Whisper Destiny

Chapter 34

~ Catherine ~

I watched her intently, noting the subtle shifts in her demeanor—how her eyes sparkled when she was pleased with the discussion, and the way her lips pressed together when frustration seeped in. My gaze drifted from her lips to the sharp line of her jaw, then lingered on the graceful curve of her neck. She wore a royal blue silk button-up shirt, the top two buttons undone, offering a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage, teasing any onlooker with the promise of more.

She looked incredibly beautiful today, successfully distracting me throughout the board meeting. My thoughts unconsciously drifted back to our unexpected interaction last night.

Knowing the next day would be packed with meetings and social dinner event, I decided to retire early, meet with the dreamland.

But, suddenly I woke in the middle of the night, unable to return to sleep despite my best efforts. I resolved to work on some new designs. Stepping into the living area, I noticed a silhouette on the balcony, bathed in the soft glow of the iconic Eiffel Tower. I knew it was Natasha.

Initially, I thought to retreat to my room and continue working, but something magnetic pulled me toward the balcony. The moonlight bathed her in a soft, ethereal glow, highlighting the sensual curves of her body. She wore a sexy white cami and shorts, her hair cascading loosely around her shoulders in gentle waves. Her silhouette was a blend of elegance and allure, each detail perfect and mesmerizing. I was utterly entranced by her right now.

As I gazed at her, a stirring began deep within me, a slow, insistent awakening of desire. Every inch of my being was drawn to her, an overwhelming urge to close the distance between us, to feel the warmth of her skin against mine. I longed to cup her face in my hands, to pull her close and kiss her with a passion that had been simmering beneath the surface. My fingertips ached to trace the contours of her body, to caress her smooth skin, to explore every inch of her body.

The intensity of my arousal was startling, a powerful force that left me breathless and yearning. It was a rare, consuming sensation, one that eclipsed everything else. Too lost in my reverie, I hadn't noticed her moving back inside until our eyes met. The look in her eyes sent a jolt of electricity through me, heightening the tension that crackled in the air between us.

"Miss Ortiz?" All eyes in the boardroom turned to me, including Natasha's.

"Je suis désolée, j'ai perdu dans mes pensées. Where are we?" I replied, still keeping my confidence tone.

A hot flush crept up my cheeks, not from the attention, but from the memory of last night. For the first time, I found myself thinking about Natasha in that way—the way that made my heart race and my thoughts scatter. It felt strange, foreign, yet irresistibly compelling.

The meeting resumed, and I forced myself to shove any lingering thoughts of Natasha into the furthest recesses of my mind. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Natasha giving me a weird and puzzled look but I maintained my usual poker face.

By the time the meeting dragged to its close at 5 p.m., I felt utterly drained. The thought of attending the dinner tonight with my fashion associates seemed unbearable, but it would be rude to skip it, especially since it was organized specially for my visit to France. I took a deep breath and stood up, only to find Archer approaching me.

He rubbed my back gently, his voice low and filled with concern. "Hey, Cate. Are you okay? You seemed distant during the meeting, which is so unlike you."

I met his eyes, silently ask him to stop his unnecessary gesture. He seemed oblivious—or perhaps deliberately so—to my silent plea, but ignore it. Unsure of his intentions, I edged away slightly before responding.

"Yes, I'm fine, Archer. Just a lot on my mind right now. It was unprofessional of me, and I apologize for that." My tone was clipped and formal, a shield against the intrusion.

"I'm here if you need someone to talk to," he offered, trying to touch me again. I quickly stepped back, gathering my things to head back to the hotel.

"Thanks, Archer. But no need to worry. Just ensure the team has all the information from today's meeting and send it to my email as soon as possible." Without waiting for a reply, I walked out of the boardroom.

In the hallway, I spotted Natasha talking to Gabriel one of the key person for this acquisition. They seemed to click from the very first meeting, their easy camaraderie sparking an unfamiliar pang in my chest.

Before I could dwell further on my feelings, my phone dinged, signaling a new message. It was from Louisa, reminding me about tonight's event, mentioning that a team had been arranged to assist me in getting ready.

As I approached Natasha and Gabriel, Gabriel noticed my presence and greeted me. I acknowledged with a polite nod before addressing Natasha, "I need to rush back to the hotel to get ready for tonight."

Natasha responded quickly, "You go ahead. I can find my way back to the hotel by myself. Gabriel would like to show me around Paris a little bit."

I nodded in acknowledgment and walked away from them.

Just as I reached the elevator, my phone buzzed again with another message, this time from Natasha: "I might not be coming back tonight. Just so you know."

As I watched them from a distance, I thought on the possibility of they will sleep together. The idea unsettled me, a tight knot forming in my stomach. I shook it off, trying to refocus on the upcoming dinner.

I quickly texted my private investigator, instructing them to gather all available information about Gabriel. As I stepped into the car, to take me back to the hotel, my phone buzzed again. It was the detailed report on Gabriel. I scanned through the information, feeling satisfied with the findings, I replied to Natasha's text: "Sure. Take care!"

I took a deep breath and reminded myself to refocus on the important matters at hand, just as I always did. I need to keep my wall intact. The car glided through the bustling streets, the city's evening lights beginning to twinkle against the encroaching dusk. I closed my eyes for a moment, willing my mind to clear. As the car neared the hotel, I steeled myself, pushing aside all the unnecessary thoughts from before. Everything is about business, about making connections and solidifying deals. Personal feelings shouldn't have no room in my mind.

The hotel's grand entrance came into view, and I straightened up, preparing to step back into my role. With a final, resolute breath, I opened the car door, ready to face the evening with the poise and focus that had always defined me.