5 Wedding

After she finished preparing her skin, and putting on some light makeup, Katerina walked into the shared closet and found a simple summer dress. It was a designer white dress. It was simple yet graceful. It looked as if it was custom made for her as it outlined her exquisite curves.

Katerina looked at herself in the mirror and felt the dress was appropriate. Yet, there was one thing bothering her as she looked at her exposed neck. I don't know if I'm thankful or annoyed that he didn't leave any marks.

Looking at herself in the mirror Katerina wondered if she should add any accessories. She quickly gave up the idea, choosing to go for a simpler style. It wasn't as if her 5,6 figure (5'9 in heels) didn't attract any attention as it was.

The house was in one of the most private and secured estates in the city. It was in a lot that expanded over 5 acres, and both entrances could only be accessed through private gated streets.

It was exquisitely designed. Katerina could only say that the person who built it had impeccable taste. The 3 story house was infused with technology that controlled everything in the mansion. It had 12 bedrooms and 24 baths. A guest penthouse, caretaker house, 2-bedroom guardhouse, 10 car garage and parking for 80. The biggest zero edge pool she had seen, that perfectly framed the extensive grounds and views.

Katerina didn't have any difficulty moving around the house. She was used to this kind of place. Unfortunately, she had to say that she preferred upper class apartments or even penthouses, rather than this never ending maze. Although she was comfortable moving around, she found it a hassle to walk for 4 minutes just to get to the kitchen.

Still, she wasn't going to the kitchen. She walked down two floors and entered the dining room. There she saw a cute chubby boy.

His black hair was soft and his complexion was fair. His eyes looked pure and bright. But, there was a noble air about him.

He was sitting by himself with a delicious looking breakfast in front of him. Although he looked to be living in the epitome of luxury, Katerina couldn't help but think back to her younger self.

Her mother died when she was four years old, and no one tried to console her. Her family members only paid attention to her brother who was 5 years older than her. He was the heir, and she was just a liability. Every day she ate alone.

Although her brother decided to take on the parental role in her life, he still had a busy schedule. He was merely a teen who didn't know what the heck to do with a child.

Katerina couldn't help but look at the chubby boy in front of her. He was very cute, but she felt unexplainably sorry for him. She wonder if this was how her brother felt about her.

As she stood at the door without moving, the maid standing in the corner finally noticed her.

"Good morning, Madam! Would you like me to set up a plate for you?" She seemed to be highly enthusiastic with her greeting.

Katerina admired her bravery. Waking up so early, and still choosing to keep a positive attitude. She must have it hard.

Grey who finally noticed her, looked up from his plate and met her gaze.

"Good morning, mom."

His voice was soft and cute. There was a certain adorableness in a child's way of speaking, and Grey certainly had it.

Grey had a good attitude towards her but wasn't overly chummy either. He seemed to be apprehensive towards her.

Katerina walked up to the table and sat next to him. "Good morning, Grey. How are you this morning?"

Grey looked surprised at where she chose to sit. She didn't choose to sit opposite to him, but by his side. "I'm feeling okay. Are you not busy?"

His cute big eyes were looking at her. Although he was young, he shared similar features with his father. His lashes were long and accentuated his pretty blue eyes.

Katerina felt overcome with the feeling to reach out her hand and squeeze his rosy cheeks. But, she held back the feeling and in return gave him a smile and softly patted his head.

Let's start with the hair and slowly proceed to the cheeks.

"I'm not. How would you feel if I picked you up from school today?"

Grey's face showed confusion. "Will you be driving?" Is the driver sick? Don't we have another one?

Katerina found his confused stare entertaining and wanted to ruffle his hair. But, she didn't want to get to handsy with a child that she just met. Ugh, the struggle.

"I'm not driving. I would like to spend the day with you, if that's okay?"

Grey found her suggestion acceptable. He nodded his little head and said, "Okay, we will eat and then go!" Dad said that she was my mom from now on, so I need to get along with her.

"You're right!" Katerina suddenly remember she had to eat breakfast. I usually wake up late and call lunch my breakfast.

She looked back to the girl on the corner. "Forgive me, darling. What's your name?"

"Sarah," she said with a blush on her face. She looked embarrassed at the attention Katerina gave her.

Sarah was 27 years old, and had pretty brown eyes. Although she was quite average looking, she had taken good care of herself and there weren't any blemishes on her skin. She looked bright and trustworthy. Too bad she was a snake.

Katerina looked her up and down. This was one of the only characters in the novel that stayed with the villain growing up and even left the house with him. He trusted her and appreciated her. It was a really sad and frustrating chapter for him when he found out she was a spy his stepmother sent to him.

Should I discard or keep a person who has no sense of integrity? Mmmm... I'll keep her.

Katerina smile at her as if they were close friends. "Would you please bring me a cup of black coffee without sugar, and in a cup to go please?"

"Yes, of course." She smiled brightly. Katerina watched how Sarah enthusiastically left the room. How does she do it? It's only 7 AM, yet she's so chirpy. That poor thing. She must be faking it.

———————-

In a spacious office, bright sunlight penetrated the bright glass windows. There was a delicious smell of freshly brew coffee and a slightly chilly morning air.

Jace Parks was sitting behind an expensive looking desk with his glasses on, while looking at a folder. His dark brown hair was shining beautifully in the sunlight, showing traces of red and blonde colors.

In front of him were his 2 consultants and his assistant. Jace looked at one of his consultants-a man in a four thousand dollar suit looking smug and proud.

"Mark, do you have anything say?" Asked Jace, no longer being able to ignore his annoying attitude.

Marked smirked at him. "Did you enjoy the wedding night?"

His question made everyone unanimously stare at him.

Jane, Jace's other consultant, looked at him with disdained. Patrick, Jace's assistant, looked at him with exhaustion. He couldn't believe he was asking something like that so early in the morning.

While Jace, on the other hand, looked at him blankly. No look of surprise or embarrassment. He looked at him calmly and waited for him to crack.

Mark, on the other hand, didn't. Anyone else would break in sweats when a person who was usually gentle and always carried a smile on their face, stared at them without any humor in their gaze. Making them feel cold and worthless.

Fortunately, Mark had known Jace since college. They were old friends and he was used to that stare, he had almost created some sort of immunity to it.

Seeing that he wasn't going to crack, Jace smiled coldly. "Would you like to see the videos?"

Mark: "...."

He cracked. His lips slightly twitched, and his hand gripped his folder harder. Jace kept smiling coldly, while the other two people in the room decided it was best for them to not make eye contact with either of them. Opting to look at the floor instead.

Mark couldn't hold it anymore. No mater which way he answered, he could see that Jace was going to make him suffer.

He made a decision. If he was going to go down, he would do it in style. "There's more than one video? You beast! Deciding to make me an uncle again. I'm proud of you! How long did you last?"

Jace: "...." He's good.

A delightful smile appeared on Jace's gentle face. As the morning sun bathed his skin. He looked like an angel coming down from heaven dispersing the clouds in the process.

"Mark. There's no need for you to oversee the project in Barcelona. You should accompany Monica on her trip to Shanghai."

"WHAT? You promised me Spanish whores!"

Patrick : "..."

Jane: "..." SCUM! All men are scum!

"...I never promised such things. I believe I said Spanish horses. Best breeds. They have the most magnificent horses. Now that I think about, my son's birthday is in two months. Patrick, get him a horse."

Patrick looked at him mistrustfully. "Yes, sir." A horse or a.... he's only three years old. A pony would be best.

Jace looked at everyone in the room with a smile. He just finished having breakfast, but he still had to deal with this? When can I take a vacation?

"Sir, in one hour you have a meeting with possible investors for the project in the Philippines. The new branch in Manila is ready to be opened. They already sent multiple reports. Also, Angel has been trying to get a meeting with you.  I've told him you're busy but I can squeeze a 10 minute video call with him in in your schedule."

Patrick noticed Jace was done with the documents on his hands, and decided to read his schedule for today.

Jace nodded and opened his computer. " That's good. I believe I left some work undone, didn't I?" As he went through the Manila budget proposal, Jace asked about the work he left untouched due to the wedding.

Which wasn't much. They only invited 4 people to the wedding- Two witnesses, the officiant, and a lawyer.

The wedding was extremely low key. Jace only took half a day off work, and Katerina didn't even wear a white dress. It was kind of a joke really. If anyone married like that, they wouldn't know wether to laugh or to cry. Still though, they were husband and wife in the eyes of the state.

"Sir, I took the liberty of finishing everything. The documents only need your signature to be all set."

"That's good," Jace spoked as he continued looking through the computer. He was going to look through the work again later. It wasn't that he didn't trust his assistant, but that he didn't trust anybody with his things.

Patrick knew that.