Chapter 2

This was it. There was a whole new reality laid in front of Natalie—an overwhelming one that, in a way, made her physically nauseated. Not that she hated it. There were simply worries that nagged at her, adding pressure to the weight she was already carrying. She has, after all, always been quite the overthinker. She's marrying Lars Laurent, a billionaire well-known and respected in the city—the owner of a successful company that has garnered prestige ever since its establishment and through the generations it's passed through.

“It's just a front,” she mumbled to herself.

Natalie stood in her small bedroom, staring at her open suitcase and the disarray of things beside it. She didn't know what to carry with her, what was worthy of attaching to her, or what needed to be abandoned. Natalie simply took what she thought was necessary and ditched the rest.

She couldn’t help but feel a sense of disbelief at how her life had changed overnight. The thought of moving into Lars’s opulent mansion was surreal. She's heard of it but has never actually been there. Her phone then buzzed. It was a message from Lars.

“Driver will be there at 10 AM. Be ready.”

By the time the sleek black car pulled up outside her apartment, Natalie was already waiting outside, sitting by the staircase. Her suitcase was light, almost as if nothing were in there, but she acted like there was so much and carried it herself. The driver introduced himself as Dereck. He turned out to be not only a driver but Lars' right-hand man. He was a tall, impeccably dressed man who seemed to be a blend of Greek and English heritage, with olive-toned skin and piercing blue eyes. He smiled very warmly at her and spoke a little, but not so much that she'd think he didn't like her. As they drove through the city, Natalie gazed out the window, letting herself yet again be lost in her thoughts.

“Miss Waesmer, is everything all right?” Dereck asked, his voice calm, gazing at her through the rearview mirror.

Natalie turned her gaze to the mirror, meeting his eyes briefly before looking away. “Oh, yes. I'm just a bit overwhelmed, I think,” she admitted. “It’s all happening… so fast.”

Dereck nodded. “It's quite the change, isn't it? You'll come to it, eventually. Just know that you're in good hands.”

“I know that, but… It’s the suddenness. I can’t explain it.”

“Try not to stress yourself out by figuring it all out in one sitting. Give it some time. Your mind will learn to find itself. Don't pressure it,” Dereck replied. “Don’t pressure yourself,” he added.

Natalie's eyes met Dereck's again through the reflection, and she subtly smiled, nodding. She then sighed as she relaxed her shoulders, briefly closing her eyes.

“Thank you, Dereck,” she uttered softly. “You know, Lars' has always been there for me, even when we lost touch for a few years. But I still find it hard to believe he's willing to go this far... for me.”

“Mr. Laurent cares rarely, and when he does, very deeply. He'd go far beyond this for anyone he valued, and especially you, Miss Waesmer. You're his childhood friend and most likely the only friend he had back then.”

Natalie gazed outside for a second, reflecting on it. She never really thought of Lars as someone who'd be so emotionally attached to someone he hadn't seen in years, let alone talk to. “I... I guess that's true,” she mumbled, a somewhat feeling of guilt crawling at the back of her mind. “Thank you, Dereck. I really appreciate you telling me all these.”

Dereck nodded and returned his focus to the road. In the minimized sound of stereo playing, she wondered how Vesper would react to the news of her marriage. Would it be enough to deter him? She could feel her chest tighten again, making it harder to breathe. The gnaw of the uncertainty was almost physical, and she had to hold herself. Even now that he isn't near her, she can feel his hand around her, squeezing the life out of her.

As the car approached Lars' estate, Natalie couldn't help but be in awe. The golden gates were towering and intricately designed. They swung open with smooth, silent efficiency as Dereck pressed a button on the dashboard. They were then driving at a long, stretched-out, tree-lined driveway ornamented by manicured lawns, vibrant flower beds, and lanterns that seemed like the highlighting detail of the place, setting the old money aura. The driveway curved gently, leading to a courtyard paved with cobblestones where a stunning marble fountain of a statue stood at the center.

There was a mansion that loomed ahead, a magnificent structure of classical architecture with towering columns and windows and walls curtained by crawling vines in an artful display. The car came to a stop at the entrance, where a set of double doors stood beneath an arched portico supported by grand pillars. As Natalie stepped out, she immediately noticed the intricate detailing on the doors and the polished brass handles. She could see her reflection from it, her obviously overwhelmed reaction, and how she didn't seem like she belonged.

She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment as she prepared to step into a world so vastly different from her own. The scale and opulence of Lars's estate were justifiably too much for her to take all at once. She has never been in the midst of such richness. But, despite the feeling, there was also a sense of security that she desperately needed. The door opened, and Lars came out, his appearance more majestic than the exterior of the place.

“Natalie,” he welcomed, greeting her with a warm smile. “Come on in.”

“Thank you, Lars,” she replied, approaching him. “This place… it’s incredible.”

He nodded, a smile forming on his face. “I'm glad you find it so. Let me show you to your room.” They walked through the halls, the decor overflowing with elegance and wealth. Every wall had a painting, red curtains extended to the ground, and the porcelain floor basked in the sun. Lars led her to a guest suite that was ten times larger than her entire apartment or any place that she had lived in.

“I hope you'll find yourself comfortable here,” he spoke as he led her in.

“Are you kidding? This is… amazing.” She glanced around, completely in awe. “I mean, I'm sure I will,” she immediately added, her gaze returning to Lars. “Thank you, Lars. This is more than I could have ever asked for.”

Lars nodded. He smiled at her briefly before returning to the same serious expression he had. “We have a lot to discuss. The lawyer will be here shortly to go over the contract. Are you ready?” Natalie's hesitation was growing obvious. The feeling of being out of everything was brewing in her head. Lars could notice and gave her a few seconds of silence, just silently gazing at her. She then took a deep breath and nodded.

“Yes, I'm ready.”