Katherine and Hector strolled around some more in the mall after lunch, and Hector left when it was
time.
He had originally offered to escort Katherine home, but she shook her head. “I still have something to
take care of later, so no going home for me yet.”
Hector nodded. “Then watch out for yourself while you’re out alone.”
“Alright, I know.” Katherine beamed. As if anything was really going to happen in broad daylight.
Katherine got out of the mall after Hector left. Raising her hand, she waved her bejeweled finger under
the sun.
Could one really give out this kind of stuff as a gift? Excuse her for being inexperienced, but she was
under the impression that a ring had to be gifted between lovers. But then again, it was Mrs. Grant who
purchased Katherine’s previous wedding ring, so technically it wasn’t given to her by Marshall, either.
Well, that was disturbing, kind of.
Katherine let out a sigh and tried to clear her mind. She then took a cab to the dessert store, and
Margaret Hopkins was there talking on her phone.
When she saw Katherine, Margaret pointed at her phone, and mouthed to Katherine that the call was
from the landlord, who was coming very soon.
Katherine, upon hearing that, hastily retreated from the store to call Peter, who had the same reaction
as before, assuring her that he would come over immediately.
Katherine let out a sigh of relief in her mind. “I’ll stop worrying when you’re here.”
“Don’t panic,” Peter said, “I won’t be long. Trust me with this.” And then he hang up.
Katherine entered the dessert store and sat down on the side.
“The landlord said he was about to leave, so he should arrive soon.” Margaret said, smiling at her. “You
should have a strategy to negotiate a lower rent. Business isn’t exactly booming in this part of town, so
it won’t be cost-efficient for you if the rent’s too high.”
“Got it.” Katherine nodded.
Peter’s car arrived before the landlord did. Katherine stood up and headed for the door even before
Peter pulled over. But Peter wasn’t alone. Marshall was also there, getting off the car.
That surprised Katherine.
Marshall kept a neutral face as he walked over when he saw Katherine. “When’s the landlord gonna be
here?”
“Um,” Katherine said, “What are you doing here? Just Peter alone would do, you know.”
Because after all, she was only just renting some place, which seemed beneath the kind of thing that
warranted Marshall’s presence.
Marshall peeked inside the store. “I want to help out a little, since this is your first time doing business.”
Katherine huffed.
This damn guy. Why was he being so warm and caring all of a sudden, making her uncomfortable?
And what was she supposed to think when he was being so nice to her after their divorce, and
especially after they’d slept together a dozen times?
It was in a woman’s nature to interpretation things. So she couldn’t help wondering if Marshall
somehow grew feelings for her because they “clicked” physically. Yes, she felt ridiculous thinking like
that, and she knew she was backing herself into a corner if she continued with that thought. Still, the
thought couldn’t be contained by the heart.
Peter walked over to them soon afterwards, sans his usual smirking attitude. “We’ve both come to offer
moral support. Maybe we’ll scare the landlord into lowering your rent.”
Katherine chortled. “That’s a nice thought.”
Only a couple of minutes later, they saw the landlord driving towards them.
Peter had parked his car in front of the store. The landlord got out of his own car and took several looks
at Peter’s. Even though she wasn’t a car connoisseur, Katherine knew that Peter’s was an expensive
vehicle. That much was confirmed by the landlord’s surprised expression. Only after that did he register
the three of them standing by the door.
Margaret had walked out of her counter to greet the landlord. “Mr. Fischer, meet Katherine Jordan, the
lady who wants to rent this place.”
The landlord eyed Katherine briefly and nodded. “Hello.”
“Hello,” Katherine smiled.
Expressionless, Marshall turned around and headed into the store. “We’ll talk inside.”
As if HE owned the place.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda