The Billionaire Who Saved Me - Chapter 29: Chapter 29

As we stood in front of the restaurant, Elena hesitated, reluctant to enter the door. She said, "Ms. Gordon, this place is way too extravagant. Can we go somewhere else instead?"
"Come on," I said, linking my arm with hers. "We're celebrating. It deserves a feast. And when it's just the two of us, call me Kate."
"Is that... appropriate?" she asked tentatively.
I said with a smile, "Absolutely. I liked you the moment we met. I don't really have many friends here. At work, we're boss and employee. After work, we're girlfriends."
"Great." She nodded, still a little unsure.
Elena had been hesitant at the door, but once she saw the menu, her reluctance turned into firm resistance. She insisted we leave, claiming she wasn't used to the food here.
But I knew exactly what had happened—she'd been scared off by the prices, just like I had the first time I came here.
Her reaction confirmed that people with shared values just got each other. Friendships worked best when people's views on everything were aligned.
Still, I insisted we dine here, no matter what she said.
Imitating Mason's confident manner, I ordered two steaks, clam chowder, foie gras, a vegetable salad, and some desserts. And despite Elena nudging me under the table with increasing urgency, I also ordered a bottle of Lafite.
Once the waiter left, Elena said, "No need to waste money like this. We could've just eaten something simple."
I replied, "Just this once, okay? Next time, we can get fried chicken."
Her eyes lit up. "Fried chicken sounds great. Wait, do people like you even eat that kind of food?"
I nodded. "Sure we do. Not often, but sometimes."
Just then, the food arrived, and the exquisite plating quickly distracted her. I finally let out a quiet sigh of relief. I told myself to be more careful next time. That slip almost gave me away.
We chatted while eating, completely ignoring the etiquette during training. No talking while eating? To hell with that. The meal was full of joy, laughter, and genuine connection.
After the meal, Elena went to the restroom. I called over the waiter to settle the bill. I smiled and thanked him as he returned my change—but the smile froze on my face the moment I looked up.
Mason was walking toward me, arm-in-arm with a stunning woman. My smile immediately faded. They were already too close to pretend I hadn't seen them.
"What a coincidence. Are you dining with a friend?" Mason greeted me casually.
"Yeah," I replied, my eyes locked on the woman next to him. She was tall, curvy, and her generous chest was practically glued to his arm.
"Let me introduce you," he continued, without missing a beat. "This is Lexie, my date tonight. And this is Katherine, my fiancée."
I snapped, "You're introducing your girlfriend right in front of your fiancée? That's a bit too far, Mason." I completely forgot that I was only pretending to be his fiancée.
Lexie immediately pulled her arm out of Mason's, panic written all over her face. "Ms. Gordon, please don't misunderstand. I'm not Mr. Knight's girlfriend. We're just friends."
Without waiting for a response, she bolted like I might chase her down. But in her haste, she twisted her ankle—those heels had to be at least six inches tall. My feet ached just looking at her.
She slipped off her heels, clutched them in one hand, and limped quickly out of sight. Only when she'd completely disappeared did I turn back.
I tried to sound casual, though my heart was still stinging. "She left? I thought she was your date for the evening?"
Instead of answering, Mason shot back, "Who are you here with?" He looked oddly fixated, as if it really mattered.
"I came with a hot guy, very hot," I said coolly.
"Kate, is this your friend?" Elena returned right on cue—just in time to expose the lie I'd just invented.
"Well, pretty hot indeed," Mason said, sliding into his usual seat and calling the waiter over.
I said curtly, "Elena, let's go."
My mood, which had been so lighthearted all day, was now ruined completely by Mason's unexpected appearance.
It really shouldn't have mattered if he brought his girlfriend. But for some reason, I felt uncomfortable. Deeply, inexplicably uncomfortable.
"Is it really okay to just leave without saying goodbye to your friend?" Elena asked, reluctantly following me out. Her cheeks were flushed pink.
Oh no, something was off. That shy, wistful look on her face? She was clearly smitten.
I said, "Don't bother with him. That's my fiancé. He's always sarcastic and insufferable."
"Oh." Elena didn't ask any more questions, but the color had drained from her face. The atmosphere between us turned awkward. I wanted to say something to break the silence, but no words felt right.
Standing outside the restaurant, Elena gave me a faint smile. "I'm heading home. See you tomorrow."
I nodded, "Yeah, see you tomorrow."
We parted ways and each went our own direction. As soon as I stepped through the door of my apartment, a heavy fatigue washed over me. I desperately needed rest. I needed to clear my head.
What I had realized today unsettled me deeply. Was I falling for Mason? If not, why did it ache to see him walk toward me with another woman on his arm? Why did I react to Elena's interest in him by explaining our relationship?
I collapsed face-first onto the bed and didn't move. My head throbbed.
Rationally, I knew my relationship with Mason was purely transactional—nothing more than mutual use. No emotional entanglements allowed, especially not love.
Love, for me, had become a luxury I couldn't afford.
That once-beautiful word now felt scary, something to be feared like a wild beast. And yet, I'd caught myself developing feelings for Mason. The realization terrified me.
I knew I could not love him.
The previous romance had nearly destroyed me. If I let myself fall again, I'd deserve every wound that followed.
Besides, Mason was far more dangerous than Oliver ever was. He was cunning to the bone. If he wanted me dead, I probably wouldn't even realize it until it was over.
As the saying went, once bitten, twice shy.
My thoughts spiraled, chaotic and endless. The more I thought, the more frightened I became.
Then, I heard knocks on the door, followed by Mason's voice on the other side of the door. "Are you asleep?"
My goodness! The one person I didn't want to see came to my door.
"Yes," I blurted out and immediately wanted to bite off my own tongue. Could I be any dumber?
He replied, "Come to the study. I've got something for you."
I heard his footsteps fade down the hall. I scrambled up, washed up, and headed to the study.
When I pushed the door open, Mason was seated at the desk, skimming a file. He didn't even glance up and asked, "Jealous, were you?"
My cheeks flushed instantly. I retorted, "Jealous? Don't flatter yourself. You're not the sun; why should every flower bloom for you?"
He chuckled and said, "Good. That's how it should be. A partnership without emotions will be far more stable and long-lasting." His voice was as smooth as ever, but this time, it cut my heart like a blade.
I asked, "Is that why you called me here? Relax, I won't fall in love with you, and I definitely won't cling to you. If there's nothing else, I'll go back to bed."
I was ready to leave, but Mason stopped me. "Wait, I do have something important."
I sat back down, watching as he slid the file across the desk and instructed, "Memorize this before work tomorrow."