บท 7: She Doesn't Exist

Katherine's parents were murdered when she was twelve and after she was saved from the tragedy, she was sent to an orphanage and stayed there for three years. Then Chris came to pick her up and asked her if she wanted to go with him to her new home.

Katherine was elated to see him at that time which was why she agreed to it. She felt lonely in the orphanage. She was then brought to Shadow's base and she was happy that she had found a 'home'. Later, she agreed to be trained as an agent but she asked Chris to promise her that he will help her find who killed her parents.

It took her six years and finally, she was closer to what she had wanted since the beginning – to avenge the untimely death of her family.

Receiving the news, Katherine was overjoyed. She could not contain her excitement that she unknowingly hugged Chris tightly in her arms. She only snapped out of her daze when she felt the warmth of his arms around her body as he returned her embrace.

Katherine suddenly became nervous; her heart drummed in her chest as she slowly let herself back down, yet Chris still kept his arms locked around her, refusing to let go.

He did not know when he started to like her as he was always around her. He watched her grow into who and what she was at present and as their faces drew close, that's when he saw her eyes. Her eyes looked innocent yet she had already seen how dark the world was. They looked happy yet he knew how sad she would get once she's all alone.

His heart yearned for her. He wanted to protect her as much as he could and telling her about the lead just now was his way of protecting her.

Katherine still had her arms hooked around his neck. She had wanted to lower them but she froze on the spot, especially when Chris looked at her like that.

She wondered what he saw in her. Is he looking at her the way she was looking at him? But that would be wrong… right?

In their line of work, it's basically a rule not to fall in love… it's a mortal sin for all the agents. Shadow needed their agents to be in their best condition – clear-headed and do not ask questions. Katherine knew and even witnessed how ruthless Shadow could be. If they find out that someone disobeyed their rules, there will be no questions asked. They would do only one thing — and that was to cancel the agents.

So whatever they felt… they both knew that it's not going to be possible. However, what did Katherine really want?

Their foreheads touched… and Katherine noticed him leaning forward, tilting his head to the side. She slightly parted her lips and closed her eyes as if she was already anticipating what was coming her way.

His lips were just an inch away and yet he could not seem to go any further. His heart was saying yes but his mind was telling him otherwise.

Her breathing hitched as she waited… but what she hoped for did not happen. 'What's wrong?' she asked in her head.

It wasn't until Katherine felt his warm lips on her forehead that she finally opened her eyes. She pushed herself away from him, the hurt was evident in her eyes that she could only lower her head. 'Is there something wrong with me?' she wondered, unsure why the kiss did not happen. She knew why he did not go for it, yet she was in denial that it was the only reason.

Chris saw the expression on her face and he, too, was also hurt. He obviously had fallen for her but he couldn't possibly have her.

Brushing his thoughts aside, Chris formed a smile on his face and Katherine returned one—one that did not reach her eyes.

"Thank you...for this... I will make sure to keep it a secret and will make a move on my own," Katherine reassured.

"It's not only about keeping this a secret. This is dangerous, Kath. Promise me, if this one is not going to work...promise me that you will stop looking."

Katherine understood that Chris was just looking out for her and so she nodded. Apart from it being a dangerous matter, Shadow will not tolerate if she was caught privately investigating personal matters.

"You know I always try my best."

Chris nodded. "I know…just...be careful. You know you can call me anytime if something happens."

"I'll be careful," she replied.

"I should get going. You need to rest... I'll see you tomorrow." Chris patted her shoulder gently before he walked away.

When Katherine was alone, she slumped on the huge sofa. She lay there, brought her knees up and hugged herself.

She had never thought that something like that would happen that night. Did it mean that Chris liked her?

She did not dare assume because if she would know how he felt about her, she was afraid of what she might do.

If she knew how he felt, she would probably do whatever it takes just so that they could be together. And those thoughts scared her the most.

…

Crown Resort Group, Florida

The lavish room of the Chairman was located at the top floor where a young man in his mid-twenties sat behind a desk with a gold nameplate on it, typing away on his computer keyboard. Despite his age, this young man had already proven his worth as the Chairman of Crown Resort Group for almost two years since it was established.

Damien's family was wealthy but wanting to get away from their family business, he built his own from scratch and made it flourish.

Exuding confidence and charisma, twenty-four-year-old Damien Park had the right attitude in handling his business through his sheer determination and passion which was why he didn't go unnoticed by his competitors and of course, his admirers as well.

Fame, power, money and an attractive face and body; which woman wouldn't want to get involved with a man like him?

And contrary to most CEOs, Damien was actually approachable... That is, as long as no one touches his bottom line.

Assistant Markus Lee rushed inside with a tablet in his hand towards his boss's desk with a serious expression.

Markus Lee was two years younger than Damien but the two of them knew each other since they were kids. He was average in height and he wore glasses yet he looked charming. This young man never had a girlfriend since birth, unlike his boss who was very famous with the ladies, he was a workaholic that he never had time for petty things like dating.

Damien, on the other hand, was used to having women throwing themselves at him from left and right — front and center.

"Boss…" he called Damien when he arrived in front of his huge white desk.

Without looking up, Damien answered, "Yeah?" He was so immersed with whatever he was working on his computer that he did not even glance at his assistant.

"The woman from that night… you asked me to look for her?"

"Mhmm.. Have you found her address yet? Send a check for hospital bills along with a complimentary stay in the Bayside Resort." Damien's brows knitted, he seemed very troubled. "Damn it!"

Markus breathed out a sigh, if he did not know any better, he would think that his boss was actually busy with business. Unfortunately, the truth was, Damien Park was doing online gambling and had been at it since morning. Markus could only shake his head — he figured his boss must have lost the round.

"That… may not be possible."

Noticing his assistant's hesitation, Damien closed the window on his computer and turned to Markus. "What's not possible?"

"I've looked everywhere and cross-checked everything. I even asked Zero's help for facial recognition but… the results showed nothing," Markus explained.

Zero was a hacker whom they knew. For whatever purpose, they go to Zero for help and he would surely be able to give them whatever information they needed, however, this task made Zero's head hurt.

"Nothing?" A bewildered expression appeared on Damien's face. He rubbed his jaw and knitted his brows as he tried to recall what happened that night.

"None. It's as if she doesn't exist."

Damien got up from his chair and walked towards the window. With his hands in his pockets, he looked over the beach and the city view before him. He found it very intriguing why the woman did not show up in the results. That night when he met her, was she in disguise? But why would she do that?

A small smile danced on his lips as he thought of how interesting it was to have met a woman like her. "She has no identity? How fascinating..."

"Boss?" Markus wasn't sure what his boss meant. 'What's so fascinating about it?'

Without turning around, Damien ordered, "Keep digging. I refuse to believe that someone in this world is a 'nobody'."