NOVEL NEXT Chapter 90: Damien's Resolution
Katherine stared at him as though she was trying to see if he was kidding, but the look in his eyes said otherwise.
"I don't think that's a good idea." She averted her gaze.
Damien already knew why she said that. Ever since they confessed their feelings to each other, they had been cautious about how they acted around each other in public. As much as he wanted to show the whole world that she was his, he understood the circumstances that they were in.
However, he just felt the need to do this, not just for himself but for her as well. He believed that even though they needed to keep their relationship private, he had to make her feel that she was the partner he wanted… and one that he was proud of. A man wanting to show off the woman he truly treasures, wasn't that normal?
"Why not?" he asked despite already knowing the answer.
"People will talk, and I don't want to give them the chance to find faults in you."
"What's so bad about pursuing what I want?" Damien cupped her chin towards him and added, "And you're who I want. Screw what everyone else thinks."
'Smooth criminal.' Katherine softly chuckled. She placed both of her hands on either side of his face, biting her lower lip and scrunching her nose like she was trying to control the urge to smush his cheeks. "President Park, may I remind you again that it's still working hours."
Damien held her hands and placed a kiss on each of them. "I am serious, Katherine. I really do not give a damn about what they will say. They can talk behind my back for all I care and it won't affect me. They can fight me."
Looking at her, Damien noticed the hesitation in her eyes. She must have been thinking about what other people would say about her as well. After all, it's not only going to be him that they were going to talk about. Her reputation could be at stake as well. But being so resolute, Damien could only think of one thing at that moment: Katherine will be future Mrs. Damien Park. He didn't give a flying f*ck about reputation.
'I should be training her for this as well,' he thought to himself.
Stroking his thumb on the back of her hand, he added, "Don't think about it too much. This charity gala is a social event where entitled wealthy schmucks, fame whores, and big-headed celebrities gather to show off how rich they are. Trust me, there will be a lot of juicy gossip in that event that a CEO bringing his secretary to a social event is unimportant."
Breathing out a sigh, Katherine rolled her eyes at him. "Fine. I will be your date, Mr. Park."
No matter what she was going to do, people would have already started talking about them. 'So, whether I'm going to be his date or not, that doesn't really matter now, does it? I might as well give them a good show if they're so interested in our lives,' her bold self gave a pep talk in her pretty head.
A wide grin formed on his flawless face, making him even more irresistible that Katherine had to pull away from him or she might just break her own rules and pounce on him for a make-out sesh. 'Jeez. Control your hormones, Katherine,' she told herself as she walked out of his office.
…
West Bespoke Tailor
It's the second time that Katherine went to this shop with Damien and now that she was back, she felt a little sense of pride that she was able to wear a West Gown a few weeks ago, something that most women could only dream of.
And now she's here again, having her measurements taken. She didn't understand why she had to when she could have easily chosen the ones off the rack.
She watched as Damien talked to Mr. West at the corner of the room as though they were discussing some really important things but their glances at her made her feel a little self-conscious. Were they talking about her?
"Ms. Miller, you may take your seat over there," Ava gestured to the tufted velvet sofa on the side. She was the same lady who assisted her the last time and Katherine had made friends with her while Ava was taking her measurements.
"Thanks, Ava," she muttered and then shifted her gaze back to Damien. She could've also just chosen an affordable dress from another shop but knowing Damien, the man wouldn't take no for an answer when it came to things like these.
Katherine didn't know how her gown would look like as they didn't tell her and Damien also didn't say anything about it. So the only time that she would get to see the design was going to be on the day of the event.
She had learned that Damien loved having a say in the clothes that she wears, which she found interesting and also a little funny at the same time because sometimes, he would scold himself on hindsight for letting her wear an outfit that would just be an eye-magnet for other men. Katherine could not complain though, as Damien would always choose the best dresses for her.
And as much as she wanted to argue and stop him from spending another cent on her, it was just pointless — he would always win.
"Thank you, Mr. West." Damien shook hands with the man and heard him say, "No, President Park, Thank you. It's always an honor for me to have you wear my creations." Mr. West glanced at Katherine and spoke with a smile on his face, "And… your significant other."
Mr. West walked away and entered a room at the far end of the shop while Damien strolled towards Katherine.
"Shall we go?" Damien said as he pulled Katherine up from the sofa.
"Where are we headed to?" She followed him out of the shop and the two got inside the car.
As soon as they got settled in, Damien turned on the engine and told her, "I hope you brought your wallet with you."
"Wallet?" Katherine quickly checked her bag and took out her wallet before she looked back at him. "I have it. Why?"
With a smirk on his face, he glanced at her and sped off into the traffic. "It's payday. Aren't you supposed to take me out to dinner?"
Katherine's mouth hung open. This shameless boss… Although, she couldn't really call him that this time. After all, the two of them agreed that she was going to pay him back slowly by buying him dinner every time she gets her salary. She didn't mind of course, but what was that look on his face? Did this evil man just thought of emptying her wallet before she could even have a taste of the fruit of her labor?
…
Arriving at a posh restaurant, Katherine gulped when she saw the interior that screamed a million dollars. She was scared that Damien was going to rob her that night.
Just as they were on their way to the table, a familiar woman's voice called him from the side.
"Damien." Lexi Jin sauntered towards them. A tall and skinny woman was following her from behind. "It's been a while since I last saw you. You haven't returned my calls," she said, ignoring Katherine who stood next to him.
Damien breathed out, he didn't want to deal with her but she was like a mushroom who kept popping out of nowhere. "Yeah? There's a reason why I didn't. And you should have already taken the hint."
Lexi swallowed, embarrassed that Damien just humiliated her in front of her friend. But that didn't stop her from trying to talk to him. "Luxury For A Cause… You'll be there, right? I'm sure you won't miss that charity. It's your family's tradition." She bit her lip for a second before she continued, "I was wondering if we could go together."
Katherine's ear rang upon hearing Lexi's bold invitation. She wondered if staying in Europe for years caused her to be like this. How was it so easy for her to say that and not feel shy at all? 'Also… why the heck are you inviting my man?' she silently snarked at her. She was itching to say something but she could only hold back.
Raising a brow, Damien looked at Lexi mockingly, "And why would you think I want to go with you? Have you knocked your head or something?"
Lexi chuckled, "Stop being funny. Of course, you would want to go with me. We always go to events like this together."
"That was eons ago, Ms. Jin."
"Nothing has changed, Damien. We could still go just like we always did."
'Are they seriously having this conversation in front of me right now?' Katherine sighed.
Sensing his woman's irritation, Damien chuckled. He held Katherine's hand and interlaced his fingers with hers before he looked at Lexi again and said, "Ms. Jin, my girlfriend and I are on a date. I suggest that you go find someone else to toy with. You're a nuisance."
Damien walked away, holding Katherine's hand as he did. Leaning slightly to her ear, he whispered, "You are so adorable when you're jealous."