Chapter 2

The next morning, I went downstairs for breakfast.

My eyes were a little puffy, so I pressed a cold spoon onto them for a while.

Kevin was still asleep, and Mom and Dad were already sitting at the table.

"Kevin really went overboard drinking last night," Mom said, making me some oatmeal.

Dad glanced at the newspaper without looking up. "Probably with Samuel and those guys. Samuel's a steady kid. He should've held Kevin back a bit."

My spoon clicked against the bowl.

Mom suddenly remembered something. "Oh, I forgot to mention yesterday. Charles from the Foster family just got back from overseas."

I lowered my head and sipped my oatmeal without replying.

"Looks like he's bringing his company's operations back here. He plans to stay a while." Mom continued, "That kid's always been more mature than others his age. He used to play with Kevin the most when they were little."

Dad put down the newspaper. "Charles is really capable. With him back, the Foster family will probably hit a new level."

"Yeah," Mom said casually, glancing at me. "I heard he's still single. A few days ago, the Foster family mentioned a possible match to your dad."

If this had been talked about before, I would have refused instantly.

But now, I felt calm listening to her.

Mom smiled. "I'm just saying. Katherine's still young. No rush."

I put down my spoon. "Okay."

Both of them froze and looked at me.

"What?" Mom seemed confused.

I lifted my head to meet their eyes. "I said okay. I can meet him."

Dad frowned. "Katherine, haven't you always hated this kind of thing?"

"That was before," I said, wiping my mouth with a napkin. "Now, I don't mind meeting him."

Mom looked worried. "Honey, have you been upset about something recently?"

"No." I stood up. "I'm done eating. I've got school today."

I turned and went upstairs, feeling their eyes on my back.

I knew what they were thinking.

Yesterday, I happily went to pick up my drunken brother after he'd been drinking with Samuel, and today, I suddenly agreed to a match.

It was too abrupt. But they would never know.

The "steady" Samuel they praised told me last night that a year and a half of feelings was just for fun.

Then he went to pick up his white moonlight.

I remembered Charles.

He was my brother's childhood friend, someone I'd met even before Samuel.

When he was a kid, he was quiet, reserved, but reliable.

Later, he went abroad, and we rarely saw each other.

The match sounded transactional.

But at least in a transaction, the rules were clear.

It was better than pouring my heart out for nothing.

We agreed to meet at a quiet coffee shop.

When I arrived, Charles was already there, sitting by the window in a simple shirt with sleeves rolled up to his forearms.

He wasn't exactly the silent kid I remembered.

His features were sharper, and his gaze steady.

He stood when he saw me and pulled out my chair.

"Katherine?" he said, voice calm.

I sat down. "Charles, long time no see."

"Long time no see," he replied.

He sat back down. The server came, and I ordered an Americano.

Before the coffee arrived, we didn't speak.

He wasn't in a rush and didn't force conversation, which made me relax a little.

When the server left, he placed his hands on the table, clasped together, and looked at me. "I know about you and Samuel."

My fingers paused on the cup.

I looked up at him. His face was neutral.

"I also know," he continued, "you agreed to meet me not because you have any special feelings for me."

I put down the cup. "That's right," I admitted it plainly.

He nodded. "Good. I need a proper match to stabilize my domestic business. You need a more reliable backing than Samuel, and a completely fresh start."

He spoke directly, almost coldly.

"We can cooperate," he said. "I'll give you respect and freedom. When necessary, we support each other."

Steam rose from the coffee.

"Also," he paused, voice a little lower, "I'll make sure the wrongs you've suffered get set right."

He said it calmly.

His gaze didn't flicker; it was sincere.

He knew this was a transaction and didn't hide it.

He even offered extra assurances.

"Why help me?" I asked.

"Two reasons," he answered quickly. "First, you're my chosen partner in this. Your matters are, in some sense, mine too."

"And second?" I asked.

He paused for a few seconds. "Second, I hate people who treat someone's true feelings like a game."

The server came by again to refill water.

After the server left, he spoke again. "You don't have to decide right away. Take your time."

I took a sip of coffee. It was bitter, but refreshing.

"No need to think," I said. "I agree."

He raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised at my decisiveness.

"Good," he nodded. "Then let's have a successful cooperation."

"Successful cooperation," I echoed.

There was no handshake, and no further promises.

The path I chose might not hold real feelings, but at least it was clear-headed and fair.