Chapter 1 - Katrina Caliente

Most stories begin with the main character, but this one starts with Katrina Caliente. Why? Simply because she is the spark that sets everything in motion. One might wonder: if she had never tangled herself up with the young Casanova, Don Lothario, would things have turned out the same way? But that's a question for later.

Katrina was a warm and caring woman, a devoted mother to her two daughters, Nina and Dina. She longed for a meaningful relationship—someone to love, to care for, and to keep close. In a very short time, she found herself caught in a passionate, all-consuming love with the charming Don Lothario, a young man whose magnetic pull would upend her life just as much as she would change his.

Now, on to the story.

Katrina had been alone for years—casual dates came easy, but nothing that ever gave her the classic "butterflies in the stomach" feeling. Not even her daughters' father had ever managed that; perhaps it came close, but it was never exactly what she had been searching or hoping for.

The hopeless romantic in her longed for someone who could make her heart race, someone who made her feel like the only woman in the world—just like in the countless romance novels and films she adored. She lived for those happy endings, where the damsel in distress was rescued by a handsome, strong man.

Though she had learned to stand on her own and live independently, deep down her heart craved companionship. In her youthful naivety, Katrina had fallen for the typical scumbag— She let herself be swept away by his empty promises and lies about a future he could never provide. A story as old as time, one that many women had experienced and would likely face again.

After Dina's arrival, subtle changes in her partner began to show—small shifts that she could ignore at first. But with Nina's birth less than a year later, those changes became impossible to overlook. He grew distant and restless. Eventually, he lost his job. Days blurred into long hours spent in front of the TV, smoking and drinking, while he stopped offering even the smallest bit of help with their daughters.

He would claim he was out looking for work, disappearing for hours at a time, only to return empty-handed, with the lingering scent of another woman's perfume clinging stubbornly to his clothes.

Gradually, suspicion gave way to confrontation, and their arguments grew more frequent and intense. At first, Katrina tried to shield her young daughters from the noise and anger, but as the shouting and accusations escalated—and sometimes even turned violent—it became impossible to hide the turmoil from them. Often witnessing their arguments and violence.

Then, one night, Katrina caught him red-handed in their own home—with another woman—while their daughters were in the next room. That was the final straw. With a heavy heart, she threw him out.

Deep down, she had always known he was a bad man, but she hadn't expected him to vanish completely. He never reached out again, never tried to mend things with their daughters; he simply disappeared, as if he had never existed.

The betrayal shattered Katrina. It made her vow that she would never again let a man who didn't deserve her love or the love of her daughters into their lives. The last thing she wanted was for her girls to experience such heartache again.

Losing their father struck her daughters deeply, too—leaving them to grapple with a mix of heartbreak and anger amid the storm of painful emotions. Katrina was left to raise two daughters on her own.

It was a struggle, but through perseverance and hard work, she managed to rebuild their lives. Years of juggling multiple jobs and pushing herself through college eventually paid off. She landed a well-paying job, bought a beautiful hacienda-style home in Oasis Springs, and gave her daughters the life they deserved.

By the time Dina and Nina were twelve, they had experienced a whirlwind of change. Katrina spared no effort to ensure their new lives were filled with everything they could ever want—spoiling them, trying to atone for her past mistakes and their father's abandonment.

Yet, as the years passed, so did her chance at love. One by one, she watched others fall in love, build families, and share lives together—while she went on date after date, never connecting, never finding the butterflies.

Every night that she came back to an empty bed, the loneliness only deepened.

Years later, Katrina kept to her usual routine. She went to the gym regularly during the week, just as she had for a long time. Attending "Builders & Shakers" gym in Oasis Springs, where she and her daughters had been living for a few years.

Oasis Spring's wasn't a big city, gym's were scarce but Builders and Shakers was the place where the wealthier folk of Oasis Springs attended. Katrina wasn't exactly very rich but she had plenty of money.

She walked into the gym, on her way to follow her routine like any other day.

However, that day, something was different.

There was a new trainer.

She had never seen him before, and he certainly wasn't the kind of man one could easily overlook.

His name was Don Lothario.

As expected of a gym trainer, he was in excellent shape—a strapping young man with a chiseled jawline, sun-kissed skin, and a smile that could make most women weak in the knees.

But it wasn't just his looks. Don had a presence, a natural charisma that made him magnetic. His energy was infectious, his charm effortless. He could strike up a conversation with anyone—even Nancy Landgraab, who was notorious for being the town's bitchy rich woman.

Katrina was smitten.

But so was every other woman at "Builders and Shakers" gym—including her daughters.

Don was half Katrina's age—practically the same age as Dina and Nina. A young 20 year old man, barely starting to live an adult life. Knowing this, she assumed he would naturally gravitate toward them. It made sense. Her daughters were young and beautiful like him, and Don, well… he was Don.

Still, as a longtime regular at the gym, she introduced herself.

He was polite and charming, flashing her that dazzling smile as he complimented her on how youthful she looked after learning she had two grown daughters. It was nothing more than friendly flattery, yet the warmth in his voice made her stomach flutter.

After that, she found herself going to the gym more often. Not because she had planned to—but because Nina insisted.

Like every other young woman in that gym, Nina was interested in Don and had no intention of letting an opportunity slip away. Dragging Katrina along was just part of her strategy—moral support, as she called it.

But for Katrina, it became something else.

She found herself getting to know Don more with each passing day. He would help her with her workouts, and through that, they talked. And talked.

Their conversations were easy, effortless. He was a good listener, and Katrina—who had spent years with no one to confide in—found herself opening up in ways she hadn't before. Something about his sympathetic smiles and comforting voice made it easy for her to share things.

Part of her hoping, in a motherly way, that her life story could potentially help him not make the mistakes she made or not become the horror her ex partner had become.

Then, something changed.

At first, she thought she was imagining it.

Every time she walked through the gym doors, Don would spot her immediately. He would wave, flash that devastatingly handsome smile of his, and suddenly, the air around her felt charged—like static electricity buzzing beneath her skin.

It had been so long since she had felt this way. She couldn't exactly place what it was. A thrill, a rush—something she had longed for but never thought she would feel again.

But along with that thrill came a sinking realization.

Why him?

Why did it have to be a man who would never look at her that way? A man so young, that had a whole life ahead of him of new experiences, new friends…new lovers.

She tried to convince herself it was nothing more than a silly infatuation—a fleeting attraction to a handsome young man that flashed polite charming smiles at her.

But then, something else began to change.

At first, it was wishful thinking, perhaps.

But she noticed it—the way Don looked at her. Different than before. Different from the way he looked at the other women.

He spoke to her more. Approached her more often. His enthusiasm when talking to her felt... different.

And for the first time, she allowed herself to wonder.

Maybe, just maybe...

She had a chance.

One day, Katrina made a decision. She was going to ask Don out.

It wasn't something she normally would do. As a hopeless romantic, she had always hoped that he would take the first step—the one to pursue her. But she knew she couldn't afford to be picky. Just the thought that he might even have a chance of saying yes was bold enough. To imagine that a young man like him could be interested in someone like her, even bolder.

And yet, the thought lingered.

There was one complication though.

Nina.

Her daughter had been infatuated with Don for weeks—perhaps even longer. While it was clear that Don didn't share Nina's interest, Katrina remembered well how much it had stung when he politely turned down Nina's invitation for a date. Nina had spiraled for days, angry that someone would reject her so easily.

If, by some miracle, Don accepted Katrina's invitation instead, how would she ever break it to her daughter? The thought made her shiver. But that was a worry for later—if he even said yes. First, she had to find the courage to ask him.

Before heading to the gym, Katrina stood in front of the mirror and took a deep breath.

"It's okay, Katitrina. If he says no, you can always go to another gym and pretend this never happened. But if you don't try now… you'll never know."

With that quiet pep talk, she grabbed her bag and left.

Don had guided her through her routine as he always did, their work out freshly completed. Then, gathering every ounce of strength, she prepared to ask him out. Her heart pounded in her chest.

"Nice work today, Kati," Don said with a smile, handing her a towel to dry her face. "You're getting stronger." Katrina's heart squeezed at the sound of him calling her "Kati."

"Thank you, I'm only as good as my teacher," she replied with a smile of her own. Don shrugged with a smirk.

"Any plans after this?" he asked casually as he cleaned the equipment they had just used.

Katrina hesitated for a moment.

"No, just going back home—maybe watch a movie and pour myself a glass of wine," she answered, trying to sound nonchalant even as her heart raced with anticipation for what she was about to ask.

"That sounds nice. Might have to steal that idea for myself," Don teased with a sly wink. Her stomach flipped. "Anyway, Kati, nice workout today—I have to clock out," he added, giving her a friendly wave as he started to walk past her.

"Wait," Katrina called softly. Don barely heard her, but he turned back with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"I…I was wondering, would you like to go out…sometime?" Her voice trembled, and she could almost feel her heart bursting with nerves. She paused, watching him, waiting for an answer. He stood there, silent for a moment.

"It's okay if you don't want to," she quickly added, "I won't be offended at all—we can just go back to training as usual tomorrow." She carefully chose her words; she didn't want him to feel pressured, or accept out of pity, he knew about her past and Don, being polite as he usually was might accept due to it.

In truth, she had no plans to return if he rejected her. The lie was just to soften the moment.

"Alright," Don said with a smile.

Katrina's eyes widened. Did he—just accept?

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. He had accepted, and he seemed genuinely happy to do so. For a moment, she couldn't process it. He had turned down Nina, yet there he was, smiling and agreeing as if the idea of going out with her wasn't ridiculous at all.

Noticing her hesitation, Don met her gaze and reassured her.

"It would be a pleasure," he said smoothly. "I'm flattered you asked." His voice was warm, his expression sincere.

And just like that, her doubt melted away.

"Great," Katrina said, her voice soft. "Um… here, let me give you my phone number. We can make plans later, yes?" She pulled her phone from her pocket.

Don took her number, and they agreed to make plans over the next few days.

As Katrina left the gym, she felt it—fluttering in her stomach, a lightness in her step. She had found them.

The butterflies.

A few days later, Katrina and Don went on their date.

Now that she knew he was interested, she decided to step back and let him take the lead. She had made the first move—it was only fair that he handled the rest.

The one thing she also didn't do, was tell her daughters about it. Nina would be furious about her going out with Don after she'd gotten rejected, and Dina was even scarier. Dina was quieter, less dramatic, but somehow her stern judgment haunted her the most. She would definitely not approve of going out with such a young man.

Saying anything too early wasn't worth it. Katrina would wait until she could confirm where the situation with Don was going, once she felt secure with him (if it went that far) she would confess.

She refocused on the present, getting out of her car to walk towards the restaurant. She hadn't known what to expect. Something simple, maybe something casual. But Don had gone above and beyond.

Their destination? The finest restaurant in Willow Creek, known for its elegance, candlelit ambiance, and the soft, lingering notes of live piano music drifting through the air.

It was a real date. A thoughtful, carefully planned one. And that alone made Katrina's heart swell.

They had agreed to meet there, both having prior engagements before their evening together. But the moment she arrived and spotted Don waiting for her—flashing that devastatingly charming smile—she knew that night would be special.

She was mesmerized by him, he'd met all kinds of men through the year, dates that had gone nowhere but none that came even close to how beautiful he was. Everything about him seemed meticulous, not a hair out of place.

He looked amazing that day, though he always did but on that specific day, his well constructed outfit made her heart flutter. The nice patterned vest he wore on top of his long sleeve button up was stylish yet sophisticated.

But even better, Don was a romantic man.

Not just in the way he spoke but in the way he made her feel. His natural charisma, his effortless charm—it was intoxicating. With every glance, every lingering touch, every honeyed word that left his lips, Katrina felt warmth seep into her chest, spreading through her like wildfire.

She was drowning in compliments, basking in attention, in the kind of affection she had spent years yearning for. Somehow, Don managed to raise the bar with every passing moment. Every word made her heart race a little faster. Every touch sent a spark beneath her skin.

She wasn't sure how he had done it, but he had managed to secure the best table in the restaurant. Close enough to the pianist that they could enjoy the music, but far enough that their conversation remained uninterrupted. It offered privacy without seclusion. It was perfect.

He ordered the finest wine, the most exquisite dishes, and they ate and drank, laughter weaving through their conversation like a melody.

After dinner and a light buzz in their veins, Don led her on a leisurely stroll along the creek near the restaurant. At some point, he reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers naturally as if it had always been meant to happen. He didn't make a big deal of it—just flashed that signature smirk her way and kept talking. Her skin tingled where he touched her.

Then, he guided her down a small, winding walkway that led to a secluded section of a nearby park.

She had never seen the place before.

A small, hidden garden nestled away from the world, brimming with lush foliage and delicate flowers. A circular stone pathway led to a quiet fountain at its center, framed by a few wooden benches. It was intimate, serene, untouched by the noise of the city.

Don sat beside her, scooting close enough that their thighs brushed. Her pulse quickened.

And then it hit her.

This was familiar.

She had told him about this—her perfect date.

Somewhere in their many conversations at the gym, she had casually mentioned what an ideal date would look like. Dinner at a nice, intimate restaurant. A stroll by the water. A quiet, romantic moment in a hidden spot. And then…

Her face burned as the realization settled.

If Don was truly recreating her perfect date, then the next step would be—

"Close your eyes," he said, a knowing smile playing at his lips.

Her heart pounded. "Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He chuckled. "Just trust me."

She hesitated but obeyed, squeezing her eyes shut. She heard him stand, heard the rustling of leaves as he moved around her. Her curiosity stirred, but as if he had anticipated it, he teased.

"No peeking!"

A minute later, he returned, his hands gently grasping her arms as he helped her to her feet.

"Okay," he murmured. "Open them."

Katrina's breath caught in her throat.

In his hands was a bouquet of wildflowers—handpicked, yet arranged with such care that it looked almost store-bought. Every color, every flower chosen with intent beautifully. He really was good at everything he did.

Her heart melted.

"I thought about buying you flowers for our date," Don admitted, his voice softer now. "But then I remembered you said homemade gifts meant more to you. I hope this counts."

She took the bouquet, inhaling its fresh, earthy scent. "It does count," she murmured, touched. "It's the best gift I've ever gotten."

He lifted her chin with a gentle hand, bringing his face so close that their noses nearly brushed. Then, with slow deliberation, he plucked a flower from the bouquet and tucked it behind her ear.

"Flowers suit you," he murmured, smirking.

Katrina's breath hitched.

His hands trailed down her arms, deliberate and slow, before settling at her waist. Then, with the lightest pressure, he pulled her toward him.

And then he kissed her.

It was deep but unhurried, a careful invitation rather than a demand. He waited for her to reciprocate, and when she did, when she melted into him, his fingers pressed lightly against the small of her back, anchoring her in place.

Katrina felt as if she were both living and dying in that moment, caught between the rush of emotion and the stillness of time. She wrapped her arms around his neck, the bouquet slipping from her grasp and landing at their feet.

She didn't want it to end.

But eventually, he pulled away, smiling against her lips.

She blinked up at him, dazed, before noticing the fallen bouquet. "Oh no," she gasped, bending down to pick it up. "I ruined your beautiful work."

Don simply chuckled. "Don't worry. If you liked them that much, I'll make more for you in the future."

Her heart squeezed at the promise, and before she knew it, she was hugging him.

But the night wasn't over yet.

Don led her to another hidden gem—a small, open space near the Willow Creek Museum. A secluded area, likely used for intimate gatherings and art shows. In the center, a simple dance floor lay beneath the glow of hanging lights.

She already knew what was coming.

The final part of her perfect date.

Don hooked up his phone to a speaker, playing a soft, romantic instrumental. Then, with that ever-present grin, he extended his hand toward her.

"May I have this dance?"

Katrina could barely find her voice. "Of course."

He guided her through the steps, slow and steady, their bodies moving in perfect sync. He was big on eye contact, and there was something about the way he looked at her that made her feel exposed yet cherished all at once. His murky green eyes shimmered under the dim streetlights, unreadable yet utterly mesmerizing.

They danced in silence, lost in the moment, exchanging soft smiles and lingering touches.

When the night finally drew to an end, Don walked her to her car. They strolled in a comfortable silence—the kind that only followed an evening filled with emotions too overwhelming to put into words.

Once they reached her car, Katrina turned to him.

"I had a great time," she admitted, voice tinged with something softer, something more vulnerable.

Don smiled. "Me too. Can't wait for next time."

Next time.

The words sent a thrill down her spine.

"Me too," she murmured, unable to say anything more.

He took her hand and kissed it gently. "Goodnight, Kati."

She watched him disappear into the street, the cool night air wrapping around her.

And all she could think about was how perfect that night had been.

It had been everything she had ever dreamed of.

After their first date, Katrina and Don's relationship progressed quickly. Too quick, perhaps—but she didn't mind.

She wasn't a young woman anymore, and a long, drawn-out courtship wasn't something she could afford and even if she could, it didn't matter to her. Don had her utterly defenseless, her mind reeling at every turn with everything he did.

For the first time in her life, everything felt right. Everything made sense.

They spent nearly every day together, filling their time with laughter, adventure, and passion. Every moment with Don felt like a dream, and when it ended, she found herself aching for the next.

At first, she feared that giving in too soon—falling into bed with him as quickly as she had, shortly after their first date—would shatter the illusion. That he would disappear the moment he got what he wanted.

But he didn't.

If anything, their connection deepened. Their nights together only intensified the whirlwind of emotions, and with every whispered word, every lingering touch, she was falling harder.

Don was unlike any man she had ever known. Unlike her ex-partner, who had never cared for romance. Who had never taken her on dates, never showered her with affection, never made her feel wanted.

But Don…

Don was good at everything.

Especially sex.

The only shadow cast over their relationship was its secrecy. She had yet to tell her daughters. Fear of their judgment kept her silent, and more than that—she knew Nina's reaction would be nothing short of explosive.

Four months later, she decided it was time.

She carefully planned the evening. Their favorite meal—spaghetti—simmered on the stove. Earlier, she had taken them shopping, hoping to soften the blow. When the time came, she took a deep breath and finally said the words.

"Girls, I have something to tell you…" Katrina started. Dina and Nina lifting their heads from their plates, looking at her. "I'm dating Don."

There was silence.

Dina and Nina stared at her in stunned disbelief, exchanging glances as if trying to determine whether they had heard correctly.

Then, as expected, Nina snapped.

"Are you crazy?! He's half your age!" she shrieked. "What the hell, Mom?! Like—why? How did this even happen!? I can't believe it. Don't you have any shame? What the fuck!" Nina went on, her words taking a dangerous speed.

Dina remained quiet, her gaze flicking between her sister and her mother, her expression unreadable.

Katrina swallowed. "I know it's… unusual. But it just happened. We don't choose who we love."

"Love?!" Dina's voice cut through the air like a blade. "How long exactly, have you been seeing him?"

"Four months…" Katrina responded nervously. Dina's eyebrows shot up, Nina's mouth opening in shock.

"Four months?! And you are talking about love!?" Dina sneered. "That's what's really surprising, not that you're dating him, are you serious?"

"Are you kidding me?!" Nina's fury was relentless. "Don Lothario, the hottest guy we've ever met, is dating our mother. And that's not surprising to you?!"

Dina crossed her arms. "No. If you actually used your brain for once, you'd notice he's always paid more attention to older women than younger ones. He even befriended Nancy Landgraab, for God's sake, the biggest bitch in town. He must like older women"

Katrina opened her mouth, trying to interject.

"I don't think it's about him liking older women—"

"Who gives a damn about that?!" Nina snapped. "Mom, you're despicable. You knew I liked him! I told you both so many times! I even called dibs—remember?! And you still went after him. That's insane! What kind of mother does that?!"

The words stung more than Katrina expected.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean for it to happen, but… you're young. You'll find someone like him easily. For me, this might be my only chance. It's been lonely since your dad and…—" Her voice caught, tears brimming in her eyes.

That stopped Nina in her tracks.

Silence settled over the room, thick with unspoken emotions.

They had seen it firsthand—the loneliness, the years of solitude. The way their mother had quietly endured heartbreak and abandonment.

Dina exhaled, rubbing her temples.

"Mom… I can't say I love the idea of you dating Don Lothario of all people, but I can get used to it…I think."

Katrina looked up at her, a flicker of hope shining through the tears.

Nina groaned.

"Ugh. Whatever. If that's what you want, fine. But don't expect me to treat him like a stepdad or something. And for the love of God, please don't ever tell us any details about your… private life."

A small, relieved smile spread across Katrina's face. She had expected worse. This wasn't acceptance—not yet—but it was something.

She took a breath, ready to tell them the other thing. But before she could speak, Nina pushed back her chair.

"Well… this dinner sucked. I'm going to bed."

"Wait, I still need to—" Katrina started.

Dina stood too, shaking her head.

"Mom, I think it's best if you let us go for now. We need time to process this."

Katrina watched as her daughters left the dining room, their half-eaten plates still sitting on the table.

The words she hadn't managed to say lingered on the tip of her tongue.

She exhaled slowly, gathered the plates, and carried them to the kitchen.

Later that night, she stepped outside into the cool air of their backyard, phone in hand. Far enough that Nina and Dina wouldn't overhear.

The line rang once before Don picked up.

"So? How did it go?"

Katrina hesitated. "As expected."

He sighed. "Not good, huh? Maybe we should postpone it. That's a shame, though."

"No," she said quickly. "They were upset at first, but… they're settling with the idea. It was just an uncomfortable dinner, that's all."

A lie of omission. But she couldn't bear to tell him the full truth. Nina and Dina's acceptance had been his only condition.

Don's voice brightened.

"That's great. I'll start packing, then. I can't wait to live with you." His voice was warm, affectionate. "Seeing your face every morning when I wake up and every night before I sleep will be a dream come true."

Katrina's lips parted, her breath catching.

He was moving in.

Her daughters would hate it. They would rage, protest, maybe even walk out. But at that moment, she found she didn't care.

They were grown women now. Not children. She didn't need their approval. If they didn't like it, they could leave.

She smiled into the phone.

"I can't wait either." And she meant it.

Everything she had ever wanted was right there—at the other end of the call.

Don was everything she could have asked for. Everything she had ever dreamed of.

He was perfect.

Or so she thought.