CHAPTER NINE

I am not sure how long he had been standing there listening to what we were saying.

Turning to him, I said, "You are not really available for me to ask you questions, and I apologize if it appears that I am invading your privacy.

The timmer of the oven rang out, breaking the silence in the room: "Saved by the bell." As Lucy turned to retrieve the plates, Cindy stepped forward to remove the baked cookies from the oven.

I approached Kai and said, "Hello, would you like to take a shower first or some freshly made cookies? How is your day at work?

To be completely honest, I have no idea why I said that to him; perhaps it stuck with me because I am so accustomed to treating Ken in the same way.

He gave me a strange look, but at least I care about him, or at least I thought so, even though this is not a romantic relationship.

"What are you attempting to do?"  In fact, he appeared perplexed as he asked.

He seemed to have never been asked a question like this before."I am used to taking care of Ken in that manner, so that was a mistake." I explained to him.

He turned to his room after nodding, and just as he was about to take the second or third step, he turned and said, "I would like a batch of the cookies delivered to my office."

After that, he left as the cookies were being arranged and allowed to cool. "I believe those were the longest words I have ever heard Sir say to anyone, excluding his friends and butler Albert," Lucy remarked.

"A butler is present? How did I not know? I need to be updated on what is happening in the house. I blurted out

Cindy laughed and declared that the cookies were sufficiently chilled to be given to Kai.

After asking Cindy for directions, I volunteered to bring the cookies to him, put them on a plate, and went upstairs to his office.

I knocked on his office door and got the response, "Come in."

Positioning the tray with one hand while opening the door with the other, his office is as large as any other room in the house—I mean, I have not been to any other room but mine.

It smells good in his office, and I could smell the musk and oud. Floor-to-ceiling windows, black walls, and book-filled shelves. There is a computer desk in the middle of the room, with a small cabinet beside it and a flower case on top. His office, in some ways, reflects his personality.

I was about to leave after putting the tray on the table and noticing that he was using his computer when he asked, "Did you meet with Sloane today to discuss about the wedding?"

"Yes, I did, and I really enjoy spending time with her." I replied.

"What information about me are you interested in?" It sounded as though he was giving me this information.

"I am sure you know more about me than I do about you; you seem to know a lot about my background, particularly when I was hospitalized and following the incident involving my daughter." I recalled that he had mentioned owing Claire a favor.

As you already know, I used to have a family, but now it is just me and my business. And that'd be it."

What!! Did he just say that is all I needed to know about him, even though he knows me so well? Clara would have let it go and remained silent in the past.

I am Chole now, and I will undoubtedly discover what I want. I will not be forced to do anything against my will.

"All right." I shrugged. Raising his head, he paused his computer typing and raised his eyebrows in inquiry.

"After meeting with Sloane, I was pleased with the dresses she showed me. We also talked about other matters, so we can move forward with the wedding." I responded to his brow furrowed inquiry.

He gave me a long look before turning to his computer. "You will meet with Sloane; I would like you to accompany me to an event."

"A gathering? I shrieked. "You mean that I am going to follow you out of this house? We would be spotted together." It never occurred to me that I would be shown to the world so quickly.

"Why not make it sooner instead of later? We will soon be seen together as husband and wife." Kai said as he glanced at my face.

"Maybe I should ask what you are afraid of?" He inquired.

Although the surgery has altered my face, my personality and identity have not changed, so what am I afraid of? Am I truly afraid of being seen?

If I happen to run into Ken or Yvonne, they will not be able to recognize me, but it will hurt me a lot.

I do not think I am prepared to go through that again, and I would never want to see them again, especially at a gathering where Kai would be present.

I would not want Kai to think I am being weak, so I would definitely break that if it happened.

But I am not weak; I am driven by retaliation and am oblivious to pain and rage. Whatever comes my way, I will take it on. I’m not going to break.

"In case you forgot, my name is Chole, and I am not afraid of anything. As you mentioned, the sooner I am exposed to the outside world, the better." I stated.

"All right, that is it. You can go now." Without raising his head from his work, he said.

I went to my room after leaving his office, had dinner delivered, took a bath in the evening, and prepared for bed.

What Kai said kept coming to mind; am I truly afraid? My life was full of fun before Claire passed away, and I was a happy person who went out frequently and had friends besides Yvonne.

I lay on the bed and continued to stare at the ceiling while silently repeating to myself, "I CAN DO, I AM CHOLE, NOTHING CAN STOP ME," until I dozed off.

Tomorrow brings new beginnings.