Chapter 35
The hotel’s grand lounge buzzed with low music and soft, rich laughter in the hall. Warm golden lights hung from the ceiling, casting a yellowish glow over the room as the clinking of glasses and murmured conversations filled the air. Waiters in black vests walked through elegantly dressed guests, balancing glasses of champagne on trays in their hands.
Katherine stood near the entrance, tablet in hand, her black satin dress hugging her curves perfectly. Her wavy hair was perfectly in a kept donut, done with hairpins, with a few strands curling gently down the side of her face while short fringe stopped above her brows.
Katherine looked poised, confident, breathtaking—like she was in charge of the mini event. Well, she was the hotel manager. She greeted guests with a professional smile and gracious nods, occasionally jotting notes on the tablet she held.
The hotel was hosting the annual event, as usual every year. It beca a ritual since Mathew took over. All the guests currently in the hotel were invited, with so investors. A little get-together, making connections and getting investors.
Aaron received an invitation late—he practically received it last night. He was very sure it was either the blondie or Amanda’s doing. And there was nothing that would keep him away from this event. From staring at Katherine.
Aaron entered the hall languidly, his eyes scanned the hall, searching for only one person. He wore a sleek, black tailored suit, a new suit he told his PA to get him. A new design from the brand, which made people glance at him without even trying to hide it.
His fra was commanding effortlessly. His tie was neatly tied, and his black shoes shone and were as transparent as a bald head.
While Amanda trailed behind him, holding her beaded purse, her long black gown flared after her as she had a smile on her face—a forced, fake smile—but her smile turned sour when she noticed Aaron’s gaze.
Because the mont Aaron’s eyes found Katherine, the whole world faded. No music, no guests, no one except Katherine. She stood out. His Katherine was breathtaking as usual.
And his Katherine wasn’t alone. She was with that motherfucker. He couldn’t help his jaw from ticking.
Mathew was dressed in a fitted blue suit, with his usual boyish charm, standing beside her. His presence beside her felt like both of them belonged to each other.
As he leaned in to say sothing, he placed a hand on the small of her back, and Katherine laughed lightly, typing sothing on her tablet.
And that simple hand placent, that beautiful laugh from Katherine, made Aaron grind his teeth in annoyance.
I’m gonna break that hand of his.
Amanda said sothing, but he didn’t hear. His focus was on Katherine. Her interaction with the blondie. His jaw tightened as he grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. The glass trembled slightly in his grip. His breath was getting ragged with every minute, but he stood still.
Mathew leaned in again, and Katherine nodded, chuckling at sothing he said. Her shoulders relaxed beside him like she was used to this kind of partnership. Aaron’s stomach twisted as he took a sip of his drink that tasted awful.
Katherine excused herself, and Mathew walked toward the food table. And that was a cue for Aaron. With long strides, he walked to him. The room was lively, but the mont the two n were in the sa space, it turned cold and distant like the northern cold.
"You’re close with her," Aaron muttered, his eyes flickering around as his voice was low.
Mathew barely glanced up while checking the als available on the table. "I’ve been here," he replied without missing a beat. "For years. I didn’t abandon her."
Aaron’s mouth opened to defend himself, but the words stuck. "I didn’t—" he started, but his voice faltered. The truth in Mathew’s words stabbed too deep. Motherfucking son of a bitch.
Mathew smirked and took a slow sip of his drink, eyes glancing briefly behind Aaron. "Your wife is all alone and here you are—" he trailed off.
Aaron clenched his jaw. He didn’t need to look. He already knew Amanda would be half-crazed already.
"And here you are," Mathew continued, casually swirling his glass, "staring at Katherine like you’re still entitled to her. Like nothing happened. Like you didn’t walk away."
Aaron took a step closer. "How dare you," he growled harshly under his breath while Mathew scoffed.
"You don’t get to just show up and expect everything to fall into place," Mathew said with a shrug. Then he leaned in slightly, his words biting. "And does your wife even know you’re eyeing my staff like that?"
Aaron’s grip tightened on his glass. He was seconds away from landing a fist to Mathew’s smug face when Katherine’s voice cut through the air.
"Everything okay here?" she asked, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor as she approached. She’d just finished speaking with one of the investors when she noticed the heated exchange happening at the bar.
Mathew turned to her with a charming smile. "Peachy."
Aaron added stiffly, "Just discussing how beautiful today is."
Katherine’s eyes narrowed slightly. She wasn’t convinced, and her attention settled on Aaron. "Behave yourself," she said with a sigh, before turning to leave.
Aaron’s eyes followed her as she walked away. The black satin dress did nothing to hide her hips swaying seductively with every step. He couldn’t tear his gaze from her. Goddamn. His Katherine.
And every man in that room had been looking at her the sa way he had. Like they wanted her. Like they were imagining what it would be like to have her.
Aaron downed the rest of his drink. He felt like setting the whole building on fire.
Mathew chuckled beside him. "Careful, Mr. Knight," he murmured. "You’re starting to look like soone with unholy thoughts," he said, patting Aaron’s shoulder. "And Kathy won’t like whatever is going through your head right now," Mathew jeered and left.
Aaron didn’t respond but dusted the shoulder Mathew just touched as he stared into the crowd where Katherine had disappeared. And all he could think about was locking her away. Hiding her from those coveting eyes.
Because watching her smile at anyone else was driving him fucking insane.
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