Caterina

Present time

"Two days!?" i didn't mean to raise my voice like that but come on, this bitch actually booked her for two freaking days. And to think that I said that I wouldn't need her company's services anymore.

"I'm only here for the night so technically, two nights" she corrects, my eyes snapping her way, lifting a finger accusingly.

"You! How could you even agree to this, I didn't even know anything. I had no clue!" my voice going up a few octaves with each word.

"Well, your friend told me that you'd be informed after our conversation." raising her hands up slightly in surrender. I sigh, rubbing my temple.

"No, it's fine. Sorry, I shouldn't have reacted that way, she's always been like this. She'd do anything to get her way, I know her persistence can turn in to pestering." she slowly nods and lowered her hands, now settling inside her pockets.

"It's my fault, I reluctantly accepted the appointment, not confirming it with you then caused you trouble." her tone and words sincere, her eyes held nothing but innocence.

"Well that's settled and don't worry, I'll deal with her later." my mind immediately clouded with violent thoughts, only snapping out of it when she hummed at what I said. I looked up at our house clock and noted that it was five minutes past nine.

"So um, have you had dinner yet?" she shakes her head no.

"I may have dozed off when I was going over a few contracts." she says in a rough tone, now that she's mentioned it, her eyes do look a bit drowsy, tired.

I know just the thing.

"Then would you like some coffee?" she snickers.

"Coffee? When we'll be sleeping in a few hours" you fool.

"Right um, how stupid of me" her lipsl broke into a grin and that little action made my stomach do a few turns.

"Then how about dinner? My dad cooked more than enough for me, and maybe you could have tea." she nods.

"Please, and thank you." I beam and shake my head, quickly shutting off the movie.

"No need, I'll just go heat it up and you can just wait in the kitchen." I popped the tray immediately into the oven as she hums her answer and turns to walk, she didn't stop at the dinner table though. She made her way to the cupboards then started taking out some plates, glasses and utensils.

It's weird that she already knows where everything is, it's like we're living together.

The thought made me blush a little bit, just a little.

I wasn't able to indulge myself too much when the oven dings. Grabbing some oven mits, I carefully take the tray out and slowly maneuvered my way to the table, and setting it down gently.

"That looks and smells delicious" she comments, watching a few cheese bubbles pop and getting a whiff of its mouth watering smell.

"Thanks, my dad's a great cook. It's one of the things mom loved about him." taking the mits off my hands.

"Loved?" I paused, eyes staring off into space a bit. She sees this and quickly says an apology, mumbling that she might have overstepped her boundaries.

"It's fine um, yeah. My mom's been gone for awhile now." she looks at me, eyes softening a bit.

"Oh well um, she sounds like she has great taste in uh men" I let out a laugh, hunching over and clutching my stomach when it started to hurt. What a weird think to say. I hear her laugh a little as well, but I was too busy wiping the tears on the corners of my eyes.

"You're not the comforting type, are you?" it was rhetorical but she shrugs, placing an elbow on the table then props her chin on her open palm as she stares at me.

"I'm not good with words, I prefer actions." as my laughter dies down, I took a seat across from her.

"Well I appreciate you trying" she gives me a crooked smile and boy did that do something to me. I cleared my throat to stop the blood from rushing to my cheeks.

"Let's eat, shall we?" she stands up a bit then takes the serving spoon and scoops a few pasta, putting it on my plate first unexpectedly. I quickly but carefully lifted up my plate to make it easier and shyly said thanks when she's finished, now putting some on her plate. While she does that, I pour water into our glasses.

I wanted to see her reaction, so as I lift up the spoon to my lips, I glanced at her discreetly when she took a bite. She lets out a hum as she chews gently, as if savoring the meal.

"Wow, I need the recipe. This is delicious." I took my bite and let out a small laugh.

"I'm sure my father wouldn't mind, you could ask him the recipe when he gets back later." she nods mindlessly, I didn't even notice her plate is almost empty until I looked down.

Damn, she can eat.

"Seconds?" she looks at me surprisingly, then to the steaming food on the table, then back to me before grinning sheepishly.

"Please, it's too good to pass up." I was about to put some on her plate but she declines, saying that I should continue with my meal. Dinner went by quickly, we sat in a comfortable silence as we finish our plates.

"That was a great meal" she says, hand over her stomach.

"Full?" I ask amusingly.

"Very" I got up and so did she, grabbing our plates and going over to the sink. I quickly intervened when she was about to wash it, to which she just shook her head no. I grabbed the sponge in attempt to overtake the task but a hand stops me, gently taking it away from my grasp. The action no doubt sending little sparks throughout my arm.

"It's fine, you go and relax." my stubborn self says no and I walk back to the dinner table, grabbing the glasses and went back to where she was. She scoffs and carefully takes them away from me then sets it down the sink, before turning towards me.

Her hands grasping my arms with a bit of force as she spins me around, my breath got caught in my throat when I feel her front pressed against my back as she moves us towards the living room.

"You just sit your pretty little ass down and relax" she whispers beside my ear, her breath fanning against my skin, leaving goosebumps to rise as sets me down in the middle of the couch then hands me the remote.

"And I'll join you shortly." with that she heads back to the kitchen, immediately hearing the water from the tap flowing as well as a few clanking of plates. Flabbergasted, I rubbed my arms to rid of the weird feeling seemingly taking over everytime she's near. Sighing in defeat, I lifted my hand that's grasping the remote up, about to turn the tv on when I remembered her tea.

So I stand up and quietly entered the kitchen. Her back was towards me as she busy herself so I dashed inconspicuously and grabbed the kettle, poured some water enough for us and walked to the stove, setting it atop and turned it on.

"You just don't listen, do you?" I jump when I hear her voice just behind me, I quickly turned around and find her standing there, with an unreadable expression, arms crossed over the other as she looks at me. I felt like I got caught doing something I wasn't supposed to.

"I feel bad making you do all those, can't I just make you tea?" her stance relaxes a little.

"I told you, it's fine. It is the least I could do for the meal." I stood my ground, unwavering as I met her gaze.

"It's just tea, it'll be done by the time you are" she rolls her eyes, unconvinced "then we can relax together." she sighs.

"Alright." she leaves me and goes back to doing the dishes, while I release a breath I didn't know I was holding.

You've known the woman for a few days, Cat. What are you, a Disney princess?

I rolled my eyes at my own thoughts and just went to grabbed some mugs, tea bags and teaspoons. I hear the kettle give a hiss, indicating that it's done. Carefully pouring the piping hot water into the mugs, I can't help but be fascinated at how the clear liquid slowly turns into a much darker color, Amber.

I scoffed at the coincidence and set it down when I finished. Adding a bit of honey on mine, I wondered if she'd prefer hers to be sweet.

"Hey um, would you like some sugar or honey on yours?" I say a bit loud so she could hear.

"Just a little bit honey." my body went and unwillingly froze at her words. That sounded like...nevermind.

I did so then grabbed the mug's handles, now walking back to the living room and passed by her, seeing as she's now wiping her hands. I set them down the center table and sat down, waiting for her.

She enters the living room then plops down next to me, groaning a bit then sighs. She leans back and rests for a bit, eyes closing for a moment before speaking.

"You don't have to wait for me, I'll just shut my eyes for a few minutes." seeing the opportunity, I looked at her side profile, scanning her features shamelessly as I hum my answer. Growing envy at how her lashes are naturally long and curled, her nose perfect, her high cheekbones, the fair and soft looking skin, then to her plump lips.

"What about your tea, it'll get cold." she opens one eye and looks at me. I freeze, caught gawking at her. I don't move however, too afraid to. Thankfully, she lets it go and shuts it back.

"I like it a bit lukewarm, easier to drink." my eyes continue their path down to her sharp but feminine jawline, her pale and slender neck, then to her prominent collarbones.

"Staring is rude, you know." she adds, my lips purses into a thin line, but my gaze never shifts away from her.

"Do you want something?" eyes now fully open and turns her face to look into mine. My cheeks immediately flushes, words stammering as my brain short circuits. She leans her face closer making my eyes widen, my body panics internally, gaze shifting between her eyes then her lips as she closes the gap between us.

Why am I not moving?

My heart was hammering inside my chest when I felt her breath hit my lips and for a moment, her eyes lands on my lips before quickly snapping back to my eyes. Too overwhelmed with the situation, I squeezed mine shut and let things fall into her hands.

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This is probably the longest chapter I have written, damn.