Chapter 34: A Goodbye Kiss

"What do you want?"

Arthur appeared out of nowhere and was suddenly standing behind her. Kathrina took a step back, but it seemed as though he gained two steps for every step she took.

"Mr. Ford, what is the meaning of this?" Kathrina asked while eying the doorknob. She planned to open the door if Arthur dared to do something to her.

To her surprise, Arthur spun her around until his back was the one facing the door. Kathrina's hand then held his forearm with her eyes growing wider.

"It's Arthur for you, not Mr. Ford." He whispered as he leaned closer to her.

Just once, yeah, for the last time, he yearned to feel her closer to him. To feel the heat of her skin against him, although fabrics separated them. It did not matter at all.

When Kathrina saw Arthur's behavior, she narrowed her eyes, cautioned, and said, "Be careful, Mr. Ford. I can sue you for sexual harassment." Kathrina tightened her hold on his forearm. She deliberately wanted to inflict pain on him.

Arthur only grinned at her words as he knew her words were merely a threat with no action. "Then do it." He challenged.

Kathrina did not like his tone when he talked to her; it always sounded like he was close to her. When in fact, they barely passed the stranger line. And it bothered her so much that she always let him do anything he pleased. She should have been disgusted by him, but she enjoyed his company.

Arthur was pleased when he noticed that she closed her eyes and seemed to gather her calm. His gaze lingered on her full and luscious lips for a moment. He had wondered how she tasted since the first time she entered his field of vision, but now his chance to know about it was close to zero.

He took Kathrina's face between his palms and looked deep into her eyes with such tenderness, his thumb stroking her cheek in a way only a lover would do. "Have I ever told you that you are beautiful?" He asked softly.

Kathrina was unable to utter a single word due to her shock. A bug attacked her brain; it could not process everything that had happened. She could only stare at him in bewilderment as her jaw gradually fell as she did so.

"Judging from your reaction, I guess I haven't," Arthur concluded on his own, then he smiled, showing his little dimple. As he got closer, their foreheads came closer together, and he whispered in her ear, "You are beautiful."

A shade of pink colored Kathrina's cheeks beautifully. She tried to wriggle and break free, but what Arthur did next leave her absolutely dumbfounded. Arthur placed his palm over her mouth, and then he kissed her.

No, he kissed his own palm that covered her mouth. His eyelids were closed as though he was really kissing her lips, and he savored every moment of it.

Kathrina immediately pushed Arthur away from her. She darted her eyes to every corner of the room but not at Arthur. Her heartbeat was beating franticly, both out of fear and excitement. Her body trembled as she struggled to make sense of the conflicting emotions she was experiencing.

On the other hand, Arthur was also astounded by what he did. He had not intended it to happen, but the temptation had successfully clouded his judgment.

"Kathrina…."

"Stop," Kathrina signaled with a raised hand to stop him from continuing to speak. "Why did you do that?"

Arthur used his palm to rub his face harshly. He could not believe that Kathrina was still asking for a reason even though he had shown her that he was attracted to her. But it did not matter now, as there won't be any possibility for them in the future.

"I apologize, that was a mistake." He stepped closer and then grasped her hand in his. "Sorry, Kath."

Mistake. Kathrina wanted to laugh and attacked him at the same time. The nerve of this man to play with her.

Plak~

She slapped him on the cheek. She could feel the heat on her hand after the slap. At the same time, Arthur was rendered speechless. The shock was clearly written on his face.

"Listen to me, Mr. Ford. Don't you dare to play with me. I am not your friend or your lover so behave properly." Kathrina used her index finger to point at him on his chest. "I am here as a detective in charge of Marcella's case. I am not here to play with you. So, stay away from me." Her agitation caused her voice to rise.

Kathrina could have handled the situation calmly, but the word mistake made her mad, and lost her composure. She wanted to hurt him. That was how petty she was.

Arthur watched as the woman before him was fuming. Her chest was rising and falling fast, and her breathing was labored. It felt surreal to witness her outburst. He thought she would never explode like this.

His eyes roved around her face, studying her expression that seemed to change from anger to calm, then back to anger again.

"This is my last warning for you. Don't do anything as you please with me!" With that, Kathrina took a step forward to leave the room. She had to escape before she lost it.

Arthur grabbed her hand, but before he could turn her to face him, Kathrina twisted his arm first, making him wince in pain.

"Don't!" She gritted her teeth. "If you try to stop me again, I have no choice but to file a lawsuit against you."

After Kathrina let go of his hand, she stormed out of his office. And all he could do was watch helplessly as the woman of his dream walked away from his life. She disappeared like a bubble, just like the mermaid from his sister's favorite animated movie.

He had wanted them to part away with a good memory, but now Kathrina would only remember him as a man who gave her nothing but headaches.

Arthur let out a bitter laugh as he looked at his hands that Kathrina twisted. He raised his head to look at the flat ceiling of his room. His senses gradually became overwhelmed by the agony. Letting go of a feeling that had almost bloomed sure felt like shit.