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Chapter 10
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"Oh, please. You don't expect me to spend the night at my place after being away from town for days," she states, and I tense.
"Where else will you spend the night if it isn't at your place?" I ask, puzzled.
"Where else but your place?" I grimace at her suggestion. Surely, she can’t be serious.
"You know the rules, mrs Wilson ," I remind her before stepping away.
"Come on Nathan don’t you think it's time to reconsider those rules?" she pleads. I sigh as I round my desk to take a seat. I stare at her, unsure of how to handle the situation. To be honest, Mrs Wilson has been patient and cooperative when it comes to my boundaries. These rules have guided me for years, helping me protect my heart from the kind of devastation I experienced with Natalia.
"Mrs Wilson ,you agreed. My place is off-limits. What’s wrong with your place anyways?" I ask, furrowing my brow. The last woman who was ever at my place was Natalia , and even then, it was the cottage at her father's estate, not where I currently reside.
Mrs Wilson pouts and moves over to sits on my lap at my desk.
"Come on, I'm your girlfriend. I should be an exception to the rule," she protests.
"Mrs Wilson , let’s not dwell on this," I gently express. Another thought crosses my mind. Perhaps she is tired of our arrangement. Her suggestions could signify a desire for something more. Why is it that women often yearn for more? All I want is simple, a successful life. I understand the need for companionship, but I must establish boundaries to protect my heart from involvement.
"Do you want to go out?" I inquire. She gasps and shifts to face me.
"What! Are you breaking up with me?" My head starts throbbing as she raises her voice.
"No, I never said that. I asked because it seems like you want more, and I want you to know that I’d fully understand your feelings. I'll willingly let you go if you find a better man who’s ready to take things further with you," I honestly convey.
"Why would such a thought even cross your mind?" She asks, puzzled.
"Maybe because I know how women are. You desire a full-fledged love story, which I’ve made it clear I’m not suited for right from the beginning. So, I'll respect your decisions if you find someone else," I explain.
There is a stretch of silence before she says, "I'm going to pretend like I didn’t hear that,” trying to brush off my comment.
“I haven't found anyone else, and you're the one I want to be with. I'm sorry for pushing the boundaries, but that doesn’t mean I want out. I enjoy being with you, so I'll wait for as long as it takes for you to change your mind," she declares.
Her words echo those of Natalia . I recall how Natalia promised me forever only to disappear just a day after that unforgettable night. I can’t decide which hurt more - her disappearance or discovering she’d left with another man. How could she profess so much love and then simply leave me? She didn't even have the decency to tell me in person; instead, she chose the coward’s way out.I'm over that now.
I shake my head and focus on Mrs Wilson . She’s a sweet person. Maybe if things were different, and I wasn't a so scarred, I might consider taking our relationship further. Previous women before her have tried the same, only to meet a similar end.
The only problem is, I haven’t felt that spark with any other woman. I still remember how Natalia 's presence alone made me feel alive.But what did I gain from that?With Mrs Wilson it's just plain attraction much like with the previous women, which is even better because it means there’s no chance of my heart ever getting involved. I figured this out a while ago.
"Come on, let me tell you about my trip," Mrs Wilson insists, and I force a smile. She spends the next few minutes talking about her trip to Gara Islands, and while some aspects intrigue me, I have to feign attention. Doubts starts creeping in about whether continuing this relationship is the right choice. Mrs Wilson may say she doesn't want more, but her actions say otherwise. I’ve lost count of the times she’s subtly raised this issue. I'll see what the next few weeks hold.
3
Natalia
"Damn it," I mutter, cursing under my breath as I stare at another email from the electricity company. The pile of bills keeps growing by the day. I jump when my phone rings. My heart fills with anticipation and hope, praying it's a job offer from one of the companies I’ve applied to. But it’s Bekah .
"Hello," I answer with a sigh.
"Girl, you won’t believe who I just saw. It's Nathan . Remember him?" She says. I have no idea who she’s talking about, so I admit it.
"No,"
"Oh, come on! He was the guy hitting on you the other day at the Cafe," she exclaims. Her words bring back memories from that day. It was the day I lost my job, and I was pouring my heart out to Bekah about my never-ending problems. It feels like I'm destined for bed-luck. Every time things start falling into place, something comes along to ruin it. The only good luck I’ve had was getting Jason, my late ex-husband, out of my life. Just when I was finally getting my life back on track, the company had to let me go due to the damn inflation affecting the country. I gave ten years of my life for R&R only for them to treat me like trash.
"He asked for your number again and I gave it to him," she says, snapping me out of my reverie.
"What!" I yell.
"Why would you do that?"
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"Well, it’s evident that he’s interested in you. You single, and honestly, I've never seen you with anyone other than Jason. Now that someone is genuinely persistent about being with you, I don't think it would hurt to give it a try," she suggests."Bekah stop this. I’m really not interested in any man," I tell her. But deep down, I know it’s not entirely true. The only man I ever wanted can’t be mine anymore, and I’m beginning to accept that fact."Why? It's been years since Jason died. You need to move on," she says."You think this is about Jason?""Well, yeah. He is the only man you've ever mentioned who’s been in your life.""Listen Bekah ,it’s not about Jason. This is about me and my son. Don't you get? I'm not interested in relationship right now. Dealing with bills and job hunting is enough for me. I don't want to add more by being in a relationship.""Oh, my goodness, that’s true. How is the job hunt going?" She asks."It’s the same old story. Seems like most employees here p
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Fine, but still let me sort this out," I request."Okay if you insist. But if you're not able to sort things out and you think the situation is getting out of control. I'm one call away," she says, showing her concern."I know, I'll keep that in mind," I reply."Great. I have to go"That's not a problem," I reply."Talk to you later, bye,""Bye." I place my phone on the table and hold my head in my hands. staring at the screen, trying to figure out the next steps. I'm deep in depth, and if I don't find a job soon, I might not even have a roof on my head.My thoughts drift to my childhood, where I never experienced the fatherly love I saw other kids have. The best moments of my life were falling in love with Nathan and finding out I was pregnant with his child. Goerge took those moments away from me by separating me from Nathan . Since Bryant’s birth, he has been my sole attention. I vowed to ensure he receives as much love as possibly from me. He only has me, and I won’t neglect him a
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Come dear, your uncle will take us back home,” she says, and I nod. I glance at the white casket again before leaving the cemetery with her. “Are you okay?” Uncle Tyler asks as we head to the car. “Yes,” I reply. We settle inside the car and start heading to the estate. I hated spending a night there, and now I’m about to spend another. However, it was either or probably spending the little money I had on a hotel. I don’t want to disturb my aunt and uncle any further. They took care of all the funeral bills, making me wonder why they didn’t just use Goerge ’s money. The only part of the house that gave me sweet memories was the cottage, and it’s no longer there. I briefly wonder if it was brought down while Nathan was there or after he left.No, Goerge made a promise.I don’t want to imagine a life of hell because of Nathan. “Natalia dear, how long will you stay in town?” my Auntie “I’ll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning,” “What? Why?” my aunt asks as she turns to face me. “
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Perfect, I’ll make your favorite pot roast. Just the way you liked it back then,” she says excitedly.“You don’t have to bother about that,” I tell her shyly.“Nonsense, leave me to worry about it,” she says, so I drop the topic.“How is my Bryant doing?”“He is fine. He is in school. As a matter of fact, he wanted to come with me, but I told him to focus on his academics,” I tell her.“That sounds good; maybe someday, our boy will bring him to meet us,” she says, and I give her a wry smile.“I’ll see what I can do with that,” I tell her. They wait a few minutes before leaving. Instantly, I Bryant .“Hey, Mom,” he says, and all my worries dissipate. This is the brightness in my life, my joy.“How are you, my pumpkin?” I ask with a smile.“Ugh, Mom! I’ve told you not to call me that anymore. I’m a grown-ass man now,” he says, and I chuckle.“I don’t care how old you are; you remain, my baby,” I tell him. I smile when I hear his loud groan.“There is no winning against you. Anyways, how
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don’t care if I still look like a mess considering I’m just leaving bed. Well, the person at the house will have to deal with it. I quickly turn the locks. I open it to find two women standing on the porch. I give them a puzzled look, wondering what they are doing here.“Good morning, ma’am!” they greet with a bright smile. I frown at them in confusion before I force a smile.“Good morning. How may I help you?” I ask, trying to sound as polite as possible.The two women exchange looks before returning their attention to me.“I’m Tammy , ma’am. This is my colleague, Roxanne . We were Mr.Wilson housekeepers,” the first woman who introduced herself as Tammy says.“Oh,” I say, unable to form another word.“Yes, we worked for Mr. Wilson for fifteen years. God bless his soul,” Tammy says as her smile drops.“Yeah, God bless his soul,” I reply. I assumed that Goerge had let go of all his staff, especially with the information my uncle gave me yesterday about his bankruptcy. Apparently, he is
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“Mr. Wilson pays us $30 per hour,” Mary says, and I choke on my saliva.“$30 per what!” I exclaim with wide eyes. The women stare at each other with puzzled looks. For someone who was bankrupt, that wasn’t what I expected besides what happened to Goerge . I remember that he doesn’t treat his staff well and pays them meagerly. What changed? What is it about these women?“Okay, how many hours a week did you agree with him?” I ask. They seem nervous to answer my question.“We spend eight a day, seven days a week,” Roxanne says.“Wow!” I exclaim. I have a headache calculating the amount these women received from Goerge If it isn’t that I hate Goerge ’s gut, I will gladly work as a housekeeper if this is how much they earn.“Is there a problem, ma’am?” Tammy asks with a puzzled expression.“No, there is no problem,” I quickly answer.“I was just amazed you work so many hours daily,” I say. I try to sound as calm as possible even though my heart is about to burst out of my chest when I try
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This is it,” I mutter as I step out of the taxi and face the tall building. Nervousness fills me as I contemplate what awaits inside.It has been a week in Sausalito, and Natalia auntie and my uncle have gone out of their way to make me feel as comfortable as possible. In fact, today is the first time I’m venturing out since the funeral. All that’s left is to append some signatures, and I’ll be on the next flight.My thoughts are interrupted by a loud car honk, causing me to jump in fright, but I quickly steady myself.Taking a deep breath, before I start walking towards the entrance of the building.Everything about it exudes luxury. I can only imagine that the wealthy have lawyers here, judging by the immaculate attire of everyone around. Despite my plain dress, I ignore the curious looks some of the ladies shoot my way. I head to the nearest desk, where a lady seems uninterested until I stop in front of her.“Hi,” I tell her.“Hello. How may I help you?” She asks.“I’m Natalia Ford
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“I don’t have anything planned. I just want to know what all this is about and leave,” I tell him. He stares at me with wide eyes. Probably thinking I’m cold, but I don’t care. Nobody understands the hell I went through in Goerge ’s hands or how he turned my life upside down.“You’re sure about that?” He asks, and I nod in response.“Yes, I am,” I reply, wondering why he is giving me an odd look.“There is indeed a lot you need to know about Mr. Ford financial state,” he says.“Yeah, that’s why I’m here.” I don’t mean to be cold, but this man has been almost non-existent in my life for years. It’s pointless trying to feign a connection that doesn’t exist between us just because I’m his supposed heiress. If he had another choice, he would have given it all to someone else. That’s how much certain I am that he hates me.The elevator stops, and Mr. Gary steps out. I Immediately follow him until we reach a hallway.“Please, come with me,” he says, and I do as he says. Everywhere screams m
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“You’re here!” I say, heading toward it but stop when it’s Katy who appears.“You!” she hisses. “I knew something was off. He didn’t kill you!”Before I can answer, she’s on me like a rabid cat. She claws at me, slapping every part of me she can make contact with.Startled, I raise my hands protectively over my face, afraid to hit her back and severely hurt her. As it is, Nathan already hates me for any part I might have played in the death of his father.The woman may be older and weaker, but her strikes are impactful. She shoves against me, slapping her palms against my shoulders and chest, driving me toward the rear of the deck. It all happens so fast that I don’t realize I’m so close to the glass rail until it hits my lower back.“You have to calm down!” I plead.“Why did he have to want you? You look nothing like me! But Leo always liked them younger. Tell me, did you like how he fucked you?”“What? You think I slept with your husb—” Another whack, this time right across the chin
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But he saved my life. He risked himself to keep me alive. And fuck it all, I love him! I can’t just sit back and let him die.A chair is pushed and the sound of footsteps come my way. Before they reach the doors, I bolt out the entrance and am already across the street when I hear, “Natalia !”But I don’t stop. Don’t look back. My mission now is to save Nathan Natalia Irun like the Devil is at my heels, not bothering to glance back over my shoulder, because even that simple action could cost me precious seconds.For blocks, I maintain that speed, my lungs burning and the stitch on my side threatening to bring me down.When I’m far enough that I feel anyone following would have lost sight of me, I tuck myself into an alley and wait. After several minutes, I tug my cell phone out and dial Nathan , but it goes straight to voicemail.“Pick up, dammit!” I dial again, but like before, it goes to his mail.“Nathan . You have to leave your house. A man named Steven Kroos is coming. He’s bri
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“The hell it is. Do you have any idea the worry you put me through? No calls or texts the last couple of—” His eyes bulge from his skull as he takes in the blood on my shirt. “You’re hurt.” “No, Dad. It’s not my blood. I’m not hurt.” He digs his fingertips into the corners of his eyes as if he’s trying to keep from crying. “I thought I would lose my mind when I found out exactly who you were with. His name isn’t Nathan Manguire . It’s Nathan Carlos .” I rear back in shock that he knows. “What?” “My gut was right, Em. He’s a fucking criminal. The worst kind.” “How do you know that?” From the study, the handsome man who visited the gallery to meet with Dad steps out. Steven Kroos . His icy-blue stare roves over me, and he smiles. “I’m glad to see you’re home safe. Especially after being in the Robertson den.” “Mr. Kroos is the one who tracked down information on Carlos . Nathan is their new godfather.” His eyes narrow on me. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?” Looking betwee
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He tilts his head, his eyes raking over my face, searching. “What makes you think that?” “It was in the way he looked at me,” I say. “It’s the same wayyoulook at me. I know you said he loved your stepmother, but I swear it’s true.” “I saidsheloved him. I never said he loved her back.” He glances out the windshield, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. “Is that why you killed him? You didn’t appreciate his attentions?” “He came to the house when my father wasn’t there. I’m not even sure how he got in. But he followed me from room to room and begged me to give him a chance. I asked him to leave, told him that he was scaring me. He decided to grab me and try to kiss me. “I got out of his hold and ran to the desk drawer my father keeps his Glock in and threatened him. He still refused to leave. The moment he took a step toward me, I shot. It was meant to scare him, nothing more. I could never kill anyone. The bullet grazed his arm, but he was alive.” “You didn’t follow him out?
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“You cut yourself,” I say. “It wouldn’t have been believable otherwise.” “Why did you do it, Nathan ? Why did you spare my life?” He pulls over several blocks from my house. We sit there in silence for what seems like forever, the only sound the pitter-patter of scattered rain against the windshield. “Why did you save me?” I repeat the question that’s been burning in my mind. “Your mother wants me dead, but you saved me.” Without turning to me, he replies, “Iwanted you dead.” His response is another blow to my already battered heart. But he deserves the truth. “I didn’t kill your father, Nathan . It wasn’t me.” Now he does turn to me and I almost wish he hadn’t. The shadows I’ve wondered about from the start have emerged and they’re darker and more terrifying than I could have imagined. They’re blackened with Nathan ’s fury, hate, grief, and confusion. They tear at my chest, splaying it open. Raw pain fills me at the sight of those beautiful golden eyes looking so tortured, spa
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My gaze flicks from her to the elevator and to the rooftop access door, wondering if I could somehow reach either of them. And if I did, are they unlocked? As if from out of thin air, Nathan produces a piece of rope. When he tries to take one of my wrists, I make to get up again, but I’m slammed into the damned chair again. It doesn’t matter how much I fight, he easily pulls my hands behind me and ties them. “You wanted her, there she is,” he says to her, and I notice with at least a bit of satisfaction that he’s panting. I guess I wasn’t that easy to subdue. Nathan ’s stepmother comes toward me, her hips swaying. She sips her wine as she studies me. “You killed my husband.” I don’t bother to respond to her comment. She doesn’t care what I have to say. If she did, she would have asked me if I did it. And if so, why. All she cares about is revenge. The who, what, and why of it doesn’t matter to her. Turning to Nathan , I realize he’s not once asked me either. They’re the same. Part
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“Mmm. Is it that or that you have Natalia Kane in your bed?”I stiffen, feeling my heart leap into my throat. She knows my name?“Who I have in my bed is none of your concern,” Nathan says.“It is when that whore killed your father! That’s right,” she adds, “I know it was her.”My heart isn’t just in my throat anymore. It seems to have stopped. Suddenly, my blood pressure drops and every pore in my body releases sweat.“John ” I hear Nathan murmur just as I pull away.There’s walking, the sound of heels clacking against the wood floors. “John was loyal to Gustavo and Leo . Of course he would be loyal to me as well.”“Then he’s useless to me,” he says.“You’ve known it was her for days and have done nothing about it!” she shouts.“It is at my discretion to decide what and when I will do something, Katy .”“The godfather only has power so long as the men respect him. How do you think they will react when they find out that instead of killing her, you’ve been fucking her?”My mind racin
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Or maybe I’ll just fuck you until we both die.” Her eyes fly open, and for a moment, there are no walls between us. The pain, betrayal, and lust are bared fully. “Then fuck me,” she finally says. “And maybe we’ll die together.” My mouth is on hers then. I slide my fingers from her cunt and we both work savagely at getting rid of my clothes. All the while, we kiss with a passion that only the dying know. The instant I’m naked, I’m inside her, thrusting, burying my dick all the way to the balls, pulling back out, and slamming home again. Natalia is wrapped around me, arms and legs holding me tightly against her as she lifts her hips up, meeting each of my thrusts. We fuck like we’re drowning and these are our last gasping breaths. Deep and desperate. She fits me like a fucking glove, her pussy tight around my dick, her body molding to mine perfectly. The way she tastes, smells, feels… It all fits me like no one else ever has, and for the briefest of moments, I almost wish I’d neve
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I flip it open and freeze, focused intensely on the drawing of a pair of eyes.Myeyes. Only, they’re not the way I’m accustomed to seeing them. They have the same shape, same dark spots on the irises. There’s a deep crease between them. But in the drawing, they’re slightly upturned and crinkled at the edges, and there’s a slight gleam to them, as if I’m smiling.Because I was.Several times, she called my name, grinning so widely when I looked at her that I couldn’t help but smile. She captured those moments.Does light penetrate shadows, or do the shadows drown out the light?I asked that question not long ago. The answer is both. She’s managed to light up my eyes while I’ve filled hers with darkness.Blowing out a breath full of exhaustion, I set the sketch aside. Tired, I shut my lids and must drift off instantly, because a bolt of lightning that rumbles even through the sound barriers I’ve erected around the loft wakes me. Instantly, I glance at the door.Though she has access to w
