Inside Natalie’s Office.
Natalie and Mia stepped into the office, where Ella was busy explaining Victor’s schedule for the upcoming week.
Mia grinned as she spotted him. "So, our superstar is here too."
Victor glanced at the two women, his eyes lingering on Natalie as she took her seat. "I was waiting to recharge by seeing my little sweet."
"Other than those good lines in the movies, all you know is to talk shit," Natalie countered.
"Seems like you had too much sweetness from your husband and that my heartfelt words feels like a shit to you now," Victor countered, "What did you do? I can’t expect more from you other than a kiss like school kids?"
Natalie glared at him. "You don’t need to know."
"Ahem," Mia interjected, stifling a laugh. "She missed her morning treat because of me."
Victor raised a brow, leaning slightly toward Natalie. "Ah, is that why you’re sulking? Come here, I’ll give you a better one."
"Shut up!" Natalie snapped, grabbing a nearby file and hurling it at him with force.
Victor caught the file effortlessly, flipping it open. His expression soured instantly to annoyed ones. "No way I am accepting this."
Natalie smiled mockingly, "It’s up to me to decide."
Mia chuckled, catching onto the tension. "When Silvia approached me about promoting our perfume, her only condition was working with you. I thought it was because you were former co-stars, but from the look on your face... seems like there’s more to this story."
Victor’s eyes darkened as he tossed the file back onto the desk with a flick of his hand. "There’s no story. That woman is an annoyance, and I’m not working with her."
Natalie ignored his protest, turning to Mia. "Go ahead and sign with her agency for the perfume project. She and Victor will make a great pair."
Victor’s jaw tightened. "You really want me to drop out, don’t you?"
"This is an opportunity we can’t miss," Natalie replied smoothly. "Silvia’s contract with her current agency is about to expire. If you treat her well, we might be able to bring her over to our agency permanently. With two superstars on our roster, other artists will follow."
Victor scoffed. "I’m just a business deal to you."
"Not like you didn’t know that already."
Victor shrugged in resignation. "Fine. Do whatever you want. But outside of work, keep her far away from me. If you can’t, I’m gone."
Mia chuckled, unable to hide her amusement. "You’ve really piqued my curiosity now. What did she do to get under your skin?"
Victor shot her a dark look but said nothing, turning his attention back to Ella and their discussion.
Mia grinned, nudging Natalie. "He really is a fortune-bringer for your company, isn’t he?"
Natalie smiled slyly. "That’s exactly why he’s here."
-----
Natalie and Justin visited Albert at noon. Natalie was already sitting by his bedside when Justin arrived.
Albert’s face lit up with a warm smile as Justin entered. "Good to see you here, young man."
Justin gave a polite nod. "How have you been?"
"Getting better," Albert replied as he accepted a bowl of neatly cut fruit Natalie had prepared for him. "I just can’t wait to get discharged from this place."
"Grandpa, this time you’re not leaving the hospital unless the doctor says it’s completely safe," Natalie said firmly.
"That means I’ll be stuck here forever," Albert grumbled.
"Maybe just a little longer," Natalie coaxed gently.
Albert sighed dramatically, but his eyes twinkled with mischief. "Alright, I’ll endure it—but only if I have some hope of seeing your children before I get out of here."
"Grandpa!" Natalie exclaimed, her face turning red.
The old man chuckled. "You’re married now! Can’t I expect that from you?" He glanced at Justin with an amused grin. "Did I say something wrong?"
Justin’s expression remained composed. "No," he said calmly, "we’ll work on it."
Natalie’s eyes widened in disbelief. What? she thought, staring at Justin. When did we even talk about kids? Wasn’t this just about him courting me?
Albert beamed, pleased with Justin’s answer. "That’s the spirit—a true filial son-in-law!"
Natalie decided it was best not to argue, especially seeing how happy her grandfather looked. Instead, she stood up abruptly. "I’ll go talk to the doctor," she said, eager to escape before the conversation spiraled further into dangerous territory.
Albert chuckled as she hurried away, clearly flustered. Once she left, his smile faded, and his expression turned serious.
"Have you found him yet?" Albert asked quietly, his eyes sharp.
Justin gave a small nod. "Soon. He’ll be standing right in front of me."
Albert leaned back against the pillows, satisfied but resolute. "I want to know the reason and his motive. After that, you can do whatever you see fit."
Justin nodded in agreement.
Albert’s gaze softened as he glanced toward the door where Natalie had just left. "She seems to like you now. I’ve never seen her this shy before."
Justin looked at the door she had left through. He could see she liked him or she wouldn’t let him get close to her the way she allowed him now.
But...deep down in his heart, he felt worried that he was yet to tell her the important thing about her life and how she would react to it.
Also, there are many things she had yet to know about him. Maybe slowly, as they get together and she starts trusting him.
Just then, Sephina entered the room. The moment her gaze landed on Justin sitting comfortably in a chair, her expression turned cold.
Justin didn’t look pleased to see her, either. He made no effort to greet her, ignoring her presence entirely.
Sephina walked straight to Albert, placing the fruit bag she’d brought on the table with a dull thud. "I see you keep entertaining undesirable guests in my absence."
"Undesirable for you, maybe. But not for me," Albert replied sharply. "I invited him here myself. He’s our grandson-in-law, and I expect you to show him some respect."
Sephina sat down with a sharp glare directed at Justin. "My day isn’t so bad that I’d start accepting a gigolo into the family."
Albert’s brows shot up in disbelief. "A gigolo? Who are you calling a gigolo?"