Chapter 6 - 6. Katherine

'You were on a Bugatti, a fricken Bugatti'. Felix couldn't ignore my drive with my boss. His sour expression made my smile more twisted. 'What? don't tell me you're jealous.'

'Oh please, don't forget we made a bet so keep your promise'. I handed him the USB for him to work his magic. I also told him that I was given two days' holiday. He pretended he didn't listen but I could see his frown. 

The next day I woke up late, finishing my beauty sleep was the best thing I could imagine. I was lazing till late noon, Felix told me to wait a few more days till he could crack Lance's black files. I didn't care much to be honest. Working with my boss wasn't so bad, if he were innocent, I might quit my spy job and work with him.

'Hey Kat, could you run some errands for me?', Felix caught me while I was in the kitchen, 'Write me a list of them', I said. It was my first outside walk alone in D.C. This time no work or any missions, just simple errands. I wore an oversized T-shirt which belonged to Felix and dark navy blue jeans. My hair was tied in a bun due to the heat. I saw a reflection of myself near a restaurant window, Damn, I looked normal.

I almost finished the errands, they were mostly snacks and drinks, and now all that was left was instant coffee from an expensive brand. They don't sell these things in the market, good thing Felix sent me the location. Let's see, umm, I think I was close, but if I take the alley then I would reach quicker.

The alley it is. I almost missed the moments when I used to run off in the alleys. The cigarette smoke, the spray paints, and of course, the emergency exit stairs. I dragged one down and reached the top of the building. 

The air was softer and more refreshed. I took a large breath and jumped, only to reach the top of another building. And just like that I ran and jumped, memories when I used to dich classes. On my last jump, I found myself on the ground near the store that sells God-knows-why-it's expensive coffee.

Hammy's customers, it says, this was the stop. I entered only to find myself talking to a strange women. I got the coffee, I got Felix's errands now I could relax and ignore my boss who was feeding a cat...

Wait what, did I see it correctly, I turned back to notice my boss, Maximilian Lance was feeding a ginger stray cat. He was feeding a cat. I wanted to shift my attention elsewhere but I couldn't, he was just too attached to the cat. I stood there for one whole minute when he suddenly caught me staring at him.

Crap! What should I do? He stood up and walked towards me. Okay, let's think of an excuse, umm, why couldn't I think of anything?

'Miss Willer, what a surprise', the cat stayed still, it didn't leave, 'How is your day off going?', he was just fifty centimeters away, his huge body covered my view, now that I took further notice, he only wore his vest, and his sleeves were folded to his lower arms.

'It's wonderful Mr. Lance, how about you enjoying feeding your cat'. I said while controlling my expression. He looked back at the ginger cat who gave him a meow and walked towards his foot. It wrapped its body all over his bottom pant.

For someone so wealthy, this was quite the particular hoobie for him. 'I found this cat just lying here, figured it needed some company'. 

'Huh, friends so soon, I must say I'm jealouse'. Now was the perfect time to get close.

'Jealouse? do you envey this cat for getting close to me?'. 

'I just wanted to be friends with my boss, hey, do you want some refreshments? my treat'.

We settled to the nearest diner which had 4 stars review. Not bad for me but my worries were with Mr. Lance here. I insisted on bringing the cat cause the poor soul reminded of me when I was a kid. Luckly the diner allowed pets, those who don't harm you.

I ordered simple green tea (Coffee was banned for me for three weeks), while my boss ordered strawberry milkshake. A guy like him with a sweet tooth, I was definitely surprised.

'So, have you decided a name for our guest', I asked encouraging in a conversation. Less than five minutes and this feline has already stolen my heart. 

'Not yet, I'm not thinking of having any pets, I work 24/7 and it's exhusting'.

'Then why not bringing it at work, it would make you look more umm_'.

'Approachable', He said.

'Cute', I corrected.

I doze my attention to the cat, the adorable thing was chewing the strawberry from Maximilian's milkshake. 'You know, if you are not going to name it, I will.'

'I guess that saves me the trouble'. He said right after he took his sip. I notice a hint of pink on his face. Wait, was he blushing? He kept drinking his milkshake without batting his eyes.

I finished my green tea, it my stomach feel better. The cat made it's way to my direction, the furry devil went for my attention and it was doing a good job.

I reached out my hands and gentlely picked it up. It was smiling and meowing, I made mischievous faces, hoping for more attention, but the only one who notice was my boss. Embarrasement rushed inside me as I placed the cat on the table.

'You know, my mother had soft spot for cats'. He started his story telling which was information for me. 'Every new day she would stumble across cats and brought them home. My father hated it since she wasn't giving much attention to him'.

This wasn't news to me. Cardwin Lance was born cold and brutal but he had a soft heart for his wife. Many say that their romance was a love story. Unfortunately, they both passed away leaving their son to carry the business.

Willson told me how him and Cardwin were desk mates and would spent time figuring out each others work life. Cardwin was a business man, Willson was an assassin, but love changed him into working as a spy.

'I can relate to that, my dad was jealous when my mother told him of the guys she would marry if he didn't marry her'. It was true, Willson told me, he said he was ready to take out anyone who dared to touch his wife.

'I never heard you talk about your family miss Willer, what are they like?'.

A sense of curiosity was found in his words, good thing I memorised the script. 'My dad works as a tech engineer, my brother works part-time in a local company as an engineer, and my mother, well she passed away when I was a kid'.

A certain amount of guilt pierced my chest, I looked at him again. His brows tenses and his hand clinched against each other. Don't feel sorry is what I wanted to say, but I couldn't get those words out of my mouth. Not when he was in his deep thoughts.

I expected that much from our first hang out. As always I bided my farewells. Maximilian took the cat with him, God knows whats he is going to do with it.

I returned home, exhausted. Tosed the bag towards Felix who was complaining on my late arrival. I didn't cared to listen to his bargginng, instead I found myself on my bed, my head tugged over a pillow and silent sobbing.

'She was a wonderful woman, a beauty and a delecant creature, no one could imagine such curse stroke upon her, not even those who hated her, My God put her soul to rest. You will forever be in our hearts, Martha Fowler.'

If only you were here.