Chapter 10

"What? Did I do something? What's with his gaze?" I asked in confusion. We watched him until he entered the elevator. 

"That guy is so weird sometimes," I commented before entering my condo and inviting Nikki inside. 

"If appropriate, can I ask why you ask me to run a background check on him?" Nikki asked after he put the groceries on the counter table.

"Hmmm, because I found him interesting?" I answered. That was true. I found Mark interesting and I wanted to know him more. 

"I hope you don't put yourself into trouble." Nikki seriously said. I chuckled. Yeah, I hope so too. But for me, the existence of Mark itself already screams trouble. And I don't understand why I have this feeling that I will embrace that trouble soon. 

"You don't have to worry, Nikki. I know what I am doing." I told him even though I am not confident with what I said. 

"Ma'am, I don't know if I am appropriate to say this but I'll say it for your safety. You know that the Wang-" 

"Let's stop there, Nikki," I said to him with a smile on my face but he knew what was the meaning of that smile. 

"My apologies, Ma'am." He said. 

Even though I lived in a different country and just arrived here, I am updated on what is happening here and who are the people that my family knows. Kieffer was keeping me updated for some reasons and that included the chances that when I came back at least I knew who those people were even if they didn't know me. I also know their background and those things about their business. Those were not secrets for us, well, for others, it was. 

After we ate, Nikko said that he'll be back to his duty. He will be in his car after he checks the surroundings. And for me, I spent the rest of my time inside the condo doing anything that came to my mind. 

After weeks of being independent, Kieffer called saying that we will be having a family dinner tomorrow evening with our family friend. But I doubt that after I received the location. We rarely have family dinners in luxury and fancy restaurants. We always ate at home together except if there were other gatherings. 

Kieffer said that he can't come because he has a meeting tomorrow, so I need to go there alone. And that only made me feel more nervous. Does this 'family friend' know me? Kieffer didn't tell me who this 'family friend' was because he didn't know. 

What are they planning to do? 

I dressed up presentably and nicely. My parents said that they will fetch me but I said that I can go there alone. 

I don't feel like driving this evening so I ordered Nikki to drive me there. 

"Who's the family we will meet today?" I asked while staring outside.

"Wang family, Ma'am," Nikki answered. I closed my eyes as I leaned on my seat and sighed heavily.

"Why? I doubt that what will happen later is not just an ordinary dinner." I said. My voice was calm but my heart was beating fast due to nervousness. Suddenly, I don't feel like going. 

Nikki didn't answer my question so I opened my eyes. He was looking at me in the rearview mirror. His eyes were worried. 

"Say it. So I know what I will do." I said using a weak voice. 

"Mr. Andres, your father, has a project and the Wang will support your father since Mr. Andres already lost a lot of money while working on the project."

"In exchange for what?" I asked but Nikki looked away. My lips parted and I clenched my hands on the dress I am wearing. 

"I thought I already got my freedom. I guess I am wrong." I bitterly said after I realized what will be the situation I will be facing later once I arrived at that restaurant. 

"Nikki," I called him before I got out of the car. "Once you see me suddenly standing up in the middle of this damn dinner, please get me out of there," I told him before I gave him a small smile. He nodded at me and gave me an assuring smile. 

"Yes, Ma'am." He answered. Then, I breathed deeply before I got out of the car and walked inside the restaurant. 

The waiter assisted me to our table. I immediately saw my parents and the Wang family. The couple and their two sons, Yael and Henry. My mind wondered about Mark. Didn't they invite him? This is a family dinner after all. Or they didn't include him in this kind of event since Mark was adopted?

"Kathy, you're finally here!" Mom said as soon as she saw me. Dad stood up to greet me.

"Let me introduce to you my daughter, Catherine Andres. Honey, this is Mr. Jeremy Wang and his wife Mrs. Yeri. These two handsome men are Yael and Henry." My mother said, I looked at them and politely greeted them. By the look of the brothers on me, I knew that they already knew what would happen tonight.

"My eldest son, Kieffer, could not come because he is still in a meeting right now," Dad told them.

"It's okay. It's good to have a responsible son like Kieffer. I see that he is interested in business. I guess it runs on the blood." Mrs. Wang said then, laughing.