I like you, Katherine

The blue evening mermaid dress was elegant with a sexy halter neckline, a cut out that revealed a part of her back, and a slit that stopped on her mid-thigh. The skin that's showing isn't too much, making it look still classy yet sexy at the same time. It hugged Katherine's body in all the right places.

She stared at herself in the mirror and wondered if it was okay for her to wear such a really nice dress. For some reason, she didn't feel awkward wearing it as if she was used to wearing such clothes but for the last five years, it was the first time that she had tried one. Maybe… she had worn one or two before that? She chuckled at her own thought. 

"Miss? Is everything okay? Would you like me to go inside and help you?" The lady asked.

"Oh, Um… I'm done. I'll go out now," she replied before opening the door to the dressing room and stepping out.

"The dress really suits you." The lady smiled and gestured for her to go back to where Damien was waiting.

After breathing deeply, she walked forward. All of a sudden, her heart thumped in her chest loudly the moment that Damien laid his eyes on her. She felt conscious that she didn't know where to put her hands and she ended up clutching them together while she waited for his words.

He had his hands in his pockets as he looked at her up and down. He swallowed when he thought that it probably was a mistake to let her dress up like that. How was he going to function if all he wanted was to look at her?

"I should change back. I probably look funny, huh?" Katherine cleared her throat and was about to turn when Damien sensed her hesitation.

"No, you don't." Walking a few strides towards her, he reached out for her hand and brought her towards the center of the room where there was a wide and tall mirror. He made her face the mirror and stood next to her as he placed his hand on her waist, his hand slightly touching the exposed skin of her back. 

"You look perfect," he uttered as they looked at each other through the reflection.

Katherine's back instantly straightened and a sweet smile appeared on her face as she admired how they both looked in the mirror. Was it okay to like that they were standing close like this?

"The two of you look really nice, President Park. Would you like me to take a picture as a souvenir?" The lady offered.

And with that, Katherine and Damien were made to stand on a platform. The lady was quick with her hands as she powdered Katherine's face a little and applied a tint on her lips in a minute before she snapped a photo of them.

Secretly, they were both eager to have the picture taken but remained quiet the whole time.

Katherine changed back to her clothes and they left the shop afterwards. She felt that it was a pity she didn't leave the shop with the dress since she couldn't afford it anyway but trying it on and having a picture taken with Damien, she was already happy. 

After their dinner in a nearby restaurant, they were in the car and on their way home at eight in the evening. Katherine was looking at the picture on her phone and a small smile formed on her face.

"Do you like the photo that much?" Damien asked when he noticed her expression.

Closing her phone and putting back inside her bag, she sheepishly grinned and simply answered, "It's pretty."

"Mhmm… it is." He responded and smiled as well.

When they arrived at the hotel, Damien walked her up until the penthouse but instead of entering, he stayed outside.

"Katherine," he held her hand and looked into her eyes as he continued, "About earlier today... what I did… I… I'm sorry."

"Oh." She gulped and quickly smiled to mask the slight prick that she felt in her heart. "It's okay, Boss. It was a mistake, right? You don't have to worry about it."

Although she was smiling, Damien was sure that she wasn't happy at all. Not wanting her to misunderstand, he squeezed her hand and shook his head, "No, Katherine… It's not a mistake."

She didn't know how to respond so she could only raise her brows in question.

"I didn't mean to do that as I just suddenly did it without thinking. But it didn't mean that I didn't want to do it. Because I have been wanting to…" He saw her lips part when she heard him and he swore it took him so much self-control not to capture them with his.

"But I'm sorry I did it without asking you." With his other hand, he cupped the side of her face and gently stroked her cheek. 

"I like you, Katherine."

"And I want to be with you."

Hearing those words, Katherine felt like there were hundreds of feathers tickling her heart and stomach.  She wanted to say something but she didn't know what was holding her back.

"But I don't want to put pressure on you. So I'm not expecting you to say anything right now."

Damien inched closer and the hand that was touching her face was now placed on her back. "When I met you years ago, we didn't have the chance to get to know each other like this. So as much as I want us to happen, I want you to be sure."

"Because Katherine... If you want what I want, I won't allow you to take back your words once you've decided. Do you understand?" 

The entire time, the two of them didn't break eye contact and with clear eyes, Katherine slowly nodded her head.

"Good. You should get inside, I'll see you tomorrow." Damien leaned in and pressed his lips on her forehead, making Katherine close her eyes and feel the warmness of it.

He remained still for a few seconds before he pulled back. "Goodnight, Katherine."

She watched him go inside the elevator and disappear before she had the chance to breathe again. She staggered to go inside the penthouse and closed the door, patting her chest to calm it down.