Beautiful Trauma

3

Caitlin’s POV

"Caitlin, come to my office in five minutes and bring the report I asked of you," I flinched the moment I heard my supervisor's voice and it doesn't take long for me to realize that she was in a foul mood.

Whether it was because of yesterday's events or an entirely different reason, I still knew I'm gonna have to muster every ounce of my patience so that I wouldn't talk back to my demon of a boss.

After I had lunch with the boys and Seth, I quickly run back to my office, not minding the fact that I did not even mutter a goodbye to my CEO.

From a few meters, I can still hear all the boys except Seth's laughter.

If you're wondering, the four of them were actually the best of friends since I can't remember when.

My mind wandered on the man who had been keeping me awake since last night.

He dyed his hair in platinum grey and damn, he looked so f*****g good looking like that.

Seth, the last time I saw him was a few years ago when we signed the contract that allows me and my family to stay at the house.

You see, my father was a gambler. And when I meant gambler, he was someone really addicted to it that we didn't know our family was already losing our properties.

One by one, we lost everything that we had, except for the main house and the other where I was staying right now.

The main house was huge and the backyard was wide it even has a huge fountain front which carries a lot of memories not only to my family but the original owner which was coincidental, Seth’s mom.

I was in the US, and I just finished taking my degree in business management when I got a call about the death of my father.

I was devastated. The fact that I wasn't there on his last days made me regret my decision of studying abroad.

However, I didn't know I would be in for a big surprise. I never knew things are getting out of hand at home while I am far away from thinking everything is as good as before I left.

The next day, I took a flight back home. My mom was a mess and my older brother was confused about everything. And my youngest brother doesn't have a clue about what's happening.

Losing my father hurts a lot but what made everything harder is the fact that a lot of people came to us informing us about my father's unpaid loans.

What's even worse is that we just found out that the house had been served as collateral on a bank for the last game that he had before he died of a heart attack.

My brother was frustrated and my mom was in a shock.

By that time, all I think about is where we will be sleeping.

In a blink of an eye, we would be homeless.

We've lost everything.

But then, we recently found out that the title of the house was actually put by my grandfather under my name and not of my fathers. And a special clause was included in it.

That I can only inherit the house once I reach 25 years old or if I am already married. I'm not sure if my father was even aware of it.

That took me off guard. We never knew about that and we only found out about it because the will of my grandfather was instructed to be opened in case I either reached the said age, I get married or if my father suddenly dies.

Now that's the problem. We can't give the house for p*****t. If I did, the house will be pulled by the bank. Unless it was put up with a different name which meant my husband's.

That's when all the mess started. Mr. Harolds, the person whom my father owned the house with, proposed that I marry his son Yuan instead. He said if I did, we wouldn't have to go and find another place because my family can live at their house while our old one will be demolished. It turns out, Mr. Harolds was planning on building a commercial complex in the area.

It was crazy how they were offering marriage easily. It's like, everything was all planned.

I was helpless and I had no choice but to agree. If I don't, my family will end sleeping in the streets. We have no backup.

I just graduated and I don't think I can find a job seeing my mind is an utter mess. My brother doesn't have a job because he had been used to receiving allowances from my mother.

Our company was in bankruptcy and we didn't have a single clue.

I was careless. Why didn't I bother checking our assets? I mean, I was studying about business, surely, the purpose was to inherit the company our grandfather had put up.

I can't sell the house too since I practically don't own it yet so I had no choice but to marry whoever bastard he is.

My older brother Chester was fuming in anger and my mom doesn't know what to do.

My dreams, everything came crashing down in front of me. I have nothing left. And the house, though it wasn't originally ours, I have so many memories of my father in there.

That's when Seth came in the picture. I was so helpless so I told my cousin Oki. He must have told him about the possible demolition of the place so he came back to Korea.

Seth was in the US at that time. And our house was actually originally owned by her mother who passed away when he was still young. His parents had a divorce and the house was his mother's. A lot has happened until we took ownership in the house before his mom died. He was okay with that because he and Oki can visit the house whenever they want, But that wouldn't be the case if the house will be demolished.

Everything went in a flash and the next thing I knew, my father's debt are all taken care of and I wouldn't have to marry Mr. Harolds’ son.

All the problems were solved but my brother wasn't too happy about it. But we had no choice. It's either I accept Seth's aid or I end up getting married to someone I don't know.

So now, I was trapped in a stupid contract with Seth.

There were only a few people who knew about it, my family and Seth's best friends.

The moment we signed the contract, Seth went back to the US as nothing had happened.

He allowed my family to stay in the house and let me do whatever I want in the other house too.

He doesn't care about anything else. He doesn't care about me. He only saved me because he can't let the house and that stupid fountain get demolished.

That's what he said.

"I don't like you, Caitlin, so don't feel burdened about this. Five years, and you can get the other house and your freedom,"

Those were his exact words after we signed the contract.

And it crushed me inside.

Because Seth Richards was actually my first love.

But it doesn't matter.

I was eleven when I met him. Oki brought him in the house and that's when I found out they originally owned it, That moment I saw how his eyes turned into a crescent shape whenever he smiles, I was captivated.

But loving him wasn't all rainbows and sunshine. I have been infatuated with him but he never saw me any more than a younger sister.

Every time he sees a different woman, it kills me inside.

Nobody knew about my feelings, I was so good at hiding them. Until Seth accidentally took possession of my precious diary.

I knew he found out the moment he started acting so cold with me. He started avoiding me like I am someone with some disease.

It kills me. Do I deserve to be treated like that?

I mean, I never asked for him to like me back but he looks at me like I was someone disgusting for even existing.

So I decided to study abroad, to leave everyone, erased every bad memory that I have even my love for him.

I never saw him after that.

Until everything was a mess.

And now he's back.

Should I be happy?

"Didn't I tell you to go to my office?!"

I was startled when I saw a hand on my table, the loud sound echoing the room the moment she hit it aggressively.

And then I noticed every eye of my team members at me.

Shit.

I must have spaced out the moment I started remembering everything that had happened.

My eyes met my supervisor's and I mentally prepared myself for all the scolding that I will surely receive. Ciara isn't really hiding her real colours to everyone in the room. That's because everyone hated me anyways.

"Sorry," I muttered an apology and she rolled her eyes at me.

"Are you disobeying me because you seemed close to our boss, is that it?" she started and my eyes widened.

"No ma'am," I stated, standing from my seat. "And I am not close to our CEO. I just happened to be there because of my cousin," I stated and I noticed how she looked glad about what she said.

She knows that Oki is my cousin.

"Really? Ok then, follow me in my office," she stated and I was quite surprised how her mood immediately changed after that.

I quickly took the report that she was requesting and the moment we both entered her office, but what caught me off-guard was the sight of Seth standing in the middle of Ciara's room.

My supervisor's eyes widened, and so was mine.

"Sir, what a pleasant surprise," Ciara greeted and I bowed the moment Seth's eyes landed on mine.

He was wearing a typical boss attire, black slacks paired with black dress shoes, a black silk top partnered with a slick black coat which hangs on his body perfectly.

"Yeah, I just came and I thought I'd pay a visit to every department. Aren't you the girl from yesterday at the cafeteria?" he asked and I noticed Ciara's cheeks blushing.

Wow, she's acting like some high school girl now when earlier, it seems like she wanted to kill me.

"Yes sir, I'm sorry about it," she stated and my heart dropped the moment I saw Seth smiling.

"No. I should apologize. My attitude towards you was totally uncalled for. Let's a have a good working relationship in the future," he stated before paying attention to me.

"I should be going. You two must have something important to talk about," he stated and Ciara's eyes went wide.

"No sir, actually, I just called her for not being able to finish the report that she needs to pass. She can go. Do you want a cup of coffee?" she asked frantically.

I looked at Ciara, shocked about her words.

This git. I was able to finish the report ahead of time. And this report is actually not part of my job scope but hers. I can't believe this woman. Is she trying to make me look bad in front of Seth? Is that was is it?

Now, I was fuming with anger. But what even surprised me was Seth's disappointed stare and the coldness of his voice.

"Really? I'm quite disappointed Ms.Caitlin. I expect a great quality of work from my employees," he stated and my eyes locked on his.

My free hand balled into a fist and I was trying so hard not to talk back.

How dare he question my credibility?

I worked so hard for this f*****g company because it's part of the clause. If not, I wouldn't waste my time working for a supervisor like Ciara.

I've been starving myself, doing things I shouldn't be doing and all I get is an unfair treatment like this? And not from someone else but him?

"I know. I am sorry for not being able to handle her very well sir. But don't worry, I'll make sure to discipline her." Ciara stated and I have never wanted to trash her room so eagerly before this.

How dare this b***h do this to me?

"Caitlin, go back to your table and do your job properly," she stated and I was frozen from my spot.

I was debating what I should do. But my inside felt defeated so after bowing to both of them, I turned my back and headed outside but before I can even leave, I heard Seth's flirty voice.

"So, about that coffee," he started and I felt the water building up from the corner of my eyes.

Does he really hate me that much? I mean, I never really asked for his help before. And that time when he found out about my feelings for him, I never asked for him to love me back.

Why does he treat me like some s**t?

Tears escaped my eyes and I had to turn around and head straight to the comfort room to calm myself first.

Seth Richards, why are you like this to me?