453 The Representative

Saturday — November 24 at The Oaks—Caleb's Apartment Complex

At eight in the morning, Caleb and Alianna were at the dining table having breakfast. They were laughing at the show on TV while enjoying their bread and butter with coffee. Their routine had been like this for weeks now since Ali came back to Esmea. She flew back to Italy a couple of weeks ago to ship her things, determined to leave her life there, and be with Caleb.

She would still stay at the Park mansion about three times a week and at Caleb's for the other days. She had yet to decide what to do with her career but she had already taken a break and just wanted to enjoy her time here. There were so many things to do and so much stuff to plan. But she wasn't in a hurry. Because now, she was staying for good—for Caleb.

The phone on the table made a sound. It was an alarm set by Caleb because he needed to leave for CRG in an hour. 

"Aww… You're leaving already?" Alianna pouted. She got off her chair and sat on Caleb's lap facing him. "What can I do to make you stay?"

He chuckled, placing his hands on her waist and nuzzled his nose on her chin. "I wish I could. But today's an important day and I have to be there."

"Ah, that bidding thing? Can't Damien do it himself? Just stay here, Cay… Stay with me," she teased while stroking his broad shoulders and chest.

"Can't. He's been already in such a mood since Katherine left for the trip. He's like a brooding cat. Quiet but deadly."

Ali couldn't help but laugh at his statement. "Can't believe he shouted at me last night. It has only been a few days! I wonder what he would do if Katherine leaves longer than that. He'd probably be running hell by then."

"Has she gotten back to you?"

"No…" She sighed. "I think she's really busy. She usually responds to my texts fast but she's been MIA. Do you think she's coming back today? Where is she anyway?"

"I have no idea. No one does…"

"Well, I'll keep texting her then. She should reply some time."

"Have you told her already?" he asked.

Alianna shook her head and pursed her lips into a thin line before she said, "I couldn't get a hold of her… And I wanted to tell her in person. I just might have to tell her next week. Hopefully, she won't be busy."

"Mm." Caleb raised his chin up, asking for a kiss. "I have to shower quick."

Alianna granted his request and kissed him deeply. "Me too. I need a quick one." A sly smile formed on her face and he chuckled at her insinuation.

"Then we have to get going." Placing an arm under her legs, he carried her bridal-style towards the bathroom. She squealed in surprise and delight, already loving her Saturday and it was just starting.

…

Crown Hotel

The program was about to start in five minutes but the CEO and the COO were still nowhere in sight. The bidders grew nervous with each passing second and when the double doors to the right of the hall opened, everyone's heads turned in that direction.

Damien Park entered with Markus behind him, and a few seconds later, Caleb made his entrance. 

Caleb caught up to Damien and glanced at him. "You look like you're about to murder someone. You woke up on the wrong side of the bed today?"

'More like—I woke up and still no word from Katherine since yesterday. I didn't just wake up on the wrong side. I slept in the wrong bed!' Damien huffed. It was the wrong bed because Katherine wasn't in it, so this man was sulking. 

He gave Caleb a once over, his eyes zeroed in at the lipstick mark on his neck and his lip twitched, knowing full well how that got there and who gave it to him. "Wipe that lipstick off your neck." His voice was low and cold. "No consideration."

Caleb's hand flew to his neck and rubbed Alianna's lipstick off him. He wanted to laugh at Damien but he suppressed his laughter because he didn't want to become his punching bag. 'Seriously… Katherine should come back already,' he thought.

The host for today's program began the introduction as soon as Damien and Caleb sat on their chairs. The ten bidders had already drawn lots last week for the order of presentation today so they knew when to get ready. They had already submitted their designs and plans beforehand, but due to the changes made, they were going to present them in front of everyone. Each bidder would be given a maximum of ten minutes to present their designs and they could get creative in their proposal. After which, they would submit their bids to the panel. The results of the bidding would be announced later in the day after Crown Resort Group's deliberation.

Damien had been looking forward to this day so that they could finally move on from this part of the process. However, when he looked at the team of Young Corporation employees several rows away and did not see his Kitten, he looked distracted. He seemed uninterested the whole time as he listened to the presentations of the bidders on stage. Checking his phone for any notifications, he calmed himself down. 'I guess she wouldn't be coming home today either,' he told himself.

Because they encouraged the bidders to get 'creative' with their presentations, there were a few bidders who went all out and did some weird dancing and singing like it was some broadway show. It only gave him a headache and he wished that the event would finish faster.

Young Corporation was the last presenter. He had high hopes for them, but for the last three bidders—the broadway show bidders—he had his eyes closed and just let his ears do all the work. He could hear shuffling here and there as Young Corporation set up their stuff on stage, and he waited for them to start.

Caleb elbowed him on the side and he snapped his head at him with his brows knitted. "What?!"

"See for yourself," Caleb nodded towards the stage.

Damien lazily dragged his gaze to the stage and saw Price setting up their model design on the table, with the help of his people. Then, a familiar figure caught his attention. She stood next to the huge screen, wearing a very nice dress that he loved on her and looking so beautiful as she smiled at him.

He straightened on his seat and he would have gotten up and ran to her if Caleb hadn't stopped him early on. He was helpless, and all he could do was watch her as she picked up the microphone and addressed the audience.

With a sweet smile, she looked at the VIPs in the front row, and then their competitors in the back. "Good morning. My name is Katherine Young and I represent Young Corporation."