Ivan entered the office and saw Natalie sitting behind her work desk, busy working. He also noticed Mia and Cathy sitting on the couch.
Not minding them, he walked straight toward Natalie, who didn’t look at him, her entire focus on her work.
"What are you here for, Mr. Ivan Brown?" Mia asked.
Before he could answer, Cathy commented, "I’m sure this time Nat’s grandpa didn’t tell you to come to her and console her while acting as if you care? So many years of pretence, aren’t you tired already?"
Ivan was taken aback by this, wondering if Natalie knew the truth now. Last time, they had made a deal that he would tell her the truth, but they hadn’t been able to meet and talk about it.
"I’m here to talk with Natalie," he said, composing himself and looking at the busy woman who still didn’t offer him a single glance, as if he didn’t exist. "Natalie, can you spare me some time?"
"Speak," she said, still not looking at him.
"I want to talk alone," he said, hinting at the bothersome presence of the other two women.
"Hey, we are not going anywhere. We won’t leave our friend alone with a jerk," Cathy said with disdain.
Ivan was always aware that Cathy was never polite with her words. Instead of arguing, he turned to Natalie. "Natalie, please."
Before Mia and Cathy could protest, Natalie said, "You two can wait in another room."
Hearing her, the two friends didn’t disobey her in front of Ivan. They quietly walked out of Natalie’s office.
Mia looked at her phone. "Cathy, why are you calling me?"
Cathy snatched Mia’s phone and answered the call. "I left my mobile on the center table in Natalie’s office. Through this call, we can listen to what that jerk is here for."
"Make sure to record it," Mia said as the two focused on listening through the call.
"I don’t have much time. Speak," Natalie said to Ivan. She didn’t even ask him to sit.
"Are you alright?" he asked. "Today’s board meeting and that news...."
"It has nothing to do with you," Natalie interrupted him.
"I know. I’m just here to check on you, to see if you’re fine," he said, not bothered that she still didn’t look at him.
Natalie finally met his gaze with her usual confident, cold, and indifferent expression. "Do I look like I’m not fine?"
"I know you. You always act tough outside and prefer to hide your emotions, but in front of me, you don’t have to," he said.
"I was just—" ƒrēewebnovel.com
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