After arguing with Justin, Natalie returned to the office and busied herself in the work. But she couldn’t stop cursing Justin in her mind.
’That Jerk. How could you just dismiss someone without considering their efforts? John was his trusted man and he just.....Is he some god to build some ridiculous rules which can’t be broken? Is he truly some kind of Mafia, hiding behind a faced businessman?’ She wondered, but then frowned, ’I don’t need to be scared of him. I wasn’t scared of anyone in Xyros city, then what more is this spoiled rich brat?’
She looked at her cellphone, and once more dialed John’s number but couldn’t reach him once more.
I hope he’s okay... The thought tugged at her heart. This is all my fault. All he did was try to protect me, and now he’s the one paying for my mistakes. I just need to know he’s safe, and maybe then I can finally have some peace.
With a sigh, Natalie set the phone back on her desk and leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. Then, a soft ping alerted her to a new message.
Assuming it wasn’t anything important, she picked up her phone lazily. But as she saw the sender, her eyes widened.
Message from: Little Star.
Ivan? she wondered in disbelief. Why is he messaging me now, after all this time, from that old ID?
She opened the message to read it, her heart gripped with those past feelings when she would feel comforted whenever she received a message from Little Star.
She opened the message, her pulse quickening.
Little Star: Soon, we will meet. Wait for me.
Natalie stared at the words, blinking several times in disbelief. What the hell is Ivan trying to pull? Her heart raced, a mixture of anger and confusion swirling inside her. Is he out of his mind?
She furiously typed out a reply: Go to hell, and don’t ever message me again.
But just as quickly, she deleted it. Her fingers hovered over the screen, trembling with restrained emotion.
I have nothing to say to him. I already repaid him for everything. I owe him nothing. He can go to hell.
With that Natalie closed the message and put her cellphone back. But somewhere she had this unsettling feeling in her heart as if there was something wrong.
----
In the evening, at Ivan’s private office suite.
Ivan and Briena lounged on the plush leather couch, glasses of wine in hand. Briena rested comfortably against him, savoring the intimacy and the warm buzz of the evening.
"Grandma invited Natalie and her husband to the anniversary gathering," Briena said with a casually. "Even though Natalie doesn’t really see us as family, we still considers her a Ford."
"You know her well. If you say so, then you must be right," Briena replied, grinning inside, ’Can’t wait for him to show up.’
"I wait to see what kind of a man he is for her to marry him," Ivan said, his gaze narrowing ahead, "I am sure she will regret it in the future."
Briena’s grin deepened. "How does she even tolerate him? Sleeping with other women for money... it’s disgusting."
"Isn’t she doing the same?" Ivan remarked with a bitter sneer.
Briena hummed in agreement and then shifted closer, her tone softening. "Ivan, I’ll never tolerate it if you sleep with another woman. I want you all to myself."
Ivan smiled faintly and brushed his hand along her cheek. "I never will," he promised, his voice low and smooth before pressing his lips to hers.
Briena melted into the kiss, enjoying the tender side of Ivan. He wasn’t as cold with her as he was with others. Things between them had improved, and she cherished the fact that he treated her well now.
As Ivan’s kiss grew more intense, Briena gently pulled back and whispered, "I have a concert tomorrow."
Ivan paused, his gaze lingering on Briena. "After the concert, then?"
Briena hummed in agreement, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "I’ll make sure to look perfect for you."
"You always do," Ivan murmured, his voice low.
Briena smirked lightly, ’This is it. This is what I want, for Ivan to only look at me. I won’t let him get upper hand this time and will make him obey me. Natalie will see how the man she once treated like a god, is now treats me like his treasure while she is nobody.’
"What are you thinking?" Ivan asked.
Briena got back to her senses and replied, "Can I ask you something?"
He responded with a noncommittal hum, swirling the wine in his glass.
"Why did you agree to marry Natalie? Did you really love her that much?" Briena asked, her curiosity sharpening. Ivan always avoided answering this, but today she was determined.
The expressions on Ivan’s face changed to serious and he pulled away from Briena. Instead of answering, he moved to fill his glass once more with wine.
"Or was it because she helped you save your company?" she pressed gently. But from the way his eyes darkened, Briena knew there was something deeper—something he wasn’t ready to share.
Ivan emptied his glass in one long swallow and set it down with a clink. Then, without warning, he turned and kissed her hard, his grip firm and unyielding.
"Please me," he whispered harshly against her lips, "instead of asking pointless questions."
He pushed her down onto the couch, his movements more forceful now, a faint trace of alcohol fueling his aggression.
Briena kissed him back willingly, but her mind raced. If I can get him to drink more... maybe he’ll let something slip. I’ll find out the truth tonight, one way or another.
----
Meanwhile, seated behind his desk, the tall, handsome man stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over the screen.
He had sent a message to a username that once meant the world to him—Sunshine.
[Soon, we will meet. Wait for me.]
He waited for a reply, with unspoken thoughts. But the screen remained silent.