The charity gala wasn"t just an ordinary one. Though it is for charity, it is an invite-only event for prominent and influential persons - politicians, businessmen, investors, celebrities — basically anyone who is anyone was invited. That had to be the most star-studded event Katherine had ever attended.
The event hall was large and luxurious. When Katherine and Damien entered through the double doors, the first thing that they saw was a popular band playing in the middle of the stage in front of them, which also had a mini runaway for later"s program.
On either side of the runway were the VIP tables that cost $330 per ticket. There were casino-type games on the right side of the hall and a bar on the other side. The rest of the s.p.a.ce was filled with c.o.c.ktail tables for the non-VIPs.
Maneuvering their way through the crowd towards the VIP section, Katherine braved through the unexplainable stares from some guests. Maybe they were wondering who she was? Why was she with Resort King Damien Park? Who knows what was going on in their minds? Or maybe… they already knew she was his secretary and they were having a secret love affair? Katherine wanted to laugh bitterly but she could only fake her "I-don"t-give-d.a.m.n" att.i.tude.
Damien noticed how she was trying to look right ahead as though she didn"t care but the vice grip that she had on his arm gave her away. With a soft smirk, he subtly stroked his hand over hers and whispered, "You are doing great, Kitten. I will reward you later tonight." Realizing the strong grip that she did, Katherine glanced at him with a small smile and loosened her hand.
Soon enough, they reached the VIP section and Damien found his grandmother sitting with her private nurse by her side. "There she is," he said, nodding his head towards her.
As they walked, Damien waved to some familiar faces and Katherine also scanned the area to see if she knew others in the VIP section. Turning to her left, she saw a famous actor named Matthew Jeong who happened to turn his head to her direction and their eyes met.
"c.r.a.p. Matthew just looked at me. Emma is so going to be jealous!" she gushed in her head.
Emma was such a huge fan of this hunk — tall, dark hair, killer smile. Katherine had also become a fan when Emma forced her to watch his movies with her. Staring at an actor was pretty normal especially since he was really handsome but why was Matthew also staring back at her? Katherine immediately withdrew her gaze and turned her attention to the old woman several meters ahead.
"Are you also a fan of that Jeong man?" Damien asked in a low voice, making her swallow.
"Not really but Emma is," she responded.
"Lie." Damien smirked. It seemed like his little Kitten just fangirled over an actor. He briefly s.h.i.+fted his eyes towards Matthew and caught him still staring at Katherine. There was something strange about the way he was looking at her — with his brows slightly creased, Matthew looked like he was slightly bewildered. The stunned look on his face didn"t go unnoticed by Damien but he brushed off his thoughts and smiled to his grandmother as they approached the table.
"Nana," he said, releasing Katherine to bend down and give his grandmother a peck on the cheek.
Nana looked up and her face broke into a genuine smile. "Damien, you are finally here." She got up from her seat and pulled him in for a tight hug. "Where is she?" she asked.
"Seriously? I"m your favorite grandson and you"re already pus.h.i.+ng me away to see her? I"m hurt, Nana," Damien frowned.
Raising her right hand, Nana smacked Damien on the side of his head, startling Katherine. "You dummy. I just saw you a few days ago. Why are you being so clingy? I want to see my granddaughter-in-law!"
Damien"s smile grew so wide at his Nana"s words that it almost blinded Katherine.
"G-Grandaughter-in-law? Ha… Ha… Ha… Nana is such a joker." Katherine gulped and started to sweat.
Stepping aside, Damien drew Katherine next to him and introduced her to Nana who didn"t wait for the introductions to finish and just pulled Katherine in for a hug.
"Oh, you"re a hugger," she muttered, looking at Damien who just smiled at her.
"Sweetheart, you are so beautiful. It"s nice to meet you." Nana released Katherine and held her hand. "Has Damien been giving you a headache?"
"Oh-"
"Nana, why would I give her a headache?" Damien complained at the side.
"Shus.h.!.+ I"m not talking to you. Keep your mouth shut or munch on something, I"m talking to someone. Don"t just b.u.t.t in, that"s rude," Nana scolded.
Damien could not believe that he got reprimanded. Shaking his head, he grabbed a gla.s.s of champagne from the waiter and chugged it down in one gulp.
Caleb and Jeffrey arrived in the VIP section and they stood to the side to scan the area. "Look, Damien and Katherine are over there," Caleb said to Jeffrey before they agreed to walk over to them.
From where they were, Matthew Jeong happened to stand near them and heard what Caleb said. "Katherine?" he mumbled. "That"s impossible." His gaze landed on Katherine and the more he looked at her, the more he thought it was very unusual. This has got to be a really huge coincidence. He grabbed his second flute of champagne for the night as he continued to stare at the woman who piqued his interest.
Damien talked to his friends while Katherine and Nana continued to talk about random things. Katherine thought that she was going to have a hard time talking to Damien"s grandmother, it turned out that she didn"t even have to speak so much as Nana was so talkative — or perhaps, she was just too excited to meet Katherine that she couldn"t stop talking.
Damien leaned in until his mouth was next to Katherine"s ear and whispered, "I"m going to meet a few people for a few minutes. I"ll be just nearby. Stay here with Nana."
Nodding, Katherine replied, "Okay." She gave him a gentle smile as though she was rea.s.suring him that she was going to be okay.
"I am so glad that Damien finally found someone. He has never introduced any of his lady friends to me ever since. That boy only knew how to fool around with women but looking at you, I think you keep him grounded." Nana nodded as though this realization was too interesting for her.
Katherine, on the other hand, wasn"t sure if she was supposed to be "honored" and happy that Nana thinks she was good for Damien, or was she supposed to be annoyed that Damien used to fool around with women? Whatever it was, Katherine maintained an amused expression on her face that she started to feel her cheek muscles ache from all the smiling that she was doing.
Patting her hand, Nana said, "Dear, I need to go to the loo and have a breather, this music is too loud for my liking."
"Oh, I"ll go with you," Katherine got up from her chair and was about to a.s.sist but Nana turned to her and said, "You don"t need to, I have Amy here to help me. You stay and enjoy the party."
And with that, Katherine was left standing in the VIP section all by herself. She scanned the room looking for Damien but he was nowhere to be seen. "Great," she muttered.
"Champagne?" A man"s voice came from the side and when Katherine turned her head, she almost coughed — Matthew Jeong stood next to her and was handing her a flute.
Clearing her throat, she slightly bowed and received the champagne from him. "Thank you."
"I"m Matthew." He extended his hand in which Katherine hesitantly shook. She was, unfortunately, feeling clammy. Why was this famous actor talking to her?!
"Ah… I recognize you, Mr. Jeong."
"Oh," Matt smiled and stared at her face. Sensing that Katherine was probably feeling uneasy, he added, "I"m sorry for staring. I just wanted to talk to you because you remind me of someone."
"Ah, does that pick up line still work nowadays?" she blurted, making Matt laugh.
"I apologize if you"re feeling uncomfortable. But you really do remind me of my childhood friend."
Katherine didn"t know if she was going to believe this man. Everything around her that night was too strange for her already and now, Matthew Jeong wants to have a conversation? Emma was definitely going to flip when she hears about this.
"I see… where is your friend now?"
Evident sadness masked Matthew"s face when he heard her question but he was quick to form a gentle smile as he replied, "She pa.s.sed away years ago."
"Oh, I"m so sorry." She suddenly felt uncomfortable and was now having difficulty to move on from the conversation.
Just then, a large hand snaked around her waist, making her look up and see Damien"s gorgeous smile.
"Sorry, I was caught up with something," Damien said as he tightened his protective arm around her and glanced at Matthew. He was only away for a while and a fly already volunteered to write its name in his "annoying-fly-to-swat" list.
Damien"s night was just about to get busy.