Katherine was causing trouble even when she was a teenager, as evidenced by this scene. Keep in mind that Rachel is never supposed to find out about the organization. Knowing it exists could put her life in danger. This is from Rachel’s POV.

———–

“Are you Rachel?”

I turn and notice a young girl standing next to me. She’s very pretty. Long blond hair. Bright blue eyes. She’s maybe 14 or 15 and very thin. She’s wearing a black cocktail dress with thin straps at the top.

“Yes, I’m Rachel. And you are?”

“Katherine Seymour.”

When she says it, I see the resemblance. She looks very similar to her mom.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I smile at her. “I met your parents earlier. Your family has a beautiful house.”

She shrugs. “It’s not that great.”

Is she kidding? Most kids her age would love to grow up in a house like this.

“I’m guessing you’re in high school?”

“When did you start dating Pearce?” She says it in an accusatory tone, almost like I’m dating her boyfriend.

“Last September. So what grade are you in?”

“You know you can’t be with him.”

I raise my brows. “Excuse me?”

“He has to be with a daughter of a member. Someone like me.”

“You? You’re a teenager.”

She straightens up. “I’m 15, and I turn 16 in a few weeks.”

“And Pearce is 25, almost 26.”

“So? That’s not that big of an age difference.”

“It is when you’re 15.” This girl is getting on my nerves. I don’t like her tone or the way she’s looking me up and down, assessing me just like her parents did.

She sets her hands on her hips. “You can never be with him, so you might as well end this now.”

“Pearce and I are engaged. We’re very happy together. We’re not breaking up.”

“The wedding will never happen. They won’t allow it.”

“Who’s ‘they’? Who are you talking about?”

“The organization.” She smirks. “He hasn’t told you about it?”

“What’s going on here?” Pearce asks, as he comes up behind me. “What do you need, Katherine?”

“I was just saying hello to Rachel.” Katherine tilts her head and smiles at him. She’s trying to play sweet and innocent, but I won’t let her get away with it.

“Katherine was saying how we couldn’t be together,” I tell Pearce. “She said some organization won’t allow us to get married.”

Pearce starts coughing, almost like he’s choking.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

He nods. “Yes.”

I turn back to Katherine. “So, Katherine, what organization are you referring to?”

Before she can answer, Pearce says, “Katherine has a very active imagination. She always has, haven’t you, Katherine?”