บท 19: Broke

Crown Resort Group

In Damien Park's spacious office at a quarter past seven, two men were studying the documents that they have spread out on the table. The files contained Katherine's personal information and some medical records.

"So, this is the reason why she doesn't remember me?" Damien rubbed his forehead as he studied the paper and added, "But it still doesn't make sense. Even if she has amnesia, why is she living like she does now?"

Straightening his back, he tossed the file onto the table. "If what she told me in the past was the truth; that she's an orphan… then I would believe that she's alone but I refuse to believe that she did not have any relatives or even friends at all. So why is she living in that tiny apartment in that part of the city? "

"That was what I was wondering about too. She didn't look like she was poor back then." Markus stared at the documents on the table as he recalled the past. Because of his boss's orders, he had spent long hours trying to understand and learn as much as he could about the mysterious woman.

"And she doesn't remember anything at all… not even me." There was a hint of dejection in his voice. It was masked but Markus certainly noticed it.

"There's one more thing," Markus said, catching Damien's attention. "There's something weird about the doctor that was keeping an eye on her while she was in a coma."

"What do you mean?"

"Doctor Smith." Markus pointed at the picture on the paper. "The date that she was admitted in the hospital was the doctor's first day. She was monitored by the same doctor until she woke up four months later. And then, when she got discharged, the same doctor also resigned the next day. I mean… that's a huge coincidence."

Knitting his brows, Damien leaned forward and seriously pondered over the information that they have acquired. "Is it possible that this is…"

"Yes, boss?"

"I just have a feeling that her memory loss was intentional."

Markus tilted his head as he waited for Damien to continue. He watched as his boss analyzed the situation.

"I'm certain that Katherine was never alone. What with whoever she was talking to on the phone whenever I see her… the places, the timing… it's just too…" Damien ran his hand on his face, evidently stressed about the piece of information. "When was the last time that she went to the hospital for a check-up?"

Markus picked up the medical record and scanned it. "According to the dates here, she goes every few months but the last one that she was supposed to go was a month ago but she didn't."

"Why would she miss an important appointment?"

"I think it has something to do with her finances. I checked her accounts. She used to have savings until a few months ago. She's having a hard time recently. This job basically saved her."

There was a slight prick on Damien's heart when he heard it. How could his woman be living like this? No wonder why she looked thinner. He recalled how she was back then and he remembered very well how she was always glowing. She had a slim figure but still looked strong. A lot has changed since then and Damien couldn't help but sigh. If she hadn't left him or if he had only found her sooner, he would have taken care of her and she wouldn't have to suffer like this.

Damien decided that starting now, he will make sure of her well-being. He will have to grab every chance he gets to make her eat. 'No… she has to eat with me. That's the only way I can make sure that she eats properly. That's right!'

"Keep an eye on her next doctor's appointment and get me her primary care's information," Damien ordered.

"Yes, boss."

…

While the two of them were busy discussing in the office that evening, Katherine was walking towards her apartment. Her legs and feet were tired from wearing heels all day. She was still a hundred meters away from her building when she finally gave up and removed her shoes. Walking barefoot on the street going to her place felt so much better. She sighed when she realized that she had no choice but to wear it everyday.

Finally reaching her building, she lazily walked up the stairs to the second floor. She could not wait to get to her bed and food will just have to wait again.

When she reached her floor, there were familiar things that were placed along the hallway. Her brows began to furrow as she walked past the pile until she realized that everything she saw was all her belongings. Her eyes widened in shock and she immediately ran towards her door but to her surprise, a huge lock was installed on it and a paper was taped on the door – it was a notice from her landlady.

Katherine was kicked out of her apartment.

Without second thoughts, she hurriedly went to the landlady's house on the first floor and knocked. She pleaded so much and was already on the verge of crying but she strongly held it in. "Please, Mrs. Qin! I just got a new job and I will pay you as soon as I receive my salary. I promise! You can't leave me out here in the cold. Where will I sleep?"

The door opened and out came the landlady with an arrogant expression on her face. "You should have thought about that when you didn't pay your rent! This is already your third month, I can't let you live here for free! I have five kids to feed! There are many people inquiring to rent in this building. They have money and you don't. So unless you can pay what you owe, you can't stay here!"

"But… Mrs. Qin.." Katherine clenched her fists. It was as if she had the urge to punch her in the face but she held herself back. She had noticed before that she has random violent tendencies but she doesn't often act on her urges except for what she had done to Damien recently.

She tried to plead one more time but Mrs. Qin did not relent. In the end, Katherine offered her twenty dollars, asking if she can at least put her things in the garage for the meantime.

She was exhausted after an hour of moving her stuff. Slinging a duffel bag on her, Katherine sat on the curb and took out her phone. She contemplated calling Emma but stopped herself. Emma had a huge family and there was no way for her to stay with them or she will just be a burden. She couldn't ask Adam as well since he was a man living alone in his apartment.

Taking out her wallet, she counted her money again and stared at it. If she was to keep what she has left, she will have enough to eat until the end of the week but if she will look for an inn to stay for the night, she'll only have money to last until a couple of days later.

"No. Paying for the night will be expensive." She told no one in particular.

Katherine sat there for a few minutes trying to think of ways until an idea flashed in her mind. She quickly stood up and pursed her lips before she started walking.

An hour later.

Katherine stood on the road as she looked at her office building. She swallowed as she thought of what she was going to do but she was left with no other choice. Feeling resolute, she marched towards the building.

Crown Resort Group's main office building was adjacent to their hotel in the city. The main office was already closed during this time but she could still enter through the main entrance of the hotel.

Feeling brave, Katherine casually waltzed in the hotel, snuck into the 'employees only door' and then headed to the staircase that lead to the main office building.

She opened the door to a storage room that was two floors down from CEO's office floor. The room was a small one but there were not a lot of things in there since there were other storage rooms on the lower floors. Apart from office supplies, there were a few blankets that she could use for the night. Dropping her bag to the floor, she started rearranging the room so that she can have enough space to sleep on.

Feeling satisfied with her work, she rubbed her hands together while a smile appeared on her face, "This will have to do for now."

Just as she said this, her stomach growled. It was ten in the evening and she had not eaten dinner yet. Patting her belly, she walked out of the storage room and headed towards the snack area on the next floor up.

Katherine's smile grew wide when she saw that it was fully stocked. There were cup noodles, bread, cookies, chips, and drinks.

Placing her hands on her waist, she was feeling better seeing that she won't have to starve. Opening the beef cup noodles, she sighed and comforted herself, "You'll be alright, Kath."

She felt at home by herself. No matter what's in store for her starting that day, she'll just have to brave through it.