Katherine was mortified as she walked in her door and quickly shut it. She couldn't believe she'd done something so foolish as to practically make love to Joseph in a public elevator. She really wanted to find out if there was a camera in there, but if she started asking, then people would wonder why.
Hopefully, she was just making the situation into something it wasn't. So what if there was a camera, she tried to reason. It wasn't like any clothes had come off. He'd kissed her. Yes, it had been beyond hot, but that's where it had stopped.
She shuddered to think what would've happened had they not been interrupted. She lost her mind too easily when he was around.
Katherine climbed into the shower, and then quickly into bed. The last week had been exhausting and she instantly fell asleep, for once too tired to even dream.
"Katherine, do you have those numbers?"
"Yes, one minute," she replied, looking through her desk for the requested document.
"What's going on, Katherine? This isn't like you," her boss asked as he stepped in her small office.
No, it wasn't like her, Katherine had to admit. Lack of sleep, mixed with stress wasn't helping her a bit.
She hadn't seen Joseph in a month. Not a phone call, not at the meetings, not at all. She sure heard his name often, though, as he was quickly rising to the top of the board's favorite candidate. The closer it came time to elect their new CEO, the more times she heard Joseph's name.
She desperately wanted the decision over with so she could get on with her life. She knew the minute he was elected, and she had no doubts, he would be, she'd turn in her resignation, no notice given.
There was no way she could continue working in the building he was in every day. It would eventually turn her into only a shell of the person she once was. As it was, she was only operating on half her brain function from just the stress of knowing he was in town.
He must've gotten tired of chasing her, because he'd taken her last rejection seriously and hadn't contacted her again after the elevator. She should be thrilled, but instead, she was heartbroken all over again.
She didn't understand. He was giving her what she wanted, but she knew that truly what she wanted, was for him to tell her he was in love with her, always had been and always would be. She hoped he could somehow explain the awful bet, tell her he hadn't meant it. It was all wishful thinking and obviously not going to happen.
"Katherine?"
She snapped out of her reverie and looked at her boss, who was looking at her like she'd lost her mind. Maybe she had. Only time would tell.
"I'm sorry, sir. I haven't been able to sleep the last few nights. I should probably go see my doctor soon," she tried to explain. It sounded weak, even to her own ears.
"I'm sorry about that. Are you up for working today?"
She knew he wasn't threatening her, but honestly asking if she needed to take the rest of the afternoon off. She had too much to catch up on, though, and couldn't leave.
"No, I'll be fine, sir. Here's the paperwork. Is there anything else you need right now?" she asked, hoping the answer was no.
"Actually, I'm a bit afraid to bring it up, but Joseph has scheduled a talk with the board. He has some ideas to turn around the downward spiral the stocks have taken. With them dropping points each day, this is important, and all the board members need to be there," he apologized.
"I understand, just give me the time and place," she told him. He didn't need to know how even the mention of Joseph's name had her stomach knotting.
Her boss left, and then she got buried in her work, starting to run behind, making it impossible for her to make it to the meeting on time.
Katherine called Joseph's secretary and left him a message, letting him know she'd be an hour late. She had to smile, knowing it would probably irritate him, since he normally waited for no one.
By the time she got out of the office, she hoped she'd be able to get a taxi. It took a bit longer, but finally one pulled up. She hoped he knew the address, because she didn't recognize it.
As she climbed inside the car, she handed him the paper, and he assured her he knew exactly where he was going. As the driver began leaving the city, Katherine became more nervous.
When they reached the floating bridge, leading to Mercer Island, she was perplexed. She'd never been there before for a business meeting and hoped the driver wasn't getting her lost.
"Are you sure you looked at the address correctly?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I double checked. This is the location," he responded.
He turned down a long driveway, and finally stopped the car in front of a small, older home. What was Joseph thinking? She was afraid to leave the car.
"Okay, find a place to park and wait for me. I'm not sure how long this will take, but I'll pay the waiting fee," she said before climbing out the door he held open for her.