Mason Walton

Looking at my suitcase one last time, I was making sure I had everything I needed. I was leaving for Boston to meet with Williams and show him the progress of his project. Elsa was already on her way to the airport, so I just had to pick up Katrina. I really didn't know where we stood. After dinner with my family, I dropped her home and hadn't seen her since. I tried but she was always 'busy.'

We only exchanged a few texts in the last few days and she was always short and to the point. I wasn't sure what went wrong between us but it was like she was pulling away, running from me again, even though dinner with my parents went smoothly and she seemed to have fun. 

Even Helena called her once, asking her if she wanted to meet us at a club, but she had plans and didn't join us. It irritated me but I didn't show it to the others, we were friends after all. Celine tried calling me again a few times and only stopped when I threatened to have a restraining order against her. She was pushing my buttons.

MW: I'm here.

KJ: I'm coming.

I watched her drag her suitcase out and got out of the car to help her with it. The driver rushed to us and took it from me and out beside mine in the trunk.

"Good morning."

"Morning," She said sleepily and climbed in the car.

"This is going to be the longest flight", I mumbled to myself before getting in myself.

The whole ride to the airport was filled with tension, distance, and silence. She was really building barriers around her and it seemed like I couldn't get through them. I lost interest in trying to be honest. I knew if I kept trying I'd be pushing her farther away from me.

Once in my dad's private jet, Elsa sat across from me seeming really annoyed by Kat's presence. But I couldn't care less. I ignored both girls as they banter a little and took out my computer to work on more blueprints tuning them out by blasting music through my earphones.

I glanced at Kat and saw her sitting across from me but on the other side of the aisle. She readied herself to sleep. Elsa on the hand was scribbling furiously in her notebook which made me chuckle. She was such an angry smurf.

Just as we landed in Boston, Kat claimed her luggage and hurried out saying Pablo was waiting for her outside. She was going to her apartment before going into the office. Elsa and I went to Walton's hotel and settled in.

There was a knock on my door and I opened it to see Elsa. "Are you ready sir? We need to leave now in order to be there on time. It's almost rush hour."

I nodded taking my things "Did they bring the car upfront?"

"Yes, I called last night and told them to wash it and get it ready."

As I was driving to Williams enterprise, I could feel Elsa's eyes on me. I glanced at her and frowned "What?"

"Nothing." She looked away quickly.

"Elsa? You have something to say, just say it!"

"No, it's none of my business Mr. Walton. I'm sorry."

I let out a heavy sigh "Elsa?"

"I just... well I was wondering about you and Katrina. Are you a thing now?"

"No." I said flatly "We're friends. I knew her from high school, that's all." Of course, it wasn't all, but I couldn't say that since Katrina obviously wanted nothing to do with me.

"Oh." She seemed surprised "I thought... the way you look at her... I'm sorry I'm usually not wrong about these things."

I smiled and put her out of her misery "You thought right. I like her a lot, more than a friend but it's not meant to be. What about you? I saw flowers on your desk yesterday?"

She blushed and smiled "Katrina's brother sent them."

I raised an eyebrow and nodded "As long as you're happy, but be careful anyway." I knew Noah was a good guy, but he just got out of a long relationship, I didn't want him to hurt Elsa and date her as a rebound. She deserved better than that. I parked the car in one of the visitors' spots and we stepped out of it heading for the elevator.

"I'm happy, I mean, there's nothing going on, he just called twice and sent flowers. But he seems nice."

"He is a decent guy and hardworking too. But how will you manage with Kat as his sister? You two hate each other."

"I don't hate her, she does."

"She doesn't. She said the hostility came from you. So maybe this is all a misunderstanding and you two can actually be friends."

"Maybe..." She shrugged and went to reception letting them know we were here. I waited by the elevator and pressed the button as soon as she came over.

"Mr. Williams is waiting for us in conference room 3."

The meeting with Mr. William was short and smooth, he liked everything we did except for a few little details that needed changing. Elsa and Katrina were standing in the back silently taking notes as we discussed the due date.

"So as I was saying, since everything is in order, there's no need for you to come next week. You can just send the report to Katrina. But, there's a party in Michigan next Friday, and you'll have to be there."

"Next Friday? James... I..."

"Save the objection, Mason. I'm not taking no for an answer. Katrina will send you the details later tonight when I have everything confirmed."

"Alright," I said calmly putting on a smile.

"And no need to bring your assistant along, my company will organize everything."

I nodded getting up and ready to leave.

"Are you staying the night?"

"Yes, I am. I have to visit the construction site tomorrow morning and talk with the workers and supervisors. They are all our employees except for the chief, he's the man you asked for. I'll meet him tomorrow for the first time."

"That's good. You'll like Sanders, he knows what he's doing. You have to come for dinner if you're staying."

"I'm sorry James, maybe another time, I already have plans with my friends."

"Friends? Or is it your girlfriend?"

I frowned raising an eyebrow "Girlfriend?"

"Yes, that pretty girl you brought to the party."

Damn! I chuckled "Yeah, I'm seeing her and her brother tonight, but we're not together anymore."

"You broke up and you're going out with her? How?"

"We've been friends for so long, we tried it didn't work. We're not going to ruin our friendship." I was so quick to answer that even I believed my lie.

"So you're available now?" He asked with a grin reminding me why I lied in the first place.

I chuckled nervously and shook my head "I'm taking a break for a while."

He nodded still grinning happily that I was single again. "Well, Mason, it is always a pleasure to see you. Thank you for all your hard and dedicated work. I have another meeting so I'll see you next week." He looked at Kat "Katrina." She nodded and gathered her things following him outside without even glancing at me.

I watched her go before turning to Elsa "Hungry?"

"Very, sir."

I took Elsa out for lunch and she was very talkative. She started telling me about Noah; apparently, the two phone calls were very long and they talked about a lot of things. And she forgot for a second that I was her boss and started telling me what she liked about him. I was happy for her but I wasn't really listening. I was, but my mind drifted back to Katrina and I tried to think what I did to push her away so much.

Was it dinner with my family? But it went so smoothly. She didn't want us to act like a couple but now we weren't even acting as friends. It was driving me crazy.

I dropped Elsa at her sister's house and went back to the hotel where I had more work done. I had to submit blueprints tomorrow so I did my best in finishing them. Later that night, I took a shower and got ready to meet Martin and Rita for dinner.

Just as I gave my keys to the valet at the Indian restaurant, my phone beeped signaling me I had an email. I ignored it knowing I'll check it later. I went inside and found Martin and Rita sitting in a corner laughing. I smiled my mood lightening instantly as I walked to their table and joined them.

"Laughing without me?"

"You're here!" Rita gave me a hug and Martin patted my back before sitting back.

"How are you, man?"

"I'm great Martin, happy to see you."

"Rita was telling me about Celine" He chuckled.

"What about her?"

"She ran into your new friend Katrina Johnson the other day and spilled her coffee on her. Dude! Why didn't you tell me about her? You were dying for her in high school!"

"He's dying now too." Rita laughed.

"Shut up Rita" I scoffed at her and looked at Martin "How did you know she ran into her? It happened in New York!"

"Kat told me everything," Rita said with a smile. "Celine told her she was waiting for you to get bored with Kat and go back to her. But Kat knew how to put her in her place, the way she told me about it was hilarious."

I looked at Rita as if she grew another head. Rita liked Kat and took her number from me, but I had no idea they were friends now. Close friends if she told her about Celine. Did she tell her about dinner with her parents? Or mine? Or the time we spent at the farmer's market?

"Why are you frowning? Aren't you happy she knew how to answer her?"

"I don't know the details of their encounter and to be honest I couldn't care less. Did you guys ordered already?"

"Yes... we have. Food will be here any minute." Martin looked at me suspiciously.

"Good. I'm famished."

"Something happened between you and Kat?"

I looked at Rita with a sigh "Nothing happened. It was going great until she woke up one day and decided she wanted distance again. I don't get her and I'm losing my patience. She wants to be just friends, I give her that, and now nothing. I won't be there long! I mean..." I let out a frustrated sigh as my phone beeped again.

I glanced at it and saw a text from Katrina.

KJ: Mr. Walton, the details of Friday's party have been sent to you and your assistant by email. Kindly confirm you received it. Thank you.

I glared at my phone before passing it to Rita. "See what I mean?"

"I don't know what to say. She spoke fondly of you."

I rolled my eyes and called Elsa. I asked her to send a message to Kat telling her we received the email. Rita grunted as Martin laughed.

"You could have told her yourself!"

"Why would I? She wants to act professionally? Here's professional. I've had it."

"Mason..."

"Enough is enough."