Chapter 173 - Her Response

It has been thirty minutes since Katherine and Damien laid in bed. While he had already fallen asleep, she was still wide awake. Safely tucked in his arms, she could feel his heat on her back as he shaped his body against her — his face nuzzled on her hair while his lap was pressed on the back of her thighs. 'He's right... this feeling... this moment... this is home…'

Katherine thought about everything that he told her a while ago and as much as she was scared, she was also thrilled to think about what was in store for them. Everything had been smooth sailing so far in their relationship and being with Damien turned her life around.

Thinking back to how she was several months ago, she remembered the times when she only ate cup noodles for days because that was all she could afford. She had been wondering why her life was so tough and she didn't know how she ended up that way. Despite of it all, Damien embraced her and gave her the life that she never thought she could have while she was in a rut.

Her thoughts brought her to so many events that happened while she was with Damien, all sweet, bitter and even the lonely times – these were all feelings that she only had with him and no one else. Slowly, her eyes closed but her mind stayed awake thinking about what she had to do.

…

Early the next morning, Damien stirred in bed, his hands reaching to the side as though he was looking for some body heat to cling on to. His eyes opened when he realized that the space next to him was empty. 

"Katherine?" he called but no one answered.

He checked the time from the clock on his nightstand and saw that it was six in the morning. He sighed as his brain processed the fact that it was a Saturday and normally, Katherine wouldn't be up this early. So where was she?

Shoving the blanket off of him, he swung his legs off the bed and walked out of the bedroom, flexing and stretching his limbs as he did.

As soon as he got out of the room, the delicious smell of breakfast attacked his nose and lured him down the stairs. When he landed on the first floor, he found Katherine in the dining area, plating food and arranging an abundant meal. The sun was up and there were birds chirping outside, making the early morning very pleasant.

"What's all this?" he asked as he sauntered towards her.

She was so into what she was doing that she didn't even notice his arrival. Hearing his voice caused her to jump and spill the coffee in her hand, making a mess on the floor. "Ah!"

Damien was quick to help her clean the mess and put the coffee away.

"I didn't hear you come down… you startled me," she smiled, her cheeks faintly turning to pink.

"You weren't there when I woke up…" He studied her face and frowned. "Did you not sleep?"

"I… I couldn't sleep. I ended up thinking a lot and realized… a lot… So I got up and made you breakfast." Katherine pursed her lips while she gestured towards the table full of food.

"Yeah… I can see that." His eyes took in all the food and wondered if she had emptied the refrigerator. "What's wrong? What's bothering you?"

Katherine swallowed and plastered a smile on her face as she grabbed his hand and told him, "Why don't we eat first?"

Damien scanned her face but he couldn't read her. He nodded and went to wash his hands before taking a seat at the table. The two of them started eating quietly while he continued to observe her. He noticed how nervous she looked and he couldn't help but feel anxious about what was going on so halfway through, he dropped his utensils and reached for her hand.

When Katherine turned to look at him with a questioning gaze, he looked at her seriously. "I'm not going to finish eating until you tell me what's on your mind. You've been fidgety since and it's making me feel uneasy… Now talk to me." 

Breathing out deeply, she dropped her own utensils and turned her body so that she was facing him. With both of her hands, she held his and gave it a squeeze as she started, "I've been thinking…"

Damien waited patiently as she paused for a few seconds yet it seemed like forever. 

"You've always done a lot for me. And I… had always been on the receiving end. I've sort of pushed you away the first time you told me you liked me. You had always been patient when I told you I wasn't ready yet. You continue to amaze me everyday even when I feel like I don't deserve you—"

"Katherine, you always deserve—"

"Ah-ah. Let me finish." She raised a hand to stop him and he closed his mouth. "Even when I feel like I don't deserve you... you always reminded me that I do. I've been living in the dark before I met you—again." She softly chuckled. "And like the superhero that you are, you came and swept me off my feet."

Damien chuckled with her, his eyes lovingly gazed at her while his fingers brushed her cheek.

There were still a lot of things in her mind but she shook her head and exhaled a long breath before telling him, "You're my home too, Damien… I trust you… And I want to marry you." 

An infectious smile slowly appeared on his face and he got up to his feet, pulling Katherine with him. "Are you serious?"

She nodded.

"You're not messing with me? You don't want to take time and think longer?"

Katherine knitted her brows as she questioned, "Do you want me to take it back and make you wait?" 

"God no!" He closed their gap, wrapping his arms around her tightly as if he was afraid she was going to run away. "You can't take it back! I won't allow you to!"

Damien slightly pulled away and cupped her face with his hands. He looked at her in the eyes while his smile remained on his face — he was trying to see how serious she was and her eyes were so clear that he smiled even brighter. 

Hooking her arms around his neck, Katherine pulled him down to her and claimed his lips. "I'm saying yes to you," she whispered to his mouth.

He kissed her again and deeper this time. His hands skimmed down her sides and he gripped her hips, making her moan. "I love you," he said.

Before she could even respond, Damien bent down and carried her on his shoulders, his arm holding her thighs tightly. Katherine gasped and the next thing she knew, she was upside down and they were on their way to the bedroom.

"Hey! Put me down! What about breakfast?" she exclaimed. 

With a sexy smirk on his face, he opened the door to their bedroom and said, "Yeah I'll finish that later. For now, I have better things in mind. We need to celebrate, Mrs. Park."