Forbidden Urge

Japan

Reaching Nagoya was almost an ordeal. The only available ticket was with two connections, one in Abu Dhabi, the second in Beijing. However, that was the fastest, so Philipp didn't mind the twenty-four-hour trip.

He left Munich early on Wednesday morning. The night before they took a draw with Manchester City, which wasn't great, but he discussed with Khalid what he should do with the boys while he was away. "I promise you – once I return from Japan, I will be able to commit fully to the team," he told his assistant before he headed home from the stadium. "I apologise that hasn't been the case recently."

Khalid patted him on the shoulder understandingly. "We haven't lost any game, so you're good. Go and sort out what you have, and return a happier man. We need you."

They did need him. The next two weeks would decide this season's fate of the club – either they would confirm they were the best, or they'd pass the title to somebody else. He didn't want to think about the second. If for some reason, this trip turned out pointless and Heidi refused to go back with him – which he also dreaded to think and thought absolutely impossible, because his Little Witch trusted in him, had to – he promised himself he'd come back and give his mind, body and soul to the team.

And never fall in love again.

What they had decided was best was that after landing in Japan, Philipp go to a hotel, refresh, and then head towards the office building of the Bauer branch. They could not find where exactly Heidi lived – "She most probably rents a room in a hotel," Nicola assumed – so waiting for her after work was most logical. Before work might not be a good idea because then they'd get excited and she'd possibly be late for an important meeting or so.

Philipp was exhilarated all the way to Abu Dhabi, however, once he reached his seat on the plane for Beijing, he realised he was exhausted and spent almost whole eight-hour flight sleeping. Luckily. Because when they reached Nagoya, it was already two pm and he wouldn't have time to nap in the hotel. He reached his room, took a shower and then excitedly went out. He decided to walk, because the hotel was close to the offices, and because he needed to calm down and prepare mentally for any outcome.

However, what he wasn't ready for was his body and brain's reaction to the sight of her. He was sitting on a bench in a nearby park, monitoring carefully the big rotating entrance door. When he saw the familiar luxurious amount of blonde waves, his insides twirled and boiled up. He jumped off the bench and wanted to run after her, but thankfully, quickly realised that wouldn't look so charming and romantic. He'd probably resemble a lunatic, so he walked slowly, leisurely, while she conveniently took out a paper from one of her many envelopes and skimmed through it while walking along the pavement.

He stepped in front of her: "Does the beautiful lady need a ride home?" he said.

Heidi froze, and then twitched, as we do in a dream when something sudden happens. She thought this was another one of her dreams she'd fallen into after hours of crying, and waited to wake up. When that didn't happen, but instead the very image of her Philipp persisted in front of her, she shouted, excitedly, longingly, with relief, how he had imagined she would: "Philipp! You've found me!"

"I will always find you, Little Witch," he said, a huge stone falling off his chest seeing that she did trust him, she did believe in him, she did not fall for the stories of her parents.

She dropped her files and folders and ran into his arms, clutching him strongly, hanging from his neck. The blonde waves were all around him, her jasmine scent, her body against his. He almost moaned at how much he had been missing it all.

"How?" she asked.

"I'll tell you everything over coffee."

"What coffee. Wine!"