Natalie, her cheeks flush with embarrassment, playfully tugged at a stray lock of hair.Is my look that drastically different now?
Elizabeth leaned in closer, her eyes wide with exaggerated shock.
is Natalies laughter bubbled up, her eyes dancing with mirth.So,Im virtually unrecognizable? Ezlibaeth nodded.I mightve walked right past you on the street, thinking our dear Mr. Larson had moved on with a mysterious new beauty.If not for Franks heads-up about yourmakeover Id be in Mandys boat of assumptions!
Suddenly,Mandy,as if drawn by some invisible force, gravitated towards Natalie. Silently, she took Natalies face into her appraisal, her scrutiny so intense that Natalie felt a tad uncomfortable. As Natalie inched away, Mandy released her and arched a curious brow.Alright, spill. Whered you get the magic done?
Natalie blinked, genuinely baffled. Magic? Im not following
Tilting her head playfully, Elizabeth nudged Natalie,whispering conspiratorially,She thinks youve had a bit of a nip and tuck. Mandys probably plotting her own transformation.
Natalies cheeks bloomed with color. So, you think Im prettier now?
Disregarding Elizabeths teasing, Mandy, her chin resting thoughtfully on her hand, offered agenuine compliment. Your changes, wherever you got them, are sublime. I mean it. Do tell, where did this metamorphosis happen? Natalie, a bashful grin tugging at her lips, touched her face lightly and asked,Is the new me truly an improvement?
Mandys enthusiastic nod was almost comical. However,recalling that Natalie had once been a rival, her demeanor swiftly shifted. She smugly declared, Before? Your features were decent. But lets be real. Your facial structure was quite pedestrian. It lacked a certain charm.
Brandon, ever protective of Natalie, bristled at Mandys audacity. He coldly interjected,Miss Hamilton, kindly choose your words with more care.
Mandy,remembering her earlier boldness,was momentarily cowed. She mumbled defensively,I was just speaking my truth.
Facing Mandys pointed observation, Natalie merely responded with an elegant shrug.Gently patting Brandons hand, she replied with a gentle chuckle,I believe Miss Hamilton has a point, darling.
Brandon blinked, momentarily taken aback. With a hint of introspection, Natalie tenderly brushed her fingertips along her own cheek, musing,Looking back at older photographs, I do see the contrast. My features now have a harmony that they may have lacked before. Mandy, empowered by Natalies apparent agreement, thrust her chin up in a victorious tilt, proclaiming, See? Even your wife concurs. The glow-up is real.
With an amused glint in his eyes, Brandon drew Natalie close,lightly pinching her cheek.To me, he whispered tenderly,your beauty has always been timeless, unchanged by years or circumstances.
Natalies cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink, her smile radiating pure warmth.
In the background,Elizabeth kept a subtle yet watchful eye on Mandy
Thanks to Frank, she already knew of Natalies amnesia. Concerned that Mandys unchecked words might unsettle Natalie, Elizabeth shot meaningful glances toward Brandon.
But alas, her frantic eye signals went unnoticed, as Brandon remained lost in the world of his tender exchanges with Natalie.
Draco, noticing Elizabeths blinking spree, queried in genuine concern, Is something wrong with your eyes? Should I rush you to a medic Growing slightly exasperated bythe obliviousness around her, Elizabeth took matters into her own hands.Approaching Natalie, she introduced herself with a gracious smileHello, Natalie. Im Elizabeth. Once a colleague, forever a friend. Its heartening to have you back in Barnes!
Natalies face lit up,recognition sparking in her eyes.Elizabeth!Ive admired your masterpieces on W. Marks website. Your designs captivate me. Id love to delve deeper into your creative process!
Beaming,Eliabeth respondedd be delighted to share.
As Elizabeths words tapered off, Mandy knit her brows in perplexity, quizzically stating,Elizabeth, wasnt Natalie a close friend of yours? Why the introduction? And Natalie, your reactions they seem as if youve never met Elizabeth before?
Mid-thought, a light bulb moment seemed to strike Mandy. Recalling Natalies slightly peculiar address to her earlier, her eyes widened in realization.Could it be that you
Acknowledging the unsaid query, Natalie responded with a hint of melancholy, Im grappling with memory loss. The past is like a book with its pages torn out.
A gasp escaped Mandy,her mouth forming a perfect O.Elizabeth swiftly placed a comforting hand on Mandys arm,whispering,Handle with care.Natalies emotional state is fragile right now. Reading the room and understanding the gravity,Mandy smoothly pivoted the conversation.Alright, lets put the past aside. Given the circumstances,Ill excuse your lapse
Natalie,unaffected by Mandys slight,responded graciously, Ive come to understand youre quite the force to reckon with in the fashion industry,Miss Hamilton.
With a blend of pride and playfulness,Mandy tilted her chin up and retorted,Indeed! While youre at it, any design-related queries should come straight to me. After all, compared to my experience and prowess, Elizabeth is but a fledgling assistant designer.
Not one to be outdone,Elizabeth shot back,her voice tinged with annoyance,Mark my words, Ill soon stand on my own in the design realm. Why the hubris, Mandy?
Sensing a brewing storm,Natalie deftly stepped in, steering the conversation back to neutral territory. She smiled warmly at Mandy, saying,Miss Hamilton, Ive been keeping up with global fashion showcases of late. Youre clearly making waves. Im genuinely enamored with your artistry and eagerly await a design dialogue with you.
Mandy, not accustomed to such affable acknowledgment from Natalie, was momentarily lost for words.Her usual bravado melting away, she stammered,Do you truly feel that way?
With a serene smile, Natalie affirmed,Your creations drew me in.
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.
Chastened by Natalies grace, Mandy felt a touch of remorse for her earlier posturing.
Clearing her throat, she offered, Your sentiments are heartfelt. My schedule is open. Seek me out whenever you wish for a tete-a-tete on design.
Humph! Elizabeth snorted dismissively. However, Mandy refrained from any further debate, displaying an unexpectedly softer side towards Natalie.
Time meandered as the trio exchanged pleasantries,eventually settling into the plush embrace of a sofa. With a tender touch, Brandon played with Natalies silken strands, inquiring, Arent you keen on resuming your tour of the dresses outside?
Brushing away thoughts of the dresses Natalie gleamed. Id rather spend this time reconnecting with faces from my past.
She then cast an intrigued glance at the quiet gentleman, donned in a chic casual suit.And who might this be?
Brandons eyes frosted over when they landed on Draco. The last thing he wanted was to
introduce this potential contender for Natalies affection. Tight-lipped and clearly agitated,he remained silent.
Mandy, wide-eyed in astonishment, remarked,You dont even remember him?
Wearing an apologetic smile, Natalie admitted,The past feels like a blank canvas to me. Is this gentleman someone of significance in my life? With dark humor glinting in his eyes, Brandon responded with a scoff,Hardly. Hes practically a passerby.
Feeling the atmosphere grow dense with tension,Elizabeth, ever the peacemaker, leaned close to whisper in Natalies ear, Thats none other than the mastermind behind W Marks Studio, Mr. Draco Wesley. You mustve come across his acclaimed work on the W Marks official portal.
Picking up the thread, Mandy chimed in, Mr. Wesleys name is the buzz of the design world, yet hes the epitome of discretion. The Internet hardly captures his essence in photographs. Its entirely plausible for you to not recognize him.
As Dracos name wafted through the air, Natalies frame quivered, her eyes blazing with an illuminating astonishment.
The serenity that once painted her visage now wore a touch of reverence. She hesitated for a fleeting moment before extending a tentative wave and uttering, Mr. Wesley, Ive been utterly captivated by your designs on W Marks official site.Theyre nothing short of brilliant! But before Draco could summon a reply, Brandons eyes darted a frosty warning in his direction. With a glacial tone, he remarked,Draco, even think of capitalizing on Natalies memory lapse to win her over,and youll regret it.
Natalies cheeks flushed a delicate rose as she playfully jabbed Brandons chest.What on earth are you implying?
Wearing a sly grin that bore a hint of mischief, Brandon ensnared Natalies hand, quipping,Merely fortifying my defenses before battle.
Pulling away, Natalies eyes glinted with mild irritation. Continue on this tangent, and youll find yourself conversing with the wind.
Attempting to dissolve the mounting tension, she turned towards Draco, her demeanor apologetic.Im genuinely sorry,Mr.Wesley.My husbands joke was in poor taste. I hope you wont hold it against him.
From the ebb and flow of the prior dialogue, Draco deduced Natalies blank memory slate.