"I’m not afraid of anything," Katelyn said. "But it’s meant to stay a secret. The one I liked... never felt the same about me. If people found out, it would only stir up his more anger toward me."
Her eyes softened as she spoke, the shadow of a memory flickering across her face.
’Who is this guy?’ Sage wondered, his jaw tightening. ’Kate turned me down because of him. I need to know who he is.’
A soft knock broke their eyelock. Katelyn quickly moved to the door, letting the room-service attendant wheel in a trolley. At her direction, he set the breakfast neatly out on the balcony before leaving.
"Thank you," she said politely, closing the door behind him.
When she turned back, Sage was still lounging on the couch, watching her in silence.
"Come on," Katelyn urged with a small smile. "Before the food gets cold."
Sage rose, but instead of heading to the balcony, he crossed the room toward her. His gaze lingered on her face.
"Do you like swimming?" he asked suddenly.
Katelyn blinked at him, startled. "Yes... why?"
"We’ll swim later, before heading out to lunch at our client’s house," Sage replied.
"No, thank you. It’ll only tire me out. And besides, I didn’t bring a swimsuit," Katelyn said firmly as she made her way to the balcony.
He followed her, and soon they stepped into the wide open terrace. The view stretched endlessly before them—rolling hills, graceful structures tucked between them, the kind of scenery that made the place feel perfect for a quiet escape.
Katelyn settled into her chair and picked up her fork. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Sage scrolling through his phone, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
She sliced her pancake in half and took a slow bite, irritation simmering.
"Why don’t you focus on the food?" Her thin patience snapped finally. "If you’d rather stay on your phone, then leave."
Sage set his phone down on the table and, without a word, began eating.
Katelyn finished her meal in silence, then lifted her glass of juice. She took a few slow sips before setting it back down.
"I’ll be leaving for the capital tomorrow," she said at last. "My second brother’s wedding is in two days."
"Alright," Sage replied easily. "I’ll see you at the wedding then."
Her brows lifted slightly. "You got the invitation?"
"Of course," he said, resting his fork on the empty plate. "Dad mentioned it last night." Then, with an intrigue, he asked, "Why do I feel like you hate the idea of me being anywhere near you? Am I really that unbearable?"
"To me? Yes," Katelyn replied. "To others, I can’t say." She lifted her glass again, finishing the orange juice in one long sip before setting it down. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "And you still haven’t returned the gift your mother gave me. What if she asks about it? What am I supposed to say?"
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