Page 42 of Hotel Mallois

"Likewise," Jodie responds, returning the embrace before moving to greet the rest of the family.

"Amazing as always, sister-in-law," Caroline throws out with a look both playful and lustful that infuriates Katherine.

It's not because she's jealous, it's because Caroline does it to mess with her, and she's stupid enough to fall for her sister's provocation every time she and Jodie meet.

"Every time you do that, I want to stab you," Katherine mutters as she sits down.

"Don't hold back on my account," Rachel supports her through a laugh.

Caroline sits and clings to her father's arm like when she was little and her two sisters would respond to her silent provocations, always appearing to be the bad ones, just like now.

"Can we have some peace?" Warren Taylor asks, irritated.

"That's rich," Rachel says, shaking her head, still laughing.

"You know, I always wanted a son?" Warren tells Jodie, "and look, three women, all with their mother's strong personality."

The laughter can be heard from outside the private dining room.

"Well, I have to get back to the kitchen, I need to start on tonight's menu," Jodie says, saying goodbye to the whole family.

When the chef leaves the kitchen, she's as tired as if she'd been dragging stones all day, but she's very satisfied.

"Where's Katherine?" she asks Mike when she exits the hotel and sees only the chauffeur in front of the car.

He smiles and pulls out a card.

"On the top floor," he says and hands it to her with a smile, pointing to the highest part of the hotel.

Jodie makes a face while accepting it, unable to prevent her pulse from racing with uncertainty. When the elevator doors open on the top floor of the Magnolis hotel, she heads to the door of one of the six suites that occupy the floor. She swipes the card through the reader and the door unlocks with a click very similar to Katherine's penthouse.

"Kate?" she asks as soon as she enters, but receives no response.

All she hears is soft background music, and Jodie follows the path guided by candlelight. There, she finds Katherine standing next to a table camouflaged under a white tablecloth with two cushioned chairs. In the center,there's a small vase with flowers and more candles, plus two glasses that Katherine is filling with her favorite wine.

"What's this?" Jodie asks as she approaches, overwhelmed.

"A special dinner for a beautiful girl," Katherine responds, offering her the glass before kissing her.

Then she puts down her glass and pulls out Jodie's chair, inviting her to sit.

"Should I be worried?" Jodie asks, nervous and overwhelmed.

"Think I'm going to propose?" Katherine teases with a half-smile that melts Jodie.

"I don't know, but the situation could be perfect for it, because it's the hotel's inauguration with a full house and here you are wasting one of the most expensive rooms to prepare this dinner with me."

"Having dinner with you isn't a waste, not here or anywhere," Katherine clarifies, "but maybe I went overboard with the romance, didn't I?" she asks, making an amused face.

"Maybe, but I like it," Jodie admits.

"Great, because I want to propose something to you, and I want you to be receptive," Katherine says, and Jodie furrows her brow.

"Are you trying to influence my answer?" she asks, trying to hold back her laughter.

"I would never do that," Katherine winks at her.

"Okay, tell me what you need to say because I'm getting really nervous," Jodie demands.

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