Chapter 16
“Did you prepare this lunch just for me? I can’t believe you still remember what I like p>
In the seating area of the CEO’s office, Camila White was elegantly eating from the dishes spread across the coffee table, a blissful smile she couldn’t contain on her face. Natalie recognized them clearly; they were the dishes she had just made.
It turned out Alexander wasn’t just a picky eater. The few things he liked, he liked because Camila liked them.
“I thought your tastes might have changed after all those years abroad,” Alexander said, his expression neutral, though his eyes were fixed on the food.
Suddenly, he caught a movement at the door. His gaze shifted.
Natalie stood there, holding the thermos. Her beautiful, expressive eyes took in the scene on the coffee table, a look of understanding and self-mockery passing through them.
At that moment, Camila also looked up and saw Natalie. “Natalie, what are you doing here?” she asked, surprised. Her tone implied that Natalie had no right to be
there.
Alexander, leaning back casually against the sofa, showed no sign of guilt.
When Natalie was first learning to cook these dishes for him, she had accidentally cut her finger and gotten splattered with hot oil. He had been so worried back then that he had forbidden her from ever touching a stove again. But she had persisted and mastered them. He had boasted proudly to his friends, refusing to even let Bruce Ward have a taste.
He had probably forgotten all about that.
Natalie walked to the coffee table and placed the thermos down, her expression a mask of indifference. “I wasn’t aware that Mrs. Ramirez needed to make an appointment to visit Mr. Ramirez’s office p>
Camila was taken aback. She noticed that the thermos matched the containers on the table and feigned surprise. “Did you make this for Alexander? I’m so sorry, I thought he had it specially prepared for me p>
Natalie saw no apology in Camila’s eyes, only a veiled delight—the delight of discovering that her tastes and Alexander’s were still perfectly aligned.
“My cooking is mediocre, and I don’t have the time. The housekeeper made all this. Ms. White, please, enjoy it. I have other things to attend to, so I won’t disturb you.” Without another glance at Alexander, Natalie turned and walked out of the office.
“He gave the food you made to Camila White?” Arianna’s voice exploded over the phone. “He did that on purpose p>
Natalie, wearing a Bluetooth headset, stared at an email from the visa center on her computer screen. There were a few more details to fill in. “Intentional or not, it doesn’t matter p>
The visa agent had told her that once the information was complete, her visa should be approved in about two weeks.
“Natalie… are you really over
Alexander Ramirez?” Arianna asked hesitantly after a moment. She had witnessed their whirlwind romance and the first six months of thei
marriage. Whether the feelings were or not, Alexander’s
gentine
adoration had been all-consuming. Could Natalie really let go of a love like that so easily?
Natalie’s hand, guiding the mouse, paused for a fraction of a second before resuming its smooth motion. “I’m not a masochist. Even if I can’t let go have to” The love he had given her was extreme, but so was the pain. The wound hadn’t fully healed, and sometimes, it still hurt to touch. But that was okay. Once she was far away from the source of the pain, the scar would eventually fade.
“Exactly! No matter how handsome Alexander Ramirez is, it doesn’t make up for what a scumbag he is Natalie, when you get to London, you’ll meet someone way better maybe even a handsome, blond with blue eyes. That’ll show that bastard!” Arianna’s hatred for Alexander was deep, and she didn’t mince words.
The bedroom door was suddenly pushed open. Read full story at.net
Natalie looked up to see Alexander. Her heart skipped a beat, but then she remembered she was wearing her headset. He couldn’t hear Arianna. She relaxed.
Whispering a quick “talk later,” she ended the call.
She closed her laptop and stood up, intending to walk past him as if he weren’t
there. As she passed, he grabbed her arm.
“I drank the soup,” Alexander said, his eyes fixed on her face.
Natalie glanced at him. “Okay,” she said.
“It was good,” he added.
“Thanks for the compliment. Are you done? If so, please let go of my arm p>
Her tone was cool and distant. Alexander seemed displeased by her attitude, his brow furrowing. “Your skills have improved, and so has your temper p>
“Am I supposed to be a doormat?” Only a doormat would have no temper. Natalie yanked her arm free and, without another word, walked out of the bedroom.
A phone started ringing in the room. Alexander turned. Natalie’s phone was on the table. The caller ID showed an international number.
She had no relatives abroad. Who would be calling her internationally? Unless p>
A specific person came to Alexander’s mind. His face hardened as he swiped to
answer.
“Natalie, I got the package. Your visa should be almost ready, right p>