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Novel Catalog
Chapter 47
Shaun raised an eyebrow, his lips curling slightly at Catherine’s teasing words. His usual stoic demeanor softened for a moment, but he didn’t let her see the effect she had on him. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, removing the glasses from his nose and placing them on the desk.
“Is that so?” he asked, his voice deep with a touch of amusement. “Well, I hope you’re not falling too deeply. I’m afraid you might get lost.”
Catherine laughed softly, though a part of her felt a flutter in her chest at his response. She had always admired his composure, but tonight, with the way he spoke and the subtle warmth in his eyes, she realized just how much he had grown on her.
“I wouldn’t mind getting lost,” she said quietly, almost to herself, as she placed the warm oatmeal porridge down in front of him.
Shaun’s eyes lingered on her for a moment before he glanced at the porridge. “What’s this?”
“Oatmeal porridge,” Catherine explained, standing there awkwardly for a moment before realizing she needed to give him space. “I thought you might be hungry after working all night.”
Shaun’s gaze softened, the edge of his usual coldness dissipating as he took a spoonful of the porridge. “You’ve been taking care of me more than usual lately,” he remarked casually, his voice tinged with something unspoken.
“I’m just trying to do my part,” Catherine said, her voice barely above a whisper, but there was a sense of sincerity in it. She had been feeling a strange sense of responsibility toward Shaun, not only because of everything he had done for her but also because of the quiet bond they had been building since the hospital incident. “You’ve done a lot for me.”
Shaun’s eyes met hers, and for a brief second, it felt like the world outside of them didn’t matter. He didn’t say anything more, but his expression was enough to make Catherine’s heart race. It was as if he was silently acknowledging the weight of their unspoken connection.
He broke the silence first. “Just don’t make a habit of this,” he said in a light tone, though the warmth in his voice betrayed his words. “I’m not some helpless man.”
“I know,” Catherine responded with a small smile, grateful for the rare vulnerability she saw in him. “But everyone needs care sometimes.”
“Is that so?” Shaun’s lips curled into a slight smirk. “Well, I suppose I can tolerate it… for now.”
As they sat there, a comfortable quiet settled between them, broken only by the occasional clink of spoon against the bowl. Catherine felt her earlier unease slip away, replaced by something warmer, something she couldn’t quite name.
After a moment, Catherine cleared her throat, changing the subject. “I’ll make sure to get some of the herbs and ingredients you mentioned tomorrow. You should rest tonight. I’m sure the company can survive without you for one night.”
Shaun didn’t reply immediately. His gaze softened again, and he let out a small sigh before standing up. “You’re right,” he said, the tension easing from his shoulders. “I’ll take the night off. But only because you made me oatmeal.”
Catherine chuckled, the mood lightening even more. “Good night, Shaun.”
“Good night,” he replied, his voice still carrying a hint of something deeper, something more personal.
As Catherine left the study, she couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for them. She had always been cautious, always kept her distance from emotions, but with Shaun, things felt different. He had always been enigmatic, yet the more she saw of him, the more she realized that he, too, was just a person—someone who could be just as vulnerable as anyone else.
As she walked down the hallway, Fudge trotted by her side, her fluffy belly swaying from side to side as she waddled along. Catherine smiled, relieved to know that no matter what happened, she had people who cared for her—even if it was just her, Shaun, and a cat.
She might not know where she was headed, but for the first time in a long while, Catherine felt that maybe, just maybe, things were starting to fall into place.