Katherine's Fate

Chapter 13

Now I understand why Lin seemed so smug today and why he told us to come to this particular shop. HE OWNS IT!!!! He owns this shop and he already talked to the couple and already paid for all the costumes we were getting, including the ones Alex and Kris got. We all go outside and I spin around to look at Lin. He is being smart right now by not looking me in the eyes. I call his name and he says, “Yes Kate.” I say, “Don’t you ‘yes Kate’ me. You know damn well why I’m looking at you the way I am.” He chuckled for a second and said, “Yes I do and we can talk about it, just not here on the street. Why don’t we go get some lunch? We can all talk and get to know one another. Come on everyone this way.” He started walking down the street and we had to follow or be left behind.

He led us to one of Chinatown’s finest restaurants and walked straight to the best table in the back and waited for us to join him. It was completely secluded and no one else would be able to overhear our conversation. I said, “And how did you manage to get this table for us on such short notice?” Lin said, “This is my private table and they always have it on hold for me. I come here a lot because I’m a partner here as well.” Everyone’s jaw hit the table because it was such a shock. Of course it was something like that. 

Lin looked at Alex and said, “So Alex how do you know Kate?” Alex looked at him and said, “I’m the TA for her Psych class.” Lin said, “Ok that makes sense. What are your intentions with her?” I looked at him and said, “Lin, really. Just let it go.” He ignored me and continued to wait for his answer. Alex laughed and said, “It’s ok Kate, right now Lin I just want to get to know her better and be friends so I can protect her. I hope something happens later down the line but I’m not going to push her into anything she doesn’t want to happen.” Lin thought for a minute and said, “I like that answer. I’m sorry if I ask you a lot of questions but I’m very protective of her. I’ve seen her go through hell to get to where she is now.”

I looked down at the table and just wanted to disappear. Kris said, “I seem to be a bit out of the loop. What exactly has been going on that she needs to be protected?” Heather looked at Alex then looked at me and I nodded that it was ok for her to tell him. She said, “She was in an abusive relationship for the past three years. They broke up last night after he hurt her. That’s when Alex and I went over and helped her. However anything that happened overseas is something I can’t say about because I don’t know.” Everyone, except Lin, looked at me and waited for me to explain. Should I really tell them everything? Will they actually understand? I know Lin will because he was there for most of it. 

Lin could see the questions run through my head and he spoke in Japanese, “Kit- Kat you know that you don’t have to tell them anything that you don’t want to. I’m sure they will understand.” I looked at him and replied in Japanese as well, “I’m sure they would but I want them to know. I need them to know everything, to understand. I’m just not sure I can handle any pity or sympathy from them.” 

We all sat quiet for a few more minutes until I finally said, “I went overseas after my brother was killed. Alex I told you what happened last night.” Alex looked at me and nodded his head. 

“Heather you have heard bits and pieces but I’ve never told you the full story because I know how hard it is for you to hear about Austin.” Heather hung her head after she nodded. Kris seemed to stiffen after I said this. What’s up with that? He has barely taken his eyes off of her since the shop. This looks to be an interesting day.

“Kris I know I just met you, but I’m going to warn you that things are about to get very heavy. And if at any point you don’t want me to continue please just say so.” Kris looked at me and said, “You don’t have to worry about that, I’ve been through some pretty horrible stuff as well so I doubt you could make me uncomfortable.” Although this surprised me it also made me feel a little bit better. So I told my story of what happened to me. Only a little bit I couldn’t tell them all of it because I refused to talk about it. 

I spoke of how I met Lin, and he fills in the parts I don’t remember. It is interesting to hear what happened, but what’s even more fun is the fact that he left out some important parts. Like how I broke his nose the first time he tried to come near me, and how many injuries he got when we were training together. He got hurt so many times it wasn’t even funny. I don’t know how he can still protect me given all the arguments, fights, and life-threatening situations he had to drag me out of. He saved and patched me up so many times over the years, although Heather is getting close in terms of patching me up. Lin tells them some of stories and everyone is laughing and having a good time. Before anyone even realizes it almost three full hours have passed since we came here. They said our costumes would be ready in two. It’s time to head back down to the Amati house.