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

048

Katherine

The tip of my heel tapped the flooring of the elevator-apprehension coursing through my veins. My eyes shift between the dial above the doors and the time showing on my wrist, remnants of orange juice crawling up my throat.

I shake out the tingles through my fingers, pushing my hair away from my heated neck. Why the hell was I so nervous? It hadn't fully absorbed-the simple fact that my mother was here didn't seem real. I reached into my purse, fishing for my cell to call my brother. It suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't told him of our mother's arrival. Did she call him? I tap his contact and extend my hand to press the stop button inside the elevator.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Dyl," I choke out, holding onto the railing behind me to steady my balance. "You busy?" I could hear the light chatter and ringing telephones through the mic.

"Sorta," He trails, somewhat whispering into the microphone. "I'm waiting to be called. I have an interview with Caleb Thomas. Thanks to you."

My lips stretch into a wide grin, my mood perking instantly. "No shit!" I exclaim. "Wait, are you telling me that you're not even in New York?" I restart the elevator and rest against the wall-my stomach tossing at the lift.

"It was kind of last-minute, I booked the red-eye, and here I am in San Francisco."

I sigh, pushing off the wall to straighten my posture. Damn, and to think I'd already made plans for my brother to join the three of us for dinner. "When do you get back?"

"Uh, if things go right, hopefully, tomorrow? And if not, then tonight." Dylan chuckles nervously, his tone rising above an octave. "Why? Is everything okay?"

I could hear the concern laced in his voice, his brotherly instinct coming into play. I let myself laugh, dropping my gaze to my shoes. "Yeah, everything's fine. I was kind of hoping to catch up, but we can do it some other time." I lower my voice, the elevator doors sliding open to my floor-dozens of voices drowning in my ear.

"Kat," Dylan chides, and I knew he could hear the lie through my teeth. "What's going on? You sound...out of sorts. I mean, sure-catching up sounds great, but that's not it, is it?"

My eyes sweep past the briefing room, flying past Jesse's figure at the head of the oblong table. I was just as nervous to tell him about my mother as well. I make haste to my office, striding in before shutting the door behind me along with the blinds. I toss my purse on the desk, plopping down on the edge of the wood, gaze locked on the door. "Have you talked with mom recently?"

"Not since...dad's birthday, I think?" He sighs heavily. "I mean, we text, but we haven't had a conversation. Why? Did...did she call you?"

So, he didn't know. I assume mom would've called him and let him know the situation. I guess she wanted to keep this between us, for now. Dylan deserved to know. "Not exactly. I mean, unless you count her showing up in my apartment last night as calling then, yeah, she called." Silence greeted me on his end, nothing but the sound of his breath echoing into the phone. My guess? He was just as shocked as I was. "Dylan, you there?"

"She-You saw her? You talked, like an actual conversation?"

I nod, knowing very well that he couldn't see me. "There was even coffee and lunch to go with it." I quip, smiling softly at the thought of rekindling the mother-daughter relationship I sought. "Yeah, Dyl," I simper. "We talked, and it wasn't horrible."

"Wow," He chuckles lightly. "I'm gone one day, and I miss so much. Listen, I'm thrilled that you and mom are talking again, but I just got called."

"Yeah, no worries," I assure him, swallowing the knot in my throat. "Break a leg, kiddo. And Dylan?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for taking a swing at him," I mumble, earning another laugh through the mic.

"Anytime, Kat. I'll call you later with good news, I hope." And the line goes dead.

I stare down at the screen, chewing on the inside of my cheek as I push off my desk. So much for a family reunion. I slide my cell behind me on the desk, reaching to run my fingers through my tousled hair. Again, an endless cycle of confrontation. I push off the desk and saunter out of my office.

-Jesse-

"Do you have a minute?"

My eyes meet the woman at the entryway of the briefing room, dozens of eyes following my line of view. I feel my lips stretch into a grin, drowning in my favorite shade of green-my heart clenching in my chest. I adored just the sound of her voice. "Miss Stratford," I beam, reclining in my chair. "I was just saying I could use some guidance on-"

"I need to speak with you," Katherine's focus shifts between the women and men seated at the oblong table, then shares a look with me. "Alone." She insists, and my eyes flicker down to her fidgeting fingers.

"I'm afraid I have to cut this meeting short," I call out, clasping my hands together once I stand. "We'll pick this up first thing tomorrow morning!"

I watch her step off to the side, letting my employees bustle through the doors with their files and accordion folders. It didn't matter what the hell I was doing. I'd stop the whole damn world for her. The door swings behind them, leaving the two of us in muffled silence. "What is it, sweetheart?"

"Can we go somewhere more private?" Katherine mumbles, tucking her hands into her pressed slacks. "Preferably with less glass and actual walls?" She gestures to the room, nothin' but glass squaring us in.

I concur with a nod, re-buttoning my lapel before she leads me through the other side connected to my office. I close the door behind me, twisting the lock to keep out the unwanted guests. The sound of her shoes gently taps along the carpet, pacing to and fro. I wait patiently, striding over to my chair to sit down. She was on edge, muttering incoherent whispers under her breath-her eyes flickering over to me now and then. I had to wait it out, standing by until she was ready to speak. Though, I knew it was important by the dread painted on her features.

"Sweetheart," I begin, her eyes connecting with mine across the room-still pacing. "C'mere," My fingers curl, coaxing her towards me. Katherine stops in her tracks, shoulders visibly relaxing as she sighs and saunters over. I reach for her hands, pulling her towards me, guiding her body in front of me. "Take a breath, baby." I coo, settling her on my desk as I go to stand.

Her eyes shut for a moment, inhaling deeply before she speaks. "I...I have something to tell you."

I nod and prepare myself for whatever was eating at her.