Chapter 588: There's Only Moving Forward

Katherine and Damien flew back to Harbor City, Esmea in his private jet. Amelia, Styles, and the others were already back a couple of days ago, so it was only the two of them who traveled, plus a few of his security detail. Even with Shadow being gone, he didn't want to be too complacent about things anymore. Katherine got kidnapped twice by them, and he hadn't forgiven himself for it.

Although he knew she never blamed him for what happened, he still couldn't shake that feeling of regret and guilt away. 'I should have done better,' he'd always told himself.

Once they landed on the tarmac at four in the afternoon, there was still so much sun left. Looking around the surroundings and seeing the familiar runway, Katherine took a deep breath of fresh air and released it slowly, a cloud mist forming before her mouth.

"It's already cold these days. You need to stay warm." Damien placed a thick coat over her shoulders. She inserted her arms through the holes, and he tied the knot in front securely.

Then he proceeded to put on a pair of fluffy gloves on her hands. She looked down to see the familiar kitten gloves that he got her that one time. And she flashed a smile upon the memory. "I didn't know you have this with you."

"God, I missed seeing that beautiful smile on you," he muttered with a sigh.

Katherine looked up to see that he was staring right at her. The worried gaze he had on him made her heart sink.

The entire time since they were in the NIA medical facility until now, her mind was somewhere else. She had been so preoccupied, thinking about what had transpired over the days. She wasn't the only one who had it tough. Damien also lost one from his Alpha Team, and a few of his men were severely injured. Everything was just too shocking and strange that she felt like coming down from a high only to painfully come back down, leaving trails of blood in her wake. It was a very slow coming down too.

It was only now that she really saw Damien up close and noticed how tired he looked. He had been there—truly been there. He risked his life for her too, just like the rest of the people who came to get her. Her face fell just as fast as her smile appeared a few seconds ago. He must have been confused about why she had a sudden change in expression because his brows knitted, and he scanned her face.

"Are you okay? Is something hurting?" he asked and then wiped a tear from her cheek that she didn't realize escaped.

Katherine shook her head. She took a deep breath and did the first thing that came to her mind. Raising herself on tippy-toes, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. He was surprised at first, but when it dawned on him that she was kissing him, he immediately returned it. His arms encircled around her waist, careful not to press any of her bruises.

When she pulled away, she gave him one more quick kiss and sighed. "I'm sorry, Damien."

They stared at each other's eyes. His voice was low and gentle when he probed, "What are you sorry for?"

"I'm really thankful that you saved me… but I've neglected you. I didn't even notice how exhausted you were taking care of me the whole time. You've been through a lot too, not just me. This whole…thing just... It's too hard. And I wish there was an easier way for everything to go back to the way they were before I regained my memories. Where it was just you and me. Damien and Katherine…" Her lips trembled.

The cold wind brushed past them, and her long hair flowed wildly. He tucked them behind her ear. It wasn't the first time they talked about this—hoping that they could go back to the way they were. But this time was on a different circumstance. A lot of things happened this week, and they were both being sentimental.

"I know you'd do the same for me if the situation were reversed. This is how it's going to be for us, Love. We protect and take care of each other, remember? I understand what you want. But the truth is, there's no going back to that time, Katherine." She frowned when the words left his mouth. "There's only moving forward."

Katherine pondered upon the last words he said. Damien was right. It was impossible to go back to the past where she was still Katherine Miller—not Katherine Young. But there was a life ahead of them that they're yet about to live. She smiled at him. "That I'm looking forward to."

He leaned for a quick kiss, and a charming smile lit up his face. "So do I."

"I promise I'll heal fast. That way, you won't have to worry about me so much anymore."

"I'll worry about you regardless. I always will." He softly chuckled.

"Well, then I'll heal fast so I can take care of you again." Katherine slid her hands down to his torso and slipped them around his back, closing their gap. "I miss those days, you know."

"Those days?"

"Yeah… I don't know why, but I actually miss being your secretary."

"You do?" Damien cocked a brow, amused by her sudden confession. She nodded bashfully—a look that he hadn't seen on her for a long time.

"I like being around you all the time—working with you in the office, having lunch breaks together, coffee breaks, fulfilling all the tasks you give me in the morning while stealing glances through the glass window and seeing you on your serious working look, and wearing that eyeglasses I so love on you."

He bent his head back, laughing. "Is that what you're doing while you're supposedly working? Stealing glances at your boss?"

Katherine shrugged innocently. "I can't help it. My boss is too hot."

Damien grinned. His mood was instantly lifted because of her. Just a while ago, she was feeling too glum. But he was glad that she was starting to feel like herself again. And now he was reminded of their days when she was still working with him in the office. He actually missed that too.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked when he only grinned but didn't say anything.

"I'm just reminiscing about those days, like you said. I miss that too. But you wanna know what I actually miss the most?"

"What's that?"

Leaning in to whisper in her ear, he spoke in the sexiest voice ever, "Me inside you. On top of my desk." He pulled back and winked.

Her cheeks turned pink at the memory of her being ravished by Damien in his office—on his desk. She squeezed her thighs together as she mentally counted the last time they were intimate. She couldn't remember. Has it been that long? It felt like it's been years.

She was sore from all the bruises she had on her body, but she definitely wouldn't mind being sore in a different way. Katherine swore she read or heard somewhere that endorphins were the body's natural painkillers. So it would be natural for her to ask Damien to help her with that, wouldn't it?

"Let's go. It's chilly out here. You're turning red, Kitten." He placed a hand on her back and guided her towards the waiting car, a wide smirk still dancing on his lips as they entered the backseat and left the airport.