First of all, I want to thank all of you for your support in my new story. I wanted to write a message for a while now. Most of the time, my mind is busy with work, life, and thinking of new ideas to add in this story, hence the delay in jotting down one.

To be continued. ❤❤❤😍

Happy reading!

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Nicole's hand touching hers made Katelyn turned to her left side and look at the former with questioning eyes, only to see her friend's downcast head.

She was turning back to her food when her eyes meet Mrs. Baker.

She smiled innocently at the older woman and lowered her head.

"Why does the older woman look suspiciously at her after asking Jared a question?"

A hand then holds hers. Katelyn knows that Jared had done it to let her know he is there, and all she needs is to trust him.

"Mom, what happened to you?" she heard Blake asked before Jared can answer.

"What is wrong with me?"

"Yeah, I thought that your spies are always updated. You know everything that is going on with us, but it seems you have no idea at all."

Mother and son's bickering gained the attention of them all. Katelyn forgets about the hand that holds her as she waited for the next words that Mrs. Baker will say.

"What is new that I don't know about?"

"They are not an item," Blake casually told his mom, but for the women who are listening, it was a big deal.

"Is that for real Jared?"

Katelyn felt the tightness of Jared's hold on her with the question.

"Have we ever been an item, Aunt Melanie?" Katelyn can decipher the mischievousness on his voice as he asked his aunt.

"Don't try to deny it because you are in front of single women, Jared." she reminded him more than scolding.

Mrs. Baker then looked at her two friends but lingered more on her before saying, "Aunt Amanda will be so happy to know about this. I'm sure she will look for a suitable wife for you immediately.

Mrs. Bakers' way of uttering those words and how she looked at her made Katelyn feel that the former implied her unsuitability to Jared.

"Don't worry, Aunt Melanie, Meme will not interfere in my marriage. I can find my bride."

"Of course, you can find one, but the question is, "will she fit as your wife?" You all know that a woman's background is vital to this family."

"Honey, I am sure Jared will find one that will satisfy the family. For now, we better eat before the foods on our plate gets cold." Mr. Baker Senior interrupted, which stopped his wife from adding more to her admonition.

After her husband's interference, Mrs. Baker's action made Katelyn realized; she respects her husband's authority if not because of fear to displease him.

If she is not already married to Jared, the older woman's words will be like a sharp object, piercing into her ego. Thanks to Meme, she entrusted Jared to her, she will not have this adorable man beside her if without her.

Jared's attentiveness lately made her realized what a precious gift Meme had given her. In return, she will safeguard what she has and be a wife that will suit his status.

An idea came into mind that made her turned to Jared, who is looking at her.

"What with that smile? You look as if you have found a treasure and will not share it. Admit it, you are thinking of me." Jared said softly so only she can hear.

"The conceitedness of this guy," She thought for herself.

She removed her hands from his clasp and then retorted. "Don't be too smug, remember you are under probation."

"Yes, my lady, your servant, will behave."

His words brought a smile to her face, and it was then she remembered her friends beside her. Good thing Nicole is also in conversation with Tess, but the questioning on Lizzy's eyes glued to them.

Katelyn decided to ignore it as if nothing happens and continue to eat her food like everyone.

After they had eaten, they all went inside the house. This time Katelyn made sure that she walked beside her two friends.

They went directly inside a recreation room while the men went to the cellar to choose wine for them to drink.

As expected in a mansion, the room is spacious.

A bar at the right side, lined with swivel arcade stools where you can sit while someone played billiard in front of you, is the first thing she noticed. A dartboard also can be seen at the sidewall.

Near the door are the couches. They formed a big C and faced the far end wall that mounted a 75 or so-inch latest television. The table in the middle has an assortment of nuts placed in elegant bowls. If she is not full, she will grab a plate and take some pistachio.

There is also a grand piano at the right of the couches.

A conversation about Lizzy's impression of New York begun once they are seated started. Alternately, Katelyn was also asked with occasionally Mrs. Baker asking her about adjusting to a new place.

While Mrs. Baker asks Tess about her parents, Katelyn reminded Nicole that they would leave the place to prepare for the concert they are supposed to attend at thirty past eight.

But Nicole's answer to looking at Tess engrossed with Mrs. Baker's conversation made her realize it seems that their tickets will go to waste can, unused.

It was then the men came back, laughing. Blake and Chase both hold a bottle of wine, but Mr. Baker Senior is not with them already.

Teddy Junior mentioned to his mother his father's whereabouts once they were seated on the couch. It seems like his visitor has arrived.

The two housemaids served wine; Katelyn takes a sip on it and put it down on the table.

Mrs. Baker's question's Nicole about her family made Katelyn's eyes turned to her friend.

She knew already of her friend's being from a family of salaried parents, but she hopes it will not be an issue with the Lady of the house's personality.

Nicole's answer did raise Mrs. Baker's eyebrows, but no sounds came out from her.

Before Mrs. Blake can ask her, Blake reminded his mom about their father's visitor.

"Yes, I forgot that your father wanted me there." She told Blake while getting up and excused herself for leaving.

Once she's gone, the tension in the room also went with her.

Teddy Junior got up from the couch and asked Lizzy to play in the piano. After the latter stands up, Blake sits down beside Tess.

Nicole turned to Katelyn and asked if she wants to go with her to the washroom. As she needed to use the loo, she accompanied her.

It was there that Nicole opens up. She talks about her feeling about Tess being from a wealthy family and of the Baker's. With Tess, she felt excitement because of having a wealthy friend who can mingle with her and act like a salaried employee.

So being invited to the Baker's mansion is not so big a deal to her at all; in fact, she is anticipating it. But everything changed upon entering its premises. She felt like at the bottom of the ladder, craning her neck for a glimpse of those at the top. Mrs. Baker's dismissive behavior after knowing of her family background also added to her dismay.

It was only because of her presence that she was able to deal with her insecurities. For both of them were from the same family background, is not wealthy.

The words that came out of Nicole's mouth made Katelyn guilty.

Not only because of her lies but without her, they will not meet Lizzy and will not be here in this luncheon party. Her friend will still be that Nicole, who always has a cheerful disposition and happily anticipating their next action.

Nicole's opening up about her concern answered Katelyn's question to her friend's quiet disposition all through the meal.

Because of her new knowledge, she also felt down when they are back inside the recreation room.

It is because her past comes haunting her. When her family was on the brink of bankruptcy, it was also the start she felt inferior towards her wealthy friends.

Her so-called friends started to avoid her after finding out about her family's financial situation. Some even talk behind her back.

When she entered university, she never tried to contact them. It was only Eddy who always visited her whenever he has the time to drive, as it will take him two hours from where he studies.

Though she knew of his feelings towards her, she ignored it. It was because their status in life has a wide gap already. It will never be the same as it was. Besides, his mother will never let him marry an impoverished girl like her, even if she too comes from a noble family.

"Kate, I have something to ask you."

She jerked in surprise and looked up at the wincing face of Tess.

"What is it?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Kate, for the last minute changes in our plans tonight," Tess told her while sitting down on the couch beside her. "But Blake asked us to go out with them for dinner in their private yacht.

"He asked you just now? Isn't that so sudden?" She asked the last question more to herself than to Tess.

"Mark is arranging everything."

Katelyn did see Mark on the phone, but she looked around for Jared. She's suspicious it is his doing.

"What about Mr. Steele? Is he coming also?" She asked after not seeing Jared inside the room.

"Oh, getting interested in him now that he is single?"

"Of course not, I am just curious." She denied.

"I don't know because Blake only suggested it now. Regarding Mr. Steele, as far as I know, he is still with the older Baker's. He went to them when you were out."

While Mark drives them to Madison Square, it was in the car that she finally has her answer.

She asked him directly if he knows about Blake's plan to Nicole's surprise beside her. The latter even reminded her that it's their Boss she's questioning, in a whisper.

Jared's answer of not knowing it as he had made other plans for tonight before having lunch with them, removed the doubts on her mind.

But before they go out of the car, Jared tells them that Mark will wait for them brought the same reaction to both her and Nicole. They were stunned with what he said.

Even when they are already inside the arena and watching the concert, Nicole cannot get over about Jared's offer. She even warned her that though it is too good to be true being notice by him, be careful of her heart as he is beyond their reach.

Katelyn only silently prayed that her friend would forgive her for all the lies that she made.

No matter how much she tried to enjoy the song which Louis is singing, she cannot. Her mind drifted on Jared and his unreadable mind.

Though it's exciting to be surprised, it is nerve-racking because she had lied to her friends.

Even if he had started courting her, he did not mention about the cancellation of their contract. She still cannot talk about anything about her secret marriage. It seems like he was trying to get to know her better as he had agreed with Meme.

"Oh! No, doubts break into her brain again. Remember, he said to trust him." She lectured herself while massaging her temple.

"Are you feeling okay, Kate? If you are not, we can go out. I don't need to use the privilege of our meet and greet access."

She heard the concern in Nicole's voice and so immediately she assured her friend, "I am okay, Nicole, besides, it's not always we can meet them."

The concert had lasted for three hours. They immediately go backstage for the meet and greet the band members.

As Louis had told her, he did introduce her to his band mates.

He was even teased to her by one of them, but he said, "We are just friends, and she is someone else girlfriend," and then he looked at her and asked," Right?"

His words startled her, enough that she was not able to answer.

Nicole's pulling hand had composed her, and so she said her congratulations and followed her friend.

As soon as they were out of the arena, a woman approached them. Katelyn was suspicious of the woman, but as soon as she told them to wait where they are as Jared's car will pick them up, she felt relief.

"Kate, I want you to clear this to me as I don't understand. You told us that your cousin gave the ticket to you, but it seems that Louis knows you personally. So which is the truth?"

Nicole's probing was no longer a surprise to Katelyn. After all, Louis has shown his familiarity with her. But to be face upfront by the question still, it left her speechless.

She doesn't know how to answer it. If she does not tell the truth, it will add to the layers of a lie she had made up. She doesn't want to immerse herself in it, but she is also afraid of the consequences once her friend found out about her lying.

The confused face of her friend made Katelyn finally admit her mistake. "I'm sorry Nicole, I had lied to you. It's me who knows him."

"Gosh, Kate, it is easy to say you know him. Why do you have to involve your cousin?

"Well, he is a celebrity, and at that time, I don't want you to ask questions on how I met him. " Katelyn then hold her friend's arms and said, "please forgive me this time?'

"I am a little bit hurt of you not trusting me of this information. But don't worry, I forgive you."

"Why the long face if you forgive me?"

Nicole looks at her and then answer. "Because you are a sly girl, you don't want to share him with us. Imagine if you did, we were able to date with him.

"Hmm...So that hurt you the most because you were not given a chance to date a celebrity like him, not because I lied?"

She didn't hear if Nicole had answered her or not as the woman returned and told them of the arrival of their car.

The old Nicole returned to herself once inside the car. It is because she lost her inhibition in front of Jared and Mark.

She told them of what had happened in the concert but most of all the part of Louis telling Katelyn she has a boyfriend.

As if her chattering reminded herself of not clarifying about the person's identity yet, she turned to face Katelyn and asked," Who is that guy whom Louis thought your boyfriend? You never told us about him."

Silence reigned inside the car; hence a significant impact was felt when someone answered.

"It was me," Jared answered.

Nicole looked at her wide-eyed while Mark forgot to start the car once the traffic lights turned green.

END OF PART 25

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