We got home and I turned to Killian for some answers.
"So?" I asked.
"I am going to kill that son of a bitch." he said.
Killian's words hung in the air, a chilling revelation that shattered the fragile reality I had known.
"It's all a lie," he said, his eyes betraying a truth I was unprepared to accept. Yet, his urgency begged for compliance.
"Stay in the house," he urged, a desperate plea etched across his face. "It's not safe out there. Trust me, you don't want to get hurt at work."
"I can't just stay confined," I protested, though doubt laced my words. "Tell me the truth, Killian. What's going on?"
His eyes flickered, a fleeting struggle evident. "I wish I could explain everything, but now isn't the time. Trust me, for your safety."
"Fine, I'll stay. But you better have answers when I can't take it anymore."
"I promise, I will tell you everything," he said as he kissed my forehead.
"But who do you think is behind it?" I asked.
"The same person that planned your abduction with those bitches, Zach."
My eyes widened, "Zach? Zach did this?"
"Yes, and I will prove it."
I breathed in and out slowly to calm my beating heart.
Zach orchestrated the whole thing?
I found that hard to believe. What could he possibly want from me? Or Killian?
Wasn't he afraid Killian would kill him? I refused to shed any tear over that bastard.
The tension from the day followed us to bed so much that we didn't speak to one another. We were comfortable with our silence.
The next morning, I pleaded with Killian not to go to work.
"You can wait till they calm down before you get hurt."
"If I hide, it would make me look guilty. I need to do damage control," he said.
"Be safe," I kissed him before he left.
I worked from home, my heart in constant worry about him.
It was just like the Andrew time all over again. When he was obsessing and stressing over the issue.
I hope this goes down.
I tethered myself to the news, a reluctant move on my part.
I promised Killian I wouldn't take a look but I couldn't help myself
Tears sprung to my eyes when I heard the harsh narratives painting my fiancee as a villain.
What would they know?
They hardly know him. I felt uncontrollable rage towards that scum, Zack.
The reports were relentless, weaving a web of accusations that left me grappling with doubt and fear about our future.
I listened as the world condemned Killian.
The video showed the company and I sat up straight.
There were a lot of people protesting in front of it.
I saw Killian step out of the building and the air was thick and became dissent as protesters voiced their grievances.
He stood still as he listened, not showing any emotion at all.
The situation took a hostile turn when a rotten tomato was flung in his face, only to be intercepted by the vigilant guards.
I cried myself to sleep.
I watched as Killian entered the living, his shoulders slouched under the weight of something I couldn't quite put my finger on.
I refused to tell him that I watched the news.
Without a word, I moved toward him, my voice a soft murmur breaking the uneasy silence.
"Killian, you look like you've had a day from hell. Talk to me."
He offered a weary smile, an attempt at reassurance that fell short. "It's just work, Catalina. I'll be fine."
I wasn't convinced. I guided him to the living room, and urged him to sit, my hand resting on his tense shoulder. "No work talk until you unwind a bit. Trust me, it'll help."
I worked her fingers into the knots of his stress, I could feel the tightness gradually yielding to my touch. His eyes closed, and the lines etched on his face began to soften.
I let herself hope that, even for a moment, I could lift the burdens that plagued him.
His breathing steadied, and I thought he might have drifted into a peaceful nap. Yet, when I withdrew my hands, he was out like a light.
I sighed, a bit worried about him as I watched him.
The troubles that haunted him seemed to have temporarily retreated, and I couldn't bring myself to wake him.
I couldn't ignore the ever-growing pile of work that awaited him.
I tiptoed out of the room, leaving Killian to his slumber. The soft glow of the desk lamp illuminated the battlefield of papers strewn across the table, a testament to the chaos he had to face alone at work.
I decided to take on the challenge. I sat down and started Sorting through the papers, I went through the familiar language of work reports and financial statements.
I couldn't let Killian face this alone.
Minutes turned into hours, and the clock on the wall seemed to mock me with its relentless ticking. Y
The task was arduous, and my eyes grew heavy, but the thought of him waking up to find the chaos sorted spurred me forward.
No wonder he was so grouchy. This was what he had to do every day while I complained when I read a couple of reports.
It was Killian's gentle voice that broke through the haze of my concentration. "Catalina, what are you doing?"
Startled, I looked up to find him standing in the doorway, his eyes burning with curiosity, confusion, and amusement.
"I wanted to help," I confessed, a small smile playing on my lips.
He crossed the room in a few strides, kneeling beside my chair. "You're amazing, you know that?"
I shook her head, "Just helping the man I love."
Killian's hand found mine, a reassuring warmth. "Let's finish this together, and then we can rest."
We worked for the rest of the night silently. It was much faster now than when I was doing it alone.
Eventually, the last report was in order, and the final email was sent.
We sat back, fatigue settling in, but a quiet satisfaction lingered. Killian turned to me, his eyes reflecting a profound gratitude. "Thank you for being my anchor tonight."
I brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, mirroring the gesture he had offered me earlier. "We're a team, Killian. Always."
We made our way back to the bedroom, exhaustion clung to us like a second skin.
I couldn't help but voice the worry that had been gnawing at me since that day. "Do you think everything will be okay?"
Killian paused, his gaze meeting mine. "I'll fix it, Catalina. I promise. As soon as I can."
Climbing into bed, I nestled into him as the day's troubles faded into the background. I listened to Killian's steady heartbeat, finding comfort in the rhythm.
In the stillness of the night, I whispered, "I trust you, Killian."
And as sleep claimed me, promises made in the dark echoed with the hope of a new day.