A Dimmed Star (2)

Arthur stood in front of Kathrina's unit, unsure if he should press the intercom. He had lost his patience in waiting for her, so he decided to come to her instead. At first, he was supposed to go to her unit yesterday. However, due to Marcella Williams's problem, he had to postpone his plan.

Arthur arrived at the reception lobby around eight in the evening and asked the receptionist about Kathrina. Fortunately, the woman was home. He took a deep and long breath before pressing the intercom. It didn't take long for the door to open. After the door had been fully opened, a woman with red hair came into view.

"You look disappointed," Jenna remarked carelessly with a broad grin plastered on her face.

"I want to see Kathrina," Arthur said. He paid no attention to her remark

"So impatient, but it's okay. I like you enough." The grin on Jenna's face grew even broader than it had been before. She cocked her head to the side and yelled loudly, "Kath, someone is looking for you."

Not long after hearing Jenna, Kathrina walked closer to the entrance door. Her heart dropped. When she finally caught a glimpse of the man she had been trying to avoid.

'Damn Jenna,' she muttered an expletive under her breath

"Enjoy your time, babe," Jenna stated, pushing Kathrina out of the apartment.

In the hallway, the lamp was dim, giving the impression of warmth. Kathrina and Arthur had not spoken to each other. They were only able to exchange short glances with each other.

"You have been avoiding me," Arthur uttered as he took one step closer to her, but the woman also took a step back.

"I don't have a reason to avoid you."

"Really?"

Arthur continued to get closer to her until Kathrina's back was against the door. He noted the shift in her demeanor, which went from one of mild anxiety to complete calm in a second.

"Did I scare you?"

Kathrina could hear Arthur's low voice clearly; it was as though he was whispering in her ear. Her eyelids closed in an attempt to gather her peace but failed when she felt Arthur tuck her hair behind her ear.

"Don't touch me as you please." Finally, Kathrina was able to talk back.

"Tell me. Why are you avoiding me?"

Kathrina felt like the space was getting smaller with each passing minute as their bodies were so close to each other. Kathrina could even get a whiff of lavender mixed with cinnamon, musk, and something else, but she couldn't decipher it. He smelt good to the point that it nearly compelled give in to her body's desire to get closer to him, but she held back in the end.

Kathrina's little movement to get closer didn't escape Arthur's eyes. His mouth curled into a smile.

"You have not given your answer."

"Why do you always question me like I am your girlfriend? It is entirely up to me whether I stay away from you."

"Then, if I were to make you my girlfriend, would it help me find the answer?" He teased her while repeatedly touching her hair and enjoying the silky smoothness of it in his hands.

Kathrina started to feel the urge to escape from his grasp. She couldn't handle Arthur. The way that man behaved toward her was getting on her, it made her feel something, and she didn't like it. Ah, wrong, she liked it. That was why she detested it.

"Kathrina…."

Kathrina blocked the sensual sound from Arthur's mouth. She had to flee. With that in mind, she kicked Arthur's calf, which made him groan in pain. After that, she shifted their position so that Arthur was the one who was leaning on the door instead of her.

She used her hand to give the door a hefty smash before craning her neck to look him in the eye. When she was about to talk, Arthur opened his legs wide to make their height on the same level. She was lost for words again.

"Your neck will hurt."

"Damn You! Stop facilitating me like you are my boyfriend because you are not! Stop coming to me because I hate you." Kathrina exploded like a bomb. She didn't want to talk nicely again because it was evident Arthur didn't get her when she was being nice.

In contrast to what she had anticipated, Arthur only grinned at her outburst like it was nothing. Instead, he put his hand on her shoulder and gently caressed it as if trying to calm her anger.

"I'll be honest with you. I want you."

Kathrina was convinced that Arthur was insane. "I just said I hate you." Of course, it was a lie, but Arthur didn't have to know.

"It doesn't matter. Give me a chance." Arthur's face leaned in, and his gaze landed on her full, sensuous lips. "Have dinner with me. If you still hate me, then I'll leave you alone." He said it with labored breath.

Kathrina remained silent, thinking about his words. Then, her therapist's words suddenly popped up in her mind. Her therapist said she should try to be in a relationship again, learn to trust, and see whether she could give someone control over her.

"Say yes," Arthur said with a hopeless tone.

'Maybe it's okay to try,' Kathrina thought.

A second before she gave her answer, the phone in her pocket pants rang, making the air around them turn normal.

Kathrina saw the caller's name. It showed Joe's name, which indicated someone had been killed.

"Where is it?

"Close to your location, so go there as soon as you get the address."

"Okay."

"Wait, Kath, be careful there are many reporters on the location."

Kathrina's brows elevated at the mention of reporters. "They are so fast."

"Because the victim was a big star," Joe answered.

"Okay then, see you there."

After her short phone call, Kathrina shifted her attention back to Arthur and said, "I have to go."

Arthur didn't try to hold her back because he knew it was her duty call. Instead, he patted her head twice, then gave her a slight nod. "I'll see you soon, and give me your answer when we meet again." After that, he left her.

Kathrina immediately ran to her apartment to gather everything she needed and left for the crime scene.

***

Arthur sat alone in his study, thinking about his stupidity with Kathrina earlier. Initially, he intended to ask her full name but ended up asking her to dine with him. In the end, he didn't get either answer to his question.

Suddenly his phone rang, and he answered it without looking at the caller's name.

"Arthur!"

It was Belle's voice; she sounded agitated and called him by his first name, which could only mean she had a piece of bad news.

"Look at the news."

Arthur proceeded to search for a news station after being instructed to do so by her. After seeing what was being broadcast on television, he became utterly speechless.

"Is it true?"

"Yes."

"Inform everyone who was responsible for her and meet me in the office at eight tomorrow."

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

After the phone call, Arthur's attention focused on the news. Then, as reality finally dawned on him, he pounded his fists repeatedly on the table.

[BREAKING NEWS: MOVIE STAR MARCELLA WILLIAMS, 29 YEARS OLD, WAS FOUND DEAD IN HER APARTMENT]