414 A Night Out 1

Friday — November 16

Katherine made a lot of progress at work in the past few days. If she had doubted herself that she wasn't cut out for this kind of environment and work, her mind was slowly changing, and she could actually imagine herself being part of Young Corporation. Memories of her childhood about visiting her father in the office resurfaced. It was sad yet also nostalgic, and it drove her, even more, to keep investigating her parents' deaths.

While she was buried elbow-deep with work late in the afternoon, a knock on the door interrupted her concentration. She looked up and saw Michael approach her desk with two cups of coffee in hand. She was about to stand to greet him, but he raised a hand to stop her and said, "It's okay. Here… I hope this fuels you." He placed one cup on her desk and then took a sip from his. "You're really serious about this, huh?"

Katherine could only form a small smile on her face. She picked up the coffee and sipped, wishing that it was Damien's hot chocolate instead. Thinking about him made her miss him a lot, so she shrugged off her thoughts of him. "I have to. It's hard being the outcast in my own family's business."

"That's rubbish," Michael muttered and his accent showed. "Your first week wasn't very admirable, yes, but you've worked so hard these past few days. Everybody can see that."

"Yeah… Well… Only time will tell if I can really win everyone's approval." She shrugged.

Michael Price stared at Katherine, taking in all the files on her table. He subconsciously scratched his temple as he contemplated. Checking the time on his watch, he softly sighed and told her, "You know what… I don't mind helping you out."

"Oh, I don't want to impose… I know you're busy..."

He rolled up the sleeves of his blue dress shirt, started grabbing the papers from her desk, and moving them to the coffee table. "Not busy for this. It's still work, after all, Ms. Young. We need to make sure you succeed for the company to win. As much as you want to prove yourself to everyone, our main goal is to close the deal. I'm all for hard work—and I commend you for that, but accepting help wouldn't make you any less hardworking."

Realizing that he was right, it was indeed better to have him help her prepare for the presentation. He had been in the department far longer than her, and he most definitely knew a lot more than her. It would be a smart move on her part. 

"Alright then… It's an honor to have you teach me, Mr. Price." Katherine got up and went to sit with him on the sofa. She was ready to get to work and get herself up to speed. She needed this.

"Please. We've been at this already. Call me Michael," he reminded before grabbing one file and began elaborating on essential details.

It was already almost eight in the evening when they decided to stop. As Katherine and Michael reached the lobby, he turned to her and said, "I think you're ready. Just practice like earlier, and I'm sure you'll be fine."

"You think so?"

"Well, you better. The deal is in your hands. I'll see you on Monday for your mock presentation." Michael did a subtle wave before he disappeared out of the building.

Katherine took a deep breath; her heart beat faster than usual with just the thought of doing the presentation next week. Felix came to her side and the two returned to Golden Phoenix Residences. 

She was so busy the whole day that she had only sent Damien a couple of texts in the morning and at lunch but she hadn't heard from him since. She knew that he wanted to hurry back home so he must have had a jam-packed schedule. With that in mind, she patiently waited.

"Where's Amelia?" she asked Styles while she ate her dinner.

"She just stepped out for a bit. She said she'd be at the convenience store downstairs." Styles grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and settled next to her. "Did you know? It's her birthday…"

"What?" She was chewing food in her mouth when she heard Styles and the news caught her by surprise. "Why didn't she say anything?"

"She's always been like that. For the few years that I've known her, she never told me. It wasn't until three years ago that I asked. She doesn't like celebrating it." He shrugged.

Katherine lost her appetite. The thought of Amelia not celebrating her birthday made her sad. And Damien wasn't even around… She bit her lip and thought about what she could do for her.

Later…

Katherine went to take Bear out for an after-dinner walk and Felix went with her. She was already used to having him around as per Damien's order so, at this point, she didn't mind anymore. While they were on their way back home, she caught sight of Amelia sitting casually outside of the convenience store on the corner of the block with two cans of beer next to her.

Having a strange feeling deep in her stomach, she stared at Amelia. She couldn't just leave her alone like this… Amelia looked lonely on her birthday. Her stomach twisted at the thought. Turning to Felix, she told him, "Can you take Bear up? I want to bring her to the bar across the street." She nodded to Amelia's direction.

Felix gave Katherine a look as though he didn't want to leave her alone. God knows what will happen if he did—he would be two hundred years older!

As if she read his mind, she chuckled and reassured him, "It's just across the street, Felix. You can come after you take Bear upstairs."

He was hesitant to leave but he nodded and took Bear with him. When he was gone, Katherine strolled towards Amelia. "Hey…"

"Katherine… Do you need anything?" Amelia asked.

Katherine pursed her lips into a thin line and shifted her weight. She didn't know why she was feeling nervous but she cleared her throat, grabbed Amelia's hand, and pulled her to her feet. "Come. I can't let you celebrate alone. Damien wouldn't like it."

"What?" Amelia was taken aback. Katherine dragged her to the bar across the street, and she allowed her. "Styles told you... That little—" She laughed.

Once they were seated at an empty table, Katherine ordered a few snacks and beer.

"Why am I the only one drinking?" Amelia wondered when the other pushed the bottles towards her.

"Because it's your birthday."

"I don't think that's how they do it." Amelia chuckled. "We don't really have to do this, Katherine. I was going to come up after I finished that can."

"Nah-uh. You're not spending your birthday alone." Katherine tossed a nut into her mouth and smiled at Amelia. The latter looked at her in deep thought, then she grabbed a bottle of beer and placed it in front of Katherine saying, "If you really want me to celebrate, you're drinking with me."

Katherine darted her stare at the bottle and then back at Amelia. One bottle wouldn't hurt. "Fine."

They clinked their bottles together and the next words that came out from Amelia's pretty lips made Katherine think that this was a bad idea.

Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Amelia curled her mouth upward and started, "So, Katherine… You and my son..."