Mason Walton

I calmly took the phone from Kat not daring to look at Rita who was glaring daggers at me. I checked my calls and messages and yes, there were a few messages from Celine. I groaned and tucked my phone into my pocket. "Thank you, Kat," I gave her a smile and tried getting lost in her eyes like I always do but couldn't, all I could think about was why would Celine call me?

A knock on the door startled me as I let out a frustrated sigh before answering it. It was the bell boy coming for my bag and informing me my car was there.

"Where did you park the car?" I asked Rita who was giving me a concerned look "Not now." I warned her "Where did you park it?" I felt Kat take a step back. She might sense there was something off with me but I wasn't going to allow myself to panic in front of them.

"I gave it to the valet and told him it was yours."

I nodded content with her answer, knowing the valet would park it in my private space next to my dad's and will give the keys to the hotel's manager. We all followed the bell boy out after making sure I didn't forget anything and stacked into the elevator. Rita and the bell boy were standing upfront while Kat and I were in the back. I let my hand brush against her and smiled when her cheeks became a crimson red. I was going to miss seeing her most of the day that was for sure.

"When are you coming back to Boston Mason?"

I was still looking at Kat when I answered Rita's question "Maybe next week."

"You're coming next week?" Kat's eyes gleamed with hope, but why would they?

"Do you want me to come next week Kat?" I asked with a smirk and heard Rita chuckle.

She blushed as she tucked a strand behind her ear as she looked down "No, I'm just asking..."

"Well, it depends on your boss."

"If you do come next week Mason, don't be a stranger," Rita said before walking out of the elevators and we followed suit coming face to face with the one and only Zachary Walton.

"Mason? What a surprise..." He looked at Rita on my left and Kat who was standing on my right "Ladies,"

"Dad, fancy meeting you here."

"I heard you made Co-CEO, congrats are in order I guess. I hope you'll be up to it."

I gritted my teeth not wanting to argue with him in front of people. I knew what he really thought about it, and he probably gave Adam an earful. I wondered why the sudden change toward me, we were always so close.

"I hope so too."

"What brings you to Boston?"

"It was a business trip; I'm leaving for New York now."

He glanced at Kat then at Rita and nodded "Yeah I can tell it was business."

"Mr. Walton? You remember me?" Rita smiled brightly at my dad, jumping in the conversation probably sensing my discomfort "I'm Rita Roberts, Daughter of Rafael Roberts?"

"Oh Rita, yes, you went to College with Mason right... How is your father? It's been so long since I saw him."

"He's doing just great, as happy as he could be with business booming."

"Business? I thought he retired."

"Oh he did, he left his empire to my brother Martin and me. And let me tell you, it's doing great!"

"That's good to hear, wow, so you like business?"

"I love business, it's my passion. And I'm good at it." She chuckled glancing at me "I was just in a brief meeting with Mason, I was thinking of branching in New York..."

"That would be awesome young lady, and I'm glad Mason can help."

I felt Kat standing there awkwardly and feeling left out. "Hey Dad, this is Katrina Johnson, you remember her? She went to high school with us." Every member of my family knew about Katrina Johnson and my huge crush on her.

He narrowed his eyes trying to place her and smiled with a nod recognizing her for sure as his smile turned into a smirk "How could I forget! You were valedictorian and had a full scholarship to Harvard am I right?"

Katrina smiled shyly with a nod "Yes Mr. Walton, that was me."

"Did you achieve your dream and study law?"

She bit her lip with a nod. I squeezed her hand reassuringly knowing it was a sour subject. "Yes, I studied law, Sir."

"Very good. It was nice seeing you again Miss Johnson. I'm afraid I have to cut this reunion short, I'm late for a meeting. Mason, call your mom, she misses you." He bid us goodbye and left.

"Your dad is so intimidating." Kat breathed out, her hand relaxing in mine. It felt so natural to hold her hand that I never wanted to let go.

"Mr. Walton?" Elsa joined us in the lobby "Good morning." She looked at Kat's hand in mine and bit her lip focusing on something behind me.

"Good morning Elsa, ready to go?"

Kat pulled out her hand from mine and cleared her throat. "Have a safe flight" She looked at Rita and smiled "It was nice meeting you, Rita."

"You too, we should get together sometime. I'll take your number from Mason later." Rita gave me a quick hug "Have a safe flight buddy, and let us see you more often."

"Thank you, Rita, yeah I sure will."

Rita left with a smile while Elsa was still standing aside all tense. I looked at Kat and leaned down to her "I had fun with you kitty kat, hope to see you soon." I whispered in her ear before kissing her cheek gently and making her breath hitch.

"Elsa?" I walked out of the hotel as Elsa followed behind me silently.

With a last look at Kat speaking on the phone as she stopped a cab, I got into the car and closed my eyes feeling my whole world collapsing on my head. I still hadn't listened to Celine's messages and didn't feel like I was ready to hear her voice or even face her. I always acted tough and like nothing mattered to me but in reality, I was a huge romantic. I saw the woman of my dreams in Celine, the woman I wanted to have a family with, to start a new chapter of my life with, and mostly to grow old with. When she cheated on me she broke me, but when she told me I was never enough, she shattered me. She made me doubt every single thing in my life, every single decision I made, she made me feel like I was nothing and that was the hardest part of my heartbreak.

I never told anyone how much I was struggling not wanting them to pity me or think I was a wuss for not moving on and forgetting her so easily.

"Mr. Walton, Should I answer or not?"

I opened my eyes and glanced at a confused Elsa holding her phone tightly with both hands.

"Are you okay Mr. Walton?"

"Yes, I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention. What were you saying, Elsa?"

"I said Celine has been calling me like crazy since this morning, and she's calling now. Should I answer?"

I thought for a split second before reaching out and taking her phone. I answered it and put it on speaker.

"Finally Elsa! How hard is it to reach you? Reaching the president isn't as hard!" She exclaimed dramatically. Hearing her voice after so long was so strange. I always loved her voice.

Elsa rolled her eyes "Well hello to you too Celine, What can I do for you?"

"Yeah whatever, where is Mason?"

Elsa looked at me and I shook my head. "Looks like you're still a bitch aren't you? Well flash news, I don't have to respect you either now!"

I could hear Celine groan and I knew Elsa hit a nerve "Elsa! Where is Mason?"

"I don't know where he is, and even if I did why would I tell you?"

"Because it's important Elsa, and you're his assistant, you should know where he is. I've been calling him non-stop and still no answer."

"He doesn't have his phone. And I don't know where he is, he went out with his girlfriend." Elsa slapped her forehead for this stupid lie but I only shrugged telling her to keep up with it.

Celine stayed silent for a moment "Girlfriend?"

"You didn't think he was going to wait for you now did you? He's been in a serious relationship for a while now."

"Alright, I'm sure he's not that serious about whoever it is. I've been told he's all for one-night stands now. Anyway, tell him to call me ASAP, it's important. Thank you." She hung up after a huff of annoyance.

"His girlfriend huh?" I chuckled

"You know I'm not good at lying, I panicked!"

"It's okay Elsa. Thank you. You don't have to answer her if she calls again, you can just block her number."

I tried to seem calm as we stepped out of the car and walked where the private jet was waiting for us, but Celine's voice was now stuck in my mind. A bittersweet sound. I wondered what she wanted from me after so long, and what could be so important? I pulled out my phone from my pocket before taking my seat and was about to open her messages when my screen flashed with a new message. Seeing Kat's name made me forget all about Celine and drew a huge smile on my face.

KJ: Hope you have a safe flight. Let me know when you land.

She was concerned? That was a first. My smile grew bigger as I had a feeling I made progress with her on this trip. Maybe coming to Boston once a week wouldn't be so bad after all. Before I had a chance to reply, she sent another one.

KJ: Don't let anyone bother you, or make you doubt yourself, Mason.

MW: We're about to take off in a few minutes. I'll call you when I get there.

MW: What are you talking about Kitty Kat?

KJ: What do Alexander The Great and Winnie The Pooh have in common?

What is she on? I chuckled.

MW: You're not making sense Kat.

KJ: You didn't either when you came over drunk. You said a lot of things, Mason.

I looked blankly at her last message not knowing how to reply to that. I didn't even remember a single thing from that night, I was so wasted. I hoped I didn't hurt her feelings in any way.

MW: have I hurt you in any way?

KJ: No, but it hurt me to know you are doubting yourself because of some woman.