Living A Lie

Chapter 8 - Time

My life was pretty uneventful for the next few months. Ever since breaking out of the hospital and showing up at my office drunk, Alex has left me alone. Kaleb told me that this has been the best five months of his life. Erin got a pay raise. Kaleb was promoted to head of accounting and moved to the twelfth-floor office when Tom quit last month. I know what you're thinking and no I did not promote Kaleb because he was my boyfriend. He had the most efficient and mistake-free work out of his co-workers so he got the job. I also put several files in front of my father and had him review them without a name attached and he picked Kaleb's. So. Ha! Not favoring my boyfriend at work. Kaleb moved in with Erin and me two months ago and life is going great. I dyed my hair back to its former blonde glory. I haven't really thought about Alex lately, I've been so busy with work. I haven't even seen him in the parking garage while I make out with the 'help'. Life with him was back to the way it was before he found out about his dad setting him up. With a few exceptions: I was happy with Kaleb, Alex didn't show up in the magazines anymore, and I didn't hate him with a fiery passion anymore.

Kaleb and I had a date tonight. We were going to William Carter's and he kept saying he had something important to tell me although I have no idea what it was. I was standing in front of my mirror wearing a black floor length dress that hugged my curves down to my hips then fell freely the rest of the way. Alex was in a black suit and tie. Cue Justin Timberlake song here. I turned at the wolf whistle Kaleb was making from the doorway. "You're so much hotter as a blonde." I blushed. "Shut up." He started walking towards me. "No, I'm serious, you were beautiful with red hair but you're stunning as a blonde." He took my hand and kissed the back of it. "Let's go beautiful, our limo awaits." Yes, he said limo. Part of my dad's conditions to not fuss about us dating was to be seen as a couple in public. Where better to do so than William Carter's, a popular place for celebrities and business magnates alike. Kaleb was still nervous about the spotlight so upon arrival to Carter's he squeezed my hand tightly before exiting the limo. The camera flashes were blinding but I made sure my dress didn't get tangled in my heels before I stood. I reached for Kaleb's extended hand and walked as gracefully as I could, inside the restaurant.

We were seated at a private table near the back and had just finished eating when Kaleb grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly, his facial expression turning serious. "What's wrong?" "The thing I have to tell you." I instantly got nervous. Kaleb wasn't a serious person. He's a massive goofball, so serious means possibly bad. He stood never letting go of my hand and walked around the table to stand next to me. Oh, God. He's going to purpose. No no no no no no no no. It had only been five months. I dated Alex for five years before agreeing to marry him. I watched in horror as Kaleb stooped to one knee. 

I'm going to have to tell him no. Our relationship will fall apart after that oh my God. People are looking. Kate, you're panicking. You don't know if he's gonna pop the question or not. Who gets down on one knee in the middle of the restaurant?! Good point. He's gonna pop the question. I looked down at him, panic coursing through my veins as he let go of my hand, reached down, and tied his freaking shoe. I let out the breath I hadn't been meaning to hold. "Oh thank God." I hadn't realized I had said it out loud until Kaleb looked at me questioningly. "Kathryn," he took my hand once more and stood back up. "Let's go out back okay?" I stood and followed him out to the back patio. It was gorgeous. They had set up string lets all over the place so it was well lit and set the mood. "Kathryn, I've been trying to figure out the best way to say this for the last week or so." he paused and played with the diamond ring on my right hand. "So I'm just gonna say it. Please don't hit me." I looked at him funny. Why would I hit him? "Kathryn Elizabeth Westbrooke, I love you." I froze. My world stopped. He just said the four-letter L-word. The four-letter L-word I hadn't uttered to anyone of romantic interest in over 2 years. "Kate, are you okay?" I wanted to yell that  'No, I'm not okay'. But that would cause a scene. "Kate, say something." "I, uh, I, I don't know what to say." "You don't have to say it back." "Okay." He loved me. He loved me. "I want you to say it when you're ready, not in response to me." Do I love him? I certainly care for him. A lot. I liked him, but did I love him? If love is what I felt with Alex two years ago then no. I didn't. But Kaleb doesn't set me on fire like Alex did. Maybe loving Kaleb would be different too. I snapped back to reality when Kaleb kissed my cheek. "Take your time. I just wanted you to know how I felt. Come on let's go home." I nodded in agreement before losing myself in my thoughts again.