Natalie wasn’t fully relieved until they were outside the studio. She breathed a sigh of relief, her distress still clearly etched on her face.
“You look like the world is ending! Draco isn’t going to devour you, is he?” Tasha thought that Natalie had nothing to worry since Draco had been hiding his feelings for Natalie probably because he didn’t want to put her in an uncomfortable position.
“To tell you the truth, I’ve always had great respect for Mr. Wesley, but I don’t know how I’m going to face him right now. I’m even thinking about leaving W Marks.” “I never realized he had feelings for me,” Natalie said frankly to Tasha, “which was why I never felt awkward when rumors spread about us. Because I knew they were not true.”
Moreso, Natalie had reassured Brandon with full confidence that Draco would never fall in love with her… And now, she’d have to eat her own words.
“You’re overthinking again. Since Mr. Wesley never said it out loud, that means he didn’t want you to know.” Hearing that Natalie was considering leaving W Marks, Tasha felt compelled to reason with her immediately.
She didn’t want Natalie to leave. Natalie was an excellent designer and W Marks needed her.
“Don’t leave W Marks so rashly,” Tasha said earnestly. “If Mr. Wesley knows you’re considering leaving, he’ll blame himself.”
Natalie knew that Tasha was looking out for her because she cared for her.
But she couldn’t think straight now. She felt trapped and didn’t know what to do.
******
Knowing that Natalie had to work overtime tonight, Brandon had specially made dinner for her and had been waiting.
Natalie didn’t get back home till very late, though. “Wash up and let’s have dinner.” Brandon smiled gently. He was still wearing his apron from having prepared their late-night dinner.
With a f0rced smile, Natalie washed her hands before pulling out a chair for herself and sitting down at the table.
“I made your favorite ribs tonight, the way people from Seacisco did. You’ll love it, I’m sure.”
Natalie grew up in Seacisco and had never grown accustomed to the food from Barnes.
However, Brandon could tell that the smile on Natalie’s face seemed somewhat perfunctory. She couldn’t get Draco’s drawings out of her head. It was all she could focus on while eating.
Brandon noticed she was out of sorts and tried to catch her attention. He put a hot pepper on her plate. Natalie was so distracted, she didn’t even notice and just kept on eating.
Suddenly, she put her hands to her throat, coughing violently. Her face turned red and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Didn’t you notice the pepper I put on your plate?” Frowning, Brandon stood up and poured Natalie a glassof water. “Come on now, what’s wrong? Your mind’s been somewhere else all evening.”
Tears in her eyes, Natalie looked over at Brandon, not sure if she should tell him what had happened tonight.
Seeing the hesitation in her eyes, Brandon frowned again, sat down and looked into Natalie’s eyes. “What happened?” “I think Draco likes me.” Continuing to hold his gaze,
Natalie told Brandon what had happened at W Marks tonight. She waited for his response.
But he didn’t say a word.
“Brandon? Didn’t you hear what I just said?” Natalie pursed her lips and looked at Brandon.
Brandon’s expression hadn’t changed.
“I see. Let’s finish eating first. The food’s getting cold.” Brandon dished some more food onto her plate for her as if nothing had happened.
At least, Natalie was very hungry. She quickly finished most of the food he’d laid out before her.
Afterwards, she cleaned up the table and took the dishes to the kitchen to wash them.
Brandon didn’t stop her.
Natalie hadn’t done the dishes for a while now. When she in the midst of it, the faucet suddenly malfunctioned causing a jet of water to unexpectedly drench her.
With both of her hands submerged in the bubbles, Natalie wasn’t sure what to do. She shouted, “Brandon, the tap is broken!”
By the time Brandon rushed in, she was already soaking w*et. Brandon dashed to the tap to turn it off, and in the process, both of them were fully doused in water.
Brandon sighed and looked at Natalie helplessly.
“Go upstairs and get changed.” At the sight of Natalie’s black bra, Brandon gulped. He turned around and stared at the washing basin. “I’ll deal with the mess here.”
Natalie turned around to go upstairs but then stopped in her tracks and walked back uneasily and asked, “I want to ask you something. Why don’t you want to talk to me about the thing with Draco?”
She hugged Brandon from behind. “Are you upset?”
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Brandon turned around and held Natalie’s shoulders in his arms, meeting her big, beautiful eyes with his.
Brandon couldn’t pretend anymore. He chuckled and said, “Because I’ve always known that Draco likes you. So I wasn’t surprised when you told me. I’m just wondering how you found out. I thought Draco had hidden his affections so well.”
Natalie was stunned, embarrassed to have not seen it herself.
“Does everyone know that he likes me? Am I the only one who didn’t realize?”
“I don’t know. Even if others knew, they’d never say anything. You don’t have to worry about it. It’s not your fault if a man happens to like you. You’re beautiful and charming. That’s why so many people want you.” Brandon couldn’t help but hold Natalie tightly to him, his face buried in her neck. He took a deep breath and said, “Fortunately, I got you before anyone else could. Honey, you’re all mine.”
Curling up in his arms, Natalie felt Brandon’s natural scent was like a special elixir to her, curing her of her irritability and worries.
But she was still a bit conflicted. “What do you mean by you got me before anyone else could? Derek also said something like that today. What’s wrong with you guys? Do you all think of me as a possession?”
Brandon held her tighter and tried to placate her. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. Honey, please don’t misunderstand me.”