Katrina Johnson

I slammed the door to my apartment kicking off my heels and throwing off my suit jacket on the table along with my purse and phone. How stupid was I to act like that? Why did it bother me that she was all over him? It's not like he's mine or anything, and even if he was, I was never the jealous type! With a groan, I freed my hair from the tight bun letting it flow over my shoulders as I went to the living room to look for Blacky. I found him sitting on Scarlett's lap purring as she eyed me suspiciously.

"What!"

"Hey, don't bite me, I didn't do anything to you. Who are you angry at?" Scarlett asked scratching Blacky's head.

"At myself!" I plopped down on the couch and closed my eyes.

"Why are you angry at yourself babe?" I opened my eyes seeing Pablo walking out of the kitchen with a bottle of wine and glasses.

"What are we celebrating?" I asked my best friend as he started pouring us drinks. Pablo and I went together to Harvard, and when I failed the bar he passed it. He was now a great lawyer doing his best to make partner in the firm he works at.

"Nothing, I heard you throwing your stuff around I thought a glass of wine would relax you a bit. Who was it today, Natalie or her brother?"

I shook my head "Remember the guy I told you about? The one who always tried to speak to me in high school but I wouldn't let him?"

"Yeah, I remember faintly. What about him?"

"I remember, he's the son of that billionaire, what was his name? Oh yes, Zachary Walton. I still don't understand why you kept running from him." Scarlett rolled her eyes.

"Shut up Scar, I just didn't want to be with him."

Pablo and Scarlett looked at each other and grinned "anyway, tell me what happened?"

"Stop grinning like idiots!" I rolled my eyes at them "He made a business deal with my boss, which means I'll be seeing him every week."

"Aha! That means no more running princess" Pablo chuckled sitting down next to me.

"Exactly! And to top it all off, it seems like he hasn't given up on me. And as stupid as I am, I went out for coffee with him, I even helped him pick a tux and everything was going well until his assistant showed up and I had to act all jealous! I mean why on earth would I do that? And oh boy he was angry! He was damn angry it was scary." I was now pacing the living room back and forth like a madwoman.

Pablo set down his glass and turned to look at me, I hated when he did that, it only meant he was studying me, he was dissecting me in his mind trying to understand what I was thinking or feeling.

"Darling, all these years you've been running from him never giving him a chance because you knew if you did you'd fall for him. Don't you dare object. We all know it's the truth. Right Scar?" My treacherous sister nodded in approval. "And now that you actually spent time with him, all those hidden feelings are catching up to you, so it's normal to feel jealous."

I let out a frustrated sigh as I sat down and gulped the rest of my drink. I hid my face in a pillow before letting out a scream.

Pablo took away my pillow shaking his head "Would you at least tell me why you don't want to have feelings for him? If after all these years he's still trying to be with you that should mean something don't you think?"

"It means he's waiting for nothing! We're nothing alike, not in race, not in color, not in status, not in money, not in nothing!" I rose on my feet briskly "I have a party to attend so I'm going to get ready, and I don't want you two talking about this while I'm inside!"

I stomped my foot to make a statement and walked to my room slamming the door shut. I paced the room back and forth before stopping in front of the mirror looking at my reflection. Tears were threatening to run down, I looked like a mess. I hadn't told them about the kiss... Oh, how I wish to have his lips on mine again... snap out of it Kat! How would I hide from him tonight? I was sure if I was left alone with him I'd kiss him again or say something stupid.

"Pablo" I whispered to myself before running out of my room and back to the living room "Pablo? You're going with me as my plus one! And you're my boyfriend!"

"What? No way! I can go with you but not as your boyfriend, that's not gonna work!"

"Why not? We both went to Harvard so we know each other for a long time, we're best friends so we'll seem comfortable around each other, come on don't let me go alone and kiss him again!" I hid my mouth with my hands as my eyes went wide. Busted!

"You what!" They both said at the same time.

"It was last night! I was just trying to get away from Fred and I lied to Fred that Mason was my boyfriend!"

"And now you'll lie that I'm your boyfriend? And you think he'll believe that?"

"Yes, he already thinks I have a boyfriend. Please, Pablo, I'll owe you big time!"

"You're a mess you know that?"

I grinned from ear to ear knowing he was agreeing to go along with it. I left them in the living room and went to get ready starting with my makeup. When I started curling my hair, I heard the front door close and I knew Pablo went to change and get ready. Good thing he owned the penthouse in my building, meaning I saw him all the time and never felt neglected by him even when he was busy.

I finished curling my hair and pulled it up in a loose bun with curls framing my face, it would go perfectly with my sleeveless long black dress. Once satisfied with my look, I took out the dress off the hanger and put it on. It was made of satin and did my body justice hugging my curves perfectly. It had a slit on the right side and had spaghetti straps. I put on the only diamond necklace I owned that my dad bought me at my high school graduation.

I walked out and earned a few whistles from Scarlett and Pablo telling me how good I looked. We didn't waste more time leaving the apartment and going on our way to the party, we were already a bit late.

When we stepped inside, we were greeted by Sarah who stayed a bit to speak with us before disappearing into the crowd. I scanned the room and immediately noticed Mason. He was standing with a beautiful woman that I had never seen before. Maybe she was the girlfriend he was having dinner with when I called a couple of nights before. But the thought was disturbing. Why would he show interest in me when he already has a girlfriend? And I could feel the woman's eyes on me making me more self aware.

I leaned more into Pablo's side and whispered in his ear "He's here, standing in the right corner of the room. And he's with a beautiful woman..."

"Yeah?" Pablo chuckled just for show and lead the way further into the room standing in a way he was facing Mason and I had my back to him. "He probably brought a friend and asked her to pretend to be his girl, just like you're doing with me." He winked brushing my cheek with his fingers.

I laughed knowing he was putting on a show just for my sake. Pablo could easily succeed as an actor for his incredible acting skills, he was amazing in that department. And I was sure that if it wasn't for the legacy he had to live up to, he would have been an actor. He liked it.

Knowing most of the guests, I went to make rounds and greet them before finding Mr. Williams.

"Do you need anything from me, sir?"

"Why? Are you leaving Katrina?" He asked raising an eyebrow. I was actually planning on doing just that, but the tone he used made me change my mind.

I shook my head gently "No, Mr. Williams, I just thought you might need help with your guests and all."

"Actually, I do need you to do something for me. I need you to find where the hell Natalie is! Everyone's been asking about her and I'm running out of excuses!" He seemed agitated.

"Right away sir." I made my way out of the room and walked to the stairs climbing them slowly my feet already hurting from the high heels I wore.

I stared at the long corridor trying to remember which door lead to Natalie's room but couldn't. I had only been there once after all. I sighed trying my luck and opening the first door only to realize it was Benjamin's bedroom. I smiled remembering when I had a crush on Benjamin, I even got a kiss from him. It felt so long ago but was only a couple of years back. We were at this fancy party and Benjamin needed to make a point to his ex that he forgot about her and moved on. He asked me nicely if I could play along, and of course, being smitten with him I couldn't say no. I still remember how amazing the kiss was, but my mind immediately switched to Mason's kiss... Oh, that was just incredible.

I closed the door to Benjamin's room and walked further in knocking on the door next to it.

"Go away!"

I rolled my eyes, brat, I thought as I knocked again and went in only to find Natalie sitting in front of the mirror looking pissed.

"Natalie? Why aren't you dressed yet? Your parents want you to be down there, they are looking for you."

"Oh, you Witch! And you dare ask me why I'm not dressed? I asked you to pick up my dress and you never did!"

"My phone is off, and I wasn't home to charge it. I'm sorry I didn't know you needed me. Anyway, don't you have other dresses?"

"I can't wear the same dress twice!"

Wow, just wow! "You know what? I don't have time to waste here. I'll send your mother up! She knows how to deal with you!"

"I'll get you fired!" Slamming the door I walked away not in the mood to deal with her bratty attitude.

I was reaching the stairs when I heard a moan freezing me in place. I looked around but no one was there, maybe I imagined it? I took a step forward and heard the same sound. I stood behind the wall and peeked down the staircase and wished I hadn't.

Mason was pressing his girlfriend to the wall kissing her like there was no tomorrow. As much as it made me sick to the stomach, I couldn't bring myself to look away. The woman was obviously enjoying herself as she reached for his belt only to have her hand swatted away by Mason. He broke the kiss and took a step back with a heavy sigh.

"What's wrong?" She asked him in annoyance.

"Nothing, you said it would take my mind off of her, but it's not working Rita, I can't stop thinking about her... I just can't!" He groaned running a hand through his hair.

"She's everywhere! It's intoxicating!"

"Who? Céline?"

"No! Katrina..."