Twice the Love

14

I walked into the office, to find Katherine already there. She smiled as I walked inside and sat down. Did yesterday not phase her at all? She seemed pretty distressed when I had left.

She walked over to the mini kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. After handing it to me, she sat back down and started fumbling with her laptop.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"I, uh, left my stuff here last night and, um, my laptop ran out of charge," she said, quietly. I sighed. Seriously? She just left her laptop here without charging it. What could there possibly be about this woman that I could like?

"Here," I said, handing her a set of keys. She gave me a puzzled look, while accepting them.

"These are the keys to my penthouse on the 54th floor," I said, "There should be a charger lying on my desk."

"Thank you," she said. God, I love that smile. Wait, no. I watched as Katherine walked into the elevator. I love her smile. I love her cooking. I love her cheerfulness. I love her clumsiness. I love her work. I love her.

I wanted her, and not just as an employee. But, I'll get her, as an employee, and so much more. Today was the day. No point in delaying it.

Katherine walked back inside. She plugged in her laptop, and walked over to me. She handed me my keys. I noticed that this was the first time I'd ever seen her come to work in something other than a dress or a skirt. She was wearing an off-white shirt, that hung low, and black pants.

"Katherine," I said, "Take a seat." She sat down slowly.

"Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Fane?" she asked. Even my name sounds sweeter when she says it. This is starting to gross me out. I pulled out a piece of paper, and placed it on the table, facing her. She looked momentarily stunned, picking the paper up.

"A job offer?" Her smile had faded, and my heart beat nervously. I never realized how calming it was. How much I needed it.

"Yes, I feel it more fitting that you work here at Deluge." She didn't seem as happy as I thought she'd be. She knitted her brows, staring deeply at the paper.

"I-I need time to think about this," she said.

"Well make it quick, the offer won't stand for long," I said, "You can go home early; I expect an answer by tomorrow." She nodded her head. Clutching the paper so tightly to her chest that it wrinkled, she put her stuff away.

"Your charger, Mr. Fane," she said, holding up the long white wire.

"You can keep it," I said, staring at my laptop. I wasn't actually looking at anything, but I couldn't bring myself to meet her eyes. Was this what rejection felt like? She was going to say no, I already knew that. She was going to say no to a lot of things.

No, this isn't me. Kirt Fane doesn't accept garbage like this. I'll convince her. I know I will. I merely misjudged. She needs a little more time is all.

The elevator door closed behind Katherine. She gave me a look. One that wasn't bad, but didn't seem very good either. Confused, lonely, reluctant, but most of all, she looked worried. The image of Rivin looking at me as he left my room came to mind. Is it weird to think of your brother, when you're feeling as though your love interest is leaving you forever?

She was a beauty. In so many ways, but words couldn't even describe one. She was like a song, one that brought you to tears, but makes you smile. She was like the sea breeze. Like the warmth of your childhood bed, as you fell asleep from a tiring days play. Like a single ray of moonlight in a dark room. She was Katherine. My Katherine.

No. She didn't belong to me. I belong to her. She didn't love me, not yet anyway. I admit it. I love her far more than I ever thought I could. A love nothing like the one for my reflection, or my Lamborghini, or even Rivin. She was special, different, dear, and irreplaceable.