424 Silhouette 1

At six in the evening inside Katherine's penthouse, the atmosphere was quite lively in the living room with Styles telling Felix and Noah about the new console game he was playing. "I'm telling you, man! The new Call of Duty right now is sick! It's the shît!"

The other two men were engrossed in listening to him enthusiastically talk about the game, detailing the cool features and whatnots in it. Styles grabbed a water bottle from the coffee table, twisted the cap, and took a sip. He was parched after all that chatter.

The sound of a door swinging and some shuffling noises from the side caught their attention. When he turned to look at what it was, he malfunctioned and forgot to swallow, that water came out of his mouth and dripped down past his chin, wetting his shirt. His mouth hung open.

But he wasn't the only one who forgot to breathe. Even Felix and Noah's lips were parted and they had a dazed look on their faces as they caught sight of Katherine approaching the living room wearing her evening dress for the auction.

Seeing their shocked expressions, she couldn't tell what they were thinking as they hadn't moved a muscle or said anything. "Uhh… Do I look okay? 'Cause I don't think I have time to change anymore..."

Styles choked on the water and he was sent into a coughing fit. "N-N" *cough* "No" *cough* "No!"

Felix cleared his throat and pulled his stare away from her. When he saw that Noah was still gaping, he elbowed him roughly. "Aw!" Noah whimpered. "What? You were staring too!"

The two turned back to Katherine and shook their heads. "No, don't change!" they said in unison.

"You look… Um…" Styles was trying to think of a complimentary word that wouldn't sound weird coming from him. She looked hot, but he couldn't say that to her. He cleared his throat and coughed twice before he continued, "...stunning. Yes."

"Mm. You look nice," Felix said shyly and rubbed his nape. There was no way he could say 'hot' to his Boss's girlfriend. His ear reddened at the thought.

"Yes. Nice," was all Noah managed to say and his cheeks were flushed. 

Amelia chuckled as she appeared from the corner and went to Katherine's side saying, "I think what they're trying to say is—You look hot."

The three men were either scratching a random itch or pursing their lips upon hearing Amelia's statement. They didn't even want to correct her as she just took the words out of their mouths.

"You look very beautiful, Katherine. I'm sure Damien will love it when he sees you," Amelia said.

"He'd better. Because I love it very much." A slow smile formed on her lips as she checked herself out on the mirror several meters away.

Amelia gently fixed a stray hair away from the other's face and reminded her, "Don't forget to enjoy. It's a party, after all."

…

Central Plaza Hotel

And everyone did notice her presence the moment she alighted the car. But it wasn't just because of the damn expensive vehicle. Everyone's eyes fell on her and they were all stunned to see a goddess walking on Earth before them. There were several media outlets who covered the red carpet. It was just like what Damien told her before, this event wasn't like any other.

Most of the guests were wearing couture dresses and suits from famous designers. There were celebrities, politicians, and other influential people who walked the red carpet before her, all heading towards the entrance of the venue. However, when she appeared at the foot of the carpet, she stole everyone's attention. Who was this new face? And why was she so striking?

Some people recognized her and some didn't. She didn't have anyone beside her to walk the red carpet, so she took steps forward and was about to enter the venue alone when all of a sudden, an open hand appeared to her left.

She turned to face the person and a smile broke her face. "Mr. West! Ah… Samuel…" she corrected herself when she remembered that he insisted on being called by his first name. The people who heard her were surprised to hear what she called Mr. West. As far as they knew, no one else could call him by his first name.

The two walked the red carpet together, took photos, and entered the venue. A lot of the spectators were surprised to see that Mr. West himself showed up and escorted Katherine. Her entrance became the talk of the town very easily.

The first part of the event had already started and people were busy mingling with everyone everywhere. And when Katherine came in, whispers and stares were shared. The women were either envious or jealous of her gown and the privilege that she got to wear a West gown, especially when they saw that she was his muse that night. One wouldn't be surprised that the men were definitely checking her out.

However, she paid no attention to them. She scanned the whole place to look for the only man whom she wanted to hear compliments from and whose eyes she wanted to be focused on her. And there he was, standing by the stage, wearing a bespoke tuxedo that matched her dress… Just like she planned.

Katherine's floor-length mermaid dress had a fitted nude sheath silhouette with a detachable skirt that could create two beautiful looks, which she intended to do that night. The deep V neckline that ended just above her navel gave her a sweetheart and seductive aura. It had very thin straps—the back had a V style and the side also had a steep V cut out, exposing her skin very nicely with just the right amount that she didn't look trashy. 

The detailing of the dress was made of glittery lace, making her sparkle under the chandeliers' lights. She looked sexy yet sophisticated in her West gown.

Meeting his gaze, she curled the corners of her mouth into a charming smile and she hoped he would smile back. It didn't matter that the people around them were looking at her and wondering who she was smiling at.

...

Across the room, a man with long blonde hair, that was tied up in a ponytail, stood next to Damien and whistled. "Damn…" he muttered as he stared at Katherine, a gorgeous crooked smile dancing on his lips as he took in her dress. "She looks prettier than in the photos."

Damien, on the other hand, had his gaze locked with hers before he raked it along her body. He had no idea she would be wearing something so daring yet classy like that. Even if he didn't look around him, he was well aware that every man in the room was checking her out. And damn if he didn't want to stride across the room and cover her up so no one else could see her but him.

He swallowed when his inner self reminded him, 'Isn't giving her a grand entrance what you wanted? Don't act like a jealous, overprotective boyfriend and get your shît together.' He took a sip of the champagne in his hand to calm his nerves.

But it was so hard when all he could think about was the soft skin on her chest and the silhouette of her legs. She was clearly teasing him—again. And she was winning. He felt suffocated, so he slightly loosened the bowtie and rolled his neck from side to side. 'Please, do something,' the soldier in his pants begged.

He couldn't think straight. All he could do was stare at her. Wallace said something to him but he honestly couldn't care as he was too busy ogling Katherine. He watched as she took out her phone and played with it. The next second, the phone in his coat pocket vibrated. He whipped it out to check—it was her.

[Katherine: What? Not even a smile? No compliment? I get that you have a handsome date tonight and that you're still mad, but you could at least give me a little attention.]

Damien suppressed the urge to smile. This woman was really something.

[Damien: You look ravishing.]

He looked up from his phone and met her gaze again just before she checked her screen. A beautiful smile spread across her lips when she read his message and she looked even more enchanting. 'Damn it. Tonight's going to be a long night.' He downed the rest of his champagne.