Julia turned to Natalie. Noticing her wearing a kitchen apron, she asked, "Were you preparing dinner?"
"Ah! Yes, Grandma," Natalie replied politely, trying not to think about what had just happened in the kitchen. "Please have a seat."
Julia followed Natalie to the sofa and asked, "Were you startled by my arrival without any notice?"
"A little," Natalie admitted.
"I wanted to surprise you, so I came straight here, thinking you must be alone and I could keep you company," the older woman explained as she settled onto the sofa. She then turned to Justin, who had just returned after placing her bags in the guest room. "Why are you here? Albert isn’t home, so there’s no need to pretend to be Natalie’s husband."
Natalie glanced at Justin, who didn’t show a hint of hesitation. He stood there confidently and answered, "Mr. Ford isn’t home, so I thought it would be better to offer her some company, so she wouldn’t feel lonely and feel sad about her grandpa being in the hospital."
Natalie sighed inwardly. ’These two Harpers decided on their own whether I am lonely and need company. No need to ask what I even want.’
Julia hummed in approval. "You did well. That’s very thoughtful of you. But now that I’m here, you don’t need to worry. You must miss your royal suite. You can head back hotel."
Justin could hardly believe it. His grandma hadn’t just shown up unannounced—now she was trying to kick him out. He looked at Natalie, who seemed unsure of what to say.
He sighed. "Alright. As you wish, Julia."
He went to grab his jacket and picked up his car keys.
"Justin, how about you stay for dinner?" Natalie asked hesitantly. "I was cooking for you anyway. If you go back now, you’ll have to eat hotel food."
"It’s alright," Justin said, ready to leave, but then he heard Julia’s voice, "Natalie’s right. Just stay and have dinner with us. Hotel food isn’t the same as homemade food."
Justin glanced at Natalie briefly before looking back at Julia. "You’ll just end up kicking me out anyway, so I might as well leave early."
"Kicking you out?" Julia frowned, her voice rising slightly. "I was only worried you’d be uncomfortable here. If you want to stay, then stay. Am I forcing you to leave?"
"Alright, don’t get upset. I’ll stay," Justin said as he hung his jacket back up, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Natalie shook her head in disbelief. This man... He’s making it look like he’s staying because Grandma insisted, and now she can’t tell him as it would prove his point that she’s ’kicking him out.’
"Grandma, I’m preparing dinner. Please make yourself comfortable," Natalie said, then returned to the kitchen.
Justin walked over to the sofa and called out to Natalie, as if ordering her, "Make a bit more. I’m hungrier than usual tonight."
"Brat, making her work for you?" Julia exclaimed. "Is she your slave? Go and help her. You’re not the only one who’s busy working all day."
He sighed helplessly, reluctant but obedient, and stood up anyway. Just as he turned around, a small smile formed on his lips. He knew his grandma too well.
He entered the kitchen, only to hear Natalie warn, "Stay on the other counter and work from there. Don’t come over to my side."
She had overheard Julia instructing him, so she already knew he’d be joining her in the confined space of the kitchen.
"Seems like someone’s scared after making me stay," Justin teased before asking, "What do you want me to cook?"
Natalie ignored his comment about being scared. Of course, she was scared—scared of being closer to him than she could handle—but she would never admit it.
Moreover, she herself didn’t know why she stopped him. Maybe she didn’t want him to leave empty stomach.
"Pasta. The one you made last time," she replied.
He hummed in acknowledgment and started working on it, refraining from teasing her further and focusing entirely on his task. Dinner was ready in no time, and the three of them sat down to enjoy the meal together.
"Albert should have been here," Julia commented wistfully. "Poor old man, lying in the hospital."
"Once he’s better, I’ll bring him home. Then we can all have dinner together," Natalie added.
Julia sighed. "But with that Sephina around, I doubt she’ll allow it."
"She can’t do anything," Justin said firmly.
Natalie looked at him, a flicker of worry crossing her face. "She’s his wife, and by law, she can take him with her while he’s still sick by claiming he’s not in the right state of mind to make decisions."
He met her gaze, his eyes resolute. "Leave it to me. Just focus on eating."
Julia nodded approvingly. "When Justin says to trust him, you should trust him with your eyes closed. My grandson always keeps his word."
Natalie simply nodded and continued eating. She knew that having him by her side was truly her strength against her own family. One could take on the world, but it was always hardest to deal with one’s own family, one’s own people.
After dinner, Julia decided to chat with Natalie while Justin settled into a single armchair with his laptop to get some work done. He preferred to stay with them in the living room rather than be alone in the bedroom.
"So, what are your plans for the new company?" Julia asked.
Natalie, who was sitting next to her, began explaining her strategy for hiring new artists and expanding operations, only to be interrupted by Julia’s sudden exclamation, "Wait, that reminds me—you hired Victor Reid."
"Yes, we—"
"Can I meet him?" Julia cut her off, excitement lighting up her eyes.
Natalie was a little surprised but nodded. "Yes, of course."
At the mention of Victor Reid, Justin’s attention piqued, and he glanced over at the two women.
"Great. You know, I’ve liked that guy ever since I saw his first movie. I might even ask for his autograph," Julia said, acting like an excited young girl.
Natalie smiled at her enthusiasm and responded sweetly, "Of course, he’d be happy to do that," while inwardly thinking, I wonder what’s so likable about that maniac? Just the mention of his name gives me a headache. Women can truly be deceived so easily by good acting skills.
"Natalie, he’s handsome, isn’t he?" Julia asked with a grin.
Handsome, my ass, Natalie thought but replied, "Of course. That’s one of the reasons he’s so desired by his fans," though inwardly she added, Brainless fans, I must say.
Justin’s gaze turned displeased as he watched the exchange. His gaze stuck at Natalie.
So she finds that rat face handsome? What’s wrong with women’s taste these days? Are truly handsome men becoming so rare that anyone can be considered good-looking now? Doesn’t she see me every day to understand the difference between ugly and handsome?
Natalie could sense his gaze on her but didn’t dare look his way.
"Natalie, I think you and Victor would look really good together," Julia added casually. "What do you think about him as your love interest?"
Before Natalie could even react, she sensed a shift in the atmosphere from the person sitting to her right. Grandma, do you want me to die so soon? Your grandson doesn’t like me being associated with other men!