After arguing with Justin, Natalie returned to the office and busied herself in the work. But she couldn’t stop cursing Justin in her mind.
’That Jerk. How could you just dismiss soone without considering their efforts? John was his trusted man and he just.....Is he so god to build so ridiculous rules which can’t be broken? Is he truly so kind of Mafia, hiding behind a faced businessman?’ She wondered, but then frowned, ’I don’t need to be scared of him. I wasn’t scared of anyone in Xyros city, then what more is this spoiled rich brat?’
She looked at her cellphone, and once more dialed John’s number but couldn’t reach him once more.
I hope he’s okay... The thought tugged at her heart. This is all my fault. All he did was try to protect , and now he’s the one paying for my mistakes. I just need to know he’s safe, and maybe then I can finally have so peace.
With a sigh, Natalie set the phone back on her desk and leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. Then, a soft ping alerted her to a new ssage.
Assuming it wasn’t anything important, she picked up her phone lazily. But as she saw the sender, her eyes widened.
ssage from: Little Star.
Ivan? she wondered in disbelief. Why is he ssaging now, after all this ti, from that old ID?
She opened the ssage to read it, her heart gripped with those past feelings when she would feel comforted whenever she received a ssage from Little Star.
She opened the ssage, her pulse quickening.
Little Star: Soon, we will et. Wait for .
Natalie stared at the words, blinking several tis in disbelief. What the hell is Ivan trying to pull? Her heart raced, a mixture of anger and confusion swirling inside her. Is he out of his mind?
She furiously typed out a reply: Go to hell, and don’t ever ssage again.
But just as quickly, she deleted it. Her fingers hovered over the screen, trembling with restrained emotion.
I have nothing to say to him. I already repaid him for everything. I owe him nothing. He can go to hell.
With that Natalie closed the ssage and put her cellphone back. But sowhere she had this unsettling feeling in her heart as if there was sothing wrong.
----
In the evening, at Ivan’s private office suite.
Ivan and Briena lounged on the plush leather couch, glasses of wine in hand. Briena rested comfortably against him, savoring the intimacy and the warm buzz of the evening.
"Grandma invited Natalie and her husband to the anniversary gathering," Briena said with a casually. "Even though Natalie doesn’t really see us as family, we still considers her a Ford."
"You know her well. If you say so, then you must be right," Briena replied, grinning inside, ’Can’t wait for him to show up.’
"I wait to see what kind of a man he is for her to marry him," Ivan said, his gaze narrowing ahead, "I am sure she will regret it in the future."
Briena’s grin deepened. "How does she even tolerate him? Sleeping with other won for money... it’s disgusting."
"Isn’t she doing the sa?" Ivan remarked with a bitter sneer.
Briena humd in agreent and then shifted closer, her tone softening. "Ivan, I’ll never tolerate it if you sleep with another woman. I want you all to myself."
Ivan smiled faintly and brushed his hand along her cheek. "I never will," he promised, his voice low and smooth before pressing his lips to hers.
Briena lted into the kiss, enjoying the tender side of Ivan. He wasn’t as cold with her as he was with others. Things between them had improved, and she cherished the fact that he treated her well now.
As Ivan’s kiss grew more intense, Briena gently pulled back and whispered, "I have a concert tomorrow."
Ivan paused, his gaze lingering on Briena. "After the concert, then?"
Briena humd in agreent, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "I’ll make sure to look perfect for you."
"You always do," Ivan murmured, his voice low.
Briena smirked lightly, ’This is it. This is what I want, for Ivan to only look at . I won’t let him get upper hand this ti and will make him obey . Natalie will see how the man she once treated like a god, is now treats like his treasure while she is nobody.’
"What are you thinking?" Ivan asked.
Briena got back to her senses and replied, "Can I ask you sothing?"
He responded with a noncommittal hum, swirling the wine in his glass.
"Why did you agree to marry Natalie? Did you really love her that much?" Briena asked, her curiosity sharpening. Ivan always avoided answering this, but today she was determined.
The expressions on Ivan’s face changed to serious and he pulled away from Briena. Instead of answering, he moved to fill his glass once more with wine.
"Or was it because she helped you save your company?" she pressed gently. But from the way his eyes darkened, Briena knew there was sothing deeper—sothing he wasn’t ready to share.
Ivan emptied his glass in one long swallow and set it down with a clink. Then, without warning, he turned and kissed her hard, his grip firm and unyielding.
"Please ," he whispered harshly against her lips, "instead of asking pointless questions."
He pushed her down onto the couch, his movents more forceful now, a faint trace of alcohol fueling his aggression.
Briena kissed him back willingly, but her mind raced. If I can get him to drink more... maybe he’ll let sothing slip. I’ll find out the truth tonight, one way or another.
----
anwhile, seated behind his desk, the tall, handso man stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over the screen.
He had sent a ssage to a userna that once ant the world to him—Sunshine.
[Soon, we will et. Wait for .]
He waited for a reply, with unspoken thoughts. But the screen remained silent.
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