CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

KATRINA

Dad shot me a sharp look, his eyes wide, intense screaming a silent command and I get it already. 

I exhaled deeply and I grabbed my bag from the ground. I walked forward. My Dad quickly moved to the opposite side of the backseat and opened the door for me. I didn’t meet his eyes. I didn’t say anything. I just lowered my head and slid into the car.

The door closed behind me with a soft thud and suddenly, the world outside felt far away.

The silence inside was heavy. The scent of leather and expensive cologne surrounded me. I could feel him beside me. Boss Valerion. Just inches away and sitting still. Watching, maybe.

I quietly settled into the wide, luxurious seat, my eyes locked straight ahead, my hands clenched tightly on my lap. 

After a few more seconds, Dad climbed into the driver’s seat. I could see the way his hands trembled slightly as he gripped the steering wheel. 

As I heard the soft hum of the car engine, I stole a glance at Boss Valerion sitting beside me. He was just staring straight ahead, his eyes fixed on the road.

Was he really not going to say anything?

I waited, hoping he would speak, but even as we approached the main gate, his lips remained tightly sealed.

I thought for sure he’d scold me, but he stayed completely silent. Even after the countless times I’ve visited his mansion looking just like this, he never seems to care.

Is he really that determined to have me marry his son?

Is this the final decision?

I let out a deep sigh and turned my full attention to the view outside the car’s windshield.

I watched as the four stern-looking guards opened the two heavy gate bars for us.

We drove down a wide road that led into an even larger courtyard. When our vehicle finally came to a stop, my father immediately got out of the car and rushed to open the door for his boss. 

Meanwhile, I opened the door on my side by myself and stepped out. “Kitty.”

I glanced over at my dad. He was signaling for me to come closer. At the same time, Boss Valerion had already started walking ahead. We quickly followed behind him.

“Dad,” I whispered under my breath as we trailed behind his boss. "When are you going to retire from being his personal driver?”

He gave me a sharp look. “If you really want me to retire, maybe you should stop giving me so much trouble.”

I fell silent as we approached the staircase. We began climbing up, and before long, we entered through the large main door. A butler greeted us as soon as we stepped in, and he promptly escorted us to the second floor.

He said we were heading to the dining hall.

When we reached a pair of large closed doors, the butler stepped forward and pushed them open.

We all filed into the room.

The first thing my eyes landed on was a man sitting casually on a modern chair.

He was on the left side of the long dining table, his long legs stretched out and resting on top of it. He was completely absorbed in his phone.

Even though it was obvious that he heard the door open, he didn’t glance in our direction. His eyes stayed glued to the screen.

As we slowly made our way closer to the table, I kept my eyes fixed on him.

And well, I had to admit.

He looked even better in person.

And I hadn’t expected him to be that... huge.

I mean, tall. He was boad-shouldered, heavyset kind of way that made you think twice before saying anything sarcastic. If the two of us ever got into a physical fight, I’d be doomed.

He was wearing a formal suit. The sleeves stopped just at his elbows, and I couldn’t help but notice how his arm muscles stood out.

And his legs were long. Like I said, everything about him was stretched out, like he was built on a different scale.

But just as I was starting to mentally acknowledge all that physical presence…

I landed my eyes on his feet. Propped up on the edge of the table.

Still wearing socks.

I cringed a little. I mean, who does that in formality like this?

My lips twitched in an involuntary wince.

Okay, no. 

He’s really not my type.

Just then, as we reached the far-left corner of the long dining table and settled into a tense, awkward pause, I heard a throat being cleared and all eyes shifted to Boss Valerion.

That was when his son finally looked at me properly. His eyes moved to me, then flicked downward. He casually dropped his feet from the chair, letting them rest on the floor, and straightened his posture.

“Dad, where’s my fiancée?”

Damn, that voice...

It was deep but smooth. The kind of tone that made you freeze for a second. 

“I thought today was the day?” he added, glancing around the room.

“You didn’t bring her?” he asked, eyebrows slightly raised. 

That was when Boss Valerion coughed again. 

“She’s here,” he said. “Right in front of you, Pierre.”

I could see his expression change.

His brows drew together, puzzled, and his gaze flicked between the faces in the room.

“Where?” he asked, turning his head. “I haven’t seen any woman here... aside from this.”

Then his eyes landed on me.

His stare hardened. There was no mistaking the disgust in his tone when he finished his sentence.

“And why did you bring that beggar into my house?” As if that wasn’t enough, he actually lifted his hand and pointed at me.

“What are you planning to do with that girl, Dad?”

“She’s not a beggar,” Boss Valerion said formally. “Allow me to introduce you to your wife, Katrina Barillas.”

The room fell into silence.

Pierre’s lips parted slightly in disbelief, like he wasn’t sure he’d heard right.

Then he turned to me with a brutal look.

“I… ain’t... marrying that shit.”