NOVEL NEXT Chapter 79: It's Uncanny
The next day
Twenty-four-year-old Caroline Young sat in an armchair as she played with her phone inside her mother's office in Young Corporation. Born with a silver spoon, she graduated from the university but had not worked even once in her life. A few days ago, William's father Frederick Park contacted her mother and asked if it was possible for her and William to go on a date, and when she heard about the news, she was delighted.
Having known William for his family's wealth and the flock of women that were very much interested in him, she felt entitled to be chosen by his father as a potential wife. The two have met a few times in the past but because of this new favoritism, her pride had been boosted.
"Mom, I will meet William tonight so I won't be joining you for dinner," she said without looking up from her phone.
"Already? You just had lunch with him yesterday. It seems that he took a liking to you." Madam Young had a smile on her face as she continued to work on her desk that had a gold desk nameplate on it that said: CEO.
"What's not to like?" A huge bright smile bloomed on her face as she thought so highly about herself — she was the daughter of a CEO, of course, she has it all. Getting up from the chair, she walked towards her mother and gave her a peck on the cheek. "I'll leave now. I have to visit the salon."
"Okay, take care, Caroline." Madam Young watched as her daughter walked out of her office. She tapped the pen in her hand to the desk when she pondered on something.
Her thoughts brought her back to yesterday's events at the Atlantis Hotel. Having seen Katherine yesterday, she had a nagging feeling in her heart that made it difficult for her to fall asleep last night.
Staring at her phone a few inches away, she contemplated for a while before picking it up and dialing a number on it. She waited for a few seconds before a man's voice was heard from the other line.
"Hello," he said.
"I wish to meet you soon, when are you available?" Madam Young asked as she looked at her calendar to coordinate with the person.
"I'm on a… business trip as of the moment. Is this something important?"
"It can wait… but I'm anxious."
"Then tell me what it is about."
She brought her thumb to her mouth, bit her nail before sighing and said, "I met this woman yesterday who resembled someone I know from the past. They look so much alike... it's uncanny."
"Is this a past lover whom you're talking about, Madam Young?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I want you to look into her. I want to know who she is."
"What's the name?"
She recalled William's answer from yesterday and repeated it to the man she was talking on the phone, "Her name's Katherine… Katherine Miller. Check her background and get back to me as soon as you can."
The man did not respond and the line went dead while Madam Young stared at her wall as she thought about the possibilities. Turning her head to the side, she opened a drawer and retrieved a family picture that was taken decades ago but as soon as she was able to take a look at it, she placed it back hastily inside and closed the drawer.
She clenched her hands together, as she nervously sat on her chair, not knowing what to expect from the investigation that she had just asked that man to do.
…
Crown Resort Group
It was already noon and Katherine was able to finish half of the tasks that she needed to do for the day. She was so focused on her work that she only noticed someone came to her desk when she heard a knock on it.
"Ms. Miller?"
Looking up, she saw Caleb Yoo smiling down at her. "Oh, Mr. Yoo." She got up from her chair and greeted him with a bow. "Can I help you with something?"
"I just thought I'd check up on you here since Damien isn't around. You haven't eaten your lunch yet, right?" He peeked at her desk and saw that there were a lot of documents on it. "I guess not."
Katherine glanced at the clock on her computer and only realized that it was past twelve already. "I didn't realize the time. I'll just finish a few more and then I'll take my break."
He shook his head and nodded his head to the side, "Let's go, Ms. Miller. I'll treat you for lunch. You can finish that later."
She glanced at her desk and thought about it for a second when she heard Caleb speak again, "Don't tell me that you're still considering it? You need to eat, Katherine."
"B-But…"
"You always eat with Damien, right? But since he's not here, does that mean that you won't eat as well? You've been working hard these past few days while he wasn't around. I don't think he'll be happy once he finds out that you are skipping your meals."
Looking at his boyish charms, Katherine couldn't help but return his smile with a gentle one of her own. Nodding, she turned off her computer and grabbed her bag. "I guess I could take a break to eat."
"Good. I know a really good Thai restaurant on the next block. Do you mind walking?" The two of them headed towards the elevator and entered it.
"Not at all."
It was silent for a while before Caleb spoke again, a little hesitant this time, "Say… Katherine… I hope you don't mind me asking… Though you don't have to answer if you don't want to."
She turned her head to look at him, wondering what he was curious about. "What is it?"
He looked down as he thought about how to formulate his question. Slowly, he asked, "Damien… and you… Are you guys romantically involved?" He looked up and met her stare but as soon as the question left his mouth, she looked away and without even waiting for her answer, he already knew it.
Katherine swallowed and pressed her lips together, the small space inside the elevator felt like it had gotten even smaller. Why was the ride going down seem to take longer than it was supposed to?
Noticing the uneasiness on her expression, a tiny smile appeared on his face. "You don't have to answer. I apologize for making you feel uncomfortable."
"Why do you ask?"
The elevator door finally opened. The two of them stepped out and started walking towards the restaurant while Caleb postponed what he wanted to tell her until later. Felix noticed them right away and as naturally as he could, he followed them from behind until they reached the restaurant. He stood outside and waited until they finished.
As they started eating, Caleb finally answered her, "Earlier, you asked me why…" He saw Katherine nodded lightly and he continued, "Curiosity… mostly. But aside from that, I just wanted to give you a piece of advice."
Getting her attention, Caleb casually placed a few pieces of food on her plate as he answered, "It's good that you two are getting close… and I guess you know this already but getting involved with Damien Park can have consequences. A small scandal could lead to problems… and problems for businessmen like him are a pain in the ass. Sorry for the language."
She formed a small smile and waited for him to continue.
"Back at the party, I saw Uncle Fred talking to you…" Caleb noticed Katherine shift in her seat and he didn't like that he had to talk about it but if he wouldn't, who else would? "I could already guess what he said. But I hope you won't get discouraged."
She finally met his stare and she asked, "Why are you telling me this?"
"I have seen the way Damien looks at you and how he treats you. I've been friends with him ever since we were kids, Katherine. I know what he has been through. He might be playful and constantly have a smile on his face but… he's actually a very lonely person."
Katherine's brows knitted and her observation from the past about Damien resurfaced. It was just like how she saw him interact with others – how his smiles were not genuine.
"What do you mean lonely? He has you guys as his friends, right?"
Caleb sniffed, "It's different. We are indeed like brothers but even brothers have secrets. I know a lot of his secrets, Katherine, but even then… he doesn't want to show his weakness."
Thinking about Damien, she had always seen him as this capable man who has a naughty side in him and hearing from Caleb that he's a lonely person, she wondered about it, "Is he… that sad?"
"He grew up without a mother's love. And being born in the Park family…" He closed his mouth and thought that he shouldn't say too much, so he bit his tongue before he continued, "His childhood was tough. If… that day comes, I'm sure he'll tell you about it. But until then… I hope you can stand by his side."
"We're not… Our relationship isn't that deep… yet… I think… I'm…" Katherine's cheeks blushed, making Caleb chuckle. "I don't think we are there yet…"