Chapter 249 - An Inevitable Distress

Damien couldn't explain the feeling that he was experiencing when he finally heard her voice calling his name for the first time in more than two months.

Seeing her standing a few feet away and only seeing her back, it was taking him so much self-control not to rush towards her.

Since he arrived at the party, all that he had seen were other men who easily interacted with her with no problems at all. He had watched one who danced with her for an entire song with all of the guests as their audience while the other one whom he guessed was actually her childhood friend. How come it was so easy for them to be with her while it was so damn hard for him?

Damien had thought about this day when he would finally have the chance to talk to her. He had replayed every scene in his head on how he was going to approach her—including the words he was supposed to say. But now that it was already happening, his mind was blank. He still did not know what to do.

What was one supposed to tell the woman he loves… but can't have?

Could someone just help him? Coz he honestly doesn't know.

Step by step, he took his time until he finally stood behind her. She was only an arm's length away from him and all he needed to do was to reach out and he could finally touch her.

But he was so afraid that if and when he did, she would brush him away.

Katherine was so close that he could smell the scent of her shampoo. It wasn't the same one she usually used but it still smelled like her. He missed her terribly and he couldn't bring himself to even tell her that.

Damien's gaze landed on her clenched hand and he could see she was slightly trembling. He knew that she was struggling so much more than he was and he couldn't blame her.

His heart drummed in his chest and before he knew it, he opened his mouth and started speaking, "Katherine… Can we talk?"

Katherine's breathing hitched upon hearing his plea. How could she reject him? It wasn't really the right time and she still wasn't ready. She couldn't—for the life of her—make herself turn around and tell him to give her more time. She was in such a dilemma. 

Unclenching her hands, she breathed in and tried to keep her voice straight as she answered, "I'm sorry… Now is not a good time. I'm in the middle of something."

Just as she said that, she heard Styles in her ear, "Queen, I think the signal is coming from the basement parking. We're on our way there." Hurried footsteps were heard in the background.

Damien already expected her to refuse to talk to him, so hearing it wasn't much of a surprise but it was still hard for him. "Okay, but when is a good time?"

"I don't know. I can't know when…" Katherine started breathing heavily. She had to get away from him or she'll break down and she didn't want that to happen in front of him. "There's just so many things going on right now."

Not knowing when they could actually talk gave him a slight prick in the chest. But at least she didn't sound like she was mad at him anymore.

"I understand." 

He sucked in air and willed himself to reach out and touch her hand. He just had to touch her… he was doing it for himself. It was the only way he thought could make him calm down.

"Just… just tell me you're okay… I need to know that you're okay," he breathed. He knew she was nowhere near 'okay' but he still needed to hear her.

Damien's large hand swallowed hers and gave it a light squeeze. She didn't return the squeeze but she didn't brush him away either and for that, it gave him hope.

However, he didn't want to give himself too much of that hope in order not to fall from such a height.

As soon as Katherine felt his warm hand, she felt as if her heart was being compressed at first and then it felt lighter afterward. She almost lost her resolution and collapsed. Closing her eyes, she visualized an empty room with nothing inside and it slowly helped her clear her thoughts. 

When she opened her eyes again, she spoke in a toneless voice, "I'm okay."

Hesitantly, she pulled her hand away from him gently and added, "I have to go, Damien."

She took a step forward and stopped when she heard Styles's voice, "We found it. It's planted under a black Aston Martin."

"Did you say black Aston Martin? What's the plate number?" Katherine's hand flew to her ear and pressed the earpiece to hear them clearly.

Styles dictated the plate number to Katherine and her breathing faltered. 

"I know that car…" she muttered as she spun around and looked at Damien Park straight in the eyes.

Damien was dumbfounded to see her horrified face. He didn't know what was going on and was confused as to who she was talking to and why she mentioned the car. "What?"

All of Katherine's fear of talking to Damien was gone and was abruptly replaced by something she couldn't explain. She remained stunned as she listened to Styles speak about the kind of bomb that was under the car.

"Styles! I know that car!" she bit out.

"Who are you talking to?" Damien asked and walked closer only to see Katherine raise her hand at him and shifted her stare to the side as she listened closely through her comms.

"Of course you know this car, it's a well-known luxury—"

"No, asshat. I meant I know who that belongs to…" Katherine stared back at Damien and muttered, "It's Damien's car."

"Mine? What about my car?" Damien was totally confused as to what was going on. "What is going on?"

Katherine still ignored him and heard Styles and Falcon curse through her earpiece. She had to get to them. She had to see what was going on down there.

Facing Damien, she extended her palm out to him and demanded, "Keys to your car."

"Why?" he asked but began to dig out his pocket for it anyway.

Katherine didn't waste time and snatched it from his hand as soon as she saw it. "Stay right here and don't follow me," she told him in an authoritative voice before turning away and running towards the elevators.

Damien's brows furrowed, looking extremely bewildered at the moment. But there was no way he was going to listen to her… not when she looked this frightened.

"Like hell I am going to stay here." He ran after her and followed behind her.

He had no idea what was going to happen.

No one knew what was about to happen.

And none of them was ready for what they were going to experience that night.