Chapter 7 A FEELING OF UNEASE

Kate's POV

It was a Saturday morning, the soft hum of the television filled the room, its bluish glow flickering across the walls. I blinked against the morning light filtering through the curtains, my body still heavy with sleep. A glance at the clock on the wall told me it was almost 8 AM.

Beside the couch, Sophia lay sprawled across the cushions, her arm dangling over the side, her messy curls covering half her face. The blanket she must have started the night with was now bunched up at her feet.

The television was still on, the early morning coffee advertisement was playing out on the screen.

I sighed, pushing myself up and grabbing the remote. Just as I was about to turn it off, a familiar name caught my attention.

"-Jared Cole and his mystery fiancée, Katherine Grey-"

I froze. Channel 7. A morning debate show.

I sighed.

"Of course, they'd choose a lucky couple to shed the spotlight on today, it was Valentine's Day afterall."

I dropped back onto the couch, staring at the screen. Two polished anchors sat in a brightly lit studio, the banner beneath them flashing: "JARED COLE: A REDEMPTION ARC OR JUST A WELL-CRAFTED LIE?"

One of the hosts, a middle-aged woman in a royal blue silk suit, with auburn curls and a resting face, gestured at the screen where a photo of Jared and me at last week's gala was displayed.

"I have to say, Jared Cole has always been known as a ruthless businessman, but with Katherine Grey by his side, people are starting to see a softer, more- let's say, human side of him," she said.

The other host, a clean-cut man in a black cashmere suit, chuckled. "You think this is genuine? I mean, the man has had his fair share of scandals. Maybe this is just another calculated move?"

I felt my stomach twist. I knew people would talk, but hearing my name and my relationship with Jared dissected like this made my skin prickle.

The woman tilted her head, her painted lips pursed in thought. "Perhaps. But let's not ignore the shift in public perception. There's something about Katherine that makes Jared appear less like the villain the media has painted him to be. Could it be love? And let's not forget that till date it hasn't been irrefutably proven that Jared had prior knowledge to the situation that created the scandal"

"Oh please-Love? Irrefutable proof, what nonsense are you saying" he countered aggressively.

The middle aged woman adjusted her sitting posture, her expression composed yet firm as she leaned forward.

"Let's break this down. Jared Cole wasn't always the billionaire wrapped in controversy. A few years ago, Cole Industries struck a major import deal with a rising tech logistics company, Icecon. On paper, it was a game-changer-a partnership that would streamline free tech distribution across the country. Including X-ray machines, student laptops e.t.c. It was meant to be a philanthropic gesture. But things took a dark turn."

She paused for effect, letting the tension build. "Turns out, Icecon wasn't just transporting tech equipment. They were using their trucks to smuggle drugs.

When federal agents intercepted one of the shipments, the entire operation came crashing down. Jared Cole was arrested, though he swore he had no knowledge of the smuggling. The problem? He couldn't prove it."

The man scoffed, unimpressed. "And yet, he walked free?"

"A million-dollar bail will do that," the woman countered.

"But the damage was done. The media painted him as either complicit or grossly negligent, and his reputation took a nosedive. Now, with Kate Grey by his side, people are starting to see a different side of him. A man trying to rebuild. A matrimonial man"

The man scoffed. "Or a man using a pretty face to clean up his mess."

I shook my head and clicked the TV off. The silence that followed was deafening.

I was still feeling weary from watching myself be debated on national tv when I heard a sharp knock at the door.

I hesitated. It was early, and I wasn't expecting anyone.

I rose to my feet and walked cautiously to the door, unlocking it but keeping the chain in place. Peering through the small gap, I saw-nothing.

Frowning, I opened the door wider, looked sideways and I saw no one, then I looked down.

A small, elegant red envelope lay at my feet.

It was a Valentine's card.

A soft smile tugged at my lips. Jared. It had to be from him.

I bent down and picked it up, my fingers gliding over the smooth paper. The envelope was unmarked, but as I slid the card out and unfolded it, my fingers went numb as I glanced through.

It wasn't from Jared. It was from-

"Happy Valentine's, Kate. Did you get a call from my gift? I know you were just kidding. Anyways, I'll be sending my next gift to your clueless fake fiancé. Yours sincerely, I'm not stupid enough to sign an evidence with my name, ha ha."

-Kevin.

The blood drained from my face.

The handwriting was too neat, too precise, as if he'd taken his time writing it, knowing I'd read every word with dread curling in my stomach.

A cold shiver crawled up my spine. My fingers trembled as I clutched the card tighter. What did he mean by "gift"? What was he planning?

Another knock.

I flinched.

The knock came again, firmer this time.

No. I wasn't opening it. Not after this.

I backed away, my breath coming in quick, uneven bursts.

"Kate, someone's at the door," Sophia mumbled sleepily from the couch. Before I could stop her, she was already up, rubbing her eyes as she stumbled toward the entrance.

"Sophia, don't-"

Too late. She twisted the knob and pulled the door open.

"Hi Jared" she greeted unsurprisingly. Then, suddenly more awake, she grinned. "I could smell your expensive cologne from my sleep."

Jared let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Is that a compliment?"

Sophia laughed. "It depends, are the flowers for me?"

"It's for your sister dear, but I got you this." He handed her a brand new encased iPhone 12 pro.

"OMG! Thank you so much" she thanked him with excitement, hugged him then left for her room.

It was nice to watch, at the same time relief crashed over me so fast, my knees nearly buckled. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

Jared stepped inside, his eyes immediately landing on me.

I clenched my fist, the Valentine's card crumpling slightly in my palm.

Jared's gaze flickered over my face. "What's wrong?"

I forced a smile, shoving the card into the fireplace behind me. The paper curled at the edges as the flames devoured it.

"Nothing," I lied. "Just- wasn't expecting you so early."

He studied me for a beat longer, then let it go. "Happy Valentine's."

He held out a bouquet of the most beautiful roses I've ever seen and a small black velvet box.

I took it hesitantly, leaned into the bouquet, they smelled so nice a smile bloomed across each end of his perfectly symmetrical face as he watched the satisfaction on my face.

I flipped open the gift box. Inside, a delicate diamond necklace sparkled in the light, its surface embedded with tiny, glistening stones. It was simple yet breathtaking.

"Oh, Jared!" I exclaimed softly, overwhelmed by the genuineness of his gesture and for the fact that I had never received such a gift before.

"You like it?"

I nodded, slipping it onto my palm. "It's so beautiful. Thank you."

Jared went behind me, his fingers grazing the nape of my neck as he swept my hair to one side. A slow shiver rippled through me at the sensation-his touch, deliberate yet featherlight, leaving a trail of heat against my skin.

"Hold still," he murmured, his voice low, smooth, sending another wave of warmth pooling in my stomach.

I swallowed hard, my breath catching as the cool edges of the necklace brushed my collarbone, stark against the heat of my skin.

His fingertips traced the delicate chain, securing the clasp with a precision that felt almost agonizingly slow. I knew for sure that I was not going to stop anything this time.

"Perfect," he murmured, his breath fanning over my ear.

I exhaled, my pulse a wild drum against my ribs.

His hands didn't move away just yet. Instead, his fingers trailed over my shoulders, slow, teasing. My skin tingled under his touch, and I fought the urge to lean into him, to let the warmth between us melt the remaining space.

I turned to meet his gaze, and his eyes darkened, smoldering with something unreadable yet unmistakable, he wasn't looking at me, he was looking at the fireplace.

"Jared-" I called to him, causing him to tear his attention from the fireplace and return it back to me.

He immediately looked back at me, let out a smirk, and let his thumb graze my jaw lightly. "You wear it well, Kate."

I barely suppressed a shudder. I was completely undone.

He smiled, but there was something else in his eyes-something questioning, as if he wasn't convinced by my act.

I didn't know if he saw me toss the card in the open flame or he saw the momentary panic in my eyes earlier, but he sensed something was off.

He stayed a little while longer, chatting with Sophia, letting her ramble about her latest art project. But when he finally stood to leave, his expression had shifted.

I walked him to the door, watching as he stepped toward his sleek black car.

Before getting in, he glanced back at me.

That look.

He knew I was hiding something.

But instead of pressing, he gave me a small, almost forced smile. "I'll call you later."

I nodded, mirroring his smile. "Okay."

I stood there, watching as his car disappeared down the street, my stomach twisting with unease.

Kevin wasn't done playing games. And if I wasn't careful, Jared was going to find out the hard way.