Chapter 239 - Tryst 1

Katherine's answer and the way she looked at Damien caused him to feel a strange heart reaction. 

What was up with him tonight? He had been feeling inexplicable things since he saw her earlier. 

His dinner with the hotel owner's daughter ended as soon as she finished her meal. He didn't even offer her dessert and paid for the bill fast. He remained looking uninterested when they stood up and he was going to leave with her when he caught sight of Katherine sitting alone at the bar.

Damien had to do a double-take as he didn't expect to ever see her again. After ushering his date towards the elevator, he simply had to go and say 'hi' to Katherine. After all, when was he ever going to see her again?

He was glad he did. Because just like what she said, there was no place he would rather be tonight.

"You seem to be in big parties where big people are whenever I see you. How do you know these people? What do you do?" he probed, hoping to know more about her.

"Why are you interested in what I do, Mr. Park?"

"Well, we've been meeting several times for the past year but I don't really know anything about you. You always leave without telling me anything about yourself while you know me… and what I do. I don't think that's fair."

"Everyone in the U.S and probably a portion of the world know your name and what you do, Mr. Park. Kinda hard not to know who you are when you hold the title of one of the youngest billionaires in the world, don't you think so?"

"Did you google me, Kitten?"

'Used Shadow's search engine but it's more or less the same.' Katherine lifted a shoulder to shrug, keeping her mysterious self.

When he didn't look away, she thought of giving him a vague answer.

"Let's just say I'm a contractor."

"A contractor, huh? What do people contract with you?"

"Now, for questions… you need to have an appointment, Mr. Park and I'm currently not working. Actually I'm on a break and won't be working for a while." She kept her tone playful, not wanting to give away any more information. "What about you? If you weren't here tonight, what would you be doing?"

Damien knew she was dodging more questions about her job but he didn't call her out on it and just answered her question, "I'd probably also just be in my penthouse. Reading. Do you have any family?"

"Orphan. No siblings. No husband—no kids. You?"

"My father passed away years ago. Don't know where my mother is. No siblings either. No husband too," he smiled and she smiled back, "No wife—and not seeing anyone. No kids."

Their little unexpected rendezvous turned out to be what looked like a first date.

"Guess we have a lot in common, huh?" he added.

Katherine couldn't help but be smitten by him. There was just something in the way that they interact with each other. It was casual, harmless flirting that seemed so natural… so right.

Just then, her phone buzzed in her purse. She took a look at it and saw that it was Chris calling. She was a little hesitant to pick it up because she didn't know what he wanted at this time when they had just finished a mission. Normally, if there was another mission, it would be sent through an automated message, telling them to go to Castle.

"Are you gonna get that?" Damien probed.

"It's work. I should take this…" 

"Sure."

Katherine stepped away for a while and went out to the hallway, answering her call as soon as she was alone. "Hello?"

"Hey… I was just calling to check up on you. Are you okay?" Chris asked, his voice sounding concerned.

"Yeah… of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Oh. You looked a little down after reporting. I thought something happened during the mission."

Katherine remembered her grandfather but she kept her tone light, reassuring Chris that she was fine. "Oh, there's just been a lot of work lately. I was a little tired. That's all."

"Ah… Sorry about that. Parker's been throwing cases left and right. Other teams were sent off to a long mission overseas. I could only rely on you. Where are you by the way?"

"Just having dinner on the 1st district."

"Do you want me to pick you up?"

"No, I'm fine. Thanks…"

"Alright. I'll give you a few days off to rest this week."

She sighed. She could finally resume her investigation. "That'll be great. Thanks, Chris."

"Anytime. Goodnight."

When the call ended, a happy expression was plastered on her face and she went back inside the bar.

"You look happy. Was that your Boss? Some good news?" Damien asked, feeling satisfied when he saw her place his coat back onto her lap to cover her legs with it.

"Something like that. He gave me a few days off this week since I worked a lot recently." Katherine sipped her wine, a smile still plastered on her face.

"That's great! What do you plan to do now that you're free the next few days?"

Katherine swallowed. She finished the rest of her wine and stared at the empty glass in her hand. There was so much to do but none of it involved relaxing. What will she tell him?

Seeing the change in her expression, Damien wasn't sure what was on her mind. "Would you like to get some fresh air? There's a table out in the balcony, we could move there."

She turned to see where he was pointing and saw the far end of the room had an open area separated by a glass door and it was empty. "Sounds good."

"Would you like a refill for your wine? Let me buy you one," he offered when she got down from the barstool.

Katherine contemplated for a bit. She breathed in deeply and nodded. "You know what? Why not. I don't really drink that much but I guess I could use another. Thank you, Mr. Park."   

"Damien."

"I'm sorry?"

"Please call me Damien, Katherine. I'd love for you to call me by my first name." He reached to hold her wrist, his thumb lightly brushing against the pulse, causing her to feel heated.

His eyes bore into hers and she swore her heartbeat raced when she felt that his gaze seeped into her and crawled through her bones.

'This man…. This man is dangerous.' Katherine's heart warned her when she thought that Damien could cause her heartache. He only touched her slightly yet she had this insane urge for him as if she wanted him to touch her more.

Crazy.

Ignoring her thoughts, she matched his gaze with her own and said, "Very well then. Thank you, Damien."