Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss (Kylan and Katrina)

Katrina stood before her wardrobe, feeling a pang of loneliness as she stared at her options. Clarence was at Aaron and Jill's house, and she and Kylan had planned a date night. Yet, she was unsure what to wear. She missed the carefree days they'd spent on holiday: the laughter, the togetherness, and how Kylan had been fully present with her and Clarence. Now, he'd returned to work immediately, leaving Katrina to feel isolated.

She finally decided on the dress she had worn on her very first date with Kylan, slipping it on and admiring her reflection in the mirror. A small smile tugged at her lips. Nostalgia swept over her. This dress was when he finally admitted his feelings for her and asked her if he could court her. It wasn't the first date they ever had but it was the first date with real feelings, not just because of the contract clause they had.

She impulsively took a picture of herself in the dress, sending it to Kylan with a message: Does this still look good for tonight?

Meanwhile, Isabella sat across from Kylan, discussing deals and other work matters. Kylan glanced at the clock and suddenly shot to his feet. "Damn it! I've got a meeting-I completely lost track of time." He grabbed what he needed in a hurry. "Stay here, Isabella. I'll be back soon."

She gave him a sweet smile and a wave. As soon as he was out of sight, her gaze fell on his phone left unlocked on the desk. A notification popped up a message from Katrina with a photo of her in a dress and the caption about their date night. Isabella's lips curled into a sly grin. The opportunity was too tempting to resist.

She typed back a response: No, it doesn't look good. It looks tighter than before.

The next text showed another dress, but Katrina's smile in the photo looked strained. Isabella smirked as she replied: Better, I guess. Then, she added a final blow: No more I'm busy. Don't bother me. With a quick swipe, she deleted the messages, ensuring Kylan wouldn't see them.

When Kylan returned, he sighed, shaking his head. "What a mess. I almost missed the meeting. Anything happened while I was gone?"

Isabella handed him a stack of papers, feigning an apologetic look. "Just more work, unfortunately."

Kylan groaned as he scanned the pile. "Great, a late night, then. I had plans, too."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

"I'm sure they can wait," she said, her voice saccharine sweet.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, but I don't want to. Still, I don't have a choice." He walked to his office. "I'll work alone for a while. No disturbances, please."

Isabella followed him, her steps light. "Sir, don't you have a date with your wife tonight?"

"I know." He glanced at the clock, then at his desk. "I'll call her."

"Let me do it for you," she offered. "You've got too much on your plate. I'll let her know and send her a gift."

He hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. Make sure she knows I love and adore her."

"Of course," Isabella replied with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

She quickly dialed Katrina.

Katrina sat on the edge of the bed, holding a dress in her hands. "Hello, Isabella. Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine, thank you for asking. I'm calling to let you know that Kylan won't be able to make it tonight. He's swamped with work and asked me to let you know. He's sorry he couldn't call you himself." Katrina's grip on the phone tightened. "He texted me earlier about being busy. I understand."

"He also wants to buy you something as an apology. What would you like?"

Katrina's voice cracked as she replied, "Nothing. Just... make sure he eats dinner. Let him know I'll be in the spare room tonight. I don't want him waking me up when he comes home late." "Of course," Isabella said smoothly before ending the call.

Katrina hung up, her heart heavy. Tears welled up as she gathered every dress that felt too tight or unflattering and placed them in a bag for donation. Her favorite lingerie joined them in a second bag destined for the trash. Baggy clothes now replaced her carefully chosen date night outfit. She skipped dinner, sipping water as she curled up on the couch, feeling utterly defeated.

She felt like sh*t, absolute sh*t that she wasn't as good looking as she was before, that she looked like sh*t in her dresses. She had always felt like crap about herself, but reading those messages from Kylan made her feel so much worse. She cleaned up, went to bed in the spare room, curled up, and cried.

Meanwhile, Kylan worked tirelessly, rushing through everything with the hope of still salvaging the evening. Finally, he finished, grabbing his things.

"I'm heading home now," he told Isabella. "I got through everything."

She gave him a soft smile. "Your wife mentioned she'll be in the spare room tonight. She also refused a gift."

Kylan groaned, rubbing his temple. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

Isabella stepped closer, her voice soothing. "How about a drink before heading home? Give her time to cool off."

He clenched his jaw. "I should really go home."

Isabella nodded as the lift descended. "Yes, but you're clearly not in the mood to go home to your wife right now. Just have one drink, and talk to her in the morning."

Kylan hesitated, gulping. "I really shouldn't."

"My treat."

He ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know..."

"Just one," she coaxed.

He let out a sigh. "Alright, alright. One."

Isabella smiled, pleased. "Great, this way then." She led Kylan to a nearby bar and ordered drinks for the both of them. "Sit, please."

Kylan sat down reluctantly. "Thanks, but after this, I have to get home. I finished up quickly tonight so I could be with Katrina."

Isabella took a slow sip of her drink. "I know, but if she's upset, it might be better to let her cool down. They say staying mad is exhausting, it takes too much energy. Maybe it's best to let her sleep it off."

He rested his cheek on his hand, considering her words. "Maybe. Maybe I'm working too much and not spending enough time at home."

"Sometimes people just need space," Isabella said gently, taking another sip. She watched him nurse his drink. "I'm sure tomorrow she'll be back to her usual self. She knows you work late; she's used to it. Didn't she even mention you're a bit noisy when you come in? That's probably why she's sleeping in the spare room tonight."

Kylan downed the rest of his drink, sighing. "I guess you're right. Thanks."

As the waiter placed another drink in front of him and Isabella, Kylan frowned. "Ah, I said one."

"One more won't hurt, right?" Isabella replied smoothly, taking a sip.

He exhaled heavily but relented. "Okay, but after this, I need to pick up some food."

"We could eat here," she suggested.

He shook his head, finishing his drink in one quick motion. "No, thanks. I've got to grab something to take home." He wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood. "Thanks for the drink, but I need to go."

Isabella rose as he did. "Maybe we can do this again sometime? Just to talk?"

Kylan paused, giving her a polite nod. "Yeah, sure. Have a good night and get home safe, alright?"

"I will. Thank you," she said with a small smile.

Kylan hurried out of the bar and

stopped to pick up burgers, fries, and milkshakes for himself and Katrina. As he carried the food home, his heart fluttered at the thought of her. He loved her and couldn't help but think of how

deep ne

stunning she was, even when she

didn't see it herself. Contént belongs

As he entered the house, the sight of two bags near the door made him pause. He opened them and frowned, his heart sinking. One was filled with lingerie, the other with her dresses.

He made his way to the spare room and called softly, "Katrina, are you awake?"

Katrina sat up in the dimly lit spare room, her voice soft. "I thought you'd be gone all night."

Kylan ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "I worked as fast as I could to get home to you." He glanced at her but noticed the hesitation in her expression. "I brought dinner."

She shook her head lightly. "I'm not hungry."

"You already ate?" he asked.

"No," she replied quietly.

Concern etched across his face, Kylan walked over and sat beside her on the bed. "What's going on, sweetheart? Why are you in here, wearing baggy clothes? And what's with the bags of clothes by the door?" Katrina's eyes filled with tears as her voice cracked. "Because you said I'd gained weight and didn't look good in my clothes... so I'm fat."

His eyes widened in shock. "What? Katrina, I never said that!"

She handed him her phone, her hands trembling. "But the texts..."

Kylan scrolled through the messages, his jaw tightening. "I didn't send these," he said firmly. "I was in a meeting when these were sent. Look." He pulled up the meeting schedule on his phone to show her. "I left my phone in my office. Damn it... who the hell sent this crap using my phone?"

Her tears slowed as confusion replaced her sadness. "Wait... so you didn't—?"

"No," he interrupted, his voice steady and sincere. "Katrina, I love you with everything I have. You are not fat. You're stunning and beautiful in every way."

Tears spilled over again, but this time from a different place. "No, I'm not..."

"You are," Kylan insisted, cupping her face gently. "You are perfect and beautiful, and whoever sent those texts needs their eyes checked-and probably ripped out. I love you so much."

Kylan scrolled through the photos she had sent earlier and let out a low whistle. "Wow... you look absolutely breathtaking in these. That's the dress you wore on our first date. Damn, you look even better now than you did back then." Katrina's cheeks flushed. "You're just saying that..."

"No, I'm not. Put it back on for me for our date."

"But..."

"Please," he pleaded. "You look amazing in it."

Her gaze softened as she hesitated. "Kylan..."

He pulled her into a warm embrace. "I get it, seeing a text like that would hurt."

She nodded against his chest. "It did."

"It wasn't me," he said, his tone resolute. "I swear on my mother's grave."

Katrina's breath hitched, her eyes widening. She knew how deeply Kylan cherished his late mother, Kuchel, and swearing on her memory was something he didn't take lightly. "I believe you," she whispered.

"You do?" he asked, a hint of relief in his voice.

She nodded. "You swore on Kuchel's grave. I know you mean it."

He exhaled, pulling her hands into his. "Come with me." He gathered

the bags of clothes and led her back to their bedroom. Setting them

down, he began unpacking the

items. "Don't throw these

out You

look perfect in every single piece."

Katrina smiled faintly, wiping away the lingering tears. "I don't think so, but thank you."

Kylan pulled out her favorite set of lingerie and the dress from their first date. "Alright, stand up, gorgeous."

Reluctantly, she did. "I'm not..."

"You are," he cut in. He helped her out of her baggy clothes, his eyes gleaming with appreciation as he whispered, "God, you're stunning."

She blushed and tried to look away, but he gently turned her back. "Don't hide from me. Let me see you."

Kylan carefully dressed her, slipping the delicate fabric into place and adjusting her bra. He paused to cup her breasts with a playful grin.

"Kylan!" Katrina gasped. "Mind letting go of those?"

He chuckled, releasing her. "Sorry, but they're perfect." After zipping up her dress, he kissed her shoulder softly, murmuring against her skin, "You're so beautiful."

Katrina glanced at her reflection, smoothing down the dress. "Really? It's not too tight?"

"It is," he admitted with a playful smirk. "And that's why I love it-it shows off your amazing figure."

She blushed deeper. "Flirt."

"Always," he teased, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You're sexy and adorable, and I just want to devour you."

Her stomach growled loudly, breaking the moment, and she buried her face in his chest. "How embarrassing..."

Kylan laughed, pulling her toward the dining room. "Not at all. Come on, let's eat."

He lit a few candles, setting the mood, and plated the burgers and fries he had brought home. "I know it's not a fancy dinner, but it's still our date."

Katrina giggled, shaking her head. "You big softy."

Kylan took her hand across the table, his voice turning serious. "I want you to know, Katrina, you can eat anything you want. Be happy. Your body is incredible, and so are you."

Her lips curved into a genuine smile. "I'll eat, I promise."

"Good." He sighed playfully. "Though I assume you won't let me take this dress off after dinner, will you?"

Katrina licked her lips after a bite of fries and grinned. "Actually, it's a little tight. I might need some help with it."

Kylan's eyes darkened with a mix of love and desire. "Are you sure?"

She nodded, her voice soft. "Yes. I need your love, Kylan. And I know you didn't send those texts-I trust you."

"I love you so damn much," he said, standing and scooping her into his arms. He tossed her over his shoulder with a playful smack on her backside, making her giggle. "Now, I'm going to spend all night proving just how much."