Katrina Johnson

Mason walked past Celine and cupped my face making me freeze. What is he doing? I looked up at his close towering figure in confusion my heart about to burst.

"It's payback time" he whispered so low that only I could hear him.

Mason leaned down and kissed me softly and gently. At first, I didn't kiss him back still under shock, but when I felt his tongue glide over my lower lip, I instantly relaxed and parted my lips for him inviting him in. I wrapped my arms around his waist, forgetting where we were and what I came here for. I felt him break the kiss but brought him back to me wanting more of him and reconsidering my reasons for staying away from him. How could I push him away when I felt so strongly about him?

It was only when Elsa cleared her throat that I slowly and reluctantly pulled away breaking our kiss. Our second amazing kiss. A kiss that made my stomach flutter with butterflies.  I was never someone for public display but I enjoyed every second of the moment we shared, even if it was just to make a point on his part. He used me in front of Celine the same way I used him in front of Fred. And I didn't mind at all.

"Don't go, baby, my meetings are over for the day."

I melted inside imagining for a second that this was real, "I wasn't leaving; I was going to get coffee." I smiled to cover up my lie.

"If you're both done with your PDA, could you come back here and finish what we started?" We both turned to look at Celine. She had a hand on her hip and was tapping her right foot on the tiled floor nervously.

"We never started anything Celine, you called me, I told you I did not want to speak to you. You came here with an appointment to some firm without giving your name knowing full well I wouldn't receive you!"

Mason stood beside me wrapping an arm around my waist and brought me closer to his side. I was well aware of Elsa's glaring and hoped she wouldn't ruin his little game.

Celine said nothing, she just narrowed her eyes at me probably studying me and criticizing me in her head from where she stood. She glanced at Elsa "Is she the serious girlfriend you told me about?"

"Yes, that's Katrina Johnson." Elsa wasn't one bit pleased with the affirmation, she also looked disgusted.

"You don't seem to like her though?" Celine smirked "You still didn't tell him about your little crush?"

Huh! I knew it! I knew she liked him. Was he the only blind one about that?

"I like her better than I liked you. That must say something."

"Enough Celine."

"Richard's Group is my company, it was passed down to me by my late father. I didn't know about it because my uncle kept it to himself. Now I took it back."

"Well, congrats. You're an architect, why don't you design whatever it is you're doing?"

"I want you to do it." She stated simply. "But looks like you haven't really moved on and that's why you're refusing a huge client. I wonder what Adam would think about that."

Mason let out a frustrated sigh "You know what, I'm done talking to you. I have my full share of projects for the next few months, you want our company to take yours, go pitch it to Adam. I have a date with my girlfriend." He took my hand and led me inside his office, grabbed his things, and pulled me out again where Celine was still staring at us in awe.

Once in the confinement of the elevator, I tried to pull my hand away but his grip only tightened. We walked toward a black fancy Audi and he opened the door for me only then letting go of my hand. I climbed in and watched him get in the driver's seat unable to read his emotions. He was silent for a moment before turning the car on.

"So, that's the ex-fiancé?"

He looked at me with a scowl on his face "She was never my fiancé, we dated for two years and we broke up before I could propose. Thankfully."

I bit the inside of my cheek while looking down at my fingers. The thought of him proposing to her made me nauseous. "She's the one that said you weren't enough?"

He nodded while reversing out of the parking lot. He was quiet while driving and I knew he didn't want to talk about it anymore. Even though I was dying to learn everything about their relationship but I wasn't going to press. I looked in front of me trying to guess where we were but I had no clue.

"Where are we going?"

"On a date. I hope your fake boyfriend won't mind."

I rolled my eyes "Why do you always have to say that?"

"Because it's true. I could tell the moment you two walked in together. You're friends, more than that, best friends even. You're comfortable around each other but not enough to hold hands and kiss." He parked the car in front of an old brick building. I didn't know there were still buildings like this one in New York.

"We're here." He climbed out of the car and came over to open my door like the gentleman he is.

"What's here?" I asked holding onto his arm. He didn't say anything. Instead, he held my hand into his and led me inside. There was what seemed like a front desk with a slender Mediterranean woman standing with a notepad in hand and an earpiece attached to her ear. I noticed a lounge area where various people were sitting and sipping on their drinks while chatting.

"Hello, sir, miss, do you have a reservation for today?" The woman behind the counter asked and Mason shook his head with a smile.

"No, I'm afraid we don't. I'm Mason Walton."

"Oh, I'm sorry Mr.  Walton, Elaine gave strict instruction to let you in anytime." She smiled "I'll just need you to wait for a few minutes until your table is ready if that's okay with you of course?"

"Yes, no problem at all, we'll be in the gallery."

Elaine? Who the hell is Elaine! I followed slowly behind him until he stopped and wrapped an arm securely around my waist bringing me closer to him as we walked into what seemed like an art gallery. There was everything, from pottery to paintings, to sculptures, and even photographs. They were all signed by the same name, E.James.

I stopped in front of one painting gasped looking back at Mason. It was a painting of him, a very realistic painting of him. He had a beautiful smile. A smile I've never seen on him before.  The artist was certainly talented, but seeing a painting of him in a woman's gallery was disturbing.

"You should smile like that more often," I said softly still mesmerized by the painting.

"I'm always smiling." He said taking a step forward and standing next to me "You just never look at me to see it. I still don't know why... and perhaps someday I'll give up trying to understand you."

I gasped looking at him with huge eyes. That's what I wanted all along, but why did hearing these words send a wave of panic through my mind? The thought of the absence of Mason in my life again was terrifying.  It felt weird and somewhat painful.

"Mr. Walton, your table is ready." We followed the lady who led us to a wooden staircase. The place was designed in a rustic style, going well with the building itself. She guided us to a secluded table overlooking Manhattan's bridge.  The view was breathtaking. I sat down idly looking around me loving the atmosphere the place was giving. I was someone who loved plants and seeing a few here and there put me in a good mood. The walls were mostly covered with art, signed by the main artist. I heard Mason clear his throat and looked at him with a smile noticing the candles in the center of our table.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it. It's so cozy and unusual. You come here a lot?"

"I do. Actually, this is my favorite restaurant. It's a bit far but I love coming here."

"To the point, you're allowed in even without a reservation." I smiled trying to hide my jealousy.

He chuckled leaning in with a smile "I know the owner. I met her on a summer vacation in Tuscany a few years back. She got pregnant in high school and the father bailed. She worked her ass off to raise her daughter."

"Is she the artist?" I said pointing to a painting behind him.

"She is yes. She loved art, so she developed her hobby into a business, and successfully made a living. She opened this restaurant and now they are doing well. More than well actually."

"I see," I leaned forward as well and looked straight into his eyes "Why is there a painting of you here?"

He bit his lip and shrugged taking the menu from the waiter. We placed our order and they brought us our wine and some starters. I had a feeling he didn't want to talk about it, but I wasn't going to let it go so easily. If there was anything going on between them I needed to know. Not that it would change anything. I still wasn't going to date him but... I just needed to know. I wanted to know.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking if there is something going on between you and Elaine. That's all."

He laughed heartedly, oh my, that sound I was hooked on it. I wanted to hear it more often.

"Why would you think something like that?"

"She has a painting of you, what else should I think about?"

"When I met Elaine, her daughter Roxana was only two years old and they were struggling. We got to talk and she told me about her hobby... that's when I got an idea and helped her set up an online business. I gave her a place where they could live and she could work... That's all. I've been raised on certain morals and generosity. When I see someone in need of help, I provide. I just don't like to talk about it, I do it because I love helping people, not because I want people to talk about it." He took a sip of wine and looked out the windows, "She made me that painting as a sign of gratitude and surprised me by hanging it here. That's the story."

"That's a beautiful story Mason, it proves how an amazing guy you are. And no one should underestimate you, or try and bring you down. You're beyond amazing."

I wasn't aware of how close we were to each other leaning over the table until his lips brushed against mine and I pulled away quickly. I couldn't keep kissing him, the more I did the more I wanted. It was starting to get addicting and I couldn't be addicted to him. I had to get him out of my system.

Mason leaned back in his seat, his expression becoming colder by the second. He was building up walls around him, I could feel it. I took a sip of my wine and looked everywhere but at him.

"What are you doing here Katrina?"