Chapter 160 - Katherine's Solid Backing

"Oh!" Katherine caught Nana in her arms and patted her back. "I'm glad you like it…" She didn't know what else to say, especially when all eyes were on them at the moment — they were all wondering why Old Madame Park was so delighted of the gifts.

One of Nana's friends couldn't help but ask, "Evelyn, what is so special about these… shiny things?" She turned to Katherine and raised her brow, "Isn't this kind of inappropriate for her age?"

Nana snapped her head towards the woman who just spoke and knitted her brows. Katherine was quick to answer the woman's question, "When I first met Nana, she told me about her joy in dancing. She said it had always been her dream to learn ballroom dancing but she never really gave it a try and she could only wish. So… I enrolled her in a private class and I got her a dancing dress and a pair of dancing shoes to go along with it."

Nana listened as Katherine explained and her eyes watered. "I only told you that in passing, I didn't think you would even remember it." She didn't tell anyone else about this secret desire. When she talked about it on that charity gala, she was merely rambling and didn't think that Katherine would take note of it.

"Of course I would remember. You looked really happy when you told me about it," Katherine responded.

"Thank you very much, darling… I will treasure all of these, they're easily my favorites now."

The woman who just asked the question finally nodded in understanding. Among all the guests, Katherine was the only one who received such a jovial reaction. Nana's friends had given her expensive gifts, but most of them were not as sincere as Katherine in their selection of gifts. They were just trying to show off their status and to let other people know how capable they were and how deep their pockets were.

Nana was known as a prideful and elegant woman who commanded respect from everyone. But just because of the simple gifts that she got from Damien's girlfriend, Nana acted like a little girl who had just received her much-awaited Christmas present.

Some were starting to be envious of Katherine's close relationship with Madame Park. Most of the guests were now convinced that she was going to be the next Mrs. Damien Park since she had Nana as her solid backing.

After the gift-giving, the party went back to more dancing and mingling. Katherine had drunk two flutes of champagne and was slightly buzzed. She excused herself from the small group of Damien, Alianna, Caleb, and Jeffrey to go to the toilet. 

She walked down the hall and entered a large powder room. After relieving herself and retouching her makeup, she walked back towards the party but noticed an open door to the right. If she remembered correctly, this door should lead to the library. Earlier, Damien had given her a short tour of the mansion.

From where she stood by the door, she saw a large frame of what seemed like a family picture that hung on the wall. Without realizing, her feet brought her inside the library and she was drawn to take a closer look at the three-generation family portrait of the Parks.

She hadn't had the chance to study the beautiful image when she heard a man's deep voice behind her. "How nice of you to join me, Ms. Katherine," William said as he set down the glass of whiskey in his hand, his hand now resting on the arm of the leather sofa.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was—"

"It's okay. I don't mind the company… I just wanted to rest for a bit. You can sit with me if you like." A smile broke on his handsome face as he patted the space next to him.

Katherine shook her head. "No, thanks. I should get back—"

"Why are you so elusive, Ms. Katherine? I don't remember doing anything to you." William got up from the sofa and strode towards her. In an instant, he stood before her. William was tall but not as tall as Damien. "Are you… afraid of me?" He brought his hand up and his fingers played with the ends of her hair. She gulped and sensed danger, causing her to instinctively take a step back.

Despite her attempt to put a distance between them, he inched closer and dragged his stare down to her lips before he looked at her again. "You are."

"I'm not. I just don't like you," she said in a firm tone, masking the lump that was starting to form in her throat.

"Hmmm…" He chuckled. "I don't see the reason why you should. I just want us to be friends." He raised his hand to caress her cheek, a playful smile lingering on his lips.

Just before William could touch her, a large hand snaked around Katherine's waist and she was pressed towards Damien's chest. "What are you doing?" Damien questioned, his voice filled with contempt.

William exhaled heavily and withdrew his hand. "I was just making friends with your girlfriend. You're overreacting." He turned around and sat on the sofa, drinking the rest of his whiskey.

"Are you ready to go home?" Damien asked Katherine, brushing her arms up and down. When she nodded, he gestured towards the door and the two of them left the library. 

As soon as they were gone, William's eyes darted to the door where the two disappeared. He clenched his jaw and his eyes darkened, slamming the glass back down on the table before he walked out. Despite growing up with Damien like they were brothers, everything changed years ago and now, the two of them despised each other. His blood boiled every time he heard Damien's name – he wished he could take away everything that Damien possessed.

…

The garden outside the mansion…

Caleb and Alianna walked around the garden until they reached the fountain. She sat down and sighed, raising her head up to look at the stars. "I'm leaving tomorrow," she said.

Caleb swallowed and did not say anything. He sat next to her and looked straight ahead, watching the fairy lights that were twirled around the bushes.

"I don't know when I'll be back. Probably a few months later…" Alianna had a smile on her face. The two of them didn't talk about their relationship during the two weeks that they hung out. It was as if they were both avoiding the topic. 

"Li… Are you happy?" He turned towards her and met her smiling eyes. She nodded and sighed before replying, "Yes… I'm finally living the dream."

The corner of Caleb's mouth curled up, seemingly affected by the way she smiled. "That's good. Me too… I'm happy for you."

"I will miss you, Cay…" Alianna said, maintaining the smile on her face. She got up abruptly and held her hand out to him, "Let's go… we should get back to the party."

Caleb took her hand in his as he got up and started walking with her. He suddenly stopped in his tracks, making Ali turn towards him. "What's wrong?"

"What are we doing, Li?" Caleb asked with a gentle voice, his face was expressionless but the way he held her hand gave away his emotions.

Alianna moved closer to him, staring into his brown eyes and held his hand tighter. She didn't know what to say. She loved the man in front of her but knowing how they wouldn't work out just made everything complicated.

He gazed back at her and saw the woman he loved all those years ago. Even without saying anything, the two of them knew what the other was thinking.

Caleb raised his hand and tucked her hair behind her ear before cupping her face. There wasn't a need to say anything and Alianna naturally leaned forward — he tilted his head to the side and met her lips. Even after several years, their kiss was still the same… just the way they both remembered.