Katie sat at her desk, surrounded by textbooks and notes, trying to focus on her homework. Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen to see a text from Nora.“Hey, Katie! There’s this super exclusive party on Friday night. You have to come with me!” Nora’s message read.Katie groaned. The last thing she wanted to do was go to a party, especially with all the drama that had been going on lately. She typed back, “I don’t know, Nora. I’ve got a ton of homework to do.”A few seconds later, her phone buzzed again. “Come on, Katie! It’ll be fun! Plus, you need a break. You can’t study all the time.”Katie sighed, rubbing her temples. “I really don’t feel like it. Maybe another time.”Nora wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Please, Katie! You can’t let school take over your life. Besides, it’s at the Larkins’ mansion. You can’t miss this one. Pretty please?”Katie hesitated, knowing that Nora wouldn’t give up until she agreed. She sighed deeply before typing, “Fine, I’ll go. But only be
Katie finally managed to slip away from the dance floor, needing a break and some fresh air. She stepped out onto the balcony, breathing in the cool night air. The view of the city lights was breathtaking, and she felt a moment of peace.“So, you're here,” a familiar voice called out.She turned to see Andrew standing there, looking concerned. “What are you doing here?” she frowned and rolled her eyes in disgust.“I could ask you the same thing,” Andrew shot back, leaning against the balcony railing.Katie folded her arms, her irritation clear. “I came here to get away from people like you.”Andrew’s expression hardened. “People like me? What’s that supposed to mean?”“You know exactly what it means,” Katie snapped. “Arrogant, entitled, thinking you can control everything and everyone around you.”Andrew stepped closer, his voice low. “You don’t know anything about me, Katie. You think you have me all figured out, but you don’t.”Katie glared at him. “Oh, I think I know enough. You’r
Katie watched as Andrew walked away, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration. He was always acting rude to her, yet he had just saved her life and confronted Jerry on her behalf. The contradictions in his behavior left her feeling off-balance, and she couldn't shake the thought of what he had just said. "I don't want to be friends with you."Why is he always like this? she wondered. One minute he's acting like he hates me, and the next he's rescuing me and standing up for me. What’s his deal?She was still sitting there, lost in thought, when Nora walked in with two cups of tea. "Here you go," Nora said, handing one to Katie and taking a seat next to her.Katie accepted the tea with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Nora. I needed this."Nora took a sip from her cup and looked at Katie with concern. "Are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."Katie sighed. "It’s just Andrew. He’s so confusing. One minute he’s acting like he can’t stand me, and the next he’s saving my life and fi
The Turner family arrived at the Rojas’ home, bringing an air of sophistication and anticipation. The dining room was adorned with a beautiful spread of food, and the table was set with fine china and sparkling glasses. The atmosphere was warm, yet there was an underlying tension as everyone took their seats. Katie sat across from Andrew, who looked slightly more relaxed than usual. However, Katie couldn’t help but feel a knot in her stomach. She glanced at her parents, who seemed determined to make the evening a success. Dinner began with polite conversation. Mr. Turner praised the food, and Mrs. Turner complimented Lillian on her beautiful home. Katie’s mind wandered as she picked at her food, trying to avoid looking at Andrew. Sebastian’s phone rang, breaking the momentary silence. He glanced at the caller ID and excused himself from the table. “It’s my sister from Germany,” he explained before stepping into the next room. As Sebastian answered the call, his sister's voice was
Sebastian decided to check on Katie, concerned about her abrupt exit from the dinner table. He knocked on her door gently before opening it, only to freeze in place at the sight before him. Katie and Andrew were locked in a passionate kiss, their hands tangled in each other’s hair. The sound of the door creaking open snapped them apart, their faces flushed with guilt.“Katie! Andrew!” Sebastian's voice was a mix of shock and anger. “What is going on here?”Andrew mumbled an apology and quickly excused himself, slipping past Sebastian and out the door. As he walked away, his mind was racing. He couldn't believe what had just happened. He had kissed Katie—actually kissed her. He replayed the moment in his head, the way she had looked at him, the softness of her lips, and he couldn't help but smile despite the circumstances.Back in Katie’s room, Sebastian turned his attention to his daughter who lowered her gaze and didn't offered a word. “Did he force you into this, Katie? Tell me the
Marcella Sebastian’s sister arrived at the Rojas Alvaro mansion with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. She hadn’t been back home for years, and the news of her mother’s death had shocked her deeply and she could hardly believe it was true. As she approached the grand house, her eyes scanned the familiar surroundings, now tinged with memories both sweet and sour. She spotted her father, Mr. Rojas, sitting alone on the porch, engrossed in a newspaper. He looked up as she approached, his eyes lighting up with joy. “Marcella! Is that really you?” he exclaimed, setting aside the newspaper and standing up. “Papa!” Marcella ran towards him, and they embraced tightly, tears streaming down their faces. “I’ve missed you so much.” Mr. Rojas held her at arm’s length, his eyes glistening. “It’s been too long, my dear. You look wonderful.” Marcella smiled through her tears. “I missed this place. But where is Mama?” She looked around, expecting to see her mother bustling about. Mr. Roja
Katie walked into the bustling school cafeteria, her mind still reeling from the kiss she had shared with Andrew the night before. She spotted Nora at their usual table and made her way over, weaving through the sea of students.“Katie, over here!” Nora waved, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.Katie slid into the seat across from her, trying to keep her excitement in check. “Nora, you won't believe what happened last night.”Nora leaned in, her curiosity piqued. “What is it? Did something happen at the party?”Katie took a deep breath. “I kissed Andrew.”Nora’s eyes widened in shock. “No way! You're kidding, right?”Katie shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “Nope, it really happened. We were in my room when it happened, we had an argument, and then... we kissed.”Nora gasped, her hands covering her mouth. “Oh my gosh, Katie! That’s huge! Tell me everything!”Katie recounted the entire story, from the part when his family came to have dinner at her place and when she go
Katie returned home from school in a somber mood, the image of Andrew and Mandy making out still fresh in her mind. She walked into the house, trudging up the stairs to her room, and threw herself onto the bed, letting out a heavy sigh. She felt like crying but resisted the urge.A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She reluctantly got up and opened it, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of a redheaded lady standing there. The woman looked to be in her early forties, with striking features and a confident posture. "Hello, Katie," the woman said with a warm smile. "I’m your aunt, Marcella."Katie greeted her uncertainly. "Hi, Aunt Marcella. I didn't know you were coming." Marcella nodded, stepping inside and looking around the room. "I decided to pay a visit. It's been too long since I’ve seen my brother’s family. Mind if I sit?" "Sure," Katie replied, still processing the unexpected arrival. Marcella settled into the purple fluffy couch, her eyes sweeping over t
Katie sat at the cafeteria table, a tray of untouched food in front of her, as she excitedly recounted the details of her date with Andrew to Nora. "And then, at the end of the night, he asked me to be his girlfriend," Katie said, her cheeks flushing with happiness. Nora’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding me!” she exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief. “Andrew? The Andrew who’s been teasing you all this time?” Katie nodded, her eyes sparkling. “I know it sounds crazy, but he was really sweet. He told me he’s been thinking about me a lot.” Nora still looked skeptical. “I don’t know, Katie. Are you sure about this? He’s always been kind of a jerk.” Katie opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, Andrew appeared beside their table. He slid into the seat next to Katie, casually draping his arm around the back of her chair. “Hey, ladies,” he said, giving them a charming smile. Nora’s eyes widened, and she glanced between Katie and Andrew, still trying to process w
As the night wore on, Andrew and Katie drove back to her house in a serene, comfortable silence. The moonlight bathed the streets in a soft glow, and the only sounds were the gentle hum of the car and their intertwined thoughts about the evening.When they pulled up in front of Katie’s house, Andrew turned off the engine and looked at her with a seriousness that made her heart skip a beat.“Katie,” he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, “I know what I want, and what I want is you. I don’t want to play any games or pretend anymore. Will you be my girlfriend?”Katie felt her heart swell with emotion. The words she had longed to hear were finally spoken. She looked into his eyes, seeing sincerity and vulnerability. “Yes, Andrew,” she said softly, a radiant smile spreading across her face. “I’d love to be your girlfriend.”Andrew’s face lit up with happiness, and he leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender, heartfelt kiss. It was a kiss full of promise and new beginnings, an
Katie stood in front of her mirror, smoothing out the creases in her red shoulder-length dress. The fabric shimmered slightly under the soft light of her bedroom, and she couldn’t help but smile at her reflection. Her hair straightened to perfection, cascaded down her back. She added a touch of mascara and lip gloss, then stepped back to admire her handiwork. Satisfied, she grabbed her small clutch and took a deep breath. As she descended the stairs, she saw Lillian in the kitchen, feeding Kat. Lillian glanced up and her eyes widened with surprise. “Wow, Katie, you look stunning! Where are you off to?” Katie paused, feeling a bit nervous. “I’m going out with Andrew. He asked me on a date.” Lillian’s surprise deepened. “Andrew? When did you start hanging out with him?” Katie shrugged, trying to play it cool. “We’ve been talking more lately. He’s not as bad as I thought.” Lillian raised an eyebrow but smiled. “Well, have fun. Just be careful, okay? Don't forget to come back on time
Mandy stormed down the hallway, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface. One of her loyal minions, Jessica, had just informed her that Andrew and Katie were seen together in the school café. Mandy bit her lower lip, the taste of betrayal sharp on her tongue as she hurried toward the café.In the school café, Katie and Andrew were deep in conversation, oblivious to the storm approaching. They laughed and shared stories, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment. Andrew reached out to tuck a stray lock of Katie's hair behind her ear, a tender gesture that did not go unnoticed by the few students lingering nearby.Mandy burst through the doors of the café, her eyes immediately locking onto the couple. "Andrew!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the room. The café fell silent as all eyes turned to her. "I can't believe you're hanging out with a girl like her."Andrew looked up, his expression hardening. "Mandy, so what's wrong with that?" he asked, trying to
As Andrew and Katie sat side by side on the front steps, the evening air cool and crisp, they found themselves talking more openly than they ever had before. The tension that had filled the dinner conversation began to dissipate, replaced by a tentative curiosity about each other.Andrew turned to Katie, his expression earnest. "You know, Katie, apart from the contract, I don’t see it as such a bad thing, getting married to someone like you. You’re cute, smart, and pretty amazing."Katie laughed, a light sound that eased the remaining tension between them. "You think I’m cute? Really? Coming from the guy who’s been mean to me since day one?"Andrew shrugged, a sheepish smile on his face. "I know I’ve been a jerk, and I’m sorry about that. The truth is, I liked you from the start, but I didn’t want to show it. You’re different from the other girls I’ve met, and I didn’t know how to handle it. So, I ended up acting like an idiot."Katie’s smile softened. "I thought you hated me. The fir
Sebastian and Lillian sat in the Turner’s opulent living room, the tension palpable as they broached the sensitive subject. Mr. Turner, a tall man with a stern face, leaned back in his chair, while Mrs. Turner, a refined woman with a composed demeanor, sat beside him, her hands folded neatly in her lap.Sebastian took a deep breath, glancing at Lillian for support. "We need to discuss the business contract between Katie and Andrew," he began. "Katie found out about it from Andrew, and she's not taking it well. She won't talk to us, and we need to figure out a way to handle this situation. Is there any possibility of terminating the contract?"Mr. Turner sighed deeply, his expression unyielding. "The contract is still fresh. Terminating it would mean losing twice the profit according to the agreement. Our companies would suffer significant losses. I understand your concern, but this contract is binding."Lillian's eyes were pleading as she leaned forward. "But Katie is against it, we t
Nora jogged to catch up with Katie, who was walking briskly down the hallway, her face flushed with frustration. "Katie, wait up!" Nora called, finally reaching her. "Hey, about Andrew standing up for you... I think it's kinda sweet."Katie's eyes flashed with annoyance. "What's the point, Nora? I just want to be left alone." She quickened her pace, trying to escape the conversation.As Katie continued down the hall, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. People were staring at her, more than usual. She had always managed to fly under the radar, blending into the background. But today, it felt like she was under a spotlight.She passed two girls standing by their lockers, who whispered something to each other and then shot her angry glares. Katie frowned, her heart beginning to pound with anxiety. When she finally reached her locker, the reason for the stares became painfully clear.A note was taped to her locker, written in bold, mocking letters: **"She's married to A
Sebastian walked through the front door, his mind preoccupied with the usual work stress, but his heart heavy with worry about Katie. The second he entered, Lillian met him in the hallway, her face etched with concern."Honey, we seriously need to talk," she began, her voice barely concealing the anxiety, "Katie found out about the contract. Andrew told her everything."Sebastian's face fell. "What? How did he find out?"Lillian shook her head. "I don't know, but Katie won't talk to me. She didn't eat breakfast, and she refused to let me take her to school this morning. I knew something like this would happen. This is exactly why I was against that business contract."Sebastian sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "I'll talk to her. We'll fix this."He walked upstairs, each step feeling heavier than the last. When he reached Katie's bedroom door, he knocked softly. "Katie, it's Dad. Can we talk?"There was no response. He knocked again, a little louder. Finally, the door opened a crack
Katie finished tucking Kat and Tristan into their beds, giving each a kiss on the forehead before softly closing their doors. She headed to her own room, looking forward to some peace and quiet. As she flicked on the light, she froze in shock. Andrew was sitting on her bed, casually flipping through one of her novels."What the hell are you doing here?" she hissed, quickly closing the door behind her to avoid waking her siblings or alerting her parents. "You need to leave before my parents see you."Andrew looked up, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "Nice to see you too, Katie," he said, leaning back against her pillows as if he belonged there.Katie stormed over, snatching the book from his hands. "Don't touch my stuff," she snapped.Andrew laughed, making himself more comfortable. "Relax, Katie. I came here to see you, I couldn't sleep. I keep thinking about you and the fact that you'll soon be my wife."Katie’s eyes widened in disbelief before she let out a sarcastic laugh. "Yo