Contract Marriage with My CEO Boss (Kylan and Katrina)

"Oh, look at that."

Isabella jumped from where she was standing before she whirled around to see Aaron standing behind her with one of his eyebrows raised. She quickly put down her desk calendar on her table. "What are you doing here?" "Kylan wanted to ask you what took you so long, so I volunteered to come here."

Isabella frowned. So Kylan wanted to check on her and yet this stupid friend of Katrina wanted to ruin their moment together? "I had already called all the heads. Happy?"

Aaron smiled. "Kylan would be."

Isabella blushed as she thought of Kylan being happy she did her job. Aaron noticed this and his smile turned to a sarcastic one.

"Well, isn't this interesting," he said, his tone sharp enough to make Isabella flinch again. "You are hovering around a married man, Ms. Stone. Do your job as required and don't make things complicated."

Isabella's cheeks flushed. "I-I... I don't know what you're talking about." She quickly excused herself, walking away with brisk, irritated steps. Aaron watched her retreat before stepping back into Kylan's conference room.

"What's going on with your assistant?" Aaron asked as he sat on Kylan's left side. The right side was always Ryan's seat, everyone knew that.

Kylan sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Isabella? She's a bit... overeager. It's harmless."

Aaron crossed his arms. "You sure about that? Because from where I was standing, it looked like she was trying to keep you here longer than necessary."

Kylan frowned. "It's her job to assist me. Sometimes that means working late."

Aaron shook his head. "Don't be naïve, Kylan. I've known people like her. You, too. She's not just working late to help you; she's deliberately stretching out your tasks. She's trying to keep you here, away from Katrina and Clarence. And let me guess, she's been finding excuses to hang around your office?"

Kylan hesitated before nodding slowly. "She does offer to stay late a lot. But it's professional-she hasn't crossed any boundaries."

Aaron groaned in frustration. "Kylan, that's exactly her strategy. She's playing the long game, trying to make herself indispensable while creating distance between you and your family. I don't think she's harmless at all."

Kylan's jaw tightened as Aaron's words sank in. He thought back to the past few weeks-Isabella's constant offers to take on tasks that Katrina could have handled in half the time, her unnecessary small talk, her casual touches on his arm when she handed him papers. He also remembered Katrina re-scheduling everything so he wouldn't work overtime which was only possible if some of those works weren't needed on the spot.

"You're saying she's doing this on purpose?" Kylan asked, his voice low.

"I'm saying you need to open your eyes," Aaron replied. "Katrina deserves better than this, and so do you. You're a family man, Kylan. Don't let someone like Isabella manipulate you into forgetting that."

Kylan nodded, his expression darkening. "I'll handle it. Thank you for telling me, Aaron."

Aaron clapped him on the shoulder. "You're welcome. And if you need me, I've got your back. But do yourself a favor-go home tonight. Spend time with Katrina and Clarence. Don't let this assistant or anyone else come between you and your family." Kylan smiled faintly. "I won't."

~0~0~0~

Kylan kissed Katrina's cheek as he slipped out of bed after wearing her out. He went to the bathroom, cleaned himself up, and came back to find her still lying in the same spot. Her hair was a delightful mess, her face bare of makeup, and her expression soft with post- sleepy contentment. To him, she was perfect.

He paused, leaning against the doorframe, taking in the sight of her. Guilt tugged at him slightly-he had been rough this morning, but he couldn't help it. A dream about her had ignited something primal in him, and he woke up wanting her so badly. Judging by her contented smile now, she didn't seem to mind one bit.

Kylan rolled her onto her back and reached for a clean pair of underwear and a crisp shirt. "There, all better. Are you okay, sweetheart?"

Katrina hummed, her lips curling into a small smile. "Perfect. Just wish you didn't have work and could stay here to cuddle me."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Kylan played with her hair, twirling soft strands around his fingers. "I know, but I'll try to come home early, okay?"

Katrina sat up, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Okay. I'll miss you."

Kylan hugged her tightly. "I'll miss you too."

She tilted her head up, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, can you wear a waistcoat today? You look so sexy in one."

He laughed and kissed her gently. "For you? Of course."

He got up and pulled on a pair of tailored trousers, a belt, and a freshly ironed shirt. As he worked, Katrina leaned on her elbow, watching him with a soft smile.

"You're staring at me," he teased, buttoning his shirt.

"Guilty. I like watching you dress almost as much as I like watching you undress."

Kylan chuckled, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. He grabbed a dark waistcoat and slipped it on, smoothing it down. "How do I look?"

"Gorgeous," Katrina said, unabashed.

Just then, the sound of little feet pattering down the hallway reached them. Clarence appeared in the doorway, her curls bouncing as she rubbed her sleepy eyes. "Daddy! Mommy!" Kylan scooped her up, lifting her high in the air. "Hey, my little princess. Did you sleep well?"

Clarence nodded and reached for Katrina. "Mommy, cuddle."

Katrina smiled, taking Clarence from Kylan's arms. "Of course, sweetie. Come here."

Clarence snuggled into Katrina's chest, but then she turned to Kylan, reaching out with a small hand. "Daddy hug!"

Katrina smoothed Clarence's curls. "Daddy has to go to work, darling."Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Clarence's lips wobbled, and her little voice grew insistent. "Daddy hug!"

Kylan sat back on the bed, pulling Clarence into his arms. He kissed her forehead and spoke softly. "I love you so much, Clarence. You know that, right? I need you to look after your mommy today for me. Can you do that?" Clarence nodded solemnly. "Yes."

"Good girl," Kylan said, holding her close. "When I come home, we'll cuddle and play, and we'll both look after mommy together."

Clarence clapped her tiny hands. "Mommy!"

"That's right." Kylan kissed her cheek and passed her back to Katrina. "Now, you two need to get some more sleep, okay?"

Katrina nodded, tucking Clarence into the blankets beside her. "We'll nap for a bit. Have a good day at work, love."

Kylan smiled as he stood, buttoning his waistcoat and grabbing his jacket. At the door, he turned back to the sight of Katrina and Clarence snuggling in bed. "I love you both."

"Love you too," Katrina whispered, blowing him a kiss.

After Kylan left, Katrina woke up later to find Clarence clinging to her tightly, her small arms wrapped around her like a tiny version of Kylan. Smiling, Katrina stretched. "Morning, Clarence." Clarence blinked up at her sleepily. "Hi, Mommy."

"Ready for breakfast?"

"Pwease," Clarence said with a nod.

"Alright, let me change first, and then we'll get you ready too, okay?"

Clarence sat patiently while Katrina slipped into comfortable clothes. She picked her up and carried her to her room, where they quickly got her changed.

"Alright, let's go, go, go!" Katrina said, running with Clarence to the kitchen.

The two of them shared breakfast, Clarence giggling as Katrina made silly faces between bites. Afterward, Katrina suggested gardening, and Clarence's excited claps sealed the plan.

The morning passed peacefully until the doorbell rang. Clarence followed Katrina to the door, curious about the visitor. A deliveryman handed Katrina a bouquet of fresh flowers and a note. "Wow," Katrina murmured. "Daddy sent us flowers, Clarence."

But when she picked up the card, she noticed that the receiver was none other than Kylan Ross.

'To Kylan, I love you.'

Katrina put down the card on the table and stared at the flowers. Was this from one of his admirers?

"Priddy!" Clarence pointed at the bouquet.

"They are, aren't they?" Katrina whispered, smiling. But a part of her wondered, her thoughts lingering on the romantic gesture.

"Daddy...umm...love... Mommy," Clarence said with a bright smile, her small voice breaking Katrina's thoughts.

Katrina's heart swelled, and her eyes softened. "Yeah, you're right, sweetheart." She leaned over and gently poked Clarence's cheek. "Shall we go play?"

Clarence clapped her hands with excitement. "Play!"

Laughing, Katrina lifted her out of her chair and set her on her feet. "Alright, let's go, kiddo."

Together, they stepped outside.

Katrina knelt in the garden, planting seeds and weeding, while Clarence toddled around with her toys, occasionally pretending to help.

Despite the peaceful atmospherenet

Katrina found her thoughts

wandering back to the bouquet and note. She tried to dismiss them, reasoning it must have been a harmless gesture, maybe even a mistake. It couldn't be anything more-Kylan loved her, didn't he?

Clarence eventually walked over, her tiny hands tugging at Katrina's sleeve. "Mommy?"

Katrina glanced up and smiled. "Yes, honey?"

"Daddy."

She blinked, then checked the time on her watch. "Oh, you're right-it's lunchtime. Let's give Daddy a call!"

Clarence beamed and followed

Katrina into the house. Katrina

grabbed the tablet, opened the video

call app, and handed it to Clarence. "Here

you go, sweetie. You can talk

to Daddy first." en

Clarence squealed with delight, running off to find a cozy spot. "Daddyyyy!"

Katrina chuckled as she listened to the excited chatter between father and daughter. Taking advantage the moment, she tidied up the

kitchen and wiped the table, net

Soon

after Clarence returned, the tablet in hand. .

"What's up, kiddo?" Katrina asked.

Clarence held out the tablet. "Daddy."

"Oh, does he want to talk to me now?"

Clarence nodded, passing it over. "Yes."

Katrina smiled as she took the tablet. "Thanks, sweetie. Go wash up so we can have lunch, okay?"

"Yes."

She watched as Clarence scampered off, then turned her attention to the screen. "Hey, handsome."

Kylan sighed, his tired expression melting into a smile. "God, you're beautiful."

Her cheeks flushed. "Thank you. How's work?"

"Terrible," he said dramatically, leaning his cheek against his hand.

Katrina frowned. "Why?"

"Because you're not here with me."

She laughed, shaking her head. "You shameless flirt. Oh, by the way..." She grabbed the bouquet and held it up for him to see. "You got flowers today." Kylan's brow furrowed. "I did?"

Katrina nodded, holding up the accompanying card. "There's even a love note. You wouldn't happen to be running around with another woman, would you?" Kylan scoffed, his expression growing serious. "Tch, absolutely not. You know better than that."

Katrina laughed, waving the card playfully. "I'm joking. I know you'd never cheat because you love me."

His features softened as he smiled at her. "More than anything."

She tilted her head. "So, what do you want me to do with these flowers?"

"Burn them," he said flatly.

Katrina giggled. "I can't-they're too pretty." She ran a finger over one of the blooms, sighing. "They really are beautiful."

He gave her a mock glare. "Don't you dare let them outshine me."

She laughed again, setting the bouquet aside. "Anyway, I have a little girl to entertain, and you've got work to finish."

"Don't leave me just yet," Kylan pleaded softly.

She smiled at him, leaning closer to the screen as if to bridge the distance. "I love you."

"I love you too...so much. You know how beautiful you are, right?"

Katrina blushed, her smile growing. "I know. Love you too."