I Hate You, Mr. Boss-Man [18+]

034

Jesse

"Tell us about yourself, Katherine."

Her eyes lock with mine, squeezed between Veronica and Cassandra. The trepidation settling in-her fingers fiddling with each other.

"I...uh, what do you wanna know?" Katherine mumbles, leaning forward to meet my mother's gaze. Sounds of silverware clinking against the China easing, her gentle voice settling the table.

"Well," My mother trails, setting her glass of pinot down. "Where did you grow up?"

Katherine's shoulders drop visibly, her red lips tugging into a relieved smile, a simple question making her fingers halt altogether. "A little city called Pearland," She answers, taking in the confused expressions of my family members. "It's a suburban area in Houston, Texas. It's small but it's home."

"I've heard of it," My father chimes, Katherine's eyes flickering over to him. "I think I've stopped there once for gas on a trip back from Austin. It was brief but I'll never forget that giant tin can for a water tower."

She smiles brightly, nodding her head at my father. "The one and only," She murmurs, eyes averting down to her plate consisting of butternut squash soup-my mother's specialty. "I up and left for New York when I was nineteen and I never looked back."

"That's quite a move," Henry pipes up before swallowing a spoonful of soup. "What did your parents think?"

It was now that I saw the dread wash over her, her smile fading completely once my brother spoke. I frown softly, glancing at Henry who sat two chairs down from me once I leaned forward. "Henry," I warn-his eyes meeting mine, mouthing a what at my tone. I shake my head, looking back at my girlfriend. "You don't have to answer that, sweetheart," I assure her, smiling accordingly.

Katherine takes a deep breath, tossing her napkin on the table beside her bowl. "It's fine," She dismisses, nodding her head as she looks at me. "There's no point in brushing past it."

"Are you sure?" If I was being honest with myself, I kind of wanted to hear what she had to say. I was going to ask her about her mother anyway but, I wasn't expecting it to be recited out in the open, especially in front of my entire family.

I could see the hesitancy in her expression, debating on whether or not she should but she nods, switching her focus back to Henry. "My parents," She repeats, lips pulling into a tight line at the very thought. "My father didn't get a say..." She whispers, shoulders rising and falling with every intake of air.

"Why's that?" Cassandra suddenly speaks up now, frowning at Katherine's answer. Could my family be nosier? Even though she agreed to speak about it, it didn't make it any less uncomfortable for her. I didn't want her to feel uneasy. It wasn't an interrogation but it sure felt like one.

"He passed away a few months after I graduated high school, his heart gave out, and...it was hard on my family. I think my mother took it harder than my brother and I," She sighs heavily, tucking her hair behind her ears.

The table went silent, Henry regretting his question along with Cassie. I couldn't pretend to know what she went through and I never would but, the loss wasn't a stranger to any of us. We've lost people close to us but, neither of us could ever compare to losing a parent. Except maybe my mother and father, but they remained quiet.

"My mother is a proud woman," She continues, a deep frown settling between her brows, lips pulled in contempt. "She knows what she likes and doesn't like. We have a tumultuous relationship, if not avoidant. It wasn't always like that and it hurts me deeply to know that's the way we are now."

"May I ask what led to that outcome?" My mom asks, concern masking curiosity. Her motherly instincts must have flickered on. I knew I was surprised by her answer, though it still left me with many questions, ones that I was hoping weren't because of her ex.