Chapter 183: Chapter 183: Trip Authorized
The glass façade of Johnson & Associates reflected the high noon sun, casting long, sharp glints across the commercial boulevard. Inside the bullpen, the usual click of keyboards and shuffling of printouts had slowed down to a steady, rhythmic hum as the clock ticked past noon.
Catharine sat at her desk, her fingers poised over her keyboard as she finalized the column entries for the midday compliance report. Her headset was resting around her neck, its small green indicator light blinking silently. Ever since Elena Henry had cleared out Henderson’s desk and handed Catharine the direct reporting line for the Sterling assets, the junior analysts in her row had stopped leaning over her partition to borrow highlighters. The silence around her workspace was measured, careful, and heavy with a newfound boundaries-first respect.
A quiet, dual-tone vibration from the corner of her desk broke her focus. It was her personal phone, displaying a single, brief text from Jake.
Jake: Downstairs. The Brabus is parked near the side lane away from the main delivery bay. Let’s get lunch.
Catharine looked down at the message, a small, genuine smile finally breaking through her professional concentration. She saved her active spreadsheet, logged out of the shared server, and reached for her blazer on the back of the chair. As she walked toward the elevator bank, she could feel a few eyes from the back row tracking her movement, but she didn’t turn back.
Stepping out of the glass lobby into the crisp afternoon air, she spotted the massive, menacing silhouette of the Brabus instantly. It was a customized, midnight-black beast of an SUV, riding high on massive forged wheels, its carbon-fiber accents gleaming under the harsh sunlight. It looked like an armored vault on wheels, completely dominating the side lane and making the standard corporate sedans next to it look tiny.
As she approached, the rear door opened automatically. Elias was standing by the driver’s side door, his imposing frame clad in a sharp suit, giving her a respectful nod as he held the perimeter.
Catharine climbed into the plush leather interior. The cabin smelled of rich, premium leather and expensive wood, entirely isolated from the humid midday heat outside. Jake was sitting in the spacious back seat, dressed in a plain charcoal sweater with the sleeves rolled back to his forearms. The moment the door clicked shut, cutting off the city noise, Jake reached out, pulled her gently by the waist, and leaned in to kiss her.
It was a deep, lingering kiss that immediately melted away the stress of her morning spreadsheets.
"Missed you," Jake murmured against her lips, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"I missed you too," Catharine smiled, leaning into his side as the massive Brabus shifted into gear. Elias accelerated smoothly, the deep, guttural rumble of the heavily tuned engine vibrating right through the floorboards as the SUV tore down the commercial lane with effortless authority. "Where are we going?"
"Let’s get something quiet. I told Alice to book a private booth at the conservatory terrace near the botanical gardens," Jake said, keeping his arm wrapped securely around her shoulder. "No reporters, no tickers."
The conservatory terrace was elevated above the city’s main traffic grid, surrounded by thick glass panels and hanging green vines that effectively muffled the white noise of the streets below. A single waiter had escorted them to a deep wooden table tucked in the back corner, set down two plates of grilled salmon and chilled greens, and disappeared without asking for an autograph or an investment tip.
Jake took a slow sip of his water, watching Catharine spread her napkin across her lap. "How’s the new workload? Elena isn’t giving you Henderson’s old habit of logging ’phantom assets,’ I hope."
"No," Catharine said, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she picked up her fork. "Elena doesn’t believe in ’optimism’ when it comes to taxes. She wants the numbers exactly where they belong. It’s actually refreshing. I don’t have to look for ghosts in the machine when the person running the department is the one who built the code."
"Good. That’s how it should be," Jake said, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. "If you’re going to stand between the firm and a federal audit, you shouldn’t have to fight your own manager to do it."
Before Catharine could respond, the sharp, energetic ringtone of Jake’s phone echoed across the hard wood of the table. He pulled it from his pocket, glanced at the caller ID—Aliya—and caught Catharine’s eye with a knowing look. He tapped the screen and set the device flat on the table, switching it onto speakerphone.
"Hey, Jake," Aliya’s voice came through loud and clear, completely cutting through the quiet ambiance of the terrace. She didn’t bother with a greeting. "I’m with Carroll right now. We figured it out. We’re going to Tokyo."
Jake picked up his fork, entirely unbothered by the sudden declaration. "Tokyo. Alright. When do you want to go?"
"The exact week Carroll gets the medical clearance to drop the crutches," Aliya stated, her voice dropping into a professional, transactional cadence that sounded uncannily like her brother’s boardroom tone. "And I’m not doing a budget run, Jake. I already told Carroll we’re doing this properly. Here are the conditions."
Catharine rested her chin on her hand, a look of pure amusement crossing her face as she leaned in closer to the speaker.
"Go ahead," Jake said smoothly. "Let’s hear the list."
"First," Aliya counted off, her voice crisp over the line. "First-class berths on the direct flight out of the international terminal. No five-hour layovers in secondary hubs. Second, we want a multi-room suite at the hotel in Shinjuku—the one with the automated room service and the full view of the skyline. Third, I need a separate corporate expense line authorized for Carroll’s shopping bags because we’re replacing every single piece of clothes and shoes that got ruined in the crash. And finally, you’re paying for a private city guide for the first three days so Carroll doesn’t have to navigate the train stairs while her leg is still strengthening."
She paused, taking a breath on the other end, waiting for the inevitable pushback or negotiation.
Jake didn’t even blink. He took a bite of his lunch, chewed calmly, and looked across the table at Catharine before addressing the phone. "Is that everything?"
Aliya sounded slightly caught off guard by the lack of resistance. "Yes. For now."
"Fine," Jake said. "I’ll tell Alice to have Golden Investments clear the travel vouchers and open a dedicated auxiliary line for your accounts. Just send the exact dates to Kovacs once the specialist gives Carroll the final checkup note."
"Really? Just like that?" Aliya muttered, her voice slipping out of her tough-negotiator facade for a split second.
"Just like that," Jake replied. "But if you’re going all the way to Tokyo, make sure you actually take the time to see the northern districts. Don’t just spend the whole week inside a luxury mall. I’ll see you this weekend."
"Deal. Thanks, Jake!" Aliya said quickly, and the line went dead with a sharp beep.
Jake picked up his phone, locked it, and placed it back in his pocket as if he hadn’t just greenlit a five-star international excursion over a plate of salmon.
Catharine shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips as she looked at him. "Jake... don’t you think you’re spoiling her just a little bit too much? You literally just bought her two expensive cars, replaced her entire wardrobe with designer brands last weekend, and now you’re clearing out five-star suites in Japan without even checking the total cost."
Jake set his fork down, his expression turning calm and steady. "It’s not about the money. After that SUV hit them, Aliya spent weeks sitting in that hospital room carrying the weight of the entire world on her shoulders. She blamed herself for every single bruise on Carroll’s face because she was the one behind the wheel. The money can buy the best surgeons and clear the medical bills, but it doesn’t take away what happened. If she wants to use my account to build a new memory for her friend and move past it, I’m not going to argue over the retail price. Besides, she’s just good at maximizing her opportunities."
Catharine’s smile softened, her eyes turning incredibly warm. She reached across the small space between them, her fingers lightly brushing against his wrist. "You’re a good brother, Jake. Even if you hide it behind your usual banters and arguments."
"I’m not the one who starts them though," Jake joked quietly, his fingers closing over hers. He leaned across the table, catching her lips for a quick, sweet kiss that made her cheeks flush slightly. He checked his watch. "Come on. Your lunch hour is almost up, and we don’t want Elena thinking her direct report is slacking off now."
Ten minutes later, the massive Brabus pulled back into the side lane of Johnson & Associates, its presence instantly drawing looks from the glass windows above. Elias stood ready by the door, opening it smoothly.
Catharine turned to Jake before stepping out onto the pavement, adjusting her gray blazer. She leaned over one last time, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Thanks for lunch."
"Anytime," Jake replied, his familiar scrawl of a smile returning as he watched her. "Pick out a destination for yourself while you’re at your desk today. If Aliya gets Tokyo, you’re entitled to anywhere you want in the world."
"Maybe I’ll think about it," she laughed, stepping out into the crisp afternoon air as Elias closed the door behind her.
As the heavy black SUV slipped back into the main flow of Aurelia’s commercial traffic with a deep, echoing rumble, Catharine turned and walked back toward the glass doors of the firm.
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