Chapter 9 Chapter 9
Adam, who was watching everything, immediately commented:
“Boss, it seems your father didn't like the color of my hair. Do you want me to dye it black to match you better?”
Katherine chuckled softly.
“Green suits you better.”
“Boss! How can you be like this?!” he grumbled.
On the other side of town, João Pedro Arbex pretended to be asleep in the back seat of the car.
After the call, the assistant warned:
“Boss... the auction house said that Mr. Sasha Luz is not willing to meet.”
João Pedro's eyes opened slowly.
Cold as ever. But... there was something different.
A sparkle.
To the assistant, this could only mean one thing: interest.
After all, his boss was rarely rejected.
And when he was... he became dangerous.
“Ask them to send you the contact details for Sasha Luz's assistant,” the man ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
Shortly afterwards, João Pedro received the sequence of numbers. He didn't call.
He just stared at them, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
At nine o'clock that night, Katherine finished her business and returned to the Arbex residence.
The mansion was grand—not just luxurious, but majestic, like a small Western palace.
The main building, where the patriarch lived, was divided into the East and West Wings.
The East Wing housed the youngest son and his family.
The West Wing housed the eldest son and his family.
Two separate worlds, united only by occasional dinners.
The board had decided that Katherine would stay in the West Wing — where young people her age lived. Among them was Dandara Arbex, the patriarch's granddaughter.
After walking through long, silent corridors, Katherine arrived at the small hall where the gentleman practiced calligraphy.
The atmosphere was peaceful, solemn.
It looked like a temple of art.
Calligraphy masterpieces covered the hall—walls, tables, floor. The scent of ink was intense.
There were only two people there:
Mr. Arbex, focused on his calligraphy,
and Dandara, who was helping him grind the ink.
Both were so absorbed that they did not notice Katherine's presence.
She stood there silently, observing the calligraphy for a moment—her gaze full of deep, almost melancholic thoughts.
As she left the main building, Katherine saw an elegant woman standing at the door.
She looked to be about forty-five, but had the vitality and beauty of someone in their early thirties.
It was Anastasia Coller, João Pedro's mother and owner of the East Wing.
Katherine had only met her twice in the five days she had been at the Arbex residence.
And on both occasions, it was impossible not to smile at the warmth and natural joy of that woman.
“Aunt Anastasia,” she greeted her.
Hearing her voice, Anastasia turned with a radiant smile, walking quickly toward her.
“You're back! Are you tired? Have you eaten? Are you hungry?” She examined the girl from head to toe, frowning. “Why are you wearing so little clothing in the fall? It's cold at night. Here, put on my jacket!”
Katherine raised her hand, politely refusing:
“Thank you, Aunt Anastasia. That won't be necessary.”
“Oh, don't be so formal with me!” Anastasia laughed cheerfully. “Your grandfather has already spoken to you, right? From now on, you'll be living with us. I'm the only woman here, I need company! Let's let the three men spoil us, it'll be great!”
Katherine just smiled.
For her, the location didn't matter—as long as she remained in the Arbex residence, it would be easy for her to conduct her searches.
Upon entering the East Wing, her keen hearing picked up a distant conversation.
The clear sound of a boy begging his father:
“Dad! Buy it for me! I want that car!”
The calm, monotonous male voice replied as he leafed through a newspaper:
“Ask your mother. If she agrees, I'll buy it.”
“Mom only listens to my brother! And HE said he won't buy it!”
“Then we won't buy it.”
“NOOO!!”
The shrill scream pierced Katherine's head like a knife.
She touched her ears, deeply regretting not wearing her hearing aid that day.
If regret could kill...
After calming the commotion down a little, Anastasia guided her to the entrance hall.
Inside, Katherine saw a boy of about twelve crying on the sofa—Octavio—while a middle-aged man read the newspaper with a tired expression: Joseph Arbex.
“Uncle Arbex,” she greeted him politely.
Joseph lowered the newspaper and took off his glasses, smiling warmly.
"Kath, welcome! Consider this place your home. No formalities between us.“
She smiled discreetly.
But before Joseph could continue, Octavio ran up to her, his eyes wide with curiosity and urgency.
”Is it true that you're dating my brother?!“
”What?!" Anastasia exclaimed in surprise.
Joseph also opened his mouth, perplexed.
Katherine sighed inwardly.
I really shouldn't have hugged him today...
Anastasia grabbed her son by the arm, overly excited:
“Ota, repeat that NOW. Loud and clear!”
“Dandara said!” he pointed to the room, almost panting. “She said João hugged Katherine today! IN FRONT of the blind date girl!”
Immediately, three pairs of eyes turned to Katherine.
Everyone waiting for her response.
Everyone hopeful for... gossip.
Katherine cleared her throat, impassive.
“Misunderstanding.”
“Actually... it was just a misunderstanding.”
From behind her, a deep, familiar voice emerged, as calm as it was icy—but it made the air around her change.
Katherine didn't turn around.
She had heard his footsteps long before.
João Pedro Arbex entered the hall, walking over to the table to pour himself a glass of water.
“I'm not interested in women under the age of twenty-two,” he declared, with his usual polite coldness.
There was no sarcasm.
There was no irony.
There was no provocation.
It was just the truth.
Raw.
Literal.
And for that very reason... so devastating.
Anastasia's eyes widened.
Joseph was speechless.
Octavio looked as if he had been metaphorically slapped.
And Katherine...
She kept her expression neutral.
But inside, a single phrase ran through her mind:
“Arrogant as ever.”
Anastasia sighed softly, trying to save her son's image.
She turned to Katherine—but the girl was so serene, so indifferent, that she didn't even seem to have heard João Pedro's cold comment.
The atmosphere became tense for a moment.
Uncomfortable silence.
Anastasia hastened to intervene:
"That boy only talks nonsense, Kath. Don't listen to him. All he thinks about is work. Come on, I'll show you your room.
Katherine smiled kindly and waved elegantly.
As she turned to go upstairs, she caught a glimpse of the tall figure behind her—João Pedro.
And something in his eyes—a curious, intense gleam—sparked her interest even more.