Wasted Love And His Guilt

CHAPTER 5

**

Five years later.

Katherine settled into her comfortable office chair, sipping her coffee as she relished the wonderful aroma.

She gazed out the window, admiring the plush flower designs and adjacent buildings.

She had secured a job as the operation manager at one of the top companies in Washington.

She flinched in excitement when her phone received a notification.

The zeros in the transfer notification forced a proud smile to escape from the corner of her lips. She recalled how life was for her 5 years ago and how she had to go to jail for her ex-husband only for him to betray her.

She cringed at how degraded she allowed herself to be at the expense of her ex-husband and step-sister.

Taking in a few deep breaths, she convinced herself that she had to go through all that for her to become what she was today.

But never again will she allow herself to get into such a situation. Her 5-year-old daughter, Brynlee was more than enough source of joy for her.

She heard a knock on her door.

“Come in,” she uttered.

It was her assistant, Rebekah. She was dressed in a crisp white blouse that created a catchy effect, her diamond earring sparkling in the light.

Rebekah had formed a wonderful friendship with Katherine and she knew almost everything about her private life. Rebekah went on some business meetings on Katherine’s behalf and would usually have rich men asking her about Katherine.

Some of them who couldn't approach Katherine would ask Rebekah to divulge some information about her to make it easier to woo her.

“Here is your schedule for today,” Rebekah uttered, handing over the schedule to Katherine.

“Uh, am I meeting with the CEO of Lintel Corporations?” Katherine asked, raising her eyebrows.

“Yes, of course,” a smile played at the corner of Rebekah’s lips.

“You finally have another opportunity to meet up with him. Who knows you guys could even go on a proper date. You can't keep avoiding him you know,” she teased.

“Just tell me where you want the meeting to be and I will set it up immediately. You know that is what I do best.”

Katherine’s cheeks bubbled with a slight smile but she crossed her arm over her chest hesitantly. She had canceled several dates already with Ross Fisher. He was a proper top guy, having over a hundred employees as the CEO of Lintel Corporation.

He was tall and elegant with broad shoulders that were enough to make anyone notice him quickly. His skin was also well toned and his deep blue eyes sparkled like diamonds. He also seemed very focused and composed for a guy as handsome as he was - he barely partied or went to frivolous parties like the others do.

Katherine’s mouth twitched and her cheeks flushed pink. “Look, you know I have to pick up my daughter from school when I get out of here. I can’t have the meeting today.”

“We both know it's not about the meeting or is it? You like him. I have seen how you look at him. I think you should give him a chance, why not give love another shot?”

Rebekah wasn't wrong. Who wouldn't like a guy as hot as Ross Fisher? The way he usually carried himself, his poise, his movement, his smile - it was phenomenal.

But Katherine tried to suppress her feelings. It was clear to her that love wasn't for her since her encounter with Lincoln Moore.

“I will surely pick up your daughter from school as well. You know that you can trust me,” Rebekah pressed on when she noticed that Katherine appeared to be giving it a thought.

“Alright. I have heard you. Book the meeting but just so you know, it is strictly official and nothing more. I don't know why you are so concerned about giving him a chance though,” Katherine rolled her eyes, her cheeks puffed in a slight smile.

“Yes! Now, that’s it!” she uttered in excitement.

“Don't get too excited. It's not like I am going to his house or something. It's just a simple date,” Katherine uttered but her phone suddenly rang.

Her expression was instantly serious the moment she read the screen. It was Lincoln’s mother, her ex-mother-in-law. Why would her ex-mother-in-law be calling after over 5 years? She had divorced her disloyal son and had closed that chapter of her life for heaven’s sake.

She allowed the phone call to ring till the end without picking but she kept calling again.

“Why not just listen to whatever she has to say,” Rebekah advised.

After ignoring the phone call the first three times, Katherine finally picked up, her heart pounding in her chest as her thoughts filled with worry.

“Katherine, is that you?” her ex-mother-in-law, Susan spoke through the phone.

“Yes,” Katherine responded, her voice low as her hand was trembling.

“Same old Katherine, isn't it? What has my son not experienced in your hands? What a f*****g runaway b***h you are!” Susan sneered, her voice sending jolts down Katherine’s body.

Katherine’s throat felt tight. She was going to respond with some harsh words of hers but the words hung in her throat.

“You better come back to New York with that my son’s daughter that you kidnapped. Do you really think you can play smart?”

Katherine's face went pale immediately as she gasped in horror, cutting off the line immediately. She couldn't bear any more of those heart-wrenching words being said to her.

Sweat started forming on her forehead as her vision went blurred.