CHAPTER 6: TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF

Nathan took me to one of the most exclusive and luxurious hotels in town. The moment we stepped out of his sleek car, I could feel the sudden change in the air. Heads turned, and it was clear that people recognized him. 

The way the staff greeted him, with respect and admiration, made me feel like I was stepping into a different world, one filled with luxury and privilege. I had never felt this important before, not like this.

The grand lobby, adorned with marble floors and glittering chandeliers, felt like something out of a movie. As we were escorted to our table, I couldn’t help but notice the glances people gave us, as though wondering who I was. 

The way Nathan carried himself with such ease, it was clear this wasn’t his first time here. His confidence made me feel special like I belonged by his side. I felt like I was some sort of goddess and I walked majestically after him.

When we finally sat down at our table, with a stunning view of the city’s skyline, the atmosphere shifted into something more relaxed. Nathan had a way of making me comfortable, his charm effortlessly disarming. 

The waiter brought out dish after dish, each one more exquisite than the last. Nathan was cracking jokes. It does not suit him at all but I enjoyed every bit of it because he still looked serious even though he was telling a joke.

I found myself laughing at things that normally wouldn’t even make me smile. The way he mimicked people we’d passed on the way in, exaggerated their mannerisms and playfully teased me about my wide-eyed wonder at the hotel, all made the evening feel so alive.

“You should’ve seen your face when we walked in,” Nathan said, grinning. “I thought you were going to faint at the sight of that chandelier.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “It was... a lot. I’m not used to all this.”

“Get used to it,” he said, his eyes sparkling. “You’re with me today.”

His words sent a warm rush through me, and for a moment, I forgot all about the uncertainties lingering in my mind. It was just Nathan, his smile, and the way he made me feel like I was the only person in the room.

As the night went on, I realized it wasn’t just the lavish surroundings that made this moment special, it was him. He had a way of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, of making me feel seen in a way I hadn’t felt before.

"Tell me about yourself," he said gently, his voice low and inviting.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of where to begin, but there was something in his eyes that made me feel like I could trust him. So, I started talking, slowly at first. I told him about my life, about working part-time jobs to make ends meet, about my struggles to balance school, and the weight of responsibilities at home.

Nathan listened intently, nodding as I spoke, his expression soft but serious, like he truly cared. But as I got to the part about my father and how I would often come home to find him passed out, surrounded by empty bottles, lost in his grief and the memories of better times, I felt my throat tighten. My voice cracked.

"My dad... he hasn’t been the same since my mom passed away," I whispered, swallowing hard, trying to push back the lump rising in my throat. "I try to be there for him, but sometimes it feels like... like I’m drowning too."

Nathan reached across the table, gently placing his hand over mine. The warmth of his touch was grounding, but it also made me feel exposed and vulnerable in a way I wasn’t used to. I blinked quickly, trying to keep the tears from spilling over, but I could feel them threatening to break free.

"And then there’s Lisa," I continued, my voice shaking slightly. "She was my best friend. I helped her, supported her through so much... but she - -" I stopped, struggling to find the right words. "She betrayed me. With Carlos. The fool that I call my boyfriend."

Nathan’s hand tightened slightly around mine as if silently urging me to go on, to let it out.

"Carlos..." I exhaled my voice barely above a whisper now. "I loved him. I thought he was the one. But I caught them together, my best friend and the man I was supposed to spend my life with. I gave up so much for him. I begged for him to have a job, I turned away better men, all for him, and... they both destroyed me. My best friend and my boyfriend."

He looked at me without saying anything. “Is that wonderful?” I said.

I couldn’t stop the tears now. They streamed down my cheeks, uninvited but inevitable, carrying with them the weight of everything I’d been holding in for so long. The betrayal, the disappointment, the loneliness, it all crashed over me, raw and overwhelming.

Nathan was silent for a moment, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand, offering a quiet, steady comfort. He didn’t rush me, didn’t try to fill the space with empty words. He just let me feel.

Finally, he spoke, his voice soft but firm. "I’m sorry," he said, his eyes locked on mine, filled with an understanding I hadn’t expected. "No one deserves to be treated like that, especially not by the people they love."

I looked down at our hands, trying to gather myself, but Nathan’s kindness, his gentle strength, was making it hard to hide the pain any longer. I had been trying to keep it together for so long, but now, in front of him, it was all unravelling.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice breaking just a little.

Nathan leaned back in his chair, a playful smile dancing on his lips as he looked at me. "Get up," he said, his voice smooth but firm. "I want to take you somewhere."

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden command, but there was something in the way he said it, very confident and commanding, like he had everything planned out, and that made me trust him without question. Before I could even ask where, he was already on his feet, offering me his hand. I hesitated for only a second before taking it.

Moments later, we were in his sleek black car, the city lights flashing by in a blur as Nathan drove with purpose. I glanced at him, curiosity swirling inside me, but he remained silent, his expression calm and unreadable.

"Where are we going?" I finally asked, unable to contain the question any longer.

He shot me a sideways glance, that same playful smile returning. "You’ll see."

My heart raced a little, both from the thrill of the unknown and the fact that I was here, with him. It wasn’t long before the car slowed, pulling up to a familiar building. My breath caught in my throat as I realized where we were.

The Royal Café. My workplace.

I turned to Nathan, confusion written all over my face. "Why... why are we here?"

He didn’t answer, just nodded toward the door. "Come on."

As soon as we entered the café, the buzz of conversation stopped. All eyes were on us. The shock on everyone’s faces could not be hidden, especially Pachi’s. He stood frozen behind the counter, his mouth slightly open as he stared at Nathan. He knew exactly who he was, and so did everyone else in the room.

"Is that... Nathan Cain?" I heard someone whisper from the corner.

Pachi’s expression shifted from shock to a kind of nervous excitement, like he wasn’t sure whether to bow or run. He fumbled with the coffee machine, his eyes darting between Nathan and me.

"N-Nathan," Pachi stammered, coming out from behind the counter, his usual cocky demeanor nowhere to be found. "What brings you here?"

Nathan didn’t even blink, his gaze steady and unreadable as he looked around the café. Then, without a word, he turned back to me, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my pulse quicken.

Everyone was watching. I could feel the weight of their stares, the questions hanging in the air. Why were we here? What was Nathan planning?

Pachi stepped forward, his voice quieter now, almost pleading. "Is... is there something you need? I didn’t know you were coming, otherwise, I - -"

Nathan cut him off with a single, raised hand. "I’m not here for your café, Pachi."

The room fell into a tense silence. Nathan’s gaze didn’t leave mine. His next words felt like they were meant just for me, though everyone was hanging on to them.

"I’m here for her."

But Nathan wasn’t done. He took a step closer to me, his presence commanding, his voice low and sure as he said the one thing that would leave everyone speechless:

"We have unfinished business, don’t we?"

The entire café seemed to hold its breath. And in that moment, standing there in the café where I worked, with Nathan Cain’s eyes locked on mine, I knew that whatever happened next would change everything.

What did Nathan mean by ‘unfinished business’?