Chapter 257 - Grandpa Theo as Cupid 2

Katherine was trying her best not to look bored but she was… bored. She never liked social parties like this. She had been to events like this where the rich people gather so many times especially during missions but the only times she remembered enjoying herself were when she was with Damien.

Damien was sitting next to her in a round table with her grandfather sitting on his other side. They weren't sitting very closely but his very presence caused her to feel so stuffy.

She wasn't paying attention to what they were talking about at all. The two businessmen were busy talking about stuff she wasn't really interested in. At one point, Damien was talking about his ventures in the stock exchange which her grandfather surprisingly sounded so interested in — she would probably never understand.

Chairman Young called her attention and he asked Damien to "teach" her how to invest in stocks. Of course, how could Damien say 'no'?

A couple of days ago, her grandfather gave her a bank book that was in her name. When she opened it, she was beyond shocked to see how much money was in it. She was hesitant to accept so she tried to return it but her grandfather refused and told her that it was her birthright and she couldn't reject it.

Just like that, Katherine Young was now a millionaire.

She could still remember how desperate she was a few years ago where even fifty dollars was so hard to earn. She had imagined how much food she could eat with all the money she now had. 

However, despite having millions in her name, she didn't plan on using it when it came to her private affairs. She didn't like the idea of using her family's money for something dirty. She had earned about half a million from bounty hunting and that alone was more than enough for her for the meantime. 

When someone came to speak to Chairman Young, Damien glanced at Katherine and caught her yawning. If this was before, he would have already coaxed her to go home so she could rest.

Sensing him staring at her, she cleared her throat and looked straight ahead.

"You're tired," he said.

"A little. I haven't been sleeping well." She didn't bother lying about it. She hadn't been sleeping well for more than two months already. It was probably obvious given the bags under her eyes.

"Pumpkin, you stayed up late last night again, didn't you? You have to take better care of yourself. That project of yours isn't worth it if you're not resting enough," Chairman Young commented.

"I'm fine, Grandpa. I just need something to drink."

"Mm, I'll let Frank get you something. Meanwhile, why don't you two have a dance? Son, you don't mind dancing, do you?" Chairman Young faced Damien with an innocent question but with a hopeful expression.

Katherine's eyes widened at her grandfather's attempt to make Damien dance with her. Why was he playing matchmaker? 

She wanted to scoff but kept her voice calm. "Grandpa, I don't think it's—"

"I would love to." Damien cut off her words and Chairman Young clapped his hands together with glee. He found her grandfather adorable. The old man was playing cupid and he didn't want to pass up the chance. 

Compared to before, Katherine's concern about having gossips regarding an inappropriate relationship between a Boss and his Secretary was no longer a reason for Damien to hesitate about getting seen with her—not that it was ever a problem for him. But now, the hundreds of people present could talk about them all they want and there wouldn't be any concerns anymore. 

Standing up, he extended his palm out for her. "May I have this dance?" 

When she didn't do or say anything, Chairman Young told her, "Go on, Katherine. It's rude to say no to Chairman Park's invitation."

'If it's rude, why don't you dance with him instead?!' she said in silence whilst glancing at her grandfather.

Hesitantly, Katherine placed her hand in Damien's. For the first time that evening, they held hands.

When they reached the dance floor, she was thankful that the crowd didn't seem to give them too much attention unlike earlier with Chris. At least she didn't have to worry about so many eyes looking at them.

As if fate was teasing them, Shawn Mendes's song 'Ruin' played through the speakers.

~Do ya? Do you think about me?

And, do ya? Do you feel the same way, babe?~

Standing close together, Katherine placed her hand on his upper arm while the other was holding his. She couldn't look at him so she kept her head turned to the side while they slowly swayed from side to side. 

This was ridiculous. Why were they dancing? This was the last thing that she wanted to happen this evening. She could feel her heart hammering against her chest. It was so hard for her… she wished it would be over fast, afraid that her resolve would betray her.

"Why are you so nervous?" Damien asked softly, his lips were above her ear. He had to speak closely for her to hear or his voice will get drowned by the music.

"I'm not nervous. Why would I be?" she replied defensively.

He scoffed, "Uh-huh. I can feel your drumming heartbeat. You can't lie to me."

Katherine got flustered. She looked at their chests that were pressed together and she only realized how close they actually were for him to feel her wildly racing heartbeat.

She took a step back in an attempt to put some distance between them but his hand on the small of her back stopped her from moving away. Pulling her closer, he held her so that she couldn't get away from him.

"Come on, Katherine. You danced with that monster for a full song and you can't even spare me a couple of minutes?" Damien's voice was a little hard and cold. He remembered their dance number earlier and he was starting to get irritated again.

He was right. She didn't even know that he saw her with Chris earlier. It must have been really unpleasant for him. But she wished he knew that she didn't enjoy the dance either – it was torture for her.

Breathing in deeply, she relaxed. "Fine. One dance."

"We're only dancing, Katherine. Nothing else," he said as he adjusted his hands so that he was now holding her gently. "We don't have to talk."

When she didn't respond, Damien added, "Talking involves a response from you when I say something. But you don't have to. However, I would like to speak… and I wish you'd listen. That's all you have to do."