CEO’s Romantic Affair

They were placed on a large carpet with simple patterns, but Cathryn quickly noticed the delicate workmanship indicating it was hand-made.

Two large pillars on either side, vividly engraved with Greek myths, stood quietly and far away from each other.

They walked into the living room on the left through a long hallway and found three large sofas surrounding a complex Rococo oval table. A candle holder was placed in the middle with twelve candles lit, and a thin, white jade-like porcelain vase was two cornflowers shining coldly with the fire.

In addition to the flowers placed, there are some snacks on gold rim dessert plates. Cathryn noticed that they were a plate of nachos in cheese and pepper sauce and a plate of biscuits and cupcakes. Apparently, they had prepared for her taste for food.

On the right side of the right column, several chairs were neatly placed, facing a black grand piano.

A brown-eyed middle-aged man was playing buoyantly; standing next to the piano, a tall woman with hard facial lines was singing affectionately.

Seven or eight people were sitting on the chairs, the man sitting in the middle of the first roll was most attractive of all, his silver hair was cleanly slicked back, his cheeks were well shaved, and his eyebrows stood upright, coordinating his solemn eyes staring at the Sopran.

As soon as Sophia entered the room, she ran straight over to the elder in the middle. He heard Sophia’s words and turned his eyes in the direction of the door. He glanced at Keith and Cathryn with a friendly, gentle nod.

The song went to the climax part and stopped abruptly, the piano keys were swiftly struck, and both hands were raised, ending the performance.

“Bravo!” Sophia applauded first. The woman lowered her head and smiled shyly. She quickly said something to Sophia in German, and Sophia responded, making both of them laugh.

As they were talking, everyone in the room stood up and turned to smile at the guests at the door. Cathryn tried to maintain her smile and felt her hand pulled by a large palm beside her, and Keith led her to the room.

The Clarkson’s know their etiquette in grand parties, but at home, they were fonder of simplicity.

To keep her manner and nervousness, Cathryn didn’t speak and quickly gave a look at each one and turned to her fiancé again, waiting quietly for introductions.

In fact, it was also the first time for Keith to bring a woman home. Seeing Cathryn nervous, he secretly patted her back and started introducing his family members.

The elder man who had been sitting in the middle was Keith’s grandfather Allan. At the age of eighty, he looked fairly strong and straight in his casual outfit. A hero in his later years, Allan still had that handsome edge and tough character.

He used to be an assertive businessman before he retired, but years of enjoying the company of his beloved granddaughter and great-grandson had made him a rather amiable old man. Cathryn relaxed her mind as soon as she met his eyes.

Then it was Keith’s elder uncle Emmanuel. As he was in charge of the family business now, he looked like a much milder parent with his round, red face with a big smile. Like his father, his hair was meticulously combed, matching his well-cut suit, making Cathryn feel appreciated.

He was supposed to be in his 60s now, but he managed himself well, and he actually didn’t look older than 50 years old. His wife standing next to him looked even younger.

The aunt-in-law was born and raised in Dusseldorf, the daughter of a local politician. When they married, it was more of a marriage between politics and business. However, after spending life together for more than 30 years, they have found a deep mutual trust and respect.

The aunt has a typical German character, straightforward, kind-hearted, and always full of smiles. Even the wrinkles on her face added to her beauty.

“Welcome, Fräulein Riley!” The aunt exhaled and gave a big hug to Cathryn.

“Tante,” Cathryn called.

“My dearest daughter!”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Helen saw her cautiousness, so before Keith could introduce her, she had already walked toward Cathryn, holding her hand and assuring in a singing voice, “This is your home now, we are a family.”

After that, she didn’t forget to blink at Cathryn playfully. Compared to the elder aunt, Keith’s mother was a lot livelier with her well-cared figure wrapped in a light blue silk evening gown and her beautiful face shining with those blue eyes which Keith perfectly inherited.

Cathryn felt somehow she had seen her before, but either it’s that or her hospitality, she felt much more relaxed with Helen. She smiled thankfully at her future mother-in-law and said genuinely, “Thank you, Mrs. Clarkson.”

Keith had proposed marriage, but they never had an engagement ceremony, let alone a wedding, Cathryn believed that’s the proper address.

Helen responded with a girlish giggle and repeated Cathryn’s words to her son. “Mrs. Clarkson! Did you hear that? I thought you were getting married.” She made a face at everyone, the family all laughed.

Cathryn smiled and blushed her face, and Keith put his arm around her shoulders to answer his mother’s tease.

That’s the half of the family introduced, Keith carried on.

His elder uncle and aunt had only one son, which was Keith’s cousin and Luis’s dad, Edward. Most artists Cathryn knew would carry a more or less broken look, but Edward looked as clean and formal as the rest of the family. His cheeks were clean, and he was wearing silver glasses.

“Do you remember the abstract sculptures at the airport?” Keith asked Cathryn after he had introduced his cousin.

“I do.” She nodded and recalled how vigorous and representative they were of the time, and it’s hard not to remember.

“Some of them are his,” Keith revealed.

Cathryn widened her eyes in surprise, and Edward just smiled at her.

“Oh, I was wondering if the sculptures on the lawn kind of resembled them in the airport,” Cathryn said in amazement.

“The Clarkson’s sculptures should come from a Clarkson too, eh?” Keith said, “And it’s cheaper.”