Ivan sat in his office, staring blankly out the window behind his desk. His mind was consumed by today’s encounter with Natalie, her angry words she said in the parking lot, still echoed in his ears.
"You truly don’t know what I’m like. The only reason I restrained myself and behaved the way you liked was because I thought I loved you so much. I was trying to be the person you wanted because I was grateful for your presence in my miserable life. And that’s why I’m still being reasonable with you—just for the sake of those days when you comforted me in my worst moments."
"Why does she always say I comforted her and that she owes her life to me?" Ivan muttered to himself, frowning.
His thoughts drifted back to a day from two years ago when Natalie had come to meet him right after returning from Xyros City.
Two years ago...
Natalie stood outside the gate of the Brown residence, waiting for Ivan, even though his mother had asked her to leave and hadn’t allowed her to enter the property.
Despite the sweltering summer heat, she waited outside the entire day, taking shelter under a tree. He’ll be back by evening for sure. I can’t miss seeing him. I don’t have his contact number.
While waiting, she pulled out her phone to check if there was a response to the message she’d sent to the user "Little Star." She had informed him that she was coming to meet him at his home, but there was still no reply.
Why hasn’t Ivan responded yet? He’s read the message... Is he too busy to reply to me?
Not feeling discouraged, she put her phone away and smiled. Never mind. I’ve waited years to see him again—a little more time is nothing.
Although Amelia knew she was outside, she didn’t invite Natalie in to wait. Not a single offer of water or shelter came her way, despite the stifling heat.
Evening finally came, and a car approached the gate. Leaning against the wall for support, Natalie immediately rushed to the vehicle and knocked on the window before it could enter.
"Ivan, is it you?"
The car window rolled down, and a familiar face came into view.
As if she had found her entire world, Natalie smiled brightly. "It’s really you, Ivan. I’m back, finally. I promised you I’d return safe and sound."
Ivan looked puzzled, as if struggling to grasp what she was talking about. But then, he stepped out of the car, to talk with this familiar girl in simple t-shirt, jeans and sneakers.
"Nat?"
"Yes, it’s me." The smile on her lips grew even wider.
It was probably the last time Ivan saw her smile with such genuine happiness.
"When did you get back?" he asked. If he had to be honest, he had even forgotten about her existence.
"This morning. I came straight here to see you. I’ve been waiting the entire day."
"Here?" He glanced around in confusion.
"Yes. I didn’t want to miss the chance to see you. I don’t even have your contact number," she explained. "But didn’t you read my message?"
"What message?" Ivan asked.
Just then his father stepped out of the car.
’Oh, his father is here so he might not want to let him know of the secret social media account he had just to talk with her,’ Natalie concluded. "Ah, it’s nothing. Forget it."
Turning to Ivan’s father, she greeted him politely, "Good evening, Mr. Brown."
The man gave her a curt nod before addressing his son. "Ivan, don’t take too long. Your mother is waiting for us." He then got back into the car, which drove through the gate and into the property.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother