CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4

KATRINA

I knew it. I wouldn’t like this guy.

There was something about him from the start. I mean, if he had even the slightest bit of common sense, or basic human decency, he would’ve seen that I’m a person. But no, he called me a... Shit? He literally looked me in the eye and called me that.

Then again, I can’t really blame him completely. I probably do look like a walking disaster right now. Even I, wouldn’t take me seriously looking like this. Honestly, it’s so bad that earlier, the security at the gate almost shot me to death. One more wrong move and I might’ve ended up in a police van.

I had to take a deep breath.

Because I promised my dad that I’d behave. That I wouldn’t fight back. That no matter how much this spoiled son of Boss Valerion gets on my nerves, I’d keep my mouth shut.

To be honest, Boss Valerion is way more decent.

He is actually kind.

But his son, everything about him screamed aggressiveness, his stance, the sharp way he moved, the way he carried himself like he was always ready to start a fight.

And to think, he had such a beautiful name.

Pierre. It sounds classy but that elegant name was a mouthful of trash and an attitude to match.

I muttered sarcastically under my breath, "Hold me back, Dad... hold me back... I want to smack his face..." I was just pretending that I was about to lose it.

“Shh.” Dad reached for my left wrist and held it gently.

“Pierre, watch your words," Boss Valerion warned.

Pierre shut his eyes tightly if he was trying to block the world out. His fingers went up to his forehead, pressing hard, and then he dragged his hand roughly down his face, he was physically trying to wipe the frustration away.

Then he looked back up at Boss Valerion.

“Dad, tell me this is a fuckíng joke,” he muttered through gritted teeth. “Look at her.” He pointed straight at me again.

“She is so different from what you described to me! I thought she was supposed to look... " His mouth hung open, and he rubbed his chin hard. "I am fuckíng out of here!” he growled, turning to leave.

But just as he stood from his chair, his father’s voice cut through the tension.  “Sit down, Pierre.”

He tightened his jaw.

“Go back to your seat…” his father repeated with authority, then turned to face the rest of us. “And please, make yourselves at home, Konrad."

“Yes, Boss,” my dad replied politely on my behalf. “Come on, Kitty. Let’s go.” He gently tugged my arm and led me to the other side of the long dining table. He guided me to my seat. Then he took the seat next to mine.

Boss Valerion sat down beside his son, who looked like someone had just shoved a lemon into his mouth and asked him to smile. His entire face was scrunched up in obvious displeasure, and the worst part?

His eyes were focused on me.

I could feel his stare like a spotlight, dead center. But I refused to meet his gaze. I kept my eyes down, fixed on the table or anywhere else that wasn’t in his direction. He looked too serious and way too scary.

I tried not to fidget.

Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw Boss Valerion reach for a small golden bell in the center of the table. He gave it a light shake.

The soft chime echoed throughout the massive, high-ceilinged dining hall.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when, just a second later, one of the tall wooden doors at the far right wall swung open.

My attention snapped toward it as a line of maids began to file out, each of them carrying trays that sparkled in the light. The trays were polished to a mirror shine, reflecting bits of gold and silver as they moved.

In perfect synchrony, they walked gracefully down the long aisle leading to the dining table where we sat.

“Sweetheart… you’ve got so many leaves in your hair,” Dad said softly, reaching over to pluck something from the side of my head.

Realizing the grass and weeds from earlier must’ve clung to me. I had been lying on the ground for a while but I quickly turned my gaze back to the maids. Watching them was better than facing Pierre’s death glare, which I could already feel burning a hole into the side of my face.

The maids gently set down the plates, each dish more mouthwatering. The aroma of freshly prepared food began to fill the space between us.

Before leaving, they gave a courteous bow in unison, then silently turned around and disappeared back through the door they had come from.

“Let’s dig in.”

That was the only moment I genuinely felt excited.

As soon as the Boss said those words, I gripped the heavy utensils in front of me like a knight ready for battle.

I pulled the plate of waffles toward me with both hands. I quickly stabbed three slices with my fork and dropped them onto my plate. After that, I just kept going, piling more and more food onto it. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure what half of the dishes were called, I just grabbed whatever looked delicious.

By the time I was done, my plate was completely loaded.

Good thing breakfast was something fancy today.

If this is what mornings are like in this place, I might actually enjoy living here.

Just as I was about to take my first bite, a familiar voice cut through my moment of joy. “Kitty, your table manners, sweetheart…” I didn't listen.

I was devouring my food, stuffing bites into my mouth without a care, when Dad leaned toward me and whispered something. It made me stop chewing instantly.

There is that feeling.

The an undeniable sense that someone was staring at me.

I could feel it like a prickling on my skin.

I forced myself to look up, bracing for whatever I’d find, and sure enough, I was right.

Pierre.

Our eyes met, and he was wearing that same heavy expression he seemed to save just for me now.

We just stared at each other for a second. His gaze was piercing, and I could feel my eyelids trembling from the effort of holding back.

I wanted to roll my eyes at him so badly.

Just once. Just to get it out of my system. But I didn’t.

Not with Boss Valerion nearby. If he saw even a flicker of attitude from me, I didn’t know what kind of trouble I’d be in.

“Pierre, eat your food,” his father said calmly, like nothing was happening across the table.

Pierre didn’t move.

His eyes never left mine as he snapped back. “Dad, why did you scam me?! I thought my future bride was supposed to be prettier than Devillianna! Why did you fuckíng lie to me?”

Earlier, when we walked into the room, his face had looked so relaxed but the second he found out that I was the one he was going to marry, it was like someone had knocked the air out of him.

And now, Boss Valerion didn’t even look fazed. “Katrina is better than her.”

Pierre gave his father a look so sharp it could cut glass. "In which part?!” he yelled.

Without even blinking, Boss Valerion calmly scooped another spoonful of food and brought it to his mouth. He chewed slowly, swallowed, then answered in the most casual tone imaginable. “Katrina has child-bearing hips. Perfect for bearing sons.”

I almost choked on my own saliva.

We fell into complete silence.

Excuse me... but what?!

I didn’t know whether to feel completely humiliated or strangely… flattered?

It wasn’t exactly the compliment every girl dreamed of, but hey, coming from a man like Boss Valerion, I guess that was high praise.

Somehow, that absurd remark managed to warm my heart.

Just kidding.

"Her facial features are splendid... she has round eyes, a slim, small, pointed nose, and a small face."

"That’s it?!" Pierre snapped, his voice filled with disgust before he slammed his hand down on the table. The sudden impact echoed sharply, startling everyone in the room. "If I had known you dragged in some woman who looks like a damn witch, I wouldn’t have wasted my time on this shit!"

He stood up violently, the chair screeching across the floor as he shoved it back.

“Fuckíng hell... even our servants look better than her,” he spat out, pacing with frustration. “I don’t want to see that woman again. Ever. Get the hell out of here... all of you.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off him. As he stormed away from where he stood, I followed his every step with my gaze. I didn’t even blink. I just kept staring, silently watching him leave.

But just as he neared the dining room door, he suddenly froze.

Then, just as quickly, he spun around harshly.

My heart jumped. Before he could catch me staring, I immediately dropped my eyes back to my plate, pretending that I had been focused on my food the whole time.

I caught a glimpse of him from the corner of my eye as he stepped out of the room. Slowly, his figure disappeared, and with it, the suffocating weight of his presence vanished.

Only then did I realize how tense I had been. I placed a hand over my chest and took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

"On behalf of my son, I apologize for his rudeness, Konrad," Boss Valerion said.

"It’s okay, Boss. I understand," My dad replied gently, though I could hear the discomfort behind his words.

But I couldn’t hold it in. I leaned in toward him.

"That wasn’t okay. Swearing like that, in front of the food? And the way he insulted us… in front of everyone? It was too much."

He let out a sigh.

“Kitty…” he said softly, a subtle warning, asking me to let it go.

“She’s right. What Pierre did was wrong,” Boss Valerion remarked. “So I’d like to apologize, Katrina. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive him.”

“It’s okay,” I replied politely, forcing a small, composed smile. “I wasn’t hurt or anything by what he said.” But I couldn’t stop myself from adding, softly. “It’s just that… you see something beautiful in me... but your son doesn’t. He saw me and got mad.”

Dad leaned toward me too, his voice low, as if trying not to be heard by anyone else. “Kitty, of course Boss Pierre would be angry with you… looking the way you do right now.”

I focused on Boss Valerion instead. “I’m just not pretty enough for someone like him. Honestly, do you really think someone like Pierre would lower his standards? He has the face of a prince. And me? I look like a frog next to him.”

“Katrina,” My dad said my name sharply so I immediately shut my lips.