Chapter 4: Marry Him

Nathalie Wrights's P. O. V.

I buried my face in my hands when I saw the number of papers that I need to work on. My company is still sinking and I can't even do anything at this moment to go and invite some businessmen because I need to focus on these papers first. What a great way to ruin my day

I turned my attention to my phone when I heard that it was ringing. It was a call from Mr. Coin.

Seeing his name on my phone's screen, I already know his reason for calling me. He'll probably take back the offer that he gave me last night because of what Kyrie did. That man... I firmly closed my eyes to calm myself whenever I get to remember of what he did last night.

He knew that Mr. Coin will choose him over me, because why choose my company anyway? Kyrie is known for his strict attitude whenever he invites his investors and a direct invitation from him would be a great honor for Mr. Coin in this world of business.

Sighing, I took my phone and answered the call.

"Good morning, Mr. Coin! May I know the reason for your call?" Even though I'm stressed, I tried all my best to sound casual when I asked him.

"Good day to you, Ms. Wrights. May I invite you over for lunch today? There's just something that we need to discuss.." The seriousness was all evident in his voice.

"Sure. Give me the place and I'll be there at lunch time," I leaned down to my seat and took one of the papers in front of me to read it.

Sure enough, Mr. Coin did give me the address of the place after the call ended and when lunch time came, I was already heading to go to the place. When I arrived, Mr. Coin was there already and was waiting for me.

I came to approach him and he offered me to take a seat. One of the waitresses came and served the food on our table.

"I hope you don't mind that I already order the food.." He motioned me to all the meals that were prepared for us.

"It's okay, but may I ask... What's the real point of this meeting?" I asked politely, trying to not sound like I already know his reason.

"Oh, that.." He smiled at me before he took the pork beside his hand. "How about we eat first?"

I agreed to him and have our lunch first, when we're done, that's when Mr. Coin became serious.

"You see, Ms. Wrights.." He wiped his mouth using the table napkin. "Just last night, I decided to offer to invest in your company, didn't I?" I nodded at him. "And that will happen after you meet my son, but then... I received an offer too from someone who's known in this field of business and I can't lose that.." His eyes became even more serious while looking at me. "And in exchange for that offer, I must not invest in your company and be your business partner.."

I took a deep breath when I heard his words. Kyrie is really getting on my nerves right now!

"So that leaves us of you taking back your offer, right, Mr. Coin?" I asked him while I'm holding my glass and playing it in front of him.

"I would be forward, yes, that's how it'll go. Although, I have a different offer for you.." He sat straight in his seat.

My eyebrows creased while I'm waiting for his next words, but Mr. Coin seemed to be waiting for my response.

"Mr. Coin..." Just like him, I did sit straight too and look at him in the eyes. "Wasn't our deal for me to meet your son and after that, you'll invest in my company?" I sarcastically laughed at him.

Last night, when Mr. Coin asked me to meet his son, he also offered that he'll invest in my company. That's why after that, he accompanies me and introduce his son to me, who I learned was Renz. He was a nice guy, and Mr. Coin did mention that his son and I would be perfect for each other, but that was it. And after I said my goodbyes to Mia and them, Kyrie's assistant came to me and asked me to come with them. There were many people watching so I didn't dare to cause a commotion and just silently come with them, only to find out that Kyrie was planning to offer Mr. Coin to be his investor.

"Seems like you're not true to your words, sir."

"It's not like that---"

"Last night.." I clenched my jaw before I speak again. "I did agree to meet your son and that is what happened! I met your son before the party was over! Supposedly, we should be preparing the papers now so you can invest in my company, right? Just like what our deal was, but what is this now?"

"Ms. Wrights, I am asking you now to, please, calm down.."

"Oh, I am calm, sir. I really am," I said while gritting my teeth in anger.

Mr. Coin took a deep breath before he speak again.

"Look, Ms. Wrights. There was no contract bound to our agreement last night and I happened to receive a good offer. And yes, I accepted it.." I angrily smirk at him, but he was persistent to finish what he wanted to say. "So now I am proposing a new offer for you.."

"What? To date your son this time?" I sarcastically asked him as I crossed my arms. "Mr. Coin, just to be straight, no, I'm not going to date your son---"

"To marry him.." My mouth was left open when I heard his words that cut me off.

"W-What?" I asked in surprise, I even raised my voice, causing the other customers to look at us for some time.

"Nathalie, after I sign the contract that they offered me, I want you to marry my son. In that way, even without a contract, you will be able to use our connections and money to restore your company. We will both gain from it, my son having you as his wife, while you use what we have to get what you want. How's that for a new deal?" Mr. Coin asked before he took a sip from his tea.

ON MY WAY home, I kept on thinking of what Mr. Coin asked me. That was a tempting offer, but I'm still not that desperate enough to sell myself for the sake of my company. Besides, Mr. Coin's son wanted to have the wedding in my birth country, in Philippines, and there's no hell that I will agree to what they're offering.

I left that country to start a new life, so why would I go back there and imprison myself with a new problem? What I am looking for was a solution, not a new problem to deal with.

My phone suddenly rang while I am driving. It was the detective who was appointed to my case.

"Good evening, Ms. Wrights.." He greeted me when I answered the call.

"Is there any news? Have you found him?" I directly asked, pertaining to my business partner who stole the company's money.

"Unfortunately, no. We still can't trace him. It seems like everything was planned, we did find some evidence that would point to him, but it's still not enough to not send you behind the bars since the contract was referring to you, who will take the obligations if anything is to happen with the money unless you can bring him to court." I sensed the pity in his voice while talking to me. "That's all the update that I have.."

I sighed before I thank him and end the call. There's no time for me to regret everything now, it won't do me any good. Tomorrow, I'm afraid that I need to reduce my employees, some of them would need to leave now, but this won't last long because once everything is back to normal, I would make sure to hire them again.

When I reached my house, I was shocked to see Mia outside. I got off the car and approached her. Mia was smiling excitedly before she embrace me in a tight hug.

"Mia, what is it?" I asked her while grimacing before I pushed her away from me.

"Why were you hiding something like that from me?" She asked before she jump in excitement while holding my hands.

"Hiding what?" I frowned at her. "And can you, please, relax?!" I pulled my hands from her grip and crossed them in my chest.

But instead of getting to the point, Mia decided to roll her eyes at me before she raised her eyebrows while looking at me.

"Come on, Nathalie! I'm your cousin! How did you manage to do that?"

"Do what, Mia?!" My irritation is now growing because of Mia.

Why can't she just tell me what it is?!

"Kyrie..." She started and I was frozen in my place.

"W-What about him?" I nervously asked.

Is he up to something again?

"Why didn't you inform me that you have something with him?" Mia, then, eventually pouted her lips while looking at me. I couldn't say anything, I was only looking at her and watching her reactions in surprise at what she said. "Nathalie, I'm so disappointed in you. I thought we were close, but all along, you're hiding something from me!"

I took a deep breath to control myself before I decided to just leave her alone. While walking to enter my house, Mia hung her arms on mine while smirking to herself, but I just ignored her because I know that Mia would just piss me off even more. She loves strolling around whenever she wishes to piss me and I'm not giving her that satisfaction tonight. Gosh, I'm so exhausted today and I have no energy to argue with her!

But it was like a wrong move to not mind her because when I open the door and entered the house, I was rooted in my place when I saw him there.

"Kyrie..." I called out his name, shocked to see him there. "W-What are you doing..." I diverted my gaze to Mia who did nothing but give me a teasing smile. "You knew he's here and yet you didn't tell me?!" I suddenly raised my voice at her before I pulled him into the corner and turned my back to Kyrie. "Why did you even let him in?" I angrily whispered to her.

"That's what you get for hiding something from me!" She snapped back while crossing her arms and giving me a pointed look. "And besides, you didn't ask me!"

"Because you didn't give me a hint that someone could be here!" I yanked my hair back from my face. "Damn it, Mia! You shouldn't let him in! He's a stranger to us!"

Well, he's not really a stranger to me. After all, I've known him since before.

"But he said that you have a past to each other---"

"Still!" I raised my voice when I cut her off and was about to scold Mia again when we heard a cough from behind me. I clenched my jaw and fists before I face him. "What are you doing here, Mr. Menzel? It's so unlike you to go somewhere without a notice or an invitation, especially that you came first before 'I' did.."

"A-Ah, Nathalie?" I felt it when Mia poked my waist so I turned to look at her.

"What?" I asked her, not showing any emotions.

"I-I think I need to go now.." She said before running to reach the door and close it behind her.

I sighed because of what Mia did. She's young yes, but she should've known that letting someone in your house is not safe for anyone. Uncle was wrong when he spoiled Mia so badly.

"I heard that you've met with Mr. Coin today?" Kyrie's voice was deep when he asked me.

I arched my forehead when I diverted my gaze at him.

"So, you're watching me now, huh?" I sarcastically asked him.

"I wasn't told that I'm not allowed," he said while shrugging his shoulders before he went back to his seat on the couch. "How was your day, love? Did it go well with your 'future investor'?"

How shameful! He didn't even deny that he had me follow around!

"I didn't know that it concerned you, Mr. Menzel.." I walked towards him and stood in front of him. "And do me a favor," he just looked at me while I'm speaking to him. "Leave now. I'm tired, I want to rest." But he didn't move. "Kyrie, I said leave!"

"Why do you always want to be away from me?" He asked while clenching his jaw.

"What?" He stood up from his seat and held my arms. "Kyrie---"

"Remember this, Nathalie!" He started. "If you accept Mr. Coin's offer or even if it just crosses your mind, I will make sure to drag you all down together. Do you understand?" He emphatically said.

I wasn't able to answer him because I was astounded by the look in his eyes. It was so dark and threatening. It felt like it was saying that I should follow him or the worst will happen to me.

When I gathered myself after feeling that pain from his grip, I pushed him away from me. Though it was not enough to part us, but at least, it loosens his grip on me.

"Are you out of your mind now, Kyrie?! I told you to leave, so leave now and stop telling me what you want me to do!" I yelled at him. "You're meddling in my business when you should've not!"

"Go on, Nathalie. Do what you want, but don't blame me for my missteps that you triggered.." He picked up his coat before facing me again. "Goodnight, love. Have a good rest.." Kyrie leaned in to kiss my lips and I was too late to avoid it.

I shouted in anger when he turned his back to me before he started walking out of the house.

"D*mn you, Menzel!" I shouted at him before I threw my purse away in annoyance.

I was about to head into the staircase when I heard the door open again.

"Kyrie, I said leave---"

"Oh, you're on a name basis?" I turned around and saw Mia standing at the door while holding a box in her hands.

"What are you doing here? I thought you had already left," I walk towards her when Mia motioned the box to me.

"I was about to, but curiosity got the better of me." She giggled before she handed me the box that she was carrying. "And I also saw the delivery guy, he left this in front of your gate so I bring it in."

"It has no waybill, Mia.." I said as I inspected it before I placed it on the table and took the cutter to open the box. "Are you sure that it's for here?"

"Well, he left it on your gate so yeah, it's for you."

"Maybe he accidentally dropped it---"

"I said he left it, not drop it. Don't you know the difference, Nathalie?" Mia asked with an insulting voice.

I rolled my eyes at her. "I was just making sure. It's night already, you know? And who would deliver at this hour---"

"Oh, shut up and just open it now!" Mia pushed my hand when I'm done cutting it open before she took out what was inside it.

While Mia's taking her time to see what was inside, I step away to put back the cutter and when I turned to her, Mia's face was full of confusion.

"What?" I asked her when she didn't speak and just look at the papers in her hands. "Mia, what is it?"

"I should ask you.." She looked at me with no emotions in her eyes. "Nathalie, what's the meaning of this?"