Chapter 48
[Music: Familiar By Agnes Obel]
“A King p>
“I know I don’t look like one,” I said in a lighthearted tone.
A subtle smile played on her face as her eyes quietly observed me; it felt like I was under surveillance now.
Maybe I said something wrong?
“To be part of the society is one thing, but belonging is an entirely different thing,” I added.
Stop talking, Catherine.
A brief laugh rolled off her, and I wondered what caught her amusement.
“You poor thing she mumbled, and I narrowed my eyes. “A thing like you, a King p>
She stepped past me, and her words left a lingering expression, so I followed her.
“What do you mean by that? You speak as if you know about the Kings p>
“Who doesn’t, love? A King put a ring on that finger; surely there is a reason. It makes one wonder p>
She eyed the ring again, and this time, I noticed something envious in those eyes, but as quickly as it came, it was gone, and I thought I might have hallucinated it.
“It was lovely meeting you.” She put on her sunglasses.
Before she could leave, I stopped her with my words.
“I didn’t quite catch your name. It would be nice to know the woman who fancies shoes like her own heart p>
“I’m sure we will meet again, Catherine. The universe works mysteriously p>
As I watched her leave, I realized she had left empty-handed.
What a strange woman.
My gaze travelled to the staffer who glared at me as if I had lost an important customer.
“Would you mind packaging this for me?” I raised the pumps. “I’ll take this one p>
“Can you afford it p>
This little p>
“Cat! There you are, I have been looking everywhere for you.” Athena pitched. “You left just when I wanted you to try some perfect collections p>
She came to me snappily and hooked her hand into my arm and pulled me close.
“You came to buy shoes and you didn’t even bring me along p>
“It was either that or spend two hours making a decision p>
She gasped. “Paying attention to details is crucial, and you have to get your money’s worth p>
An odd thing for a billionaire to say, but who am I to judge?
“Y-You’re the Goddess!” the staffer gasped with wide eyes, stepping forward like she had met her dream person.
“How sweet I said as she suddenly caught on quickly.
“Then you’re she mumbled. “T-The glasses p>
Right, in all my public pictures, I wore contacts.
“F-Forgive me, I didn’t know p>
“Just package this, thank you p>
“O-Of course, right away!” She took the pumps and hurried out.
“What was that about p>
I stepped away from Athena’s hold only for her to grab my arm again.
“Will you let me go p>
“After this, we should go to the spa, get our nails done, and hair. What do you think p>
That sounds tempting, and as if she could catch my interest, she grinned broadly.
After I made payment, we stepped outside, where Reed was waiting, as he then handed me the bag.
“You dropped this, Mrs. King p>
I blushed, snatching the bag, and I noted a smirk from him.
Desperate not to linger further, I dragged Athena along with me so that we could get a head start.
I still haven’t gotten a reply from Ares. I kept staring at the screen the entire time, waiting for a reply or the bubbles to pop up, but nothing.
I can’t believe he left me on read. I thought about typing something, but I strongly resisted that urge. It was difficult when I kept typing and untying words until I gave up.
“I’ll do this, this, and oh this too p>
I flickered my gaze to Athena in a pink robe like mine and hair tied up in a towel, face covered with a facemask as she chose which nails to get done.
I can’t believe she was the same person who chased me in the woods with a fake gun. The whole day, I expected her to do something twisted, and I stayed alert the entire time, but she had been nothing but sweet and friendly.
I don’t know why that creeped me out more than her full-blown pursuit.
“What would you like, Cat p>
The attendant handed me the iPad for me to choose. There were several options, but I always loved something simple, a habit I developed while working as a secretary. Flashy nails weren’t advisable; maybe I should stick to that, too.
“This p>
She nodded and stepped out.
“What should I expect when meeting the family?” I cut to the chase, putting down my phone.
I have been meaning to ask about that after the encounter with that woman. I don’t know why every person I met who knew the Kings to a certain degree always had a mystery to tell, like that reporter, for instance.
It was keeping me in a loop I didn’t like.
“That’s out of the blue,” Athena commented. “Our activities today should give it away p>
“So keeping up an appearance is crucial p>
“Always important p>
“But that’s the norm. I mean, who doesn’t when meeting in-laws for the first time p>
“What do you really wanna know, Cat p>
“I don’t know, you tell me. You’re the one who said Ares has secrets p>
She tipped her head. “Who doesn’t? It’s more suspicious when someone doesn’t p>
Great! So much for trying.
“You think too much, my sweet Cat. You have nothing to worry about, you’re in good hands. As long as we survive the family reunion that is p>
“We? I was under the impression I was the outsider here, and I need to step up my game somehow p>
Her smile wavered. “Let’s say I’m not always welcomed. We’re both outsiders p>
I narrowed my eyes at her words in a questioning look. What’s she talking about? Isn’t she like a princess in her home or something?
The attendant was back to do our nails, so whatever questions I had sank back in.