Chapter Fifteen
1470 Words
Waking up in a strange house was always a bit weird, even more so when the owner of the house was nowhere in sight.
Steam rose from the warm coffee cup, heating her cheeks, yet Catalina’s mind was miles away.
Her phone buzzed, snapping her back to the present.
Sophia.
“Tell me we have the reclusive Billionaire onboard."
The corners of her lips twitched. “Even better, he threw me in five minutes.”
‘‘What?”
“You heard right. How was the wedding?”
‘‘Well, my cousin showed up with a groom who looked nothing like the groom from the Pre-wedding pictures, and no one asked any questions.’’
‘‘So, the groom had surgery or something?’’
‘‘No, they broke up because he was cheating on her, and the new groom was found at a bar; he had the same name… problem solved.’’
‘‘Hmm,’’ Catalina chuckled. ‘‘Your cousin has balls. I have to meet her.’’
“Well, it’s Santorini for the newlyweds and a fridge with three months' worth of intercontinental dishes for me. But don’t digress, how did you offend Mr Park?”
Catalina sighed. “I don’t know. He asked a question; I froze. Potato Potahto.”
She could see the frown line on Sophia’s face when the other woman replied. “All right. We regroup. I'll do a deep dive, leverage the secretary network, and do a better deck, maybe dangle new investors before.”
“No. No presentations. That kind of thing won’t win this man over. I have to understand the man, so I am ready next time.”
“So what now?” Sophia asked.
Catalina closed her eyes and exhaled. “I don’t know.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
An hour later, Catalina was behind the wheel, winding through Bærum’s quiet streets.
She figured the least she could do was enjoy the quaint little town whilst figuring out her next move.
Bærum was smaller than she’d pictured.
Wooden houses perched neatly on the hills. Narrow streets filled with bursts of flowers. Cyclists glided by; a bunch of kids shouted in the schoolyard; old couples strolled together along the waterfront, hands linked. Everywhere she looked, the smell of something sweet and delicious floated in the air.
She parked near the square and let her feet pull her into the nearest bakery. The hum of people coming and going welcomed her with the scent of cinnamon and chocolate.
Catalina ordered coffee and a skolebolle, perching on a seat next to the entrance.
She had just eaten the last of the bread when two elderly women bustled in.
“…Mr. Park said he’d fix it before Sunday.”
“Oh, he’ll fix it,” the other said. “He always does. Remember when he had the cracked road redone so we could have the farmers market on time. He is the nicest recluse we have seen this side of the fjord.”
Catalina’s ear arched to listen more.
“Tried slipping him some cash last month, you know how I feel about freebies.”
“Did he take it?”
“Course not, he sneaked it right back into my grocery bag on the way out!”
The women laughed, hands clasped together, exiting the cafe, and Catalina stared into her coffee, barely blinking. They couldn’t mean the same David Park, right?
Her curiosity simmered, and she downed the last drop of the chocolate coffee and went after them.
The square buzzed with life, and as she looked for the women, she spotted him.
David Park.
The man looked normal- wrong choice of words, but still. Kneeling outside a toy store, sleeves up, carefully fixing the wooden wheel of a boy’s toy wagon, David looked like an average man.
The boy watched every move, wide-eyed. David tightened the last peg, tested the wheel, then handed back the little wagon.
“This should last longer this time. Try not to run into any walls.”
The boy grinned and nodded.
Catalina moved as David did, his profile guiding her through the streets.
She watched from a distance.
David never glanced her way. But as he disappeared around the corner, she had the strangest feeling that he knew she was watching.
As she sat down to order a Kjøttkaker i Brun Saus, watching the Man from across the cafe, she told herself she wasn’t following him. She was still hungry, and he happened to take a detour to a restaurant. It would be weird not to eat anything.
By late evening, she ended up at his estate. The same security guard spotted her right away.
‘‘Mr Park is not expecting you,” he said.
Catalina gave a polite smile. “I’m not here to see Mr. Park.”
He arched an eyebrow in response.
She smiled. “He never said I couldn't come and walk the grounds.”
His eyebrow raised even higher. “The grounds?”
“I’ll stay outside the main house,” she promised. “I won’t disturb him. Just to take a look around the gardens.”
He looked her up and down and gave a single nod. “You may walk the gardens. There are cameras everywhere.”
“Thank you,” she breezed through the gate and pressed a flat palm hard against her chest. That went easier than expected.
Her wanderings led her straight to the cherry blossom grove. Petals drifted down, pale pink against the dark pines.
“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” said a voice behind her.
Catalina spun on her heel with a clumsy lurch. An old man stood behind her, holding a battered watering can. His hands looked as worn as his work clothes.
Catalina smiled. “They’re stunning.”
He nodded. “They bloom like this every spring.”
She glanced at the trees again. “I didn’t know cherry blossoms grew in Norway.”
“They are not meant to.”
She tilted her head. “So… why plant them here? Isn’t transplanting more work?”
His smile faded. “They remind someone of home.”
“Mr. Park planted them?” she tried.
He shook his head. “You will have to ask him yourself.”
On her way back, a sudden crack rang out through the trees, then another. Catalina drifted towards the sound and found David Park beside a stone structure. Axe in hand, splitting logs.
Catalina meant to leave. She really did. But then he spoke without looking up.
“You’ve developed an interesting habit.”
She blinked. “Sorry?”
He planted the axe in the chopping block, resting both hands on the handle. “Stalking is considered a crime in this country.”
‘‘No law that says I can’t walk the streets.’’
For the first time, David’s mouth pulled into the ghost of a smile. “I have to tell Peter to stop letting anyone with a pretty face on the ground.”
Catalina folded her arms across her ribs, her gaze narrowed with a quiet warmth. “Haa…, just when I thought I finally won him over.”
He watched her. “Why are you here, girl?”
She looked around. “The truth?”
He nodded. “I prefer it.”
“I wanted to understand why everyone talks about Mr. Park…” she hesitated, “…but not David Park, the billionaire.”
His face gave nothing away. “And?”
“I think they’re two different people.”
A breeze pushed cherry blossom petals between them. David glanced at the grove, then back.
“This is from your one day of stalking me. I am impressed,” he said.
Catalina shrugged. “Enough hours to understand what I missed.”
David picked up another log and set it on the block.
“You can spare me your tirade of practiced words.’’
She smirked. ‘‘Do you know why most negotiations fail, Mr Park?”
He shook his head. The axe came down.
“People start talking…” Crack. “Not listening.” Another log, another swing. “They get ready to argue, never to understand.”
He wiped sweat from his brow and studied her. “So, now you understand me?”
‘‘Not yet; maybe the third time’s the charm. Enjoy your evening, Mr Park.’’
‘‘See you soon, girl.’’
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD