They arrived at the restaurant after a quiet ride, with Katherine sitting stiff the whole way. The restaurant had a classy vibe. The hostess took them to a cozy spot by the windows, where they could see the city stretching out in the bright midday sun.
Katherine sat across from Felix, with Victoria claiming the seat beside her son. The mont they settled, Felix smoothly ordered for the table—clearly a place he frequented—and Katherine barely had a chance to glance at the nu before the conversation began.
"Has work been good lately?" Victoria asked, gently unfolding her napkin onto her lap. Her voice was poised, light.
Felix gave a small smile as he adjusted his cuffs, already leaning comfortably into the chair. "Sa as usual. Though probably less chaotic than what Dad deals with. I only have to juggle regional expansions, not international lawsuits."
Victoria humd, her gaze sharp and thoughtful. "Don’t let your father hear you say that. You know how competitive he gets."
"I know," Felix chuckled. "But I think I earned a few bragging rights this quarter."
The conversation flowed from there—Victoria asking about market shares, property auctions, the recent board eting. Felix answered with casual confidence, occasionally gesturing with his fork or sipping water between replies.
Katherine, anwhile, sat quietly. Her hands stayed neatly folded on her lap, and she smiled whenever soone glanced her way, but otherwise didn’t speak. The wine glass in front of her remained untouched. She nodded when appropriate, kept her back straight, and silently prayed no one asked her a direct question.
Inside, though?
Inside, she was a ss of nerves.
She couldn’t possibly jump into this conversation. What could she contribute to talk of acquisitions and comrcial real estate? "Oh, I reorganized the supply cabinet last week?" Her throat felt dry even thinking about it.
She didn’t even realize she was zoning out a little—until Felix suddenly turned to her.
"Katherine," he said, his voice cutting in gently. "You’ve been awfully quiet. Are you feeling okay?"
Her lips curled into a smile almost on instinct. "Oh, I’m fine."
But inside?
Of course I’m quiet! What do you expect to say? This isn’t exactly brunch with friends—this is lunch with your mother, Felix!
Still, her voice stayed even. "Just listening."
Felix tilted his head slightly, a soft crease forming between his brows. But before he could press further, Victoria placed her wineglass down with a soft clink.
"I do hope I haven’t made you uncomfortable, Katherine," she said smoothly, her tone polite but unreadable. "That would be a sha."
Katherine’s eyes widened a fraction. "No, ma’am. Of course not. I’m... actually very happy to see you again."
A ghost of a smile tugged at Victoria’s lips. "Oh? I’m glad to hear that."
Before Katherine could exhale her relief, Victoria shifted slightly toward her, folding her hands gracefully in front of her on the table. "So, how was the convention? Felix ntioned that you went there alone."
That caught Katherine off guard—but in a good way.
"Oh—yes, it went well," she replied quickly, straightening up as her work instincts kicked in. "No at all."
Victoria nodded slowly, sipping her water. "And the after-dinner networking?"
Katherine hesitated. "There were a lot of potential partners there. We’ve already received follow-up emails from several of them. I’ve compiled everything in the report on Mr. Crawford’s desk."
"Efficient," Victoria remarked, turning her gaze briefly toward her son.
"She always is," Felix said without missing a beat. "I don’t know what I’d do without her."
Katherine flushed lightly at the complint, the color rising to her cheeks before she could stop it. She glanced down for a second, pretending to adjust the edge of her napkin, but when she looked back up, she caught Felix watching her.
But before she could respond, Felix’s phone vibrated against the table.
He glanced down, and his smile dimd slightly.
"Excuse ," he murmured. "I need to take this. It’s about the Paris project."
He stood and stepped out of the alcove, walking toward the balcony corridor to take the call. The second he disappeared, Katherine internally scread no no no co back please don’t leave alone with her— but of course, it was too late.
The silence settled like a thick curtain.
Katherine busied herself with cutting her food even though she had no appetite, her eyes flicking once toward Victoria, who simply sipped her wine again, utterly poised.
Seconds stretched.
Then, Victoria tilted her head and broke the silence with casual grace. "You know, I found sothing rather interesting during my visit to Felix’s house the other day."
Katherine blinked, feeling her heart start to race. She swallowed. "Really? What was it?"
Victoria glanced sideways, her gaze calm. "Your children."
Katherine’s hand paused mid-cut. She felt the blood drain from her face. "Oh," she said softly, her voice tight. "I—I hope that wasn’t... I an, I’m terribly sorry if that caused any trouble. I didn’t have anyone else to—"
Victoria held up a hand delicately, silencing her. "Katherine. Please. I wasn’t born yesterday."
Katherine froze. "...Yes, ma’am?"
Victoria’s eyes didn’t waver. "I may be older, but I’m not blind. It’s quite obvious you and my son are... close. And naturally, if he cares about you, then he’d help with the children."
There was no venom in her tone. No judgnt. Just quiet observation.
Katherine nodded slowly, her throat feeling tight. "Yes. He’s been very kind."
Victoria’s gaze softened a degree. "I’ve always taught Felix that kindness should have purpose. He doesn’t waste his ti on people he doesn’t care about."
Katherine could only nod again, unsure of what else to say. Her mind was spinning, heart beating fast in her chest.
Then ca the words she didn’t expect.
"But," Victoria said, her voice low, "I’m sure this... closeness you share isn’t purely professional. Not simply boss and secretary, is it?"
Katherine’s breath caught.
Victoria turned her full attention to her now, face calm but eyes sharp with expectation. "So tell , Katherine. Where do you stand with him?"
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