~Katherine's POV
I woke up that morning before my alarm rang.
It was still dark outside, and for a few seconds I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. My heart was already beating fast, and I had not even stepped out of bed yet.
Today was very important. Mathew's company was about to receive a major investor. Not just any investor, it was a powerful one. The kind that could change everything. The kind that could take us from struggling to stable in one signed document.
And I was the one leading the presentation.
I turned my head and looked at my twins sleeping beside me. Jasmine had one arm over Hanith's chest, as if she was guarding him even in her sleep. Their faces were calm and peaceful.
They were my reason.
Every risk I take. Every late night. Every extra file I double-check twice.
I quietly got up so I would not wake them and went into the bathroom. As I brushed my teeth, I stared at myself in the mirror.
"You've done harder things," I whispered.
And it was true.
I had survived worse than a business meeting.
Still, my hands were slightly shaking.
After getting the twins ready for school and dropping them off, I drove to the office earlier than usual. I wanted everything perfect. The office was already buzzing when I arrived. People were moving fast, adjusting decorations in the lobby, checking documents, whispering nervously. Even the air felt different.
I walked straight to my office, dropped my bag carefully on the chair, and sat down with a deep breath before opening my laptop. I went through the presentation slides again, slowly, deliberately, making sure nothing had been missed or misplaced. Financial growth charts, expansion plans, market projections, and risk management strategies all stared back at me, and I ran my fingers over each figure, each graph, and each note. I had memorized every number, and even the small details that could come up if anyone tried to challenge me, and yet, I could not stop running my lines in my head. I practiced the opening words under my breath, softly but insistently, because I needed to get it right.
"Good morning, and welcome. We truly appreciate your time…" I muttered and immediately shook my head. That sounded too stiff and robotic.
I tried again. "It's an honor to have you here today…" Slightly better, but still not natural enough. I leaned back in my chair and exhaled slowly, trying to calm the rising tension in my chest. This investor could change everything for Mathew's company, and I could not let anything go wrong because Mathew had trusted me with this. He had built this company from nothing, and he had given me a chance when no one else would, when I had no name and a life full of rumors following me.
A soft knock at the door startled me, and I called out, "Come in."
Mathew walked in with his calm, reassuring smile, the kind of smile that made people feel steady even when everything around them was shaking. Medium height, suit simple but crisp, sleeves slightly rolled, he always looked ready to work rather than just supervise, and somehow his presence made me feel less alone in the pressure of the moment.
"You're here early," he said.
"I couldn't sleep," I admitted.
He laughed softly. "That nervous?"
I closed my laptop and looked at him honestly. "You said this investor is big. The kind that can take this company from zero to one hundred."
He nodded.
"So yes," I continued, "I'm nervous."
He walked further into the room and sat across from me.
"Katherine, you've handled bigger pressure than this."
I raised an eyebrow. "I know, but…."
He looked at me for a second, then smiled gently. "I know you can do it."
I looked down at my hands and gave a small smile. "This is different."
"Is it?" he asked.
"Yes," I said quickly. "This is a huge feat for the company, one wrong word, one wrong answer, and you could lose everything."
Mathew leaned forward slightly. "You won't."
"You sound very sure."
"I am."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Are you sure? Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?"
He shook his head. "No. I'm not comforting you. I'm stating a fact. You are one of the most professional people I know. You prepare more than anyone in this building. You don't guess. You calculate. You think ahead. If anyone can handle this meeting, it's you."
I felt my chest warm a little.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
He nodded once, like it was nothing.
I checked the time on my phone. "When will they be around?"
As if the universe heard me, Mathew's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen and answered. "Yes?"
It was his secretary. I could hear her faint voice through the phone.
"Yes… okay… we're coming down," Mathew said.
He ended the call and looked at me.
"They're here."
My stomach dropped.
Already?
I stood up too quickly and almost knocked my chair back.
Mathew chuckled. "Relax."
"I am relaxed," I lied.
He raised an eyebrow but didn't argue.
I quickly checked myself in the mirror hanging behind my door. My black suit was fitted with a white blouse. My hair was neatly tied back. I looked so professional.
Nothing out of place.
"Ready?" Mathew asked.
I inhaled deeply. "Ready."
We walked out of my office together and headed toward the lobby. My heels clicked against the floor in a steady rhythm, but my heart was beating much faster than my steps.
The staff had lined up near the entrance, trying to look organized but clearly nervous. I could feel their eyes on me. They trusted me to lead this.
Outside the glass doors, I saw a long black car turn slowly into the company driveway, and even before it fully stopped, I could tell this was not just any visitor. The car moved with smooth confidence, shining under the morning sun, and everything about it spoke of money and influence. It did not rush. It did not hesitate. It glided forward as if it owned the space.
The engine sound was low but powerful, and somehow it made the staff around me straighten up without anyone saying a word. Conversations faded, and the nervous whispers disappeared. It felt like the building itself was holding its breath.
The car swerved gently and came to a perfect stop right in front of the entrance. For a brief moment, no one moved. Even I forgot to breathe.
Then the driver stepped out and walked to the back door with careful respect. He opened it slowly, almost formally, and stepped aside.
I adjusted my blazer and lifted my chin, forcing a professional smile onto my face, while Mathew stood calmly beside me with his hands folded as if nothing about this moment could shake him.
The first thing I saw was a black polished shoe touching the ground. It was clean and expensive.
Then a tall figure stepped out fully, and time seemed to freeze around me.
My heart stopped.
It was Aaron.