Published: Aug. 29, 2020----Sept. 30, 2020

At fifty minutes past eleven, Katelyn saw Mr. Martin, Jared's driver, carrying the foods cooked by Mrs. Smith, passed her going to his Boss's office.

It has been the scenario that she always witnesses every day ever since she started working in the CEO's office; the only difference is this time; her lunch will also be inside the bag.

She is unsure why her husband decided to eat with her as in the past; he doesn't mind that she spent it with her friends.

In ordinary circumstances, she will be ecstatic that he had finally broken his silence, but she is not.

Maybe because this is the first time she connected herself to his grandmother in front of her friend and needed to explain it further. But because he ordered that she eat her lunch with him, it stopped her talking to Nicole about her suppose uncle.

She knows her friend that if the information given to her is incomplete, she will learn the missing pieces on her means. It made her afraid, the possibility that her friends will know her secrets from other sources.

With all those lies she had sewn to make a perfect biography for herself not connected to the Steele, they will not believe in her explanation if they found out about it. The worst thing is that they will be alienating her.

She values her friendship with them as they are the first few friends since her arrival in this new city, where people are always busy at work. They let her into their private lives even though they know her in, while all she did is lie to them.

She knows that she had been unfair to them to the extent that she felt like a parasite, sucking unto its host without giving in return. How she wished she is free to do justice to their friendship.

Michelle's sound taking out her bag in her drawer made Katelyn aware of where she is as if the latter has a revolving camera on her head and saw her staring. She looked back and asked," Aren't you not going to the cafeteria?"

Maybe something is going on this day, as everyone who surrounds her seems to have a heart change.

Even Michelle talk to her politely now, so unlike of her personality.

She is that person who always bullies her with sarcastic comments.

"But wait, maybe the reason for Michelle's change of attitude was because she answered her earlier, and due to it, the latter finally understood that she is not easily bullied."

"So, are you going?'' The second Michelle asked again made Katelyn realize that she did not answer her yet, immediately she did. "No, I am waiting for my friend's call to know where we are going to eat."

"Hmm, okay so I will go out first."

Katelyn just looked at the departing back of Michelle still confused at the latter's behavior but the ringing of her phone distracted her from divulging in the topic especially when she saw Jared's extension number.

"Yes, Mr. Steele what can I do?"

"It's time for lunch, come inside and prepare the foods."

"Okay," she then closed the phone, stand up and walked inside Jared's office.

As Jared is still talking to Mr. Martin on his table, she directly went to the meeting room where the bag of foods is. She takes everything out and arranges the table for two.

She was arranging the utensil when Jared came inside and sits down on one of the chair opposite of where she is putting the spoon.

"So how is Meme?"

"She is okay, though she misses you because it's been a while that you've spend time with her." Katelyn answered Jared at the same time scoop the soup into a bowl and served it to him before sitting down in her chair.

"This weekend we will spend it with her as I have no business trip on the list." Jared told her and then he started eating.

The information that she had heard from him didn't make her happy again. This time because she and her friends have plans already of watching the concert of Louis on Saturday.

They are looking forward to that concert, especially her as this will be the first time that she will be attending one for obvious reason, her lack of money before.

So now she is in dilemma, Jared will surely make a fit if she goes out with her friends and the latter will questions her if she will not be there. "So what will she do?"

"Why are you sighing? You are in front of the food, give respect to it."

She wanted to tell him her predicament but then the time and the place is not right. Beside she still needs to cajole him in order to regain his attention and then slowly enter into his heart.

"Maybe she should start right now, but isn't it too obvious if she do that?" she argued with herself.

"Are you that sad that you were not able to eat together with you friends?"

Jared displeasure brings her back to herself and she immediately said, "No, It's just that I can't believe that we are eating together. For the past two weeks you will not even say a word to me unless you want to order me around. So I am overwhelmed with your presence in front of me." She answered while her hands are fidgeting on her lap.

"So you noticed that I keep my distance from you."

"Of course I did, but I don't know what I did that made you so cold towards me."

"Well, make it your assignment to know the reason. But for now better eat your food, you're losing weight." he told her in a humorless way and then resumed eating.

She looked down on herself and then touch her face, " he is right, she did lose some weight," his comment almost made her giggle despite his seriousness but of course she didn't do it, it will be too obvious she was touched. As long as he noticed it's enough as a start.

Determined to do as she and Meme had planned, she took her utensils and eat with gusto so she will have the energy to snare him.

They consumed their foods in silence and once they finished Katelyn took all their plate to clean but Jared stopped her. He told her that Mr. Martin will bring a cleaner to do it and then he left the room, leaving her stunned.

Once she realized what he had done to her for the past week, she run out of the room to confront him about it.

"Mr. Steele did you let me clean that room for two weeks on purpose?" she complained while following him.

"Do you want to accompany me inside?" his questions made her realized that they are already in front of the bathroom. She stopped before she bumped on him.

"Of course not, but you did not answer me yet."

He then lowered his head and raised her chin, looked in her eyes and then said." Don't ask me, use you head. I'm sure you will come up with the answer to your questions."

He then opens the door and goes inside leaving her pondering on what he said.

"Oh that crazy guy, why can't he just answer me?" she murmured in frustration before walking out of the room and directly went to the washroom near the pantry.

She was already in her table and opening her drawer to check on her cellphone when Michelle opens the door and with her is Nicole. The latter immediately approached her table while the former go directly to the washroom.

"Don't tell me Nicole your curiosity made you go up in here?" She asked Nicole once sure that Michelle is out of earshot.

"You really know me Kate. But the real reason I come here because you were not able to eat with us and Tess and I bought a sandwich for you."

"Hmm, I am so touch you remember me." Katelyn told Nicole while accepting the paper bag that she only noticed her friend was carrying.

"Of course we don't want you to go hungry" with a mischievous smile Nicole answered and without being invited seat on the chair in front of her before asking for the topic that was not cleared.

"So tell me now about the details of your uncle."

"I told you he worked with Mrs. Steele."

Nicole looked at her as if waiting for her to add more information but as nothing added she said. "To tell you the truth when your transfer memo was sent to our department about, Tess and I had already suspected that you must know someone from higher up or a relative of their trusted employees."

Katelyn was surprised of the information because they never question her. In fact she thought they just take it as if it's a normal occurrence.

"Please don't be offended but most of the employees of this company graduated from the top business school here in the U.S. I know that you graduated in a good University but if compared to most, you will not be put in your position unless you are one of those families that the founder gives more importance, their loyal people."

"But you never let me fell that both of you were ever suspicious."

"Because we are just waiting for you to tell us, but I'm happy that you told me about it." Nicole informed her before standing up and then added," but it is up to you to tell Tess. You know that she is one of the hopeful to be the grand daughter-in-law of Mrs. Steele." Nicole told her in a quiet voice and then covers her mouth with a hand as if she had said something that is not supposed to be mentioned.

"As if she doesn't know how devoted Tess to Blake."

"You mean through Mr. Baker?" Nicole just nod to what she asked. Then it's time for her friend to go back to work and at the same time Michelle is already walking back to her table.

Once Nicole left, Katelyn get back to her work too.

The afternoon went smoothly even though they were busy. As always every time Jared came back from his business trip.

Before the working hours is finished, Charlize walked out of the elevator looking unexceptionably elegant on a sleeveless beige notch belted double basted-dress. Her narrow eyes looked at them as she passed without a word, leaving them not only in marvel of her behavior but also with the whiff of her perfumes.

Katelyn then see Michelle dialed the phone and knows that it is to tell Jared of his visitor.

Gossips of Charlize and Jared attending parties together were known by her through the society page of the newspaper that Nicole brought with her during their lunch break. But this is the first time since that night at the restaurant that Charlize visit his office.

"Katelyn, did you finish already working on the papers for the next board meeting?"

"You startled me Michelle," she told the latter who is already in front of her table without her noticing it. Her clutching on her chest resulted on Michelle's raised brows.

Katelyn then took the folder in front of her and handed it to Michelle in which the latter took it and then leaned on her and whispered," Did you saw Charlize looked at us as if we are one of her most hated person?" She then added with a sneer, "as if I don't know what is going on."

"Maybe it is one of the days that she is not in the mood," she told Michelle in which the latter immediately straightened herself and then walked on the edge of her table, to be closer.

"Your so naïve, didn't you read even in the gossip columns? Any way this news cannot be found in there and I am sure even your friend doesn't know about it yet."

"Oh no, Michelle is telling her now that Nicole's news are not up to date while hers is."

"Oh really, so what is it? "Curiosity made Katelyn asked though she know for a fact that they should not talk about the personal life of their Boss especially during working hours.

Michelle looked around the room first and then to the door of Jared as well as on the glass room of Mark. Katelyn also look at the latter whose eyes were glued on his computer, as usual.

"Kelly, Charlize best friend has a friend that is also a friend of my friend," upon seeing her confused stare Michelle said," never mind where it came but it is a reliable source,"

"Okay and then?"

"Well, Charlize found out about the woman that our Boss brought to the hotel."

"When did she found out?" Katelyn immediately asked because the information brought chill on her spine as if an impending doom is coming.

"Only this weekend, but prior to that according to that person who know Kelly said that everything with them is not as we viewed it, them being so in love."

"Does Charlize already know the woman's identity?" The truth is she did not know what Michelle were talking about as her mind become focused someone knowing of her identity aside from those in the meeting that day.

"Hey, you looked panicky as if you are the other woman."

"No...No...Of course not, what will be your basis on thinking about that?"

"Your reaction, you looked pale in a sudden as if you were caught lying," Michelle explained and eyed her as if appraising," You know, sometimes Mr. Steele's behavior towards you, baffled me."

"What made you think about that?"

"I am not sure, though you are beautiful and look elegant but there is still that naivete in you. A guy like him used to being worship by sophisticated women surely will not like you."

"See, you also answer your own question. It only means that what puzzled you is nothing but your imagination gone astray." Katelyn told Michelle and then returned back to the topic they were discussing, about Jared and Charlize by asking, "isn't it too obvious that they are in love with each other?"

"Maybe the girl but the man, it's doubtful. Anyway to cut the story short, there relationship is on the rocks, if there is really one and Charlize blame it on that woman whom Mr. Steele was with."

Michelle then turned around and was leaving her when the door to Jared's office opens. A red faced with jaw clenching, simmering with anger Charlize came out.

She then looked at their direction and walked forcefully towards them, gone were the gliding stride that she usually exhibit.

"Do both of you talk about me?"

"Why will you think that we are talking about you?" Katelyn looked at Michelle after the latter's answer that made Charlize angrier.

"Shut up! Both of you is nothing but just the employees here and easily fired, so better behave yourselves." After Charlize tirade, she left them dumbfounded.

After a few moments, they were able to compose themselves and Michelle turned to her and said, "and the hopeful Mrs. Steele turned her brunt of anger towards us." She then walked towards her table.

The ringing of her phone and seeing whose extension number it came from made her hurriedly pick up the phone.

She raised the phone to answer while at Michelle who by now settled on her chair.

"Yes, Mr. Steele?"

"Come inside Tori," just a brief answer from his side and then he end the connection. Hurriedly she went inside of his office to see him walking back and forth in front of his table.

Upon seeing her, he immediately walks to her side for them to meet halfway.

Katelyn looked at his face if he is angry like Charlize but he is not, only restless.

"Tori, whatever you hear from Charlize don't believe on it or rather ask me first before anything."

Katelyn just looked at Jared with marvel. "What happened in here that the one who just went out is mad and the one left behind is uneasy?"

Jared looked at her as if he wanted to say something but then he turned his back on her and she followed him up to the front of his table. He sits down on his chair and then looked up at her still standing.

"What happened that cause you to tell me that?" Finally she asked the question that formed in her head but she only heard silence as an answer.

Frustrated that he will not say anything after making her curious, she turned around and was going to take a step towards the door but the sound of the chair scraping against the floor stopped her.

Then a hand encircled on her back and she is pulled closer to the heat of a firm chest. Being closed to Jared after weeks of discord, made her forget what she is supposed to do. Her mind just became focused on the smell of his perfume, the hotness of his breath as he exhale at the back of her ear before he whispered. "I missed us Tori."

Surprised at what he had said made her eyes bulge, "Did he already considered them before as a couple? Oh no, maybe he was just saying that because of what had just happened. Isn't he the one who made her tiptoe in front of him first?"

She removed his hand on her waist and then turned around to look up on him and voice out her displeasure on his attitude towards her, but all was forgotten as she looked in his eyes.

END OF PART 21

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