Chapter 9

• Walking into the house she once called home, Kat could not help but recall all that happened in this very home. It was the home she once found love.
• Then immediately, her eyes furrowed on someone walking down the stairs. She recognized the lady as Clara Williams. She was tall, slender, and beautiful. She also had brown-black hair just like her own.
• Reaching down, the lady smiled at them and shook hands with Lucas.
• "Welcome to the Smith's home. Please make yourself comfortable."
• That came that angelic voice, even the devil would fall for it. She looked at Kat with her cold blue eyes and with a plain expression, then started walking towards the dining. The dining hall she once ate at.
• Getting to the dining, she sat in a corner and looked at them, "Make yourself comfortable, please."
• "Thank you." Came a reply from Lucas, well Kat never cared to speak. Her mind was elsewhere. As she looked down on her fingernails and waited for Aiden, she could not help but think of the note he passed on through the waiter.
• What does he want?. Why did he ask to see her, and what was he planning on doing?.
• "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting.." A strong voice came from the front and that sent a strong wind across her. She slowly looked up and swallowed up at the sight of Aiden. He had that aura he always had on him, he had become more handsome with the little bears she could find under his chin. He was muscular and always good-looking, well maybe an understatement. He was hot.
• When he smiles, it melted the lady's heart. Even Lucas saw that, and for someone who had never been jealous of such a thing wouldn't mind. Lucas is an easy-going, handsome man too. The ladies in town where he lived wished to have him, they saw him as a prince of the town. But why can't Kat see him that well?. He always cared for Kat and her girl because she loved them, but it never occurred to Kat that he had loved her since the day he found her at the mall.
• He moved away to stand before Kat, "Ms. Kat Garrido. It's nice to meet you. Thank you for coming to the little way of straightening our business bond."
• As he stood very close to Kat now, she inhaled his cologne, he hasn't changed a bit. He was just the same man she ever loved. He confused her by taking out his hand to her, everyone watched. What was this man planning?.
• Noticing the look on everyone's face, he said. "Just a simple etiquette." Kat breathed out and placed her right hand on his very soft hand, he smiled, leaned his head forward, and kissed the back of her hand. Kat shuddered at the electric shock it gave her, both of them felt it.
• ＜She still had it in her.＞ Aiden muttered to himself. The other two were jealous. He dropped her hand slowly and smirked. Kat shut her eyes, this man was playing with her feelings. She knew Aiden Smith well. Though their relationship only lasted for a year, she knew him well because she loved him.
• "Lucas Houston. How has it been with you?." He asked as they began eating, well except for Kat. She always had trust issues and she didn't want to trust him.
• "It was great. The business is where it is today because of Ms. Kat here." He replied, Clara scorned inwardly, Aiden only smiled. It was clear enough for his sensitive mind to know that this guy admired Kat a lot. Even Clara was getting tired of it.
• "Oh please. Don't mind, it sounds like I built it alone. If not for your help, I wouldn't have been where I am today." Kat said to him with a genuine smile.
• Aiden almost scoffed looking at them both, he smiled then looked at Clara. He picked her hand, and everywhere was quiet, Kat was burning with jealousy, Lucas's eyes glinted with amusement.
• "I can relate because this lady had stood with me for five years.." He paused and looked at Kat. "Unlike some." That did it. Everyone was stunned, now it was clear, he resented her, it was to spite her. Knowing he already caused an uproar to his guest, he sipped his wine and began eating again.
• ＜Let the guilt eat her up, she deserved it. ＞
• Kat, on the other hand, tried so hard not to move, her emotions were rigid after what he had just done. How dare he?.
• Her hand on the glass was held firmly as she watched him, she simply took a sip and smiled at Lucas, who was giving her signs to calm down.
• ***
• Soon, the meal was finished with fewer talks and engagements, Lucas had gone outside to receive a call, Kat had felt uncomfortable sitting at a table without Lucas, she wiped her mouth and looked at them, "I wished to use the restroom."
• She stood up to leave but the lady behind her spoke and she stopped and looked back, "I asked if you know your way around." She repeated. Kat smiled and was about to reply to her when Aiden interrupted.
• "Come on, Clara. Don't you remember she lived here before?. She knows better than anyone."
• Kat sighed, turned, and left in a jiffy. As she came across her room, she tried to open it but it was locked, she looked back and saw a maid walking through the hallway.
• "I'm sorry, ma'am. This is not the guest room." The young girl said.
• "Please lead me on."
• The girl turned around and started walking away. Kat followed her, then something crossed her mind, "Can I ask why it's locked?." She asked the girl and then the girl turned.
• "Oh, since I started working in the Smith's home, I've never been able to see the room open. I heard that since the occupant left, the room has never been opened till today."
• Kat blinked. Aiden kept her room locked up for five years?.
• The girl stopped in front of a door and turned to leave, "I believe you can find your way downstairs, ma'am."
• Kat nodded and the girl left. Kat opened the door and walked in. She could remember this room was Hayley's room when she was here. It was neat and in order. Kat walked to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. She bent down and washed her face.
• As her thoughts flooded on what Aiden was doing to her, she would be fast to finish her job over here, so she can avoid unnecessary drama. But then, it was her, thinking that Nicole needs to meet her real father, could it be possible?.
• As she wiped her face with a towel, she heard footsteps inside the room. It was clear enough for her to start walking out of the bathroom. When she walked out, she bumped into the huge body of a man. Her head collided with his hard chest and she looked up.
• Aiden Smith stood, looking down at her. "I was wondering if you'd take an eternity there."
• "What do you want?." She snapped.
• Aiden scoffed, "You still haven't changed a bit, Kat." He pronounced Kat in a low tone.
• Kat's eyes softened, "I asked a question, Aiden." Her voice was trying to stay strong.
• "Why are you back?." He suddenly asked and she looked up, "I'm setting up a company here, do you have a problem with that?."
• "I thought you hated Seattle."
• "I'm a businesswoman. When I find an opportunity, I take it."
• He scoffed, "Are you sure?."
• Kat narrowed her eyes.
• "Am I sure what?."
• "Are you sure you're only here for that?. Is there another reason for that?."
• Kat could not comprehend what he just asked for a moment. She wasn't sure either.
• Changing the topic, she asked, "Is that why you asked to see me?."
• "No."
• "So why do you want to see me?."
• "Because I wanted to know what you're planning for my city." Kat pushed him aside and started walking towards the door, she opened the door and looked back,
• "Well. You have your biggest rival now." With that said, she turned and left. Aiden smirked.
• ＜A rival?＞
• Before he wasn't fully dealing with the trend, but when he heard her say a rival, he made up his mind to come back fully.
• ＜Let's see how much she has learned＞