Chapter 4 A New Beginning

• "It's only 8:30. We've got time," Kathy said, answering Peterson's call on speaker while making breakfast.
• "Let's grab breakfast together," Peterson replied. "I'm at your complex entrance."
• "But I've just made my breakfast," Kathy protested, scooping noodles from the pot. After a pause, she asked timidly, "Want some?"
• "Sure," Peterson agreed, surprising Kathy. Wasn't the young master picky about food?
• "Let me in, then," Peterson said.
• "Okay. Building 15, Unit B," Kathy replied, turning off the stove and rushing to call security before heading downstairs. The tight security made visitors inconvenient, but she rarely had guests anyway.
• Peterson wore a light suit with a white shirt, looking more approachable. Kathy realized she was still in loungewear, hastily covered by a jacket, with messy hair and slippers. Noticing Peterson's amused look, she awkwardly smoothed her hair and said, "Come in."
• "How much left to move today? All packed?" Peterson asked cheerfully.
• "Movers coming at 1 PM, hired help for packing," Kathy explained, opening the door. "No men's slippers, so keep your shoes on."
• Peterson nodded, pleased to see no signs of other men visiting. He'd meant to come yesterday but got caught up with Chris. Wilson came instead. Now, everything was boxed up, ready to go. His eyes lingered on the "Swan" painting, recalling Wilson's cryptic words about its destined owner.
• "My cooking's not great, but hope it's okay," Kathy said, bringing out noodles with veggies and a fried egg.
• "Thanks," Peterson said, realizing it had been years since he'd had homemade noodles for breakfast. The domesticity, with Kathy bustling in the kitchen, felt oddly pleasant. She was no longer the untouchable swan princess. She'd changed so much for someone else. Now, she was all his.
• "Why aren't you eating?" Kathy asked, noticing Peterson hadn't touched his food.
• "Waiting for you," he replied.
• "Start eating. The noodles will get soggy," Kathy urged, quickly digging in to hide her embarrassment. At 26, she couldn't believe she still blushed like a schoolgirl.
• At the civil affairs office, Kathy hesitated. "Are you sure about this?"
• "Ms. Harper, I never make losing deals," Peterson smirked. "Having second thoughts?"
• "No, just double-checking," Kathy took a deep breath.
• "Shall we, future Mrs. Blackwood?" Peterson guided her inside, hand on her waist. Unnoticed, a figure with a camera emerged from nearby bushes, grinning.
• Emerging with their marriage certificate, Kathy felt surreal. Had she really just married herself off? Sold herself?
• Amused by her dazed look, Peterson produced a ring. "No wedding, but some traditions matter. It's not much, given the rush."
• "Do I have to wear it? Might be inconvenient for teaching," Kathy protested.
• "Never heard of rings being banned for dancing," Peterson raised an eyebrow, waving their certificate. "Mrs. Blackwood, last chance to back out is gone." He slipped the ring on her finger.
• "Where to now?" Kathy asked, staring at her ring.
• "Back to your place. I'll help you move," Peterson replied, stepping on the gas.
• At the apartment, waiting for movers, Kathy offered Peterson water. "Make yourself at home. I'll pack the last few things."
• "Need help?" Peterson rolled up his sleeves.
• "Not now, but I'll let you know," Kathy said, wary of his help potentially causing more work.
• Later, as they packed with hired help, the housekeeper whispered to Kathy, "Ms. Harper, your husband's very handsome."
• "Thanks," Kathy mumbled, glancing at Peterson.
• By the time everything was moved and roughly arranged in Peterson's home, it was past two. Exhausted, Kathy collapsed on the bed, inhaling the fresh, familiar yet strange scent of the sheets.
• A knock. "Come in," Kathy called, sitting up.
• "Ordered food. Come eat," Peterson said.
• "Okay," Kathy replied, massaging her sore back as she followed him out.
• The 200-square-meter hotel-style apartment had two balconies. Peterson was laying out an impressive spread, bathed in warm afternoon light. Kathy's yawn was cut short by the sight of the lavish "takeout."
• "Wasn't sure what you liked, so I ordered based on what you had atCalvinman last time," Peterson explained, pulling out a chair for her.
• "Thanks," Kathy sat down, eyeing the feast and Peterson's nonchalant expression. Remembering their simple breakfast, she inwardly chided herself before digging in heartily, all thoughts of ladylike manners forgotten in her hunger.
• Kathy had just finished her late lunch when Peterson stopped her from clearing the table. "Go rest. Someone will clean up later," he said. "I'm heading back to the office. Call if you need anything. For house stuff, tell Wute. I've given you, his number. Or shop yourself - you have the card. Remember the PIN?"
• "Yes," Kathy nodded. The fridge was nearly empty, but using his black card for groceries felt odd. She wasn't some celebrity.
• "Alright, I'm off," Peterson grabbed his coat.
• "Okay," Kathy sipped her juice, admiring the river view. The Champs-Élysées apartments truly had the best location in N City. Money really was wonderful.
• Kathy woke around 5 PM and headed to the nearby supermarket. Browsing the yogurt aisle, a hesitant yet excited voice called out, "Kathy? Is that you?"
• She turned to see a familiar couple - a woman in white and a man in a dress shirt. "Anderson and Ander?" Kathy exclaimed, recognizing her high school classmates.
• "You remember us!" Anderson beamed. "Saw you from afar and weren't sure. You haven't changed a bit!"
• "Can't believe you two ended up together," Kathy marveled. They'd been rivals in school, always competing. Love truly came unexpectedly.
• "What about you and Eason?" Anderson asked, eyeing Kathy's ring. "High school sweethearts, right?"
• Ander nudged his wife, noticing Kathy's face fall at Eason's mention.
• "Oh, I'm sorry," Anderson backpedaled. "I assumed..."
• "It's fine," Kathy forced a smile.
• Changing the subject, Ander asked, "New to the neighborhood? Never run into you before."
• "Just moved in with my husband," Kathy explained.
• "Oh, married! Why no invite for old classmates?" Anderson teased.
• "Just got the certificate. No ceremony yet," Kathy said awkwardly.
• "What a coincidence! What does your husband do?" Anderson inquired, eyeing Kathy's expensive ring. A new connection couldn't hurt.
• "Owns a company," Kathy replied vaguely. She hadn't expected to run into old classmates here.
• Just then, Kathy's phone rang. She excused herself to answer. "Hello?"
• "Kathy, don't you recognize my voice?" came an indignant reply.
• "Moon? New number?" Kathy asked, surprised.
• "Long story. Catch up Saturday, usual place," Moon said hurriedly before hanging up.
• Kathy turned back to the couple. "Sorry, gotta run. Great seeing you both."
• "Your husband?" Anderson winked. "Looked so happy talking to him."
• They exchanged numbers before parting. As Kathy drove home, she couldn't help but think of Eason again. Why did he keep haunting her thoughts when she was trying to move on?
• Back home, Kathy started cooking dinner. She considered texting Peterson but decided against it. Probably had work dinners anyway.
• Just as she sat down to eat, she heard the front door open. Peterson walked in, tossing his jacket and briefcase on the couch.
• "Smells delicious. What'd you make?" he asked, heading to the dining room.
• "Oh... have you eaten?" Kathy asked, immediately regretting the obvious question.
• "No," Peterson sat across from her, eyeing the single place setting. "Didn't set a place for me?"
• His puppy-dog expression caught Kathy off guard. She was still adjusting to this new living situation - no more lounging in pajamas all day or sleeping naked with the door open. Everything was different now.
• Oh, didn't expect you home for dinner," Kathy said, hiding her surprise.
• Peterson blinked innocently. "Mrs. Blackwood, we just got married. Surely you wouldn't deny your new husband a meal on our first night?"
• Kathy narrowed her eyes. "Funny, don't recall it raining today."
• "It didn't," Peterson replied, confused.
• "Then why do you look like you've been struck by lightning?" Kathy muttered.
• "What was that?"
• "Nothing," Kathy said quickly, heading to the kitchen. "Think I made extra rice."
• As she dished up the food, Kathy wondered if she was seeing things. The man in her living room seemed nothing like the germaphobe she'd married this morning. Returning, she found Peterson already eating with her chopsticks, picking only the vegetables he liked.
• "Those are my chopsticks," Kathy pointed out, bewildered.
• Peterson raised an eyebrow. "Oh, didn't realize we had more than one set."
• Kathy bit back a retort about his apparent unfamiliarity with the kitchen. Instead, she focused on his strange behavior. "Thought you had germaphobia."
• "Did I say that?" Peterson's voice was low and oddly alluring. "These chopsticks have my saliva on them now. Still want them back?"
• "Never mind," Kathy mumbled, flustered by his sudden change.
• After dinner, Kathy retreated to her room to draft a roommate agreement. An hour later, she emerged with a printed document, only to run into Peterson fresh from the shower. The sight of him in a bathrobe, toweling his hair, was unfairly distracting.
• "What's that?" Peterson asked, nodding at the paper.
• Kathy explained her idea for house rules as they sat on the couch. She instinctively kept her distance, but Peterson pulled her closer with a smirk.
• "Am I radioactive or something?" he teased, noticing her discomfort.
• "Could you put on some clothes first?" Kathy managed, her face burning.
• Peterson's laugh was rich and maddening. "Mrs. Blackwood, you're adorably easy to fluster for a grown woman."
• "And you're infuriatingly thick-skinned, Mr. Blackwood," Kathy shot back.
• As Peterson lazily tied his robe, Kathy found herself wondering if he had a secret twin. The man before her was so different from the one she'd married that morning. Little did she know, their unconventional living arrangement was only just beginning.