Whisper Destiny

Chapter 47

~ Catherine ~

I still couldn't wipe off my smile as I strolled through the entrance of Ortiz & Co. My footsteps echoed softly, a rhythm that matched the beat of my heart—a heart that seemed lighter than usual.

"Good morning, Mrs. Ortiz. You're in quite a good mood today," Mr. Olson, our security guard, greeted me with a knowing smile. His observation made me realize just how visible my good mood was, spilling over like sunshine on a cloudless day.

"Indeed, it's a very good morning," I replied, unable to contain my goofiness. "I hope you have a wonderful day as well, Mr. Olson." I flashed him a bright smile, feeling the sincerity of my words.

As I started to walk away, Mr. Olson leaned in slightly and lowered his voice. "Cate, just a heads-up—Mr. Ortega is around," he informed me. There had been a few occasions when I'd tried to avoid Archer when I come to office on the weekend, and Mr. Olson had always seemed to notice. His discretion and subtle support were not lost on me.

"Thanks, Andrew," I said, patting his back in a gesture of appreciation. His quiet understanding was a comfort to me.

I intended to slip into the office, grab my camera, and slip out without anyone notice. My plan for the day awaited, and I wanted to avoid any unnecessary delays—especially an encounter with Archer. Lately, he had become noticeably clingy, always finding reasons to linger near me or catch my eye. His subtle, almost subconscious attempts to monopolize my attention hadn't gone unnoticed. Despite his persistence, I kept our interactions strictly professional, carefully maintaining a distance.

Even though my marriage to Natasha was, in many ways, just a formality—an arrangement signed and sealed on paper—I had made a silent vow to respect its boundaries.

I made a quick trip to my office, where I last left my camera. So far, there was no sign of Archer, and I hoped my luck would hold. As I packed the camera into my backpack, I felt a small sense of relief. It was short-lived, though, as the moment I stepped outside, there he was, standing by the doorway as if he'd been waiting.

"Hi, Cate," he greeted me, a smile lighting up his face. I couldn't deny he was an attractive man. With his sharp features, easy charm, and confident demeanor, Archer was the kind of partner many women dreamed of. He seemed perfect on the eyes of people—successful, attentive, and considerate. Yet, my trauma and fear of attachment and commitment created an insurmountable barrier. I kept him at arm's length, just as I did with anyone who tried to get too close.

But now, there was one exception—Natasha. Just the thought of her made my heart skip a beat, a reminder of the complexity and confusion that swirled around my feelings for her. No matter how high I built my walls, she had a way of slipping through the cracks, unsettling the careful detachment I tried to maintain. And deep inside of my heart, I'm allowing it to happen.

"Bonjour, Archer," I greeted him, trying to keep my tone light. "What are you doing in the office on a weekend?"

"I figured you'd be here," he replied, an easy smile playing on his lips. "We had to cut our meeting short yesterday, thanks to an unexpected disruption."

His words held a subtle edge, and I felt a flicker of irritation. "Archer... I don't appreciate you talking about my wife like that," I warned, my voice firm. "Let this be the last time I hear something like this from you."

He exhaled deeply, his expression softening. "I'm sorry, Cate. I didn't mean to offend." He paused, then offered, "If you want, we can finish discussing what we were working on yesterday and finalize the proposal."

"No, thanks," I said, my tone clipped. "I just make a quick stop and don't plan on staying. Enjoy your weekend, Archer." I didn't leave him much room to respond, quickly turning and heading for the elevator. As the doors closed behind me, I caught a glimpse of him standing there, a look of resignation on his face, seemingly surrendering to the boundaries I had set. I hope this gives him hint that nothing will happen between us even without Natasha in the picture.