Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss (Kylan and Katrina)
Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The following morning, she awoke with a massive headache and her ears ringing painfully. She groaned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and moving her hand to replace her phone. She finally found it on the bed above her head and checked the time, with only one eye propping open. It was already noon, and she still needed to go somewhere and get jewelry for the gala that evening.

Katrina forced herself to get out of bed, stripping her dress and underwear off. She made her way to her shower, proceeding to take an especially long one. She left her hair down, with the intention of doing something with it later.

She threw on a black hoodie and some leggings to match, and then she relented and popped a couple of pain reliever pills from her medicine cabinet, to help carb her hangover. She downed a large glass of water in her kitchen, and then she grabbed her bag and phone, heading downstairs to hail a cab

She had the cab driver take her to the mall, and then she proceeded to replace the most expensive store within it. She knew if she bought cheap jewelry, Kylan would chastise her. She could practically feel the weight of his credit card in her bag, and she was undeniably uncomfortable.

The medicine she had taken and the water she drank, helped her feel vastly more human. She also stopped at the food court, ordering herself a protein-packed smoothie with her own card. She drank it quickly, and then she squared her shoulders and forced herself to go shopping

She was out of her depth, with no idea what she should buy for a gala this fancy. She supposed a simple pearl necklace, and matching earrings would probably be appropriate. She tried not to look at the price tag as the cashier checked her out with Kylan's card, but she still winced when she noticed there were far too many zeroes added on at the bottom of her receipt.

She took a cab home, grateful to be done with the whole thing.

-0-0-0-

It was already five thirty by the time she got home, and she decided to take another shower to wash only her body, this time. She shaved every single inch of her body that she could think of, and the nerves were steadily beginning to set in. She tried to tell herself that this wasn't a real date.

But she also knew that it was, to the world anyway. She wondered how differently Kylan would treat her in public tonight, and it made her stomach do several flips at the possibilities.

She took extra care applying her makeup, ensuring that she blended her foundation properly. She added an impressive, winged tip to her eyeliner and an extra layer of mascara to her lashes. She curled her hair, deciding to put part of it back with a few pins that matched her hair color. She sprayed a ridiculous amount of hairspray all over her hair and then set spray to her face after she applied a deep red lipstick to her mouth..

Finally, she pulled on a strapless black bralette, and a matching black thong, so there would be no lines in the lower part of her dress, even though the skirt of it was quite fluffy.

She slipped the protective cover off her dress carefully, and then she stepped into it. She decided to wear her nicest pair of white high heels, hoping Kylan wouldn't mind if she was probably just right below his nose for the evening. Her dress would drag on the ground without the extra height, after all.

Katrina found a white shawl in the depths of her closet, pulling it around her shoulders. She sprayed herself with some perfume, for good measure. She grabbed her small clutch, checking the time. It was five to seven, so she stuffed her phone, house keys, and wallet, into the small clutch,

With one last glance around her apartment, she decided she looked decent enough, and she made her way down to the street below

She pushed the door of her apartment building open, the cool night air hitting her and causing her to shiver for a moment. She glanced to the lett easily replaceing Oscar's SUV. She noticed Kylan leaning against it, staring down at the ground with his hands in the pockets of the black tuxedo she had dry-cleaned specifically for the gala.

He looked incredible, she had to admit. His face was completely smooth, and his dark black hair was perfectly parted and brushed. It looked like he had gone to get the undercut of his hair trimmed, and the result looked especially nice. His bow tie was expertly tied and placed, and the jacket of his tuxedo, along with the white button-up that was tucked neatly into his pants, were both pressed and wrinkle-free. His polished, black dress shoes, completed the ensemble.

She walked over, taking care to accommodate the extra weight of the dress around her body. She dress. It was something else.

used

to wearing

ng nice gowns to galas, but this

Kylan finally looked up as she approached, and his jaw visibly clenched at the sight of her. It wasn't lost on her, how he eyed her up and down before his eyes finally met hers. She was blushing under his gaze, but she did her best to remain confident. "Good evening. Kylan" she greeted him, making sure to remember to properly address him in a situation such as this. He wasn't her boss right now, but rather her fance, for all intents and purposes

Kylan moved from the car, coming to stand right in front of her. "Good evening. Kate. You look." He cleared his throat, looking down at her dress once more. "Shall we?" He held his arm out to her.

She took his arm, blushing even more when she felt the unmistakable ridges of defined muscle beneath her fingertips. "Let's go be a couple, yeah?" she attempted to joke.

M

Chapter 10

Kylan rolled his eyes at her. "Precisely," he responded curtly.

He walked her to the car, holding her hand and helping her inside. He climbed in after her, and she noticed that he sat right next to her this time. Oscar drove them to the gala, glancing at her a few times as he did. She smiled at him once when she caught his eye, and he returned the smile. Thirty minutes later, Oscar pulled up to the fine art museum the gala was being held in. Kylan looked at her, an unreadable expression on his face, "Are you ready?" he asked her quietly.

She frowned for a moment, taking a quick glance outside. There were several photographers gathered around, waiting to take pictures of each high-profile individual that showed up. She knew she and Kylan would be no different.

She also knew the second she stepped out of the car, one year of her life was going to be incredibly different and very public. She was on edge. Her stomach was churning uncomfortably, and she was thankful she hadn't eaten dinner yet.

"I hope I don't disappoint you tonight, Kylan," she said cautiously.

Kylan searched her face before he reached a tentative hand forward and lightly touched the pearl necklace that adorned her throat.

"Good choice," he murmured. He allowed his hand to brush her collarbone, and she shivered slightly at his to facial expression, "Let's go." he concluded firmly.

touch. He licked his lips, steeling his

He tapped on the window of the car door, and Oscar opened it. Kylan stepped out first. He fixed his tuxedo jacket, and then he held a hand out for her to rake. She took a deep breath, doing her best to also prepare her own facial expression for public scrutiny. When she got out of the car this tin

And

time, Kylan didn't let go of her hand as he had each time before.

Here

then, the flash of cameras started to go off all around her, and she and Kylan shared a silent, meaningful look,

museum.

goes nothing, they both seemed to say with her eyes. She held onto Kylan's hand rather tightly, as he guided her up the front stairs of the