Chapter 3 The third

Katalina's POV

I brought the glass of Domaine de Chevalier Blanc to my lips and took a sip, feeling the cool liquid run down my throat.

I heaved a sigh, white wine had always been my go to drink whenever I felt overwhelmed. Overwhelmed didn't even fully express what I was feeling.

I swirled the wine in my glass, remembering the smug expression on the board members' faces, they'll rue the day they decided to cross me.

I leaned back, closing my eyes as a bitter memory washed over me.

Flashback

Warm voices stirred me from my nap. I had been hiding from my cousins but I'd fallen asleep. Peering through the gap, I spotted my father and my uncle talking. My uncle had a pensive look on his face.

"This illness isn't improving, brother. Have you thought of seeking a second professional opinion?" My uncle asked worriedly. My father waved him away.

"Nonsense, Dr. Leslie has been my family doctor for years. I'm simply not getting enough rest but there's so much work to be done, it's impossible to rest!" He rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"But your health-"

"Avery is doing the best she can but it would quickly overwhelm her if I leave it all to her." My uncle sighed, obviously they have had this conversation many times before. The two sat in comfortable silence, then–

"What about Katalina?" My uncle asked. My father barked an incredulous laugh.

"Katalina? My daughter? She would run that business down in the first month. Some things shouldn't even be thought of."

My uncle nodded in agreement. I had to admit from where I was hiding that it stung.

"The poor girl doesn't have a head for business, all she cares about are shopping and events, she isn't interested in the real aspect of life." My father sighed dejectedly. That hurt even more.

"It's my fault, I spoiled her beyond repair."

"It's not your fault, you did right by her. You wanted an heir and well, you got......her." My uncle said, disappointment coating his words.

That was the end of the topic, they moved on to business decisions. I snuck out when they got distracted by their playful arguments. My heart was in tatters.

The next day, I had gone to my father's office demanding a chance to prove myself, I'd never forget the way he looked at me in amusement.

In a bid to compromise, he gave me one of his new starter ups, a textile company to manage. It wasn't said but I knew it wasn't an opportunity but a test to see how quickly I'd fail.

Flashback over

And now I had proven everyone right, I heaved another dejected sigh and took another sip of my cold wine, my grip on the stem of the glass tightening.

A frustrated sigh brought me out of my self-loathing. I looked around for the origin of the misery.

A man was seated a few seats away from me, he was rubbing his temple in frustration, his other hand gripping the phone to his ear. Ah, found him, I took a better look at him.

He was attractive, that was for sure, he had this whole 'golden boy' look with hair gleaming like gold under the lights, eyes as blue as the ocean and skin as flawless and silky smooth.

His suit was obviously expensive and tailored to fit him, highlighting muscled arms and thick thighs. A pity I was in such a rotten mood although I wonder what has got his panties in a twist, I thought.

"What do you mean you can't do it?" he exclaimed. There was a pause as the other person on the line replied.

"Look if it's about the money-" the other person on the line cut him off. I didn't mean to eavesdrop on his call, the volume was practically at a hundred.

"You just have to play his fiancee for a while, you're an actress, this shouldn't be hard for you!" He was rubbing his temple furiously now, the tip of his ears had turned red out of frustration.

He took a deep breath. Damn, frustration was a good look on him.

"I didn't mean to shout at you, Elaine. I apologise–"

"You know what, Elaine, damn you too!" Tossing his phone on the table, he covered his face with his hands. Well, misery loves company, I walked over to him and pulled up a seat besides him.

"You look like you're in need of a knight in shining armor." I sat and crossed my legs elegantly.

"No, just a hammer to bash my head in." He lifted his head from his hands. His blue eyes sharp and stunning.

"Too messy, besides it would be a shame to to ruin those pretty eyes." I replied, tilting my head.

"You think my eyes are pretty?" A corner of his lips curled upwards.

"Now, now, don't go fishing for compliments." I tutted, he grinned, his pearly whites blinding me for a second.

"I'm Colton." he smirked.

"Katalina." I offered my hand which he took with a mock bow.

"I'm not worthy to be in the presence of such beauty."

"Arise peasant and amuse me with tales of your woes." I turned serious, "You looked like you needed help."

.

"Are you calling me a damsel in distress?" He smirked.

"If the red Louboutin heels fit." I shrugged, a teasing glint in my eyes.

"I'll let it slide because you're pretty."

"Psshh, I'm gorgeous." I scoffed. He threw his head back and laughed, the tension draining from his shoulders.

"And modest too. A woman after my own heart." His eyes twinkled. I felt a fluttering in my stomach. I covered it up with a flip of my hair. He hesitated.

"Do you want the short version or the long version?"

"Give me the short version, my attention span is fleeting."

"I need someone to play my brother's fiancee." Okay, now I was confused.

"Your brother can't find a fiancee himself?" I raised a brow in question. He sighed

"He doesn't know she is fake." I drew up short. His lips turned up in a smile when he saw my bewildered expression.

"This is why you should have gone with the long version."

"Well, consider me hooked." I drawled, scooting my chair nearer and resting my chin on my hand, a curious expression on my face. I waved my hand in a "get on with it" gesture. He laughed again.

"You're lucky you're cute." I rolled my eyes. He turned solemn.

"My brother had a car accident six months ago, it was severe and he lost his memories. Not all, thankfully, but he can't remember some specific events, people or places. He knows he has a fiance but he doesn't remember her name or her face. Every day he hopes she'll come." He sighed dejectedly. I winced in sympathy.

I felt for the man, truly I did, but I couldn't help thinking that this might just be a way for me to get part of the money I need to save my company.

I snuck a quick look over and it was quite obvious that Colton was filthy rich. A plan began to form in my head.

"That's heart breaking." My voice softened. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes, you can play the role of the fiancee." He perked up. I laughed.

"You can't be serious." My laughter died down when I realized that he wasn't laughing. In fact he was dead serious.

"I don't even know your brother! For all I know he could be a hairy lumberjack named Carl." Outwardly I shuddered but inwardly, my mind was racing with plans. His lips twitched with amusement.

"His name is Cameron. And he definitely isn't a lumberjack nor is he hairy." I rolled the name around my tongue, not a bad name to begin with.

"Still, It's a really bad idea. I don't even know how to act." Even though my hesitation was faked, a part of me truly wondered if I could pull this off.

"You look like you'd be really good though." He quipped. I preened.

"Well, thank you, my best friend and I took acting classes together and– wait a minute, I won't be distracted. Flattery would get you nowhere with me."

That was a bald faced lie, flattery would get you everywhere with me.

"What about money?" He said calmly. I paused. Bingo.

"How much are we talking about?" the image of my company flashed in my head.

"How about $3 billion dollars plus benefits?" My eyes widened. That's enough to save my company and still have leftovers.

"Just how desperate are you?"

"Very desperate." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. For a minute there, I could see the exhaustion that weighed him down.

"Can I think about it?" I asked. I couldn't believe I was even attempting to think about it. Think about the company Katalina.

"I would expect nothing less." He raised his glass to me and took a sip.

As I sat back down at, his words replayed in my mind. How had I gone from sipping wine and wallowing in self-pity to being offered a role in someone else's tragic family drama?

Life was so funny at times.

The bar was full of quiet chatter but it didn't make my head spin any less.

Can it be done? Was it possible for me to take on a role that was so intimate for a man I'd never met? Would that be so bad? Would it make me desperate or opportunistic?

My finger traced the rim of my empty glass absent-mindedly, I thought about my father and the board of directors. This could be my chance to prove them wrong, to show them.

Across the table, Colton glanced at me, his expression unreadable. It would also be a chance to get to know Colton.

Could I trust him? Probably not.

But could I trust myself to pull this off?