherine on the sofa, checking their surroundings and making sure no one else was around. "I'm looking for my father. And I didn't tell Mom."
"Oh… Okay?" Katherine turned to face the other, her brows knitted together. "Why aren't you telling Aunt Debbie?"
"She doesn't tell me anything. I used to ask her about him when I was younger, and she'd always shut me off. I'm older now, you know. I just…think I deserve to know who my sperm donor is." Her eyes rolled as she said the last words. "You're not gonna tell her, are you?"
Katherine wondered why Caroline was even telling her about this. They were never close, and the only time they really sort of hung out was that one time in the cafe. Did Caroline perhaps begin to feel that she could trust her after what happened? Katherine didn't really mind the other being closer. It's just that Caroline gave off odd vibes when Katherine came back to the Young mansion and had been just distant ever since. So this talking and being friendly was new to Katherine that she wasn't sure how to deal with it.
Despite what she thought, Katherine remained civil. "Of course. It's not my place to tell her. But how are you going to look for your father? What have you done so far?"
"I have actually just started today. I've been thinking about it a lot these days and it's just this morning that I actually came to a decision to look for him. I haven't done anything yet, but I think I'd probably look for some clues somewhere—in her room...or in her office, maybe? What do you think?"
Katherine nodded. "That's a good start. What do you know about your father?"
"Nothing. Mom has never told me anything at all. She said there was no need to look for him… That he's not coming back, so there's no point." Caroline looked down, sadness lacing her face. "It sucks."
"I'm sorry. It must be tough…"
"I don't blame her, though. Maybe that man must have hurt her badly. Grandpa had always been there for me, but still… It's different. I always wonder how it felt like to have a dad around."
"Did you try asking Grandpa?"
Caroline nodded. "I did once. But he told me he didn't know anything about the man. My mother refused to tell him who knocked her up."
Taking a deep breath, Katherine averted her gaze and stared at the floor. She couldn't imagine not knowing a parent. She knew the pain of losing both, but not knowing the person at all? That must be really frustrating. Also, how could Aunt Debbie shut the man out of Caroline's life completely? How much damage had he done for her to do this?
Facing her cousin, Katherine patted her arm. "I honestly don't know what to say… I've been away from this family for so long, I don't know anything. But…if you need help, I'll do what I can."
Caroline looked at her, hope glimmering in her eyes. "Thank you. I don't know why I'm telling you this either. We're not that close. I haven't been speaking much to my friends, and I guess I just needed to tell someone. Keep this between us?"
"I won't tell anyone."
They both smiled, and Katherine got to her feet. "I'm going to make myself some chamomile tea. Would you like some?"
"Can't sleep?"
"Feels like there's a debate competition in my head. I just want to crash and wake up in the morning."
"I have some melatonin pills if you want." Caroline got up from the sofa.
"Thanks, but I don't want any more pills. I already took a sedative earlier. I'm tired, but my brain just can't rest."
"Okay. I'll have the tea with you."
The two ventured towards the kitchen, where they made themselves the tea. Some servants were still there, and they were surprised to see the two together. Instead of taking the tea in the tea room, they chose to drink it in the kitchen and sat at a table. It was rare for Caroline to even stay in the kitchen for a long time, so this boggled the servants. However, it was a change that they liked as it made the mansion feel livelier than usual—all because of Katherine's presence.