Chapter 14

Kate's POV

Even though I am the one who initiates the kiss, this man is overdoing it. His hands move to my buttocks, pulling me closer. My body tenses. How far is he going to take this? I wonder. I don’t need to react.

Because this will make Kyle snap back to his senses. After a few moments, I break the kiss, pulling away.

I turn to face Kyle. His expression—ugh!—it sweetened me. He looks at me as if I’m a parasite, draining the life out of him.

"So, hear me out. Don't ever jump into my business again!" I sneer, my eyes narrowing in anger.

"You don’t even atone for what you did. You don't care about what you've done to my heart!" Kyle's voice rises, his face flushed with rage. "You don't care at all! You’re just... you're just a whore!" he shouts, his eyes wild with fury.

I scoff. "Ugh... I told you, I did nothing—nothing!" I snap, throwing my hands in the air. Then I pause, catching my breath. "I have nothing more to say to you. We're done, and that's final. Okay?"

Kyle just stands there, silent. His mouth opens slightly as if to speak, but no words come out. Before I can process his reaction, a voice comes from behind us.

"Kate!" It’s Charlie, probably looking for me. He rushes over, sensing the tension thick in the air.

"Are you okay?" he asks, concern etched on his face as he gently grabs my arm.

I nod, my voice softening, "Yeah, I am."

Kyle scoffs, his lips curling in disgust. "Who’s this? Another customer of yours?"

"Shut the hell up!" I sneer, my eyes blazing with anger.

"Why, you don't want him to know the truth?" Kyle taunts, stepping closer. "Or is he just another innocent like me, someone you're cheating on?"

Charlie's brow furrows in confusion. "What’s happening here?" he asks, his voice low but tense.

"Don't mind him," I say quickly. "I'll explain later."

Kyle lets out a cold laugh. "What, so you can lie to him too? Go on, tell him. Or maybe I should—this woman is a whore, and that man right there? He's her regular customer. They just finished kissing."

I chuckle bitterly. He has no idea that Charlie is my cousin.

Charlie turns to me, his eyes searching mine. "Is that true?"

I sigh, trying to control the situation. "I kissed him, yes. But it’s not what you think, Charlie. I—"

"What?!" he interrupts, his voice rising in disbelief. His expression is a mixture of shock and anger. "You are... I don’t even know what to say."

"Charlie, we’ll talk about this," I begin, but he cuts me off.

"No, you know? it's nothing! Absolutely nothing!" He clenches his fists, his voice shaking with rage. "Just that... You’re here kissing someone?" He glares at me before turning on his heel and storming off.

I blink, completely dumbfounded. Why is he overreacting? I wonder. Even if I kissed someone, does that really justify this level of anger?

I turn my gaze back to Kyle, my eyes narrowing with fury. He smirks, leaning back casually. "You see... no one will ever stay with you if they know this side of you. Prostitution is never an option, Kate. But you can still come back to me—I’ll find a way to take you back." His voice drips with condescension.

I laugh bitterly. "In your wildest dreams! Even if I spread my legs for every man in this world, you—you will never be one of them!"

Kyle nods, brushing a hand through his hair. "I’m trying to be kind here, even though you're the one who did wrong." He sighs, frustration flashing in his eyes. "But I still love you, and maybe I'm a fool for that." With one last angry glance, he storms away, leaving me standing there.

The man who kissed me turns to face me, smiling slyly. "I think we’re meant for each other. Every time we meet, we end up kissing. I’m happy to be one of the men you’ll spread your legs for."

"You’re disgusting!" I spit, my voice trembling with fury. "How could you grab my buttocks like that?"

"You wanted to make it look real," he smirks. "I did what I had to. You should be grateful."

I glare at him, my eyes cold as ice. "Shut the fuck up!" I hiss before walking away, furious.

Helena and Charlie are already in the car waiting for me. I rush over, slide into the seat beside Charlie, and Helena starts the engine.

"Look, Charlie, it’s not what you think..." I start.

He cuts me off, his voice hard. "I don’t care what you think, Kate. I think nothing. You can kiss whoever you want—that's fine."

I look at him, confused. "You’re angry... but why? Because I kissed someone? Or because I didn’t tell you?"

"Please, just drop it." His voice cracks slightly. "I’m not angry because you kissed someone. I’m angry because you left me alone at the bar while you did it!" he snaps, his fists clenching.

Oh... I realize, finally understanding. "I’m sorry."

"Yeah, you should be." His tone softens, but the tension still hangs in the air as Helena drives us to Hera Palace, my home.

Charlie is about to leave when I call out to him.

"Hey, Charlie... prepare a banquet for tomorrow night. Inform the city of my arrival. I need to meet the consortium."

"But..." Charlie hesitates, stepping closer. "They said you should conceal yourself until after a month."

"I know, but I still want to meet the people I need to. You’ll help me." I smile.

He bows, something very unlike him. "Okay, ma’am. I’m on it," he says, walking away.

I watch him leave and turn to Helena, confused. "Why was he so angry, just because I left him at the bar?"

Helena chuckles, smiling at me. "You’re clueless, Your Empress. That’s not why he’s angry."

"Then what? Tell me!" I ask, curiosity eating at me.

She starts to speak, "You know, he lo—"

Before she can finish, Ma Janet calls out from the compound. "Your Empress!"

"Ma Janet!" I mumble, giving Helena a knowing look. "You’ll tell me later," I say before rushing over to meet Ma Janet.