Whisper Destiny

Chapter 45

~ Catherine ~

This is the best Saturday morning I've had in ages. A contented smile has been glued to my face since I woke up, an unbidden lightness in my step as I moved through the house. Now, I'm savoring my coffee at the kitchen island, its warmth seeping into my hands, grounding me in the moment. As I scroll through the news on my tablet, I steal a glance at the sleek silver watch on my wrist—10:30. The late morning sun filters through the windows, casting a gentle glow across the room, yet there's still no sign of Natasha. A small knot of worry forms in my chest. Is she avoiding me?

My mind drifts back to our encounter last night, the memory as vivid as if it were happening again. Every kiss, every touch, and the sound of her soft moans replay like a cherished scene from a favorite Christmas movie. Goosebumps rise on my skin at the thought, a sweet, shivering reminder of the intimacy we shared. Everything about her felt perfect and beautiful, and I find myself savoring every detail, planning to treasure these memories my whole life.

I hope that things won't become awkward between us, more than they already are. Nevertheless, I would not change a thing, even if I could turn back time and I will make the same choice again. I don't regret a single moment. The mere thought of never experiencing that closeness again sends a pang through my heart, an ache of loss I hadn't expected to feel.

In the past, it was easy for me to shut people out after sex, often preferring not to see them again. But with Natasha, it's different. I already miss the warmth of her body next to mine, the way her fingers tangled in my hair, the intense kiss that lingered on my lips, and the way she reached her climax, a moment of pure vulnerability that felt so rare and precious. This longing is unfamiliar and terrifying. I've never felt this way before—this intense craving for another person—and, honestly, it scares me. Despite the fear of getting attached, I don't want to push her away. I know I'm playing a dangerous game, but she fuels something in me, igniting a fire I never knew existed. There's a magnetic pull between us, a connection that feels both exhilarating and perilous.

My thoughts are disrupted by the sharp ring of the doorbell. Who could it be at this hour? It couldn't be Louisa. She's not a morning person, and she never shows up unannounced.

Rising from my chair, I make my way to the door. As I open the door, I'm greeted by the sight of Chase standing there, phone pressed to his ear, looking somewhat impatient.

"You asshole, where have you been? I waited for you—" His words trail off abruptly as he notices me standing in the doorway instead of the person he expected.

"Oh, Cate," he says, a look of surprise flashing across his face. He quickly composes himself, offering an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I thought it was Natty." His tone shifts, a mixture of embarrassment and casual friendliness.

"It's fine, Chase. Please come in," I say, gesturing for him to enter. I lead him to the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee still lingering in the air.

"Do you want anything to drink? Coffee?" I offer, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Oh, yes please. I really need caffeine after Nat ditched me for an hour," Chase grumbles, rolling his eyes in mild exasperation. I smile at his complaint, amused by his dramatic flair. He is so like Louisa.

"How do you like your coffee?" I ask, reaching for the cups.

"Half shot, with milk and two pumps of chocolate," he replies animatedly, his face lighting up. Then, as if catching himself, he quickly adds, "Oops, black is also fine." I shake my head with an amused smile and start preparing his coffee just the way he likes it.

As I hand him the mug, I ask casually, "Do you have plans to go somewhere with Natasha today?"

"Yeah," Chase replies, taking a sip of his drink. "Wow, this is so goooood" he said before continue, "She asked me to accompany her to an art gallery downtown with that Daniel guy. And later, we're supposed to go to some underground concert where he's performing. We were supposed to meet up an hour ago, but she's MIA. Where is she?" He looks around, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

"Daniel Hemsley?" I ask, my curiosity piqued by the name. The mention of him stirs something within me.

"You know him?" Chase asks, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrent of tension. He continues enjoying his mocha, completely unsuspecting. "They seem to click, sharing a lot of common interests like art, music, photography and..." He trails off, realizing the implications of what he's saying. "Shit..." he mutters under his breath, as if regretting his words. I keep my expression neutral, though a flicker of irritation simmers beneath the surface.

Instead of addressing the obvious, I steer the conversation toward a more casual topic. "She loves underground music?"

"Not really her preferred genre but she loves music in general, to be more specific, she really appreciates the instruments more," Chase shares, his enthusiasm evident.

"Guitar and violin?" I guessed.

"Yes, exactly," Chase confirms with excitement. "How do you know?" He looks at me with a curious smile, clearly surprised and intrigued by my accurate guess.

"I'm good at guessing people's interests in music," I share with a casual smile. I did observe and started to notice the music she always listened to within these past three months.

"What else does she love to do?" I ask, fishing for more information about Natasha. My curiosity isn't just about learning more about her interests; it's also about understanding what draws her to people like Daniel.

Chase gives me his mischievous smile, the kind I've seen countless times on Louisa's face when she's in a teasing mood.

"Are you trying to fish for information about your wife through me, Cate?" he asks, hitting the nail on the head with a knowing glint in his eye. "If so, we'll need another session for me to spill all her dirty little secrets," he adds with a playful grin.

I just shake my head, amused but not wanting him to pick up on my heightened interest in Natasha. To deflect, I quickly change the subject.

"You graduated in fashion, right?" I ask, successfully redirecting his attention.

"Yes," he replies, his eyes lighting up. "And you're my muse. I love all your work, Cate. You're a fashion genius." I nodded and just smile appreciatively towards his comments.

"I would like to find a few protégés to be part of our new project. If the program succeeds, I might offer these protégé a job at The Ortiz & Co. If you are interested, you can send your profile to us" I share, knowing Chase's passion for fashion and suspecting this opportunity would excite him.

His reaction is immediate and exuberant. "Oh.My.God. Are you seriousss? Of course I am interested!" he scream, nearly jumping out of his seat with excitement.

Before I can respond, Natasha's voice cuts through the room. "What the hell, Chase? Why are you screaming so early in the morning?" She appears and my heart automatically skip a beat.

"There you are, asshole. Are you blind? It's almost noon!" Chase starts, his voice filled with mock annoyance. "How dare you keep me waiting for an hour. You will be dead of... Oh wow! You're glowing, pumpkin-pie. Like, literally glowing. Did you get laid or something last night?" He stops mid-comment as soon as he spots Natasha.