CEO’s Romantic Affair

Cathryn thought about the children that she had seen in the advertising video for the Hope Project, and she thought Albert was indeed a hero.

Albert smiled at Cathryn, and then he gave her a glass of water. They sat down on the bed to talk. “Don’t take my grandma’s words to heart,” Albert said to Cathryn apologetically.

Cathryn looked up at Albert, smiled, and said, “I am so used to them playing jokes on the two of us. I never take anything they say to heart. So, what is the name of the woman that you have been seeing? I know someone holds a place in your heart.”

Hearing Cathryn’s words, Albert held the book in his hand tightly, and the veins slightly stood out on the back of his neck. He looked up at Cathryn, and his eyes were full of doubt.

Cathryn didn’t see the look on his face because she was trying to remember the name of the woman that Albert liked. “Is she the granddaughter of Mrs. Ramirez? What’s her name?” Cathryn asked Albert.

Albert had been painting since he was a child, and because of the national painting competition for primary school students, it was there he met Mrs. Ramirez. She was Albert’s oil painting teacher. After the competition, she asked him to be her student. Albert spent almost all his vacations at her home, learning how to paint. Cathryn had also gone to Mrs. Ramirez’s house with Albert several times in the past.

Mrs. Ramirez’s granddaughter majored in painting, and she had wanted to go to the art school in Jonathan City, so she spent the whole year before she went to college learning how to paint with Albert at her grandmother’s home. Mrs. Ramirez’s granddaughter was a smart, gentle, and kind-hearted woman. Everyone admired her elegance and her beauty.

“Jodie,” Albert replied. The pain in his heart eased a little, and he opened the book that he was holding in his hand. Cathryn’s name was written all over the book, Albert smiled faintly and quickly turned the page. He listened to Cathryn talking about Jodie and shook his head slightly.

He had not known Jodie for very long, is it possible that he had fallen in love with her? Sometimes, Albert didn’t like Cathryn’s character because there were many times when she just didn’t think about what she was saying or doing. “Jodi and I are just friends.” Albert interrupted Cathryn and asked, “How about you? Is there someone in your life?”

Albert and Cathryn grew up together. Ever since they were children, they spent all their time with one another. If they weren’t with their parents, they were with each other. Therefore, Albert knew Cathryn very well.

When Albert’s grandma asked Cathryn if she had a boyfriend, Cathryn didn’t deny it, she hesitated, and then she said no. So, Albert thought Cathryn might have someone she liked in her life.

“Yes.” Cathryn smiled at Albert mischievously and said, “I can’t lie to you.”

Albert never expected Cathryn to answer so quickly, his lips slightly parted, and he just stood there looking dazed. It was almost like he was a little heartbroken. Finally, he gave Cathryn a faint smile, and then everything went silent.

Cathryn held the glass tightly and looked at the paintings on Albert’s desk, and she asked him if something had happened during his volunteer period. Just as Albert knew Cathryn, Cathryn also knew Albert. Cathryn knew that she could never fall in love with Albert, so neither one of them ever crossed that line.

****

Mrs. Lee knew her sister’s temper very well. On Christmas morning, she woke Stella up early and asked her to visit the Riley’s. As Cathryn’s grandma had said, contradictions between neighbors could be resolved in a short time, not to mention the inconsistencies between family members. Cathryn had a mild disposition, which was mostly related to her parents, and Mrs. Riley was not a narrow-minded person.

As soon as Stella arrived at the Rileys, she immediately apologized to Mrs. Riley. She wasn’t angry with Stella anymore, readily accepting Stella’s sincere apology. She had one requirement: Stella should apologize to Cathryn in person. Stella willingly agreed.

****

During Cathryn’s pregnancy, she was constantly feeling drowsy. After returning home, she took off her shoes, changed into her pajamas, and went to bed. She didn’t wake up until Stella knocked on her door. She opened her eyes, and looking at the time, Cathryn stretched and yawned and let her in.

Cathryn was squinting at her when Stella came in, then awkwardly withdrew her wrist into the quilt. When Stella told her the value of the bracelet, Cathryn searched the internet for information, but she could not find anything. However, she knew what Stella had said was true.

Cathryn knew how generous Keith was to her. He let her live with him on the island, not to mention a bracelet worth two hundred thousand dollars. She didn’t know what their relationship was and what was going to happen to them before and after the baby was born.

Keith’s social status hindered Cathryn’s idea of developing a romantic relationship with him. Two people, who didn’t belong to the same world, were never meant to be together. Yet, somehow, Cathryn had fallen entirely into a marriage with Jordan. Her thoughts were racing and jumping from one to another.

Cathryn’s panic-stricken expression looked like a nesting bird seeing an old fox, making Stella somewhat speechless. It was Cathryn who had tried to break a bracelet that was worth two hundred thousand dollars without hesitation a few days ago. Usually, she always looked delicate and charming.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Instead of looking at Cathryn’s wrist hidden in the quilt, Stella had no expression on her face. She looked at Cathryn’s watery eyes and said, “I’m sorry for what said at grandma’s.” Stella was actually a woman with a strong sense of self-esteem and a person of moral character.

Cathryn knew her very well, and she knew how hard it was for Stella to apologize to others. Cathryn was a little caught off guard by Stella’s immediate apology.