16: All.

Midnight fell and everyone was still enjoying themselves. Both sets of parents were on the dance floor, while the twins, along with their younger brother, played at the other end of the large table, deeply engrossed in their game. Meanwhile, the brunette and a certain dark-haired individual remained seated next to each other, exchanging glances without saying a word until Katherina broke the silence with a loud exclamation that made the other person laugh.

"You're such a jerk, Tom."

The dark-haired individual replied, "I love it when you get angry, Katherina," he purred mockingly. In response, Katherina struck him on the thigh, to which the dark-haired individual pretended to be hurt and, still teasingly, asked her, "Why was that, sweetheart?"

Katherina replied, "Because of what you did earlier, Tom. It wasn't the right time."

"That's not what your lovely reactions down there seemed to imply, Katherina," he said in a husky tone, biting his own lips, causing the brunette to melt under