Chapter 10
**Chapter 10: A Change in Weather p>
A Change in Weather.
It was Nathaniel.
The moment the rich, intoxicating scent of his cologne enveloped her, a familiar ache pierced through Serena. It was a fragrance that once brought her comfort, now it felt like a cruel reminder of everything she had lost. She stood frozen, her heart racing, as his striking blue-gray eyes captured hers, slicing through the barriers she had built around herself.
“You came,” he said, his voice a deep murmur, almost as if he were surprised to see her.
Serena swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his gaze. She couldn’t bear to look at her reflection, but she could sense the pallor of her cheeks. Her lips quivered as she attempted to form words. “I p>
But the moment his attention sharpened, a wave of vulnerability washed over her, and she instinctively turned her gaze away.
Nathaniel settled into the chair opposite her, and an involuntary reaction coursed through Serena. Her fingers clutched tightly around her coat, an unconscious shield against the emotional turmoil swirling within her.
After a brief silence, she found the courage to voice the reason that had compelled her to Velmon Regency. “Why did you blacklist me from working in the city p>
His brow furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. “What p>
“Why did you blacklist me from working in other companies?!” she snapped, her voice rising in a crescendo of frustration before she could rein it in. “I applied for a consultancy position and was told that the Thornes have unofficially blacklisted me in this city p>
Nathaniel’s jaw tightened, a muscle twitching as he swallowed hard. “Who said that p>
“It doesn’t matter!” she shot back, her indignation flaring. “What more do you want from me, Nathan? You’ve already ruined my life. And now you want to prevent me from finding a job p>
“I—” His voice wavered, rising in pitch before faltering. He averted his gaze momentarily, gathering his thoughts. “I’ll look into it. But you wouldn’t be worrying about this if you hadn’t quit your job. I never asked you to resign p>
“That’s absurd, and we both know it,” she retorted, her voice steady but laced with anger. “Why would I remain in a company run by my ex-husband? The same man who manipulated my feelings and treated me like a pawn p>
She noticed him flinch, a barely perceptible reaction that almost escaped her notice.
“Then at least take the money I gave you. Use it to take some time off,” he suggested, his tone softening.
“Anyway, it doesn’t matter,” she said, her resolve hardening as she grabbed her bag and stood up. A fleeting thought crossed her mind about asking for the five million dollars again, but her pride held her back.
She could make it on her own; she had promised herself that!
“Go back to your seat,” Nathaniel commanded, his piercing gaze compelling her to return to her chair. “You’ve lost so much weight. At least finish your food p>
“I’ve already eaten enough,” she replied, smoothing down her coat as if to brush off the conversation. “Thank Dennis for me p>
“Sit.” His tone deepened, leaving no room for argument. “The gala just ended. You’ll run into my mom. It’s better if you stay here until everyone leaves p>
The mere mention of Bianca Thorne sent a shiver down Serena’s spine. She felt her breath hitch in her throat as her grip on her bag tightened. Slowly, she sank back into her seat, resigned to the situation. Since she was already there, she picked up the last piece of bread and chewed it slowly, savoring the momentary distraction. “I’ll ask Dennis to hire you,” Nathaniel said softly, his voice a surprising contrast to the tension in the air. “His company could really use someone with your talent p>
Serena’s brows knitted together at his unexpected offer, but she kept her gaze averted, unwilling to engage with him further.
The silence that followed was thick and heavy, punctuated only by the persistent ringing of his phone, which he ignored, silencing it repeatedly as if the outside world had ceased to exist.
After what felt like an eternity, Gavin strolled into the private room, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “Your mother and Vanessa have left, sir,” he reported to Nathaniel.
“It’s clear now. We can leave,” Nathaniel said, his tone shifting to one of finality.
Serena rose from her seat, determined to exit without another word. She hurried out of the private room, her heart racing, not bothering to acknowledge him. She quickened her pace, making her way to the lobby, feeling a strange mix of relief and anxiety. She had no idea where Nathaniel had gone, but she could sense his presence lingering behind her, a ghost she couldn’t shake off.
Just when she thought she might finally be free, his sleek Audi pulled up beside her. The window glided down, revealing Nathaniel’s familiar face. “Where is your car?” he asked, his tone a blend of concern and authority.
When she didn’t respond, he pressed further, his voice more insistent this time. “Serena, where is your car p>
“It broke down in the underground parking,” she replied, her eyes fixed on the ground, unwilling to meet his gaze.
Nathaniel didn’t budge; he remained there, waiting for her to make a decision.
As she wrestled with her resolve, she overheard snippets of conversation from the guests nearby.
“The hotel’s fully booked. We can’t even stay here p>
Serena’s heart sank at the realization.
She turned to Nathaniel, who remained impassive. “Don’t be stubborn. Let me take
you home,” he urged, his voice steady, but she could sense the underlying
frustration.
Truth be told, she was
drained-physically, emotionally, and
mentally. Perhaps accepting one
favor from the man who had
shattered her heart wouldn’t be the
end of the world
a resigned
sigh, she slipped into the car, opting
for the backseat instead of the
passenger side.
Nathaniel showed no reaction; he simply pressed the gas pedal, and they were off.
The Audi A5 was a recent
acquisition for Nathaniel, and Serena
couldn’t help but recall the countless times she had sat beside him in this very car. Maybe it was the familiarity of the vehicle or perhaps the fatigue that weighed heavily on her, but her eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she succumbed to sleep.
The jarring sound of thunder jolted Serena awake. She sat up abruptly, gasping for breath as her heart raced, trying to steady the rapid rise and fall of her chest.
The room around her was dark, quiet, and eerily familiar. Only the faint glow from the bathroom light illuminated the edges of the furniture, casting long shadows that danced along the walls.
Serena swallowed hard, a wave of recognition washing over her. She knew this place all too well—a room she had vowed never to return to, filled with memories she desperately wished to erase.
But what sent a chill down her spine was the unsettling realization that she wasn’t wearing the same clothes anymore.
Someone had changed her.
Then, like a whisper in the night, she heard his voice. “Go back to sleep p>