My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 150: Only If You Ask

Katherine arrived at the office on time, as always. She set her bag down gently, brushing a few strands of hair from her eyes before powering on her computer. As the screen blinked to life, her thoughts wandered.

Nathan and Maya.

That morning, over cereal and milk, both kids had reminded her with matching wide eyes and spoonfuls of cornflakes that they still hadn’t picked out a gift for Julio’s birthday.

"We can’t go without a present, Mom," Nathan had said with the seriousness of a diplomat, and Maya had nodded solemnly, "Julio will be sad."

Katherine smiled faintly at the memory and made a mental note: find a gift this afternoon after work. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The usual hum of the office picked up. Katherine focused on sorting documents, though her mind kept drifting. Despite herself, it always circled back to the same thing lately: Felix.

The elevator chimed. She looked up just as Felix walked in, dressed in a crisp white shirt and a black suit jacket. His tie hung just a little loose like always, and his hair was tousled from the wind.

"Morning," he said, eyes briefly meeting hers as he passed.

"Good morning," she replied, offering a small smile. Her heart gave a quiet flutter, then quickly stilled again.

Later, just past noon, Katherine knocked on Felix’s office door, a few neatly arranged folders in her hands.

"Come in," he called out.

She stepped in, placed the documents on his desk. "Just the signed contracts and a summary from Legal. Also, Mr. Perrington team moved the Thursday meeting to Friday."

Felix nodded, flipping open one folder. "Thanks."

She lingered for a moment. Her eyes shifted to him and then to the floor. Should I ask?

He caught her hesitation. "Anything else?"

Katherine straightened. "No, nothing."

He leaned back in his chair, arms folding. "Really?"

"Yes."

He gave a look that could only be described as amused disbelief. "Katherine, we’ve known each other for what—six years? You know you’re not exactly great at hiding things from me."

"I’m fine," she said quickly, pressing her lips into a small smile. "It’s not important."

Felix stood slowly, walking around his desk with a casual pace. "Now I’m curious."

"What are you doing?" she asked, backing a step.

"Trying to guess what’s running through that overworked head of yours." He sounded like he was joking, but the way he looked at her felt far too focused.

She stepped back again until her spine touched the wall near the bookshelf. Sensing that, she moved sideways, only to find herself cornered between his desk and the cabinet.

Felix rested one hand lightly on the desk behind her, still not touching her, but his presence was enough to set every nerve in her body on alert.

"Mr. Crawford—" she said in a low voice, her fingers clutching the side of the desk. "Please back off."

His gaze dropped to her lips for a split second before meeting her eyes again.

"Then just tell me what’s bothering you."

Katherine shifted slightly, trying to angle her body away from him, but the desk dug into her hip. Her grip on the edge tightened.

"I’m fine," she said quickly. Too quickly. "It’s nothing, really. Just a long day."

Felix didn’t budge.

His eyes stayed on her—calm, unreadable, but far too focused. "You’re a terrible liar."

"I’m not lying," she said, forcing a weak smile. "I just don’t think it’s any of your concern."

"You work for me. It is my concern."

She let out a breath, eyes flicking toward the door. "Well, you’ve made your point. Can I go now?"

"No," he said, his voice low but firm. "Not until you tell me what’s going on."

She hesitated—then sighed. "It’s... I wanted to ask about that woman."

Felix blinked. "What woman?"

"The one who came to the office the other day. The same one people said kissed you."

A flash of surprise crossed his face. "Wait—how do you know about that?"

Her expression flattened. "So it’s true."

His jaw tightened. "People are really talking about that?"

She nodded. "They’re saying she’s your girlfriend."

A groan escaped him. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly irritated. "Great. That’s all I need—an office full of soap-opera writers."

"Is it true?" she asked quietly. "Is she your girlfriend?"

He looked at her dead-on. "No. Her name is Lara Johanssen. She’s the daughter of one of my dad’s business partners. She just arrived in town and... she’s a little much. But that’s all."

Katherine studied his face. "So you’re not... involved?"

"Not even close," Felix said with force. "I didn’t even want her to visit the office. And the kiss—" He exhaled. "It was a surprise ambush. I didn’t return it."

"Oh." Her shoulders sagged just a little, as though the tension she didn’t even realize she was holding finally loosened.

He softened. "I should’ve told you. I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable."

"I understand," she murmured. "I just... I overheard people talking, and—"

Felix stepped closer again, the intensity in his eyes gentler now. "Katherine," he said, his voice lower. "You know there’s only one person I think about."

Her breath hitched.

"I’ve made that confession once already," he added with a light laugh, "but apparently the woman I said it to decided not to respond at all."

Katherine’s face warmed. She couldn’t look away. Her fingers curled slightly on the desk behind her as silence stretched between them.

After a few seconds, Felix cleared his throat, stepping back and giving her space. "Anyway. That’s the truth. You don’t need to worry about her. Or anyone."

She nodded, still quiet.

He returned to his seat, glanced back once as he sat. "If you ever want to ask me anything, Katherine... you don’t have to hesitate. Just ask."

She stood there for a moment longer, then gave a small nod. "Okay."

Her voice was quiet, but steady.

Felix smiled, and for the first time all week, the awkward tension between them seemed to ease—just a little.