Crossing Boundaries

"What!"

Katherine's eyes widened as she woke up and realized she was lying on the couple-sized bed. She checked underneath the blanket before sitting up.

She knew Eric wouldn't stoop so low to do something crazy to her, but what could have possibly made this happen? She remembered how she made their boundaries clear to each other! Though, amidst her thoughts, she felt like she couldn't recall pieces from the previous night no matter how hard she tried.

"Are you awake?"

Eric's voice startled her. She thought he had already left for work. She couldn't explain why, but she felt a mix of shyness and confusion rather than anger.

"Why aren't you answering my question? Because I crossed the boundary?" Eric asked as he approached her.

"Yes! I clearly made myself clear, yet you still–"

"But you were the one who said I can cross the boundary, don't you remember?" Eric asked, making her eyes blinked rapidly.

"Me? Did I?" Her brow raised, she asked, wondering if Eric was telling the truth or trying to pull her leg.

Eric leaned closely. Sincerity reflected in his almond-shaped eyes, he replied, "You did. Last night, you gave me permission to cross the boundary."

Even if she did not remember, he can never forget. How can he forget how she asked for a warm hug from him?– his first hug from his crush.

As he recalled what happened the previous night, his lips curved into a curl smile.

Last night, she was so distressed and murmuring to herself in her sleep as if she was having a nightmare. He walked up to her and checked her temperature if she was having a fever, but she wasn't. As he was about to leave, she held onto his sleeve tightly, pleading for him to stay.

"Please don't leave me. Stay with me, honey."

Even though it happened the night before, it felt like it was happening all over again.

"Even though I cross the boundary? Even though I act like your husband whom you despised the most?"

"Forget the boundaries! Just stay with me. Don't let him find me. Don't let him hurt me, please, honey," she begged, tears streaming down her face.

Given the way she spoke last night, he knew she thought of last night as a dream. Actually, she didn't open her eyes during their conversation.

Katherine, who was trying to recall what happened but couldn't, assumed it didn't actually happen.

She summoned the courage to speak, knowing Eric wouldn't cross the boundary if she didn't insist.

"Honey, I'm sorry about last night. I did not know what happened last night because I'm a deep and reckless sleeper," she began with apologizing. "Let's assume what happened last night didn't happen. I hope you understand and make sure we do not cross each other's boundaries again in the future."

Eric's smile faded at her words. He knew she was going to react this way, yet he hoped for a chance. He thought she might give him a chance to prove how much he loved her and wanted to make her happy– if only he knew how much she despised those two words!

"Yeah. Let's just be roommates in this room and a couple outside," he said, clarifying what she wanted their relationship to be.

She smiled faintly before heading to the bathroom.

After she finished bathing, she went to the closet to pick out a simple dress to wear. She chose a purple A-line gown and black stiletto heels to match.

After she was done dressing, she turned towards Eric's direction. "Honey, I am going to work," she informed him.

Since there was no one to talk to in the mansion, she decided to go to work rather than waste time being bored. Aside from that, she wants to keep herself engaged in things that will make her not remember what transpired between her and Mirabel.

"Since I am not going to work today, I will follow you to work. At least assisting my wife shouldn't be a problem, right?" He asked with a silly smile on his face.

"You don't have to, but if you want to, it's fine," Katherine replied.

Excited by Katherine's permission, he stood up and dressed up.

He put on a blue t-shirt and black jeans. After he was done dressing up, he walked out. Katherine did the same.

"Are you sure you can drive? If you can't, I will," after they arrived at the car lots, she suggested.

Eric laughed at her words. Without responding to her question, he got into the car and after she entered, he drove off.

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at their destination. After they got down from the car, Eric followed Katherine behind like a bodyguard as they headed to her office.

"You don't have to do this, honey," Katherine said, a cute smile on her face.

"I am doing this because I am your husband. This is what every husband is supposed to do," he insisted, leaving Katherine no choice aside allowing him to do what he wanted.

Upon entering her office, Katherine was stopped by her secretary's words.

"Good day, ma'am. There is a problem."

Her brow raised, she directed her gaze to the lady. "What is the problem?"

"The board of directors decided to demote you to a regional manager. You are not going–"

"What is that supposed to mean? A prank?" She interrupted, doubting if everything her secretary just said was true.

Her secretary, Jane, hesitated before responding, "Ma'am, I am not lying. Check your email. The notice should have been sent to you."

Katherine's legs suddenly weakened at her secretary's words. She knew Jane never tells lies, at the same time, this can't be possible. If she was being demoted, that means it will only be a matter of time before she gets kicked out of the company.

"This can't be true! I worked hard for this position! I've put in three years of hard work, only to get this?"

Burning in fury, she made up her mind to go confront her father. There was no way he didn't know about this unless he was a party to this!

Eric held her hand, stopping her from taking a step further. "Wifey, why are you stressing yourself over this? Do you want me to make you the president of this company?" He asked, his voice sounding serious rather than his usual sarcastic self.