Katrina sat quietly on her bed, lost in her thoughts. The room was silent, but her mind was anything but calm.
Katrina (thinking): Why are things getting so complicated? No matter what I do, I just can't get rid of this feeling. This is all my fault… I'm the one thinking the wrong things about him.
She lay back, staring at the ceiling, trying to convince herself to stop overthinking—but it didn't help.
Just then, a soft voice came from downstairs, followed by a gentle knock on her door.
Her mother peeked in.
"Can I come in?"
Katrina sat up. "Of course, Mom."
Her mother walked in and sat at the corner of her bed, looking at her with a calm expression.
"Is there something you want to say?" Katrina asked.
"Yes," her mother replied softly.
Katrina gave her full attention. "Tell me."
Her mother smiled slightly. "I'm going out for dinner tonight with some friends. I want you to come with me."
Katrina hesitated. "But Mom… I already have plans with my friends."
"I understand," her mother said gently, "but you can meet them tomorrow too. My friend is only here for one day."
Katrina looked conflicted. "But Mom…"
Her mother sighed softly. "Please try to understand. You know I don't like forcing you."
Katrina closed her eyes for a moment, then nodded.
"Okay… I'll come."
Her mother smiled. "Get ready by 7 p.m."
After she left the room, Katrina sat there, even more confused.
Katrina (thinking): I already said yes… but Ethan asked me to meet him too. What should I do now?
After a moment of hesitation, she picked up her phone and called Ethan.
After a few rings, he answered.
"Hi, Katrina."
"Hi, Ethan… how are you?"
"I'm good. You?"
"I'm fine… actually, I wanted to tell you something."
"Yes, go ahead."
Katrina paused, gathering courage.
"The thing is… I can't come this evening. I have to go somewhere with my mom."
There was a brief silence.
"Oh… yeah. It's okay," Ethan said, trying to sound normal.
"I'm really sorry," Katrina added softly.
"It's fine. Enjoy your evening," he replied, but his voice had a hint of disappointment.
Before she could say anything more, the call ended.
Katrina slowly lowered her phone.
She knew he was upset—but she also knew she couldn't hurt her mother.
"This is so difficult…" she whispered.
Evening
Katrina's mother was ready, wearing a dark green elegant dress with beautiful accessories and heels. She looked graceful and confident.
She walked to Katrina's room and knocked.
"Katrina, are you ready, honey?"
The door opened—and Katrina stepped out.
She was wearing a light blue short dress with soft makeup, a small handbag, and elegant heels. She looked delicate and beautiful, like a doll.
Her mother was stunned for a moment.
"Oh dear… you look absolutely beautiful."
Katrina smiled softly. "Mom, please… and you look beautiful too."
"Thank you, honey."
They both headed outside.
As Katrina got into the car, her eyes instinctively lifted toward Ethan's house.
There he was—standing on his balcony.
For a moment, their eyes almost met.
Katrina gave a soft, gentle smile before getting into the car.
Ethan's Side
Ethan stood on his balcony, watching her leave.
Ethan (thinking): She looked so beautiful…
But then another thought crept in.
She belongs to a completely different world… a rich, perfect world.
A faint sadness crossed his face.
At that moment, his phone rang.
It was Jessica.
In the Car
Katrina sat beside her mother, quietly scrolling through her phone, texting Ella and Arice.
Her mother glanced at her and smiled.
"You'll like them."
Katrina looked up. "Them? What do you mean, Mom?"
Her mother hesitated, then spoke carefully.
"Dear… my friend has a son. He owns several big hotels and restaurants."
Katrina's expression changed instantly.
"What do you mean?"
"I just want you to meet him," her mother continued. "If you don't like him, it's completely fine. He's my friend's son—I thought he might be your type."
Katrina was shocked.
"Mom… at least you could have told me before."
"I'm sorry," her mother said gently. "But I knew if I told you earlier, you wouldn't come. And I already promised my friend you'd be there."
Katrina leaned back, sighing deeply.
Katrina (thinking): What am I supposed to do now…?
Outside, the city lights blurred past the window, but her thoughts were far away—caught between Ethan… and everything else.